Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 0524 846993;
www.darraha.com
; Amezrou; s/d with half board Dh235/310)
'How thoughtful!' is the
operative phrase here, with oasis-appropriate details such as local palm mats, recycled
wire lamps and thick straw
pisé
(earthen) walls eliminating the need for a pool or air-con.
Enjoy home-cooked meals and check out the exhibition of local paintings and crafts.
Information
Banks with ATMs and normal banking hours are on Blvd Mohammed V, along with inter-
net cafes.
Getting There & Away
The
CTM bus station
( 0524 847327)
is at the southwestern end of Blvd Mohammed V, and
the main bus and
grand taxi
lot is at the northern end. CTM has a daily service to Mar-
rakesh (Dh100) and Casablanca (Dh175) via Ouarzazate. Other companies also operate
buses to Boumalne du Dadès (Dh75) and Erfoud (Dh85).
M'hamid
M'hamid's star attraction is
Erg Chigaga
, a mind-boggling 40km stretch of golden Saharan
dunes. It's 56km away - a couple of hours by 4WD or several days by camel. A closer al-
ternative is
Erg Lehoudi
(in bad need of rubbish collection).
Sahara Services
( 0661 776766;
overnight camel trek should start at about Dh400. M'Hamid Bali, the old town, is 3km
away across the Oued Drâa, with a well-preserved kasbah.
If you're not sleeping with your camel in the dunes,
Dar Sidi Bounou
( 0524 846330;
Hammada du Drâa
(
0524 848080; campsites/Berber tents per person Dh15/50, per car Dh20)
offers simpler
fare.
There's a daily CTM bus to Zagora (Dh25, two hours), Ouarzazate (Dh70, seven hours)
and Marrakesh (Dh120, 11 to 13 hours), plus an assortment of private buses, minibuses
and
grands taxis
.
WORTH A TRIP
