Merzouga Travel Forum

Hi,
Has anyone made this trip? I am trying to figure out how long it will take and how many days i should plan. Also curious if i should rent a car or get a taxi and then if i get a taxi, how does that work? Where does he stay?

Anyway right now thinking. First-day leaving marrakech to ait ben haddou. Second day-ait ben haddou to merzouga go into desert. third day- hang out in desert. fourth day- drive from merzouga to fes. Any suggestions- Thanks in advance!

Looks like three days hard driving to me.

yes rather a lot of us have done the trip and written answers to this question in the past - theres lots of info already written in previous posts which i am sure would be a good help to you. its a common route - as in a good route to do - and as previously written and recommended would recommend a rental car, ait ben haddou is a good stop off and then yes the desert and then up to fes. i wouldnt hang out in the desert, well you can, go see around merzouga and the khamlia gnaoua music assocn but with the time you have it would be best to spend the night in the desert then some time maybe in the risanni souk and then get going on up to fes.
the whole route from marrakech to fes has lots of scenic stops where youd want to stop and take a photo or visit. telouet along the way is highly recommended - see the glaoui kasbah which was the seat of power before the latest family/kings got back in - and the ait ben haddou complex of course. then the dades gorge drive is excellent, one of the best drives in morocco i reckon.
if you get a taxi you normally are expected to pay about 500 dirham a day for the taxi plus the drivers food and accommodation! if hes fair he will look after it easily himself but otherwise itd be a case of make the most of the opportunity to have a tourist pay for some upmarket living throughout the job. a rental car can be got for 250-400dhm a day - a clio is worth paying a bit more rather than getting an uno or palio which are less fuel efficient. i can get mine through my connections for 300 a day whereas if i book it myself i have to haggle to get 400 a day.
and i would recommend planning to have more time in marrakech than fes - if you dont have much time i would have one full day and night in marrakech but only half a day in fes.

Cut and paste this one

http://forum.virtualtourist.com/discussion-279181-1-1-Travel-0-3804-Morocco-discussion.html

It's a before and after scenario of the kind of trip you are planning. I think you will have wasted your trip on the road...breathtaking views and all. Again, just my opinion.

Summary - He did it and felt he would do it differently next visit.

Well ive done that route and at that pace with and without my moroccan family and sent friends just this month with my moroccan connections and they loved it. i guess its a matter of we are all different and have different agendas and likes and dislikes but if someone wants to travel a la whizzing around (my style) they will definitely still get heaps out of doing that - and its definitely not a waste to spend a lot of time in a vehicle getting from A to B unless its in the dark!
even the essential stops along the way for a drink and a wee can be a cultural experience!

Angiebabe, I have new eyes. After drinking a bottle of Sidi Ali, I am ready for another cultural experience of weeing.
I would also like to flip-flop (since I'm not running for office, it's no big deal)
I do love the stuffing out a good road trip - and it's hard to imagine a wilder or more lovely ride than that one....

Have a brilliant time,
Jamal

Ha Jamal, having another chuckle i am!, i prefer Sidi Harazen though - or Ciel- Sidi Ali is a bit detergenty tasting but maybe thats part of the cultural experience too!
i would like to ask though what does flip-flop mean? other than a pair of Aussie sandals? or do you mean instead of stopping the car and having to get like some of us do!? or is it as flip-flop on the side of the road?!

>i would like to ask though what does flip-flop mean?

Flip-flop (or 'waffle') was a term used to describe a politician who voted for and against bills. It was used way-too-effectively against presidental hopeful Kerry in the last election. So I 'flip-flopped' when I voted with you on your wee-spree Moroccan Route 666 instead of sticking to my guns and saying this guy should slow down, stop and smell the warda.

>or do you mean instead of stopping the car and having to get like some of us do!?

Angiebabe, it is God's private mystery how your mind works. Lemme in on it...;)

p.s The original poster is probably going to pick another country if you and I go on like this...

I reckon.