Marrakesh Travel Forum

Me and my husband are interested in a desert camel trek. We intend to rent a car in Marrakesh, travel over the Tizi n'Tichka , pass through Ouarzazate and continue towards Dades valley. If possible, continue to Merzouga or stay overnight in a hotel by the Dades gorge. After that we are intending to try to camel trek into Erg Chebbi dune, sleep in a tent. Continue to Erfoud ( or not) and try to arrive in Fez. I have no idea if this route is possible or not. We don't want to go to Morocco without having any different experience. ( we consider going to the desert, sleeping in a tent and riding a camel, a different experience). Anyways, I can leave Marrakesh in the morning, spend 2 nights in the desert and arrive in Fez round 12:00am. We are not able to drive more than 1500 kms in these 3 days ( I even think it's too much!!!). We tried some tourists companies but their price is impossible for us (600€). We appreciate any idea about routes and about the trip itself. I apologize my English. Thank you
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Hi,

One of the best things about VT is that we have travel pages here that VTers/travellers have made - which help others and pass on info and experiences - and record and display our own trips with photos included.

I have quite a few pages on places around Morocco which Im sure would help having a read of, if you havent already, as do other VTers. The drive from Marrakech over the TizinTichka, a visit to Telouet along the way, Ait Benhaddou, Ouarzazazate and Kelaa Mgouna along with the Dades Gorges road and gorges is in my opinion one of the best routes in Morocco including on to Rissani, Merzouga and on up thru the Ziz valley to Fez.

Many of the auberges around Merzouga are actually right next to Erg Chebbi - so the dunes are very accessible which is what is so great about the Erg Chebbi dunes rather than Erg Chigaga down south of Zagora. If you are trying to save money it is not compulsory that you have a camel ride as you can walk up the dunes yourself for a good position to see the sunset or sunrise.
Of course the options to take a camel out into the dunes and stay the night is an interesting experience as is going by camel for a sunset or sunrise excursion.

A half a day by 4x4 out into the desert is also a great experience and way to do something and see something different. There are some stunning landscapes out in the sahara desert - oases, the stoney black desert, the sandy places, the dunes themselves, cobalt mines, nomad tents and houses were people actually live out in the desert.

In amongst my tips Ive included recommended places to stay -up the Dades Gorge Road, around Merzouga and so on

I have connections too that could help with rental car and driver if you wanted, and connections in Rissani and Merzouga for trips out into the desert. To make the most of the time that you have.

I do recommend getting a copy of the Lonely Planet for Morocco and alsothe DK eyewitness guide book.

But enjoy having a roam around my, and other VTers, travel pages on the places you want to visit or might not know to visit along your way!
All the best.

600€ seems good price for a "couple" (unless you are students); the rentals makes the difference; am not gonna recommend anything but you need more then 3days to do it; otherwise you'll be exhausted and you won't carry on driving.
i would advice on doing the camel trek with les nomades : lesnomadesaharabevouac@gmail.com
driving from Marrakesh to desert then head to Fes is a very long drive; so here what i suggest:
Day1
Drive from Marrakesh.
overnight Dades
Day2
drive from Dades
overnight in the desert
Day
Drive from desert
overnight in midtelt or Errich (hotel karam is the only hotel around the souk 7€ per night no meals included)
Day4
drive from Er-rich to Fes
here we go!!! you arrive into Fes and ((( SAFE )))
you could also spend 2days in the desert and 1day in Fes (the Medina worth a visit ).

p.s beware of guides in Fes i'm not familiar with this city

I agree with travel-writer: the whole trip in three days will be too much. try to get at least one additional day to do the driving. I give you this advice especially because you chose such a wonderful route. The landscapes in the south of morocco are just stunning.
try this little company, their prices should be under 600€ for 3d/2n: www.maroconline.ma (phone: +212 61 937 277). they offer acoompanied trips in this area, you can chose your own route, according to your own wishes.

Enjoy!

Thank you for all the ideas. We read all the reviews and tips and everything possible and we are interely convinved that we should spend some more time in the desert, otherwise we would lose many interesting things. We will stay one more day in the desert and won't go to Rabat. Just trying to decide if we will rent a car or go with a guide ( maybe this is a more inteligent option).

just a question
have you ever tried to ride a camel for more then one hour?

I and Jane tripped for few days around the desert on our own. riding camels for 1/2/3h is different and some people enjoy it beside others who might prefer to ride horses; anyway the way and the joy depends on what kind of person you are.
"i personally would ride a camel for few days ".

Silavanawdimar!! hire a car and drive by yourself; if you tend to spend one more night in the desert then contact lesnomadesaharabevouac@gmail.com for the camel trip then have a free stay at their family lodge; a guide is not necessary .

Angiebabe,
Hi!
You said you have connections that could help with rental car and connections in Merzouga for trips out into the desert.
We decided to rent a car in Marrakech and go by ourselves till Fes.
Can you help me?
Thanks,
Sil (williebilliechillie).

Hi Silvana, hope youve seen the email I sent the other day! Hows your plans going?!