on, say ‘tourne le conteur, si’l vous plaît’.
» » There is often a fixed price for journeys, which varies according to the city.
» » Where taxis are not metered, agree on a price beforehand.
» » If the driver refuses to use the meter and won’t give you a price, ask to stop and get out.
Most petit-taxi drivers are perfectly honest, but those in Marrakesh are notoriously greedy with
tourists.
» » Multiple hire is common. The price should be the same whether you hail an empty taxi and
pick up other passengers en route, or there are already others in a taxi you wave down, or you
travel alone.
» » From 8pm (often 9pm in summer) there is normally a 50% surcharge – or just Dh1 or so
where a fixed-fare system is in place.
Pick-up Truck & 4WD
» » In more remote areas, especially the Atlas Mountains, locals travel between villages in
Berber camionettes (pick-up trucks), old vans or the back of trucks.
» » This is a bumpy but adventurous way to get to know the country and people a little better.
» » It can mean waiting a considerable time (even days) for a lift.
» » When travelling between remote towns and villages, the best time to find a lift is early on
market days (generally once or twice a week).
» » 4WD taxis operate on remote pistes that would destroy normal taxis.
Tours
See also Click here and Click here for specialist operators offering activities from birdwatching
to horse riding.
Amira Tourisme (www.amiratourisme.com; Marrakesh) Readers recommend this Italian
company’s desert excursions.
Atlas Sahara Trek (www.atlas-sahara-trek.com; Marrakesh) Winter camel-treks to Erg
Chigaga and summer hikes into the M’Goun valley.
Authentic Morocco (www.authentic-morocco.com; Marrakesh & UK) This reliable company
supports local communities and practises low-impact tourism, offering itineraries from camel
treks to tours of Roman ruins.
Desert Majesty (www.desertmajesty.com; Ouarzazate) Recommended by readers, offering
tours and bivouac-based adventures throughout the Atlas and Moroccan Sahara.
Equatorial Travel (www.equatorialtravel.co.uk; UK) Tailor-made trips and set itineraries,
focused on areas including music, photography and walking, run by a small agency based on
the fair-trade concept.
Gecko’s Grassroots Adventures (www.geckosadventures.com; UK) Readers recommend
Gecko’s Moroccan itineraries, which last from a week to a month.
Journeys Elite (www.journeyselite.com; UK) Offers tailor-made trips such as Anti Atlas by
4WD, and High Atlas gorges to Erg Chebbi.
KE Adventure Travel (www.keadventure.com; UK) Adventure specialists with trekking,
mountain-bike, climbing, family and photography itineraries across Morocco, from Essaouira to
Jebel L’Kest.
Marrakesh Voyage (www.morocco-travel-agency.com; US) Has an extensive list of itineraries