FAQS

Packing  ⤵  Wifi and staying connected ⤵             Food Your driver Currency ⤵    

Blankets & sheets are provided at the fixed desert camp, and blankets only on desert treks (please bring a 2 or 2-3 season sleeping bag for desert

trekking Nov-March);

Sun protection (cream, hat, sunglasses, scarf for the neck);

Trekking sandals (with socks) or trainers for the desert - we advise against walking boots;

Canvas walking shoes or canvas boots for the mountains (for the foothills, even trainers) - we advise against heavy leather walking boots;

- February particularly so) - however, a campfire is always lit;

Comfortable, loose clothing in the day, especially for the driving days in the car - pack clothing that you can layer easily and don't mind getting a bit dusty (unless you plan to visit very upmarket restaurants/hotel bars you won't need to dress formally in the cities);

Motion sickness tablets (if you might suffer with car sickness on the winding roads across the Atlas mountains, and across the desert terrain);

Electric point adapter - plug points are two-pronged as per Europe - and (purely a suggestion) external power bank/spare batteries;

Spare plastic bag to put garbage in (necessary on treks - ideally transport your own litter out of the desert, or hand it to your trek guide).

Wifi and staying connected

You can expect to find wifi at the guest houses we use on the tours.

There is no wifi service in the Sahara desert. If you have an urgent need to stay connected you should buy a SIM card from network operator Orange. You should be able to find an Orange outlet in the Marrakech medina on Boulevard Mohamed V, or near the Place Ferblantiers. Alternatively at the Almazar shopping centre which is out of town.

Sometimes, free SIM cards are handed out at the Marrakech airport. These won't work in the desert (only the Orange network works through the Iriqui National Park/Erg Chigaga region

Food

We do ask you to specify any special dietary requirements to us.

On trek and at camp in the desert, you will eat very well indeed-the emphasis is on fresh vegetables & fruit, tagines (meat/vegetable), soup, salads, bread, and lots of mint tea

For trekking, you may consider bringing your own snacks/energy bars if you like to snack on-the-go. You certainly won't go hungry though

At your guest houses, expect the same sort of meals- usually on half-board basis at guest houses there is no a la carte' choice for your evening meal but you can expect to eat three-courses, all home-cooked of course.

Lunch en-route is inexpensive (approx. 100dh pp) for kebab skewers, salad, drink or tagine, drink.

Your driver

He is experienced and knows the roads (and desert terrain) exceptionally well. He is your travel companion and route guide. Please feel free to ask him to stop whenever you need to and don't be afraid to ask him questions-after all, you'll be spending a few hours in the car together and this is a great opportunity to exchange cultural insights (from both sides). He does know the best places for comfort breaks, snacks, views and photos

Currency

The Moroccan currency is the Dirham (MAD) and is a closed currency (although it may be possible to purchase it at certain airport forex desks). We recommend that you simply use an ATM on arrival (at the airport or in town), or change USD, GBP or Euro at a bureau de change. There will be ATMs in towns on tour (e.g. Ouarzazate, Agdz, Zagora, marakkech).

You shouldn't need to carry large amounts of cash with you (just to cover lunch, drinks, souvenirs, etc). Credit cards may be used in city riads/hotels, upscale restaurants/bars and large shops. Rural shops, cafes, and small guest houses will only accept cash, preferably Dirhams or Euro