Planning your trip to Morocco

THE BEST WAY TO MOROCCO

From LAX, connecting service to Marrakech is available on Air France and Air Tahiti Nui, with a change of airports from De Gaulle to Orly in Paris and a change of airplanes to Royal Air Maroc. British, American and Virgin Atlantic connect in London to Royal Air Maroc. Air France has the lowest fare, a restricted round trip at $1,040. American is next lowest at $1,680; the others top $4,000.

BOOKING A TRIP

People who pass themselves off as guides but aren’t can be a problem, so going with a knowledgeable and reliable company can change your experience. Reliable tour companies can arrange transfers, trustworthy guides, hotels, airfare, food, cultural encounters and shopping. We used Heritage Tours, (212) 206-8400 or (800) 378-4555, www.heritagetoursonline.com. The cost of our hike, without Kasbah Tamadot, was $1,800 per person, including guides, food, accommodations and transport.

WHERE TO STAY

Kasbah du Toubkal, www.kasbahdutoubkal.com. Prices from $170 for a private, dormitory-style accommodation, from $210 for rooms with private bath.

Kasbah Tamadot, (877) 577-8777, www.kasbahtamadot.virgin.com. Worth a visit even if you don’t come to the Atlas to hike. Doubles start at $470 per night.

You may need to spend a night or two in Marrakech before your Atlas hike.

Riad al Massarah, www.riadalmassarah.com. A real gem in this often-maddening city. Very quiet and chic, although it has no restaurant. Doubles from $120.

Angsana Riad Blanc, www.angsana.com/marrakech/riads. This new luxury boutique hotel is an opulent palace worth seeing. Its Moroccan-Asian fusion restaurant is open to non-guests. Doubles from $320.

TO LEARN MORE

Consulate General of the Kingdom of Morocco, (212) 758-2625, www.visitmorocco.org.