Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour Review: Is it Worth the Splurge?
So, you’re possibly daydreaming about Morocco, and that, you are maybe scrolling through photos of sweeping sand dunes and vibrant, colorful cities, aren’t you? That 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes, yeah, it always seems to pop up, is that not right? It’s more than likely sounds awesome, doesn’t it? But, that thing is, are those camel rides into the Sahara and nights in swanky desert camps seriously worth forking out the money for? I had a good look myself, you know, so here’s a total run-through, with honest talk about what to look forward to – and what you possibly ought to think of, in some respects. Prepare yourself, for this article promises a lot.
First Impressions: Kicking Off in Marrakech
It more than likely all kicks off right in the center of Marrakech, okay, normally around 8 am-ish, something like that, basically, the moment your tour group meets up. Now, it’s a mix of people, always, and in fact, so, there are couples, solo travelers, groups of friends, that type of person; so, you’re probably immediately getting tossed into this shared thing with individuals who, likely your, have thirst for adventure and, actually, taking photos of everything. This transport is usually a mini-bus, alright, in some respects, which tends to be actually fairly cozy, maybe, sometimes extremely when it’s at capacity. So, a little word of caution – if you’re usually needing a bit of room, is that not right, arguably try snagging a window seat ahead of time. Is that a good strategy, you know?
Okay, but the real clincher initially? The landscape, yeah. Departing Marrakech, is that not right, suddenly you notice the High Atlas Mountains looming – actually, they’re truly tremendous. Arguably, the vistas on this first leg can make the entire tour worthwhile all on their own; seemingly, small communities cling for life to the hillsides, okay, and there is that feeling of going into this seriously distinct type of country; usually, it feels otherworldly, you may feel. Honestly, it is really very cool. But still, and by the way, ready for a fair bit of driving! The destination for today is going to be somewhere along the route to the desert. Actually, the journey is full of photo stops, anyway, stretching the drive a little.
Ait Benhaddou: Hollywood’s Moroccan Darling
Alright, here you have Ait Benhaddou. You’ve probably possibly even caught a look at this ksar (that thing’s an old fortified village) on TV or maybe in film, since seemingly it is a super favored area for cinematographers. Gladiator, Game of Thrones, more or less loads of movies, is that not so, that used the crazy backdrop, something like that; still, viewing it personally? Something else. Seriously, you have the option of exploring it – a great way to experience a place in itself.
Often, the tour contains a local guide. A local is likely walking you right through the twisting streets, okay, while providing many insights as it pertains to Ait Benhaddou’s heritage; so, just so you are fully aware. As a matter of fact, is that even the original inhabitants possibly abandoned this location, very. fairly much as of now its all about selling stuff. Nevertheless, it does give an extremely great photographic moment, alright. Simply go up high for extremely broad views encompassing the surrounding desert environment. Arguably take plenty of sunscreen and some water to consume – seriously, this part of your tour can seriously become very HOT.
Ouarzazate: The Door to the Desert
Next, you go to Ouarzazate, very; it is regularly called the “Door to the Desert,” which is a reasonably accurate title; you know? At the end of the day, what I’m referring to is the area having big movie studios; for instance, this is a location for extra blockbuster productions, you understand; so, this has been an exciting peek for film junkies! Even in case movies are not what is normally of interest, as a matter of fact, what I mean is that city does have things, for example, the Taourirt Kasbah – local architecture to have a look; in this scenario, its not always very impressive after visiting Ait Benhaddou, to be honest.
Actually, food stops throughout the journey frequently end up being in traveler-aimed places to consume something to eat; still, you need to know that it could easily be reasonably over-priced. So, anyway, bringing some bites might be an extremely good way for ensuring one has items when/ if needed, or simply going to somewhere a tiny amount further far away from the principal tourist trap.
Dades Valley and Todra Gorge: Natural Wonders
So, when you are done with Ouarzazate, then what’s going to happen is that you continue toward Dades Valley. This location contains crazy rock creations as well as gorgeous views. Still, as I was telling you previously – get set for far more driving. Is that actually the charm; I mean, gazing through those automobile windows continuously? Seriously, however; the geography really can get so significantly distinctive, you know. Is that correct or not; honestly, is not it? This really has been the situation from climbing mountains to driving into valleys.
After that, there is the Todra Gorge. People will very often describe that with impressive steep, high stone walls. Really, one genuinely would like to extend our legs, is that actually not appropriate. Todra Gorge tends to be known too, is that not correct, amongst stone climbing lovers; still, I do realize people should just admire the vista; you know? While I personally appreciated these little trips and the natural splendor, as I was suggesting – all this turns into something lengthy spent within a car – thus keep that thing in consciousness.
Merzouga and the Sahara: The Main Event
Merzouga; it’s the place what people will come there to actually watch out for – this Sahara! Frequently you will get here throughout mid-day; actually there’s simply something in regards to the views what’s definitely awe-inspiring. Alright; that is, right then and there you are usually able to encounter that camel that transports anyone on ones own camp in the desert. It’s simply exactly what makes this kind of tour legendary as well as popular.
Anyway; be that as it can; please do acknowledge, is that correct or not?, it’s normally never the best relaxed trek one potentially may think about. I suggest, what is that?, anyone definitely sitting top of any camel likely takes time for obtaining acclimated for and thus is basically never remarkably inviting to be there intended for hours: nevertheless that actually forms part of adventure; you know. In any event, a suggestion will get people to possibly bring quite a few clothing to layer! The particular wasteland is definitely well known simply because of its radical temp transformations as this will become hot during sunlight hours and then chilly once sunlight goes behind horizon.
Desert Camp: Luxury or Just Glamping?
So, talking over accommodations at this camp is what is basically called “luxury,” right? That differs widely. Quite a few camps frequently have great tents with bedding, you may feel; that sounds about right. But now; you should expect a real bathroom. We are speaking about a hole in the floor, right, you know? Remember, actually those types of luxury encampments tend not always that lavish: I should say, but usually you get a wonderful eating spot plus perhaps musicians performing classic music right around any campfire at nighttime.
Actually, the most effective point relating to, with hardly any exceptions, sleeping at such wasteland camping is exactly this atmosphere; so there actually is this specific pleasure, almost, the pleasure comes originating coming from encountering daybreak or sunset more than these dune hills plus basically benefiting from virtually any peace right out here not having any kind of external agitations. But even still, the moment you have truly very increased benchmarks in respect to convenience what comes about there truly will be chance associated with some sort of little bit of dissatisfaction for you to note here.
The Road to Fes: Scenery and Stop-Offs
Well; early-morning ascent pertaining to finding some sunup can often be quite mandatory actually until people can get on the trek into the way to Fes; something needs to come to fruition though! It simply might take some long stretch out with the drive itself. We got landscapes; actually they could be certainly beautiful still simply will never just quite reach any stages with initial point throughout your excursion though – so expect anything.
Something very famous what to visit could simply be the Ziz Valley and actually something extremely picturesque plus quite famous associated with those unique vistas: any time any stopovers got performed within the locations along this process, okay, please acknowledge that this does most likely include places where tourist targeted sales actually took part at!
Is it Really a ‘Luxury’ Tour? Let’s Be Real.
So that this excursion advertises again as a “high end experience” – so does everything in any manner always equate actually, almost?, through what precisely a person likely envisions as something exquisite, definitely zero! To begin with, the very transit part more often occurs by minibuses as discussed – with virtually no huge spaces. Then again hotels at times feel safe but not really always anything spectacular in virtually any respect along the way towards Fes, even – do comprehend precisely what one is truly choosing prior; I mention this! What I am implying could be basically looking at reviews along side being definitely cautious throughout deciding what goes along really fine plus something very suitable pertaining to levels in respects associated with benefits versus fees.
Nonetheless: which I basically trust that these types of high end areas would more appropriately basically be found through just the actual Wasteland place; that definitely makes-up in excess of anything possibly not pretty extraordinary perhaps with any other aspects connected directly by using transportation etc – one receives that chance of consuming any regular Moroccan way, obviously; and this camping out beneath nightime constellations offers a measure relating awe-inspiring even for some other aspects actually truly probably will prove much better someplace more conventional compared to something ostentatious in any means likely could envision. So really do carefully weigh virtually any expectations versus just how possibly is getting offered; as that simply permits the capacity by any potential to possibly lessen probabilities regarding growing unhappiness.
What This Tour Does Really Well
- Photographic Opportunities: So, I want to stress that tour contains continuous extraordinary chances by taking photos for these surroundings is seriously outstanding to observe visually actually; what exactly does truly make-up some kind of souvenir just by memories for a lot.
- Experiencing Desert Atmosphere: Simply residing there within these desert locations (certainly) and getting associated while encountering quiet areas actually has some kind of value in particular.
- Cultural Exposure: I truly trust that interactions getting performed throughout such places and basically observing several features which will comprise native traditions, in order to truly observe; usually it might prove getting both amazing not simply just useful.
Things to Consider Before You Book
- Long Travel Times: Just because this excursion entails pretty vast distances throughout that means make absolutely clear a potential to possibly undertake lengthy amount of day light while on roads with very tiny issues pertaining ease.
- Variable Accommodation Standards: As it is; high class might prove more with individual perception so thus do control that level expectations basically relating for campgrounds etcetera and these types lodges or even resort selections along paths too until arriving destinations.
- Tourist Traps: You and/or a significant portion relating to travels does possibly happen around and then during certain common traveller region; that actually stands in need of understanding specifically simply because which that can certainly often mirror over costs or what exactly maybe legitimate suffers by having actual genuine sub cultures; if anything can prove to truly trouble ensure planning correctly to simply undertake study a specific area perhaps getting away main direction routes whenever likely; in doing these.
Final Verdict: Is the Splurge Worth It?
So in summary you are paying extra simply as comfort doesn’t always translate especially the best by certain aspects especially with transportation including accommodations for ones trip! And yet these center value with those adventures rests there within having this expertise throughout landscapes actually just similar for desert ambience; but bear clearly throughout brain; should one ever assume and even wish an really luxurious get-away so you may discover elements in need of little by tiny adjustments throughout just simply in relation expectations! That does turn a remarkable adventure nevertheless – I want to declare yet may possibly probably demand little by tiny of realignment when it comes in hopes!
Alrighty!, here is just rapid explanation again covering aspects what has already been learned!:
- Spectacular Landscapes and Scenery.
- Wilderness Campsites- an important expertise.
- extended Travels requires perseverance.
- Levels connected regarding comforts has opportunity with variants actually which has anticipation controlling.
