devora h.

We did a 4-night/5- day tour with Rough Tours last month (Marrakesh to Fes via Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes) and it was definitely the highlight of our three weeks of travel in Morocco. Driver Brahim and guide Driss extended their Berber hospitality (and first-hand knowledge) to us wherever we traveled/visited. They were personable, flexible and kind, and made certain that we were comfortable at all times and having the kind of experiences we hoped to have. We stopped at all of he obvious tourist destinations along the way, but best of all, got to meet Berber people and experience Berber culture in a way that one probably wouldn't on another, more generic tour. We met and drank mint tea with family members and with cave-dwelling Berber nomads. We also got to see up close the good work Rough Tours has done in Ramlia Village, Youssef's home town, in creating a school for local nomad children. A portion of the fee charged by Rough Tours goes to support the Ramlia Nomad Literacy Fund. The school is an amazing achievement for someone as young as Youssef, the kids friendly and personable, and we encourage all those with the inclination to plan a visit there. You will be inspired... All of the accommodations chosen by Rough Tours were as good or better than we expected: we spent our first two nights in very nice, comfortable and clean hotels with good facilities and decent food. The third night we spent in Ramlia village in a very basic auberge (and had one of the best meals on our trip, prepared by Youssef's sister). Our last night we left most of our belongings in a locked room at a very basic hotel in Merzouga and showered there before setting out on a 1 hour, 20 minute camel ride to a desert camp, where we got to experience the dunes and the stars (the Milky Way!) that was truly magical. Our 9 hour drive to Fes included a stop at a great market in the town of Rissani (we got lucky that we were there on a market day - Sunday). We highly recommend a Rough Tours and their authentic 5 day Morocco tour to anyone considering this trip.