Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour: Is This Camel Luxury Tent Trip Worth It?

Thinking about a trip from Marrakech to Fes with a desert stop? That’s a popular choice for seeing a good slice of Morocco. You might have seen some offering a three-day tour, with a camel ride and stay in a “luxury” desert tent. The question is, is it actually that, well, you know, grand? More importantly, is it worth your hard-earned cash? This is what we will look into.

What To Expect From The Road

Firstly, get ready for some, really quite serious time on the road. You’re going to be covering some pretty long distances between Marrakech and Fes, and a big chunk of that will be driving. It’s pretty common to leave Marrakech super early, often to beat the traffic. Is that what you were picturing on your vacation, perhaps?

That said, the scenery can be seriously mind-blowing. The High Atlas Mountains are just incredible, and you’ll usually pause at some spots for photos. The tour, anyway it should include stops at places like Ait Benhaddou, that is one very scenic fortified city. This UNESCO site is rather beautiful, and there are plenty of spots to stretch your legs and, well, take in the view.

Still, just be prepared to spend a decent amount of the three days sitting in a van or bus. Also, how well that vehicle rides, too that can kind of make or break the trip, particularly on some of the rougher sections of road. I tell you what, chat to the tour company beforehand about the transport they use.

Camel Trekking And Desert Camp: Is It Really Luxury?

Okay, let’s get to the thing everybody’s usually thinking about: the desert camp. The typical Marrakech to Fes tours includes a camel trek out to a camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes, out near Merzouga. Now, the tour says it’s “luxury,” well what does that, arguably even mean?

The truth is, “luxury” can be quite the range of stuff. Some camps feature, as a matter of fact legit private tents with their own bathrooms and maybe even a shower with warm water. That’s definitely pushing towards the luxurious. More often, that, arguably could be a pretty comfortable tent with decent beds, rugs, and maybe electricity provided by a generator for at least some portion of the evening.

Honestly, don’t expect anything comparable to a fancy hotel room. You’re still in the desert. It gets quite cold at night, so the tents may be drafty. Showers could very possibly be temperamental if they’re even available. However, it’s also something that’s quite memorable to experience. How often do you see that many stars, well with literally zero light pollution? The Berber music around the campfire is something I personally remember. Just lower expectations a little to ensure that you won’t get that crushed feeling of “not good enough”.

What’s Included? Food, Activities, And Little Extras

A critical part of figuring out if that tour’s worth it has a lot to do with knowing what’s included in the price. Nearly, virtually every tour will take into account your transport, accommodations, and, perhaps some meals. Scrutinize what meals you know. Are we talking basic breakfasts and dinners at the camp? Or do you, too get lunch thrown in too? Check the small print, honestly.

Also, find out about extra costs. Many tours, like your tour, might take you to shops, perhaps offering you to purchase stuff like carpets, argan oil products, or fossils. Be prepared for a bit of salesmanship here. These stops might not really be something that interests some people, and the prices for items you purchase could be somewhat higher.

Activities usually are somewhat limited, but may feature some drumming or traditional Moroccan dancing at the camp at night. Plus, naturally, that camel ride, for sure. Keep in mind that things such as sandboarding are something that could, just could, come at an added cost. What about drinks at the camp? Also ask. Water is critical in the desert heat, after all.

The Cultural Factor

One aspect that gets overlooked often, too is the cultural stuff. Sure, this trip is largely, for sure geared at seeing landscapes, that really pretty terrain, the mountains and dunes. However, you can usually learn quite a bit concerning the local culture in a very significant way along the method.

Ait Benhaddou, for example, actually is not merely a very good looking spot for photographs; actually it provides a peek into traditional Moroccan architecture. You could find, too that your driver or guide gives you some details about Berber people and, really about their customs, notably if they are, basically Berber themselves. You might get opportunities to see some traditional crafts too, and maybe learn about carpet-making or, rather the way they extract argan oil.

However, a word of care, actually: keep in mind that most of these tours is largely focused on the visitor, rather than the community. It’s just a question to keep in the rear of your head, anyway. It is possible to ask that your money makes an impression in the areas through that you’re touring.

Making A Decision: What’s The True Value?

Okay, now here’s where it gets to the crux of the problem: how do you decide if that Marrakech to Fes desert tour that stops off for a little camel trek in the Sahara with its “luxury tent” is seriously worth the bucks?

Begin with figuring out what that “luxury” really does mean for your trip. Temper expectations about your overnight accommodations. Then figure out all of those details for your tour package that would, just would make or break things for you. What precisely are you able to do or not do without being extremely bummed out? Look beyond just “transport” and also “lodging” to, that is the truly granular specifics, as an example asking if water and drinks are free in that desolate location. You don’t need surprises once you arrive!

Take a look at doing that road trip yourself; maybe it is by hiring a car. Compare that tour’s cost (and that aggravation), compared to designing the same path all on your own, that could possibly work too! Then just figure out the amount of cultural engagement that matters to you. Can you easily skip that cultural component if required or are you anticipating an opportunity to be shown different lifestyles.

After thinking of everything that tour comes to offer, take a breath to figure out what components that trip is missing. Are they that vital to the best adventure you that trip is probably worth missing?