But I would just caution you that it seems a little fast-paced. starts early morning on Day 1 with the vehicle initially taking off from Marrakech and through small suburban towns to the High Atlas Mountains. i follow the places you have visited, imlil trekking, Dades Gorge and Sahara desert. For example, you could consider the following: Spend 1-2 days in Marrakesh. Hi Betty, Thank you so much for the comment and sharing your experience in Morocco. Price varies by group size. cant help but feel joining a tour is the best option. As said before, to reach Merzouga on a tour from Marrakech, you'll need minimum a 3-day tour and a 4-day tour is recommended. 285. Hi john, nice DIY guide. Pick-up time for your desert tour can be flexible. In Dades Gorge, youll want to spend a day hiking in the area. Bus Tours. Marrakech to Fez via Merzouga Desert 3-Days Morocco Sahara Tour - Viator Hey Robert, Glad to hear you found this helpful. I am not opposed to doing a DIY option but considering the somewhat tight schedule of our time in morocco, and the other cities we want to visit i wonder if the Guided Tour would be best and if so If you know of any wiggle room in the prices. Dades Gorge is the next logical stop on a journey out to the Sahara Desert, from Marrakech to Merzouga. The 3-day tour starts around 08:00 am, and the pick-up will be from your accommodation in Marrakech. I was apprehensive about planning something by ourselves, but your blog has really motivated me. You can upgrade the hotels, and the desert camps, from standard to mid-range or luxury. Supratours has an 8 am bus returning to Marrakech, which you likely will not be back from your camel trek in time to catch and may need to stay an additional night in Merzouga. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Given the direct bus connections for onward travel, it is easier to stay in Ouarzazate and make At Benhaddou a half-day trip. Renting a car to self-drive from Marrakech to Merzouga can be the most expensive option and may be the most intimidating, yet it offers travelers the most freedom. 3 Day Tour From Marrakech to Merzouga Desert and Private Transfer The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. On the first day, you will meet your driver at your hotel/riad at 8:00 am and depart from Marrakech, heading towards the south passing through, On the second day, we will leave Dades in the morning, after your breakfast and shower, heading towards, On the third day, we will wake you up early to be able to see the amazing. In that situation, youd likely only be with a group during the camel desert trek. Instead, we recommend taking a quick taxi from Merzouga to Rissani. Merzouga is located in the southeast, about 564 km from Marrakech. Do you have any suggestions? Marrakech Desert Tour Itinerary: Day 1: Marrakech to Dades Valley (Boumalne Dades) | 6h drive Question: So you stayed one night at Chez Yousef and afterwards check out and join the cameltrekking.com tour? The desert and the mountains is what we really enjoyed in this exotic land. But its a gamble as times arent published, they can be infrequent, not comfortable, and multiple transfer points which may lead to long waits and overnight stays. 4 Days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga and Essaouira It really depends where exactly in the High Atlas you want to go. 3 Days Desert Trip Marrakech To Merzouga | Best Sahara Tours Since Cinema Museum and Taourirt Kasbah are right across the street from one another, these two Ourzazate attractions can make for a good way to spend half of a day. The highlight of this 3 days Marrakech to Merzouga tour is the sunset camel ride and an unforgettable overnight stay under the starry skies at a Bedouin Sahara desert camp. Showers will be available at the camp operators lodge in Merzouga the following day before departure to Fes. Im open to suggestions, and if you think my plan is crazy then I would love to read your proposed plan for my trip from 4th 14th sept thanks in advance. . Its such an awesome experience! We had also saved hard for many years which helped to fund the beginning of our travels, but now we rely more on working while we travel. Will probably have some more time for sight seeing in Ouarzazate next day as well. We organized a guide with the hotel we were staying at for Dh300 (~$35), plus a bit more for a tip and a simple packed lunch. The best way to get from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert largely depends on: The small group tours are actually the most affordable way to go and can cost even less than a do-it-yourself trip that uses public transportation. Did you find this article helpful? https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forums/africa/morocco/two-weeks-trips-itinerary?page=1. Im looking to do the same trip in late March 2018, just in reverse: coming down from Fes to Merzouga, spend a night in the Sahara, head on to Todra Gorge then on to Marrakesh (or straight to Imlil if theres anyone that can take us). Our flights will be round trip Marrakech, will do 3 nts in Marrakech and then will follow your itinerary. After a prosperous morning, we head to Gorges, where we will have lunch. To avoid having to deal with the many touts once you get there, Id strongly recommend organizing a tour beforehand. Not in the comfortable Merzouga desert camp. From Boulmanes to Merzouga, its a long yet comfortable ride that takes nearly six hours. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Where to stay: We dont have a strong recommendation for the hotel we used (it was just okay). Id recommend Ouarzazate, as there is a good amount to do to fill a one-night stop and its a pretty neat city. I have just one question, is it safe for just 2 female travellers? This was among our favorite of the many kasbahs visited all throughout Morocco. Thanks! I just want to ask one thing. Marrakech Desert Trips - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor However, I would suggest a tour to Merzouga simply to maximize your time. We dont earn much, but we dont spend much either. Congratulations!!! Available in: Italian Easy tour navigation: Includes and excludes Highlights Itinerary Reviews 5 days Morocco desert tour - From Marrakech to Merzouga desert per adult. <<Private and completely customizable>>. But if one Gorge is enough, then this is where youll make your final push towards Merzouga. Thanks for the added info about taking shared taxis. Happy travels! If traveling from Ouarzazate to At Benhaddou by taxi, negotiate with your driver to stop at Atlas Studios on your way back into town where you can jump on one of their regular tours which run about every 30 minutes and lasts about the same (Dh100). 3 days. But assuming you are using busses, it wont be possible due to the time tables. But that direct Marrakech to Merzouga bus is a 12.5-hour trip, if all goes well. 3 Days Desert Tour From Marrakech To Merzouga Dunes & Camel Trek. Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour Overview The 2 days desert tour Marrakech to Merzouga Sahara and back is a great opportunity for those who are limited on time and love to spend an unforgettable night under millions of shining stars in the vastest Sahara desert and the biggest sand dunes in Morocco. Hi John & Heather i just finished about one month journey in Morocco. I am still confused on some part. This is where the drive along the legendary Draa Valley will begin. Just trying to find out best solution for the last day. Heya, thanks for the very good tips on hand. After breakfast, We will head west for a short drive to discover the charm of Berber villages in Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, which is one of the most visited sites in Morocco. So I wouldnt worry at all, particularly since youll be able to buy a ticket the day before. Most all of the places with luxury tents in the desert also have hotels or riads in Merzouga, which is typically your meeting point. #Book 3 day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour 95 - IGoMorocco For a hike, wed definitely recommend hiring a guide. As for your pondering of taking a bus versus driving. This is a nice visit to wander through its labyrinth-like corridors and stairwells. Its not a one-way tour. Stopovers along the way in fascinating places like At Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, and Dades Gorge really add to a trip from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert. The package tours that Ive suggested in this article are roundtrip starting and ending in Marrakesh, which you can find a 3-day version for around $100 USD. 1 Day 1: Marrakech Ait Ben Haddou Ouarzazate Dades Valley [315 Km] Tizi Ntichka pass and the High Atlas Mountains. Feel free to reach out if any other questions as you plan your trip and well try to respond back more timely! It was also the production site of several Hollywood epics, such as Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia. I really want a Desert Tour to be the highlight of the trip. Spin back to your Sahara Desert camp where a magical Moroccan dinner under the stars and next to the campfire is waiting for you. It was a fantastic adventure! If you are arriving in the afternoon, you may want to consider a half-day hike the following morning, before catching your next afternoon/evening bus to Merzouga. The local buses arent as comfortable or quick as the Supratour & CTM buses, but theyre cheap and will get you to where you need to go. And youd be back in Marrakech the night before your flight. The Morocco Tours is a travel service in Marrakech. Do you know if its common that the guides and drivers also try to peddle or tout souvenirs to buy to those who joined the group? Day Trips. thank you very much! 3 Days Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour Highlights: Discover the beauty of Morocco by driving through Morocco by driving through the magnificent High Atlas Mountains. But competition is very high and there are dozens (hundreds?) But if youre taking one of the 3-day/2-night tours, theyll take you back to Marrakech on Day 3. Depart Merzouga, 11th @19:00 hrs bus Fes 12th (6AM), spend couple hours in Fes and get afternoon bus to Chefchaouen. Just a quick question. Hope this helps and enjoy your time in beautiful Morocco! You shouldnt need to prepay or provide any credit card info. A big additional benefit traveling in a minivan is that it take you from each destination to the next. Ive been to Morocco but only to the north (around Tangier) this looks much more authentic. Enjoy your trip! Departures from Marrakech occur on a daily basis. It is quite easy to find a guide in Merzouga. I liked your blog very much I just wanted to know from where you get all money to visit so many countries. But GetYourGuide offers some incredible deals on 3-day desert tours from Marrakech to Merzouga. The local tour guides in Ait Ben Haddou and Tinghir were fantastic!! I can't say enough good things about Marrakech Desert Trips. Unfortunately I dont see any bus from Skoura to Merzouga. Hope that helps. First night at Auberge Panorama or Hotel Babylon (Private A/C ensuite room) with dinner & breakfast. Yes, one full day should be enough to cover Ait Ben Houdad and Ourzazate. There are established taxi ranks where you can attempt to find someone willing to drive the long distance and negotiate a fare price. 1 Day Marrakech High Altas Kasbah Ait Ben Haddhou Dades Valley (km 310) Meeting at 8h00 a.m with your driver at your Hotel, take you to the 44 and depart from Marrakech to Dades valley, through the Tizi- N . The drive from Merzouga to Ouarzazate and through the Atlas mountains should be mostly the same route you came in on from Marrakesh. $170.00. So you must wait it out the next day there until your camel trek departs that afternoon. What a fabulous looking place! Further, it is the oldest ksar in Morocco that dates to the 17th century. Thank you for your informative post!!! We stuffed our faces here multiple times and the bill came out under Dh80 (~$8) for meals, sides, bread, and drinks for two people. Day 1: Marrakech - Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou - Dades Gorge. There are no trails that are marked or signposted, so a hiking guide is essential. Nature and Wildlife Tours in Marrakech: Check out 2351 reviews and photos of Viator's Marrakech to Fez via Merzouga Desert 3-Days Morocco Sahara Tour . Unfortunately, Skoura is not listed on the Supratours website, so that doesnt help. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Private Marrakech desert tour 3 Days to Merzouga will take you to Explore the real Morocco with spectacular views ranging from the snow-capped High Atlas Mountains to the changing colors of Erg-Chebbi dunes.Explore beautiful green oasis and gorges, as well as mud-brick walled Berber Kasbahs. Thus, the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou is an adobe Ksar about 30 km from Ouarzazate. The organization is here for you to make the most of your time remarkable and live the best moments on your trip or journey. If thats where youre looking to trek, then unfortunately youd have to go back through Marrakesh. Stand before the stunning Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou and take great photos. We are planning a day trip to atlas mountains on day 2. This blog shares our discoveries & aims to inspire your next trip while maximizing your travel budget! Thanks so much for this post which encouraged us to tackle a visit on our own. A week is pretty tight to cover Marrakesh, a dessert trip, Fes, and Tangier (without being on a tour the entire time) but it may be possible. From Merzouga you should be able to find transport to Er-Rachidia, where you can likely find local busses towards Marrakech. Sorry I couldnt provide more certainty about the Skoura stop. Required fields are marked *. You could also consider hiring a taxi to take you the entire way which will be more expensive but more comfortable and quicker. It was a wonderful joy to deal with Marrakech Desert Trips, and the driver, Ali was extremely courteous and a great driver. The offers for the trip from Ouarzazate to Ait Benhaddou will start high, so be sure to negotiate it down to a more reasonable rate. During the month of August, we just struggled a little owing to the heat. Hope that helps a little. To get to from Ouarzazate to At Benhaddou, your best bet is to hire a grand taxi for about Dh250 (~$30) or so for the 30km+ ride there, waiting an hour or two, and the return to Ouarzazate. 3 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga desert - 2023/2024 Tour price per person depends on how many participants there are in your party. It just may be a little hassle to pick the bus up again the following day. Look for the Supratour logo in the window. Hopefully you can go back one day and take a journey further south! A/C modern 44 or van driven by an English speaking river/guide. Day 7: Head back from desert camp to Merzouga, have breakfast and drive back to Ouarzazate. thank you for your sharing. Were thrilled to hear that you had a wonderful time in a beautiful country! Going from Marrakech to Merzouga is really a fantastic trip, with many points of interest to stop at along the way. However, youll notice that this bus leaves at 7:30pm and gets into Fes in the middle of the night, which I wouldnt recommend. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Fez to Merzouga for a camel trek and then get back to Marrakesh on your own. My only advice is to book the 4-day tour if you have enough time. So glad to hear this post was helpful! So this leaves travelers with the predicament of figuring out how to get from Marrakech to Merzouga. They can get aggressive with independent travelers. Marrakech, Central Morocco. Experience the fun of Dune bashing and camel trekking, drive along Casbahs, step into oases and canyons, and meet the nomads. from. Second night at a Sahara desert camp located at the edge of Erg Chebbi (Private tent) with shared bathrooms Showers available in the morning at the camp operators lodge Dinner and breakfast are included. Marrakech to Fez Three-Day Transfer via the Merzouga 2023 - Viator Whatever you decide, hope you have a great trip to Morocco! Hi John, thanks so much for this post. The cab driver tried to sell us his services to take us the entire way in his cab, but ultimately wasnt too pushy and even helped us buy our bus ticket in Rissani. Hope you and your kids enjoy Morocco! Day 5: Rent a car in the morning and head to Dades Gorges with a pit-stop in Skoura. The prices change depending on the number of travelers and the category of the accommodations. If you are planning to discover the south of Morocco and enjoy its magical landscapes, this 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour is one of the highly recommended desert tours. There is only one bus that leaves Boulmanes for Merzouga directly. Consider that. 1. Dear visitors, it's glad for us to present to you our tour program from Marrakech to Merzouga .first of all in We will start our trip from your accommodation in Marrakech at 6:00 AM and travel towards the Atlas mountains through which you will . As for Dades Gorge, one night is also possible but will be tight. 10th Sept meet camel tour guy, head out in desert, stay the night in tent arrive back in Merzouga following day 11th Sept. (2 and 6).. and had reached out to MDT to check on availability of a private 3 day desert trip from Fez to Marrakech. The luxury hotel and the desert camp they booked for us were so comfortable and clean. We had a very pleasant stay at Chez Youssef, in which the owner met us at the bus station upon arrival to walk us back to his lovely riad. Given limited public transport connections, a small-group tour is able to whisk passengers from Marrakech to all the main points of along the way to Merzouga, and back, all in three days. 68. Some of the mountain roads get very twisty and can be a bit scary at times, but youll likely be fine. They arent comfy but the trip is short, less than an hour. So youll likely leave your car there. Then you should still have a day to get to Tangier. The three-day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga is one of the most coveted Morocco desert tours. Im going to write a more detailed post about this soon, but we have discussed it further on our FAQ page, which you can find here: http://www.roamingaroundtheworld.com/about/faqs/. Or shld I just get a bus from Fes to Marakesh and book a tour starting from there instead? Chefchaouen is one of my favorite places in Morocco, so Id recommend trying to squeeze it in, if timing permits. 2023 Best 3 Days Desert Tour - Marrakech to Merzouga - Tripadvisor Also, we are then going to drive from Merzouga to Ouarzazate for one night, then to Atlas Mountains and then to Marrakesh. Spend as long as possible in chefchaouen and be back in Marrackech in time for my flight home on the 14th @ 20:05.. $171.61. Visit hotelscombined.com here to check Hotel Marma rates across all top booking sites, Imlil, Morocco: Trekking the Atlas Mountains, https://weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine,merzouga,Morocco, http://www.roamingaroundtheworld.com/about/faqs/, http://www.marrakechtickets.co.uk/morocco-rail-timetables, https://www.roamingaroundtheworld.com/sandstorm-and-sandboarding-our-camel-trek-into-the-sahara-desert/. 3 Days Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour | Small Group Safari So, its something to consider. Spend the night in the desert. 2- I presume they are back after 8 am, so what are my chancesto get a public transport back to Marrakech and arrive there before 11 am next morning ? Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Your dream Morocco desert tours be it from Marrakech or Fes are about to become a reality with us ! You may want to consider cutting a destination or two in order to prolong your time in other places. It is believed that this kasbah was built by Ben Haddou. The tour starts from the imperial town of Marrakech and . Be sure to take a stroll through the Centreville area to see whats going on and consider stopping for a bite in one of the many restaurants. So happy to hear you found our information helpful. Tell us about it, we are the Moroccan desert dream experts !