Ouarzazate to Marrakech: A Critical Look at a 3-Day Desert Adventure

Ouarzazate to Marrakech: A Critical Look at a 3-Day Desert Adventure

Ouarzazate to Marrakech: A Critical Look at a 3-Day Desert Adventure

Ouarzazate to Marrakech: A Critical Look at a 3-Day Desert Adventure

So, you’re pondering, perhaps, this adventure between Ouarzazate and Marrakech, right? It’s almost this picture of sun-baked landscapes and endless dunes which spring to mind. I mean, who wouldn’t consider that? Very, very beautiful, yet, that so-called dreamscape deserves a bit of thought before you pack those bags, is that right? After experiencing that particular trip for myself, I wanted to share some thoughts about what awaits.

The Initial Spark: Why This Trip, Then?

Kasbah Ait Benhaddou

You might think: “Why this specific route?”. Actually, this stretch between Ouarzazate, often called the “door to the desert,” and the famed Marrakech, it’s very appealing. Often, those package tours present you, like, the greatest bits of Morocco: think, very old kasbahs, the stunning Sahara Desert (of course), and the ever, ever popular High Atlas mountains, right? Like, the itinerary appears completely action-packed. Arguably, it’s an awesome approach to squeeze tons of sights and moments into only three days. We sought out that tour particularly since it promised a shorter, slightly less intense desert experience than going all the way from Marrakech both ways.

Day 1: Ait Benhaddou and the Road to Dades Valley

Dades Valley

First, that so-called first day, so it begins, doesn’t it, with, perhaps, a trip to Ait Benhaddou. Think of a fortified city seemingly popping out of the earth, pretty famous from, like, a load of television shows and flicks. Now, what they might not tell you in brochures is it’s possibly incredibly touristy, or something. As a matter of fact, expect crowds, right? And vendors which are, you know, a little too eager sometimes. So, after Ait Benhaddou, you will head on, almost, into the Dades Valley. Basically, those landscapes shift as you go into the High Atlas, presenting canyons and peculiar rock formations, in some respects more or less worth getting out the camera. But hey, keep in mind those bus rides could be very, very long, alright? And, well, winding, possibly.

Day 2: Sahara Bound: Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi Dunes

Erg Chebbi dunes

I suppose this, you see, is the moment which makes or breaks this desert trip for many. After breakfast you are pushed very close, you know, to Merzouga, that doorway, in some respects more or less, into the Erg Chebbi dunes. That’s where those golden sands everyone pictures whenever pondering the Sahara seem to go on, you know, endlessly, might be? Now, depending upon that tour you’re using, right, you may be driving by camel into the desert camp, might be? The camel trek’s typically around one to two hours. Getting there very late gives you some time so that you can experience sunset over the dunes; a genuinely unforgettable sight. The desert camp, basically, tends to vary significantly in comfort. Clearly, a number are quite simple, having basic tents, while others provide some frills, so that could be good. The night almost usually ends having a dinner under those stars along with regular Berber music.

Day 3: Sunrise, a Glimpse of Rissani Market, then Back to Marrakech

Rissani Market

Picture that first glimmer of dawn, a totally magical time while in the desert. Arising pretty early means you receive the entire sunrise, and well, that’s quite a view over those dunes, honestly, and also very worthy of, say, Instagram? Very beautiful. After you return, in some respects more or less by camel, it might be possible that you’ll enjoy a quick meal just before you drive on. First, it’s over to Rissani market if you get the opportunity. Keep in mind that Rissani market, which is not usually filled with tourists like other souks, so that is great. It shows the real deal and is worth exploring; a very traditional market for the locals. So, then comes that drive to Marrakech, you see. Also, those drives tend to be completely long, right, like seriously, and sometimes can feel like they’re going on, you know, forever, almost.

Creature Comforts & The Food On-the-Go

Moroccan+food

One of my many experiences revolved around where and what we would eat, so, it’s always a bit unpredictable when it involves group trips. Very frequently, lunch might be at stops planned to funnel visitors straight into certain eateries and shops. This frequently also translated to, say, hiked-up costs together with, arguably, meals of changing quality, very common with these packages. Now, I came to the conclusion that carrying snacks or sometimes actually purchasing food right in those bigger towns worked better when you’re trying, basically, to stay within some kind of budget while travelling, don’t you think? And, naturally, it’s beneficial to drink, alright?

Selecting the right Operator; Guidelines

Travel+Operator

Picking that trip organizer often defines, well, almost everything. This seemingly includes all areas of the desert experience. Begin through, clearly, looking into feedback and recommendations very carefully. Then compare what exactly a number of the plans really cover. Think particularly when pondering what exactly form of transit comes as standard, how far that desert camp is up to that convenience perspective as well as what is up, and, certainly, most vital with that cancellation strategy as these could give that extra degree on certainty if these schemes alter just at last minute for the person? Now consider one tiny group because very frequently there’s slightly far better versatility as well as just much personalized feeling. You, too, should examine just what is your responsibilities along with any further hidden costs, like, any meal items otherwise tourist attractions for clear objectives, of course.

Is a Three-Day Trip Plenty of Time? Pondering Rate vs. Schedule

Time+Management

Are you wondering if those three days are just long enough to experience some sights? Also, here’s some of that trade-off. It certainly compresses main events. Basically, it doesn’t leave lots and lots of, well, room to seriously consider stuff otherwise you tend to be very active with extended visits which could take longer. Very frequently, most are just spent on travel days for sightseeing. It’s almost as if a quick picture with main focus provided and it keeps going rapidly. Those lengthy periods when traveling means fewer things to just wander for getting in contact to people that usually might allow a greater sense that certain traditions usually only exists when taking brief visits on all things offered that way instead getting immersed over them extensively or in any level. Very frequently you just notice places that might possibly go deep by.

Things I Wish I’d Known

Travel+Tips

If I was repeating that specific desert venture again, arguably I might take several bits with more insight along with those tips which will potentially increase all travels further onward. Those very first bits I feel I should always give would generally take together many of those little items that could turn the travels towards any a lot improved path generally when they start becoming really warm at which time there should definitely always consist of at least sun protective devices so that any sun radiation during its maximum strength, right from about ten to 4 o’clock during sunny moments, may have effects taken for protecting, something akin as sunlight displays which is actually that essential one; keep anything simple which generally ensures convenient putting along as well as bringing on something throughout trips by themselves at minimum inconvenience given one won’t ever possibly understand as soon as some clothes should remain completely cleaned otherwise switched considering possible situations that might suddenly be brought on at some point as these always provide you certain ease together regarding almost that washing or alternatively even clothing switching capabilities to guarantee, right?, at lowest distress experienced within each person!

Some Recommendations for the Tour

Desert+Travel

Going from Ouarzazate up to Marrakech and all the things around generally requires some insight coupled by realistic anticipation especially given you choose taking this brief form out towards a visit but remember how essential good choices turn toward both good occasions if properly taken good especially while actually thinking.

  • Pack wisely; you need to include layers as temperatures could significantly change; daytime hot; then completely chilly overnight!
  • Have tiny notes in place in case something should definitely occur specifically once they don’t provide English in place!
  • Generally remember it could stay anything you view and it should absolutely come together!
  • Continue drinking a great deal to particularly continue dehydrating even in conditions for desert that could possibly provide certain risks especially whenever in intense circumstances on either side

To close

Even with just mixed feedback associated to just the particular degree by schedule restraints together on the type to which some tourist “stops” can present what really does result while having that 3 day “desert-hopping journey away going from just Ouarzazate totally down up into just only Marrakech specifically provides. What it might basically shortage deeply to immersion as well as the slow travel pace truly composes greatly to that just pure chance provided where you could see distinct kinds out landscapes together while experiencing that desert atmosphere though the time’s all things. So by having simply good preparations put aside while having an almost balanced pair on the types linked onto what you imagine the types it takes there and a way the chance of turning almost what exactly turns very valuable as the very best highlights during Morocco can result in which only creates everything extremely unforgettable indeed. Just proceed and perhaps also go as they’ll likely almost always bring this about to you without hesitation.