Morocco Travel Guide

MAISON  D’HÔTES

INN

RESORT

BERBER, ITALIAN

literacy program. It’s 30km along the Er-Rachidia–Erfoud road, in the centre of Douar Irgroum.

Camping Tissirt $

( 0662 14 13 78; [email protected]; per person/car/car-camping/caravan Dh15/15/20/30,
d incl half-board Dh150) At the edge of the palmeraie before Aufous is this palm-shaded camp
with two appealing pisé bungalows and meals of local kalia (spiced, minced mutton).

Getting there & Away

Public buses travel from Er-Rachidia to a terminal above the spring from 7am to 9pm (Dh3.5).
Any bus or grand taxi to Erfoud or Aufous can drop you at the turn-off. When leaving, flag down
a grand taxi from the main road.

Erfoud

POP 24,000
Fossilised bathtubs and moist, sweet dates are Erfoud’s current claims to fame, though it was
once the end of the road. Now that the tarmac reaches the dunes, you can sit at Erfoud
sidewalk cafes and hear 4WDs gunning past to Merzouga hotels with dune views. Savvy
travellers brake for wood-fired madfouna (Berber calzone), fossils, and a look at ancient Ksar
M’Aadid (5km north of Erfoud).

In September or October Erfoud has an increasingly well-attended date festival , with
dancing and music. The souq at the southern end of town sells local dates alongside fresh
produce.

Sleeping

Riad Nour $

( 0535 57 77 48; http://riad-nour.ifrance.com; s/d/tr Dh310/380/460; ) Peace and quiet
is the aim here, with 12 whitewashed garden guest rooms with blue tiled floors, wrought-iron
beds and framed calligraphy. There’s a palm-shaded pool, well-stocked bar, and songbirds in
the garden courtyard. It’s 5km before Erfoud on the right.

Kasbah Xaluca Maadid $$$

( 0535 57 84 50; www.xaluca.com; s/d Dh700/900, junior/royal ste Dh1200/2900; ) A
flashy pool-party scene straight out of music videos (Moroccan MTV films here), only with more
kids. Junior suites are the rock stars here, with fossilised marble bedsteads and mineral lamps;
suites are frilly, with chintz dust ruffles on four-poster beds. Desert travellers appreciate the full-
service spa, but kids head for the pool and minigolf course. It’s 5km before Erfoud on the right.

Eating

Pizzeria-Restaurant des Dunes $

(    0535   57  67  93; www.restaurantdesdunes.com; Ave Moulay  Ismail; pizza   Dh40,   set