“Bivouac sous les Etoiles” is a small travel agency composed of an active group of young Moroccans who are totally at ease in the desert. The headquarters are located in the centre of M'hamid. The agency is run by Hassan Laghfiri, who was born and brought up in M'hamid and knows the desert and its surroundings like the back of his hand. He will be your coordinator. Danielle, a French native living in M'hamid, assists him in the office and with general information.

How your holiday can make a difference: As part of their continued commitment to responsible tourism, the agency operate their trips in a way that aims to reduce impact and give as much back as possible to the local community. On treks they rely on local specialists to provide: guides, camel keepers, drivers, businessmen, “ bivouaquers ”, cooks, etc thus the money for the tour will go straight to the local community. The agency strives to employ those in M'hamid whose competency makes your stay more comfortable and enjoyable. These can be women who prepare a delicious couscous, or launder your sheets, or young men who liven up your evening with their songs and music.

It is essential to “Bivouac sous les Etoiles” to take part in responsible tourism. With this philosophy in mind, the organization places a special interest in environmental protection and as mentioned a forehand employs only local personnel. They have also written it's own charter.

"Bivouac sous les Etoiles" Charter

We wish to provide an enjoyable experience for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues. This charter is based on sharing fundamental values, the most basic of these being solidarity.

1) Our values

We live in a wonderful world full of extraordinary people and places for us to discover. By becoming culturally sensitive, you engender respect between tourists and hosts, helping to build pride and confidence. As you accept local invitations, please share and respect the dignity and privacy of others.

Dress and behave respectfully, especially in villages, religious and cultural areas.

2) Minimise environmental impact

The desert environment is dry and arid, waste does not disintegrate easily … think about it. Nature is fragile and we must not leave any trace of our footsteps.

3) Protect our heritage

In the desert, relics must not be moved or damaged. Wildlife and flora also are part of our heritage.

Although with camels we may stray from the usual tracks, it is impossible to do the same with 4WD without disturbing living things; this goes as well for quads. Therefore it is highly recommended to stay on the car tracks.

4) Responsibility

We are all responsible for the way we travel. Know how to be curious, attentive, open to others so as to be able to better understand the country and its ambitions. We are also all responsible for our children's future and generations to come: dispose of rubbish carefully, recycle where possible, reuse your drink bottles, and say "No" to plastic bags.

Minimise water and power use. Bring back all non-degradable items such as batteries, aerosol cans etc to our respective countries. It is obvious that these guidelines are to be respected by both parties.