I have recently come back from Morocco, stopped in Marrakech, Zagora, Ouarzazate, M'hamid, then head out to the Sahara.

I used two guidebooks for this trip. One is yours, and the other one is the rough guide. All two recommend the same expedition agency for the Sahara trip.

I was being a sheep and decided to follow advice, and tried to look for the one call Sahara in both guidebooks. I have nothing booked, it was a last minute decision. Having read a Taiwanese writer’s biography account of her married life to a Spanish diver who ended up living in the dessert in my teenage years. I wanted to see the dessert. My husband and me took a grand taxi from Ouarzazate to M'hamid. The first sign we saw was the 'Saharia Expeditions... Le Petit Prince..' It was on the left as you enter M'hamid. Having travelling in the heat, I made a mistake that it was Sahara Expeditions. Told the taxi driver to stop and jump off, thinking I have found the right place. It turns out to be a different one that was not listed in any of the guidebook. We met one of the brothers who owe and run the agency. Ibrahim Sbzi. He was very professional, he gave us a brief account what they do and offered to take us to Sahara Expeditions if we wanted to. Having come across of so many pushy aggressive touts in Morocco, this was a pleasant surprise. He comes up with an individual tailored programme for us. As we just missed the large French party, which just left in the morning. Frankly, I don't mind. First night, we ride in their Camels to the camp. Then dinner in their camp. The camp was a permanent structure, it was in traditional style, but had their own generator, so there are two-shower room with hot water. Anyone who has been to Sahara knows how valuable this is. Breakfast in the morning. Ibrahim has a traditional band that participate in world music festival, he come in with his instrument and play a jam session with us, that was awesome. The next day we went out with one guide and a camel boy, two camels and head out to the Sahara, the whole trip was awesome. The guide Ali also acts as cook, tried his best to make our trip interesting and comfortable. He even set up my tent so I do not have to get out of the tent to watch sunrise. Everything was great, price is slightly over average, we paid 350 dr. per day and then on the last day, they sent a 4 x 4 to pick us up to go to Chigaga, that was 600 dr. each. This agency seems very nice and friendly. Especially Ibrahim, he even gave us two head scarves on the first evening, as we have to ride through a sandstorm to go to the camps on the camels.

Their proper name is Cherg Expeditions, has one office in 2 Place El Mouahidine Ouarzazate 45000, Tel/Fax: (00212)24 88 79 08, GSM: (00212) 61 24 31 47, email: cherg.expe@menara.ma and web:www.cherg.com. They also has an office in Zagora, Centre M'hamid, Tel/Fax: 024 88 79 08, GSM: 061 24 31 47/062 20 43 67.

I felt that I have to recommend this one to give the readers more selection, especially I have such a good time with them.
Grace HO

Nice post, Grace. The guidebooks were really helpful. I also use them whenever I have a trip to Morocco.