Fes to Marrakech: A Review of a 2-Night Desert Tour

So, are you pondering that popular desert escapade from Fes to Marrakech, which throws in a night each in Merzouga and Ouarzazate? It’s quite a common route, yet picking the best one can feel a bit overwhelming. In this article, I will share my perspectives, aiming to equip you to judge if it matches your travel desires. It’s almost a look into what makes this tour tick, what’s pretty good, and whether it provides worthwhile moments that stick with you, that is.

Why Choose a Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech?

Many, I mean many, travelers pick this option, and I am pretty sure it comes down to wanting to see a lot in one swoop. Very often, flying between these two cities, could be very very swift, that’s a fair point, yet then you pass by tons of stunning landscape. The tour lets you soak up the Middle Atlas mountains, experience the vastness of the Sahara, and check out spots like the Todra Gorge and Ait Benhaddou, too it’s almost like a greatest hits of southeastern Morocco situation, I guess.

The issue with speed is that sometimes that experience rushes by in the blink of an eye. Doing it yourself needs time plus planning – something lots of vacationers just don’t have enough of these days. That said, a tour package presents a simple approach for getting to the Sahara from Fes and winding up in Marrakech, too it’s almost hassle-free exploring, that is.

My Personal Experience on the Tour

Alright, I did this particular tour back in March. Frankly, the drive on day one proved lengthy. We began pretty early from Fes and it felt as though we lived in the van. Nonetheless, our driver made a handful of stops, such as in Ifrane (the “Switzerland of Morocco”) plus a cedar forest where we spotted Barbary apes, actually neat!

The landscape kept shifting, yet the time within the car continued long. By the time we showed up in Merzouga in the afternoon, I could not wait to step away. That evening was maybe the best of the entire trip: a camel trek at sunset across the Erg Chebbi dunes was really incredible. As soon as it gets dark, you will head into a desert camp, that generally contains basic facilities: expect a tent for resting, a simple toilet and maybe shower, as well as a common dinner location. Local musicians played tunes after consuming tagine around the campfire under more stars than I’d previously ever seen; it really stuck with me.

That second day featured extra driving, with a stopover at the Todra Gorge (striking!) and later on at some film studios nearby Ouarzazate, that I found slightly touristy, that is. Our hotel in Ouarzazate proved decent; a place to rejuvenate after another day of motion. On the last day, the tour carried on, viewing the Ait Benhaddou kasbah, actually a UNESCO site (and really remarkable), ahead of going into the High Atlas mountains, that seemed majestic.

That said, winding mountain roads delivered beautiful views, yet also maybe made me experience car sickness. That said, we got back to Marrakech by late afternoon, just in time to snag dinner on a roof terrace along Jemaa el-Fna, you know. Thinking over that 3-day experience now, very certainly you go to see a bunch. Be prepared for lengthy rides even though – that’s perhaps the primary thing I will stress. You cover plenty of territory, yet spend long time within the car to realize that, I feel.

What to Expect: A Detailed Breakdown

Ok, so, to hand you even more clarity about that whole Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga package: anticipate a very varied experience.

Day 1: Fes to Merzouga

A seriously early kickoff is expected, possibly near 7 am. Most tours include stops at Ifrane, and then the cedar forest nearby Azrou to check out apes. This very part of the Middle Atlas Mountains tends to be incredibly green. From Midelt, it’s as though you will pass by somewhat more desolate landscape because you go towards the desert. You should usually arrive around mid-to-late afternoon to Merzouga. Following some brief leisure, there should be an included camel ride over to the desert camp. At the bivouac, you might expect supper, music, and sleeping in a tent.

Day 2: Merzouga to Ouarzazate

It really begins ahead of dawn to enjoy a sunrise over those dunes, which turns out a memorable point. Once back at the lodging in Merzouga after breakfast, you will hit the route towards Ouarzazate. Usually there will be breaks along the Todra Gorge – anticipate high canyon surfaces! That portion could become busy with tour buses and vendors, but its dimensions surely impress. A stop will be manufactured close to the film studios exterior Ouarzazate also. Evening lodging probably will stay around Ouarzazate, maybe within a kasbah-styled hotel.

Day 3: Ouarzazate to Marrakech

Visiting the Ait Benhaddou kasbah becomes perhaps the top attraction of this morning, which really becomes worth checking out. This remains the backdrop of countless movies (consider Gladiator). After examining the kasbah, a rather dramatic travel time proceeds along those High Atlas Mountains by way of the Tizi n’Tichka pass. It stays very gorgeous, yet as said earlier, it has sharp curves and height increases that are not so pleasant for some. In the afternoon you get back to Marrakech; probably prepare yourself to land around 6 or 7 pm, actually depending upon road traffic, I guess.

What I Liked (and Didn’t Like) About the Tour

Every tour features upsides plus drawbacks. Below’s my grab relating to this one, that I will want to be open, actually.

The Good Stuff:

Desert Camp Vibe: Honestly, the camel journey plus starry skies made some recollections worth hanging on to.
Scenery Variety: Seeing different landscapes every day surely maintained activities attractive.
Ait Benhaddou: It may get somewhat touristy, still, the kasbah stays impressive – seriously photogenic material.

The Not-So-Good Stuff:

Van Time: All that touring might seem tiring! Hours of riding will be required among those various sites; plan for resting up after coming in.
Film Studios Felt Sketched: Individually, it looked as though the excursion for this could be left alone if there comes down some time restriction in the long haul itinerary.
Possible Motion Sickness: Those High Atlas routes prove unpleasant if these twisty ways tend to trouble yourself; carry treatments if concerned.

Is This Tour Right for You? Questions to Ask Yourself

Before immediately scheduling your journey, stop and really assess your travelling approach. Listed here remains some thought material:

Can you Stand Long Car Rides? Evaluate your convenience of riding on a daily basis over a prolonged duration; will likely require a strong mindset to be able to experience several hours inside autos/vans when using these sorts of organized journeys.
Does the Fast Pace Bother You? Take notice this comes out like primarily an area experience: you may possibly glance at destinations for short-term periods as opposed to getting immersed entirely; those prioritizing much deeper exploring could dislike that sensation; slower options or self-driving itineraries will let them enjoy extra leisurely travels instead.
Are you Okay with Touristy Spots? Numerous destinations listed in regular routes often become extremely popular: brace yourself when getting a big audience or experiencing lots more vendors present there. If crowd numbers make you uncomfortable probably look to try less properly regarded individual trails instead!

What to Pack for Your Desert Adventure

Being well-prepared improves convenience while riding throughout Morocco:

Comfy garments: Bring along relaxed apparel that assists move easily to match changing settings: breathable items might keep yourself calm across desert sectors, as covering yourself safely helps through moderate situations found throughout that Atlas mountains, as well.
Sun protection gear: Protect your uncovered areas to the sun using trustworthy sun screen lotions along having extra stuff namely sunglasses, brimmed hats, potentially neck scarves that function under sturdy direct rays, or when battling unexpected sandstorms: take extra actions any time investing long instances outdoors any moment experiencing heightened exposure situations like that too.
Medications (especially for motion sickness): Acquire every critical medicinal support mostly whether usually stricken while motion episodes or possess other individual needs: usually never suppose pharmacies turn easily found too while visiting offbeat locales if needing speedy alternatives on journey anytime before problems unexpectedly worsen for too much moment instead if receiving brief notification when visiting brand-new websites rapidly, as previously mentioned above at some places.

Booking Your Tour: Things to Look Out For

Looking to book that tour might get scary sometimes! Listed here are various ideas:

Read Reviews: Don’t just pick one! Take your time seeing things different travelers said relating to various excursions, specifically focusing how these people comment as a matter of course – in terms like reliability/guest management tactics together including transportation vehicles- lodging provided and perhaps also meals readily accessible constantly all excursion routes you consider accepting – therefore be familiar whenever previous complaints typically surface related to precise aspects about something such before investing completely on virtually everything yourself personally – you recognize now as being previously advised by somebody before?
Check Inclusions: Carefully evaluate to ensure clarity what comes installed on initial agreements relating that amount an initial value offers mainly versus all additional extras like dinner provisions or additional admission payments to websites normally kept outdoors of actual charge entirely – it is usually useful considering asking about such topics mainly before making final responsibilities to make particular every need turns tackled securely correctly mostly when something remains specifically important whenever intending that ultimate experience comes specifically adapted mostly that way too!
Think about the size of group: Some like intimate bunch excursions whenever receiving greater engagement through their assistants through brief inquiries throughout those routes that happen almost for certain each instant or 2, even when you favor much wider collections even because it means reduced total sums when something will do often fit mainly to virtually every one person for what feels less often that route as always whenever receiving an actual feeling depending with whichever form seems mainly pleasing that route normally much.

Other Options: Alternatives to the 2-Night Tour

Suppose the fast schedule really does not quite fit, below, it is similar to other options worth analyzing too.

3-Night Tour: Increasing one more night permits much more chilled schedules: almost all might be useful throughout Merzouga and even inside Dades Gorge in particular; which allows additional minutes by visiting other neighborhoods!
Self-Drive: Assume yourself generally delight using personal flexibility but as well possessing experience on hard streets mostly: leasing can enables getting at individual timelines too to travel locations probably disregarded normally too in a fashion, perhaps such can also create better freedom than perhaps being restricted normally from scheduled tours: you happen already knowing that correct by studying already; usually!
Luxury Tour: Probably decide for even elevated support where the greatest services usually come delivered where most lodges almost can include heightened amenities whenever almost going alongside virtually unique touring arrangements virtually!

Anyway, maybe consider that taking slow really produces best, I feel; specifically across stunning countryside that it’s well worth paying good attention while not running across by; you may possibly usually reduce days within a city you are not that anxious as, to ensure you increase timeframe to relish the countryside far much more! That probably happens one approach which I’ve already learnt using previous trips which I tend for advising to other people constantly already by traveling also too

That’s almost it: that excursion connecting Fes through that Sahara ultimately ends onto Marrakech reveals so you beautiful views! By being ready, you will cherish everything considerably; enjoy