Its the ideal place if you want to relax in the garden with a bit of shade. Just find a good tour online and confirm with them via email for meeting spot and time. Maybe you know how things really are? Few buses per day however, 1 per day on average. This is SUCH an amazing experience- seriously so jealous! Most of these tours make a nice multi-day itinerary from Marrakesh to Merzouga which stop at notable sites such as At Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, and Dades Gorge. Also, Id consider the possibility of joining a tour from Marrakech to Merzouga. Some are just by the road. No matter what time of the year you visit this village (although I wouldnt recommend summertime, its just way too hot then), youll always find plenty of cool things to do. In that case taking a guided trip makes sense. Very useful and gave me some good idea what to do near marrakech. Thanks! Thanks for the added info about taking shared taxis. To get to from Ouarzazate to At Benhaddou, your best bet is to hire a grand taxi for about Dh250 (~$30) or so for the 30km+ ride there, waiting an hour or two, and the return to Ouarzazate. it is beautiful forest and cover snow when the time i am in Morocco. Its possible to reach the village by shared taxi or to drive there if you have your own car. . thank you for share this blog, waw amazing blog! Glad our post gave a good starting point for your trip. She also highly recommends that you clean your camera thoroughly once youre back in the dust- and sand-free room of your hostel or hotel. 2- If taking the 2-night tour, then just stay on the tour, in which case transport back to Marrakech is included during Day 3. Another recommendation is to go sand balling in the desert: Although this activity is not as traditional as riding a camel through the dunes, nothing beats the feeling of zooming up and down through the desert in an off-road vehicle. As the temperature varies a lot between day and night in the desert, its important to wear clothes that serve many purposes and that are above all very functional. document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi, Im Cynthia, a Belgian adventurer and travel photographer who has lived nomadically since 2011. Furthermore, we saw no taxis waiting around At Benhaddou for the return trip. I liked your blog very much I just wanted to know from where you get all money to visit so many countries. this camp has 8 spacious clean suite tents with private facilities. Some of the mountain roads get very twisty and can be a bit scary at times, but youll likely be fine. Did you find that the buses were busy such that we might have a problem if we just turned up without a booking? Or hopefully, you picked up something in Ouarzazate to enjoy privately and discretely. You could also consider hiring a taxi to take you the entire way which will be more expensive but more comfortable and quicker. It can also get pricey for those traveling Morocco on a budget. Thanks so much for this post which encouraged us to tackle a visit on our own. Yet, their unvetted tours may come with variable quality, comfort, and well-being of the camels. I am not opposed to doing a DIY option but considering the somewhat tight schedule of our time in morocco, and the other cities we want to visit i wonder if the Guided Tour would be best and if so If you know of any wiggle room in the prices. Some good options could be to stop halfway in Errachidia or to take an overnight Supratour bus from Fez to Merzouga and get some sleep on the bus. So youll likely leave your car there. And you may find some added challenges, as we found that many of the men in Morrocco (e.g., taxi drivers, etc.) Id recommend Ouarzazate, as there is a good amount to do to fill a one-night stop and its a pretty neat city. We stuffed our faces here multiple times and the bill came out under Dh80 (~$8) for meals, sides, bread, and drinks for two people. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-110634605', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');MARRAKECH%5D=MARRAKECH&to%5B870%5D=MERZOUGA+%28SUPRAT.%29&datedep=24%2F07%2F2021+00%3A00&dateret=&is-ar=1. From sandboarding between the dunes to going for a ride in a 44 in the desert, we guarantee you wont run out of cool things to do in this desert village. The ancestors of the Gnawa people were brought from Central and West Africa as slaves through the Sahara desert in caravans that eventually arrived in the southeastern part of Morocco. Best Options. Thanks a lot for the detailed answer! Keep writing, you are doing a great job. To reach Fes from Merzouga; you can take the the same bus again from Rissani at 7:00pm Arrival to Fes at 5:30 am. In this section, I will cover a few of the best desert camps in Merzouga, from the most inexpensive ones to the high-end luxurious options. Morocco Budget Guide: How much does it cost to travel in Morocco? Whats in my camera bag? The route from Marrakech to Merzouga is more than 560 kilometers that cuts through a precarious section of the High Atlas mountains and then past deep ravines, before ultimately descending down into the Sahara Desert. i follow the places you have visited, imlil trekking, Dades Gorge and Sahara desert. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Heres an overview of clothing and items to bring on a trip to the desert in Morocco. The best way would be a coach to Marrakech and another one from there to Agadir, I think. There is no better place to admire the stars than in the desert itself. Thanks Cristina. helloi am going to visit morocco with my husband at christmas, and we were searcing for direct transport from marrakesh to merzouga. I am planning a trip to Morocco and will be renting a car. The best pants are those that are made of cotton or linen, these materials are top choices for a breathable fabric to wear in hot weather conditions. Otherwise back in Ouarzazate, you can also visit Cinema Museum where you can take your own self-guided tour of this other movie studio (Dh60). Hi there, thank you for this helpful DIY guide! It could be a good idea to cover yourself with a wide-brimmed hat or a bandana. Seeing the sun gradually disappear between the dunes while it paints the arid landscape with warm shades of colors was quite a spectacle. Khamlia is located right next to the Erg Chebbi dunes. Hope that helps. I would probably recommend, being that youre a big group of six, that driving may make more sense if youre able to find a decent price on a one-way car rental. Find the travel option that best suits you. When taking a trip to Morocco, its nearly a requirement to make the journey to see the vast sand dunes of the Sahara Desert. Wouwww thanks a lot for sharing. The roads are decent enough condition. The package tours that Ive suggested in this article are roundtrip starting and ending in Marrakesh, which you can find a 3-day version for around $100 USD. The driving distance between Fez and Merzouga is 469 km and it should take around 7 hours to reach the southern town. From Rissani to Merzouga, only a taxi will take you there with other Moroccans. I wrote this guide to help you plan your trip to Merzouga desert village, covering everything you need to know so you can get the most out of your visit to the Sahara desert. cant help but feel joining a tour is the best option. While tours typical are much more expensive than independent travel, we found this isnt necessarily the case here in Morocco, if you know where to look. We did not go to Rabat nor Casablanca as other travelers we met in Morocco seemed to cite them as lowlights. To get from Marrakesh to Merzouga you will have to follow highway N9 and highway N10. The bus will take the entire day to get to Fes and youll likely arrive at night. For a hike, wed definitely recommend hiring a guide. Im open to suggestions, and if you think my plan is crazy then I would love to read your proposed plan for my trip from 4th 14th sept thanks in advance. Youll end up traveling deeper into the culture and exploring places that arent regularly receiving group tours. The desert and the mountains is what we really enjoyed in this exotic land. My Gf and I are planning to go from Marrakesh to Merzouga by rental car. Sorry about that! We met some folks from Canada who did the drive and made it out to Merzouga without incident. Text us, 2017-2021 Gorgeous Morocco Tours S.A.R.L All Rights Reserved. Bookaway's customers preferStandard bus by Supratours, Standard bus by Supratours starting at US$34, Taking a Minivan from Marrakesh to Merzouga. Aside from the free things you can do independently, Merzouga offers a plethora of cheap activities that almost every budget traveler will love. If not, take a bus to Er-Rachidia where there will be more bus connections going to Fes. I also find that I get frustrated and annoyed very easily by touts. In order to get to Dades Gorge, you must find a bus from Ouarzazate to Boumalene Dades. But the gorge itself, with its narrow and tall slot canyon formations, was truly an impressive highlight of Dades Gorge that we think is not to be missed. We work online which helps fund our travels. all vying for your business. Chefchaouen is one of my favorite places in Morocco, so Id recommend trying to squeeze it in, if timing permits. I highly recommend getting your hands on the Lonely Planet Moroccan Arabic Phrasebook. The Gnawa are an ethnic group inhabiting Morocco and they have some of the most beautiful traditional music you will hear while visiting the country. Very good / helpfull informations. In addition to visiting nearby At Benhaddou, Ouarzazates main attractions are: While in Ouarzazate, you can visit two movie studios for some fun photo opportunities. i had good time in Morocco. Hope that helps a little. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. In this post I was simply suggesting that it is possible to leave the tour early and not return to Marrakech, and use public transport for anyone who wants to do onward travel throughout Morocco. The best moment to go there is right before sunset. If your scarf is long enough, it will also cover your shoulders. Youll find a handful of restaurants in Ouarzazate, particularly near the Centreville area. What to wear and bring on a trip to the Sahara desert in Merzouga, 5. I am from NYC so I am used to aggressive driving. This village is one of Moroccos World Heritage Sites and was used as a set in the TV series Game of Thrones to portray the slaving city of Yunkai that Daenerys Targaryen laid siege to. Ait Ben Haddou is located only 30 km north of this city so from there its easy to find a shared taxi. I suggest spending at least a full day in either one of these two places before continuing your journey south towards Merzouga. Those tours cover lots of amazing places that youd otherwise be skipping over during your 12.5 hour direct bus ride. The CTM bus only goes to Rassani and not to Merzuga. If you have your own car, simply followhighway N13 going North from the desert town until it reaches Rissani. Because we have the kids, I would really like to buy our bus tickets in advance, but I cant find any online booking option. But we found the lake and it was surrounded by herds of camels that were there to refresh themselves in the cool water. To reach this desert village simply follow highway N13 towards the South. But assuming you are using busses, it wont be possible due to the time tables. The 17 most beautiful places to visit in Morocco. Guides and drivers tend not to be aggressive with souvenir sales, but may stop at places to buy them. We were looking for desert tours from Marrakesh on Viator, and were deeply worried that most of the desert tours are for 3 days, which do not offer much chance to get to know the places well. If no buses are departing Rissani, youll most definitely be able to get a bus leaving to Er-Rachidia where even more onward travel possibilities abound. These wont be highlights to your Morocco trip but are certainly worth the effort and cost, if you have time after visiting At Benhaddou. Supratours is kind of a train that looks just like a tourist bus. The keftas, tagines, and meat skewers were not only delicious but also generously priced. Be sure to arrange your accommodation in Merzouga in advance. They can get aggressive with independent travelers. $33 per adult. We arrive in the evening and need to leave the next morning. your comfortability with independent travel in Morocco, the amount of time you have to travel this route, and, The At Benhaddou kasbah (via Ouarzazate), and. Given limited public transport connections, a small-group tour is able to whisk passengers from Marrakech to all the main points of along the way to Merzouga, and back, all in three days. To get there from Merzouga, you will have to first pass through Tinghir. This old fortified village is located just 30 km north of Ouarzazate so its ideal to visit both and then continue towards Marrakech if you are coming from Merzouga. I took a look at the itinerary you sent. One village where you can discover this culture is Khamlia. Click to check out rates and availability for Desert Heart Luxury Camps. There are 5 ways to get from Marrakesh to Merzouga by bus, train, car or plane Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner. It would have been nearly impossible to navigate the trails otherwise. Reaching the top of this dune from the center of town takes about one hour. I will stop in Imlil for 1 or 2 nights, then through Merzouga, where Id like to spend a night in the desert. Thank you this is really helpful. Youd probably be fine traveling this route as two female travelers. Day 6: Head to Merzouga in the morning, to reach around 1 PM. Thank you! There is 1 operator that run from Marrakesh to Merzouga, with 1 departure per day. Info was desperately lacking during our visit. You can find a Supratour or a CTM bus to Ouarzazate or Tinghir at the main Marrakesh bus station. Check out CTM BUS WEBSITE FOR TIMING schedule. During these periods, the weather isnt too hot and youll be able to enjoy your time in the desert much more. Have a great trip and good luck on the journey! Alternatively, you may use. Shared taxis abound, and weve yet to pay more then 30 Dirhams for a ride Safe travels! Its a small town in the Sahara desert in Morocco, not too far from the Algerian border. Although these treks are possible during the whole day, the best time is at sunset. Make sure to always drink plenty of water while you visit the desert. So this leaves travelers with the predicament of figuring out how to get from Marrakech to Merzouga. It really depends where exactly in the High Atlas you want to go. I witnessed some of the most beautiful sunsets in my life right from the side of my tent in the desert of Merzouga. Is this possible? They call it aswell as a desert theme park. Nice blog, check my instagram ( @inMerzouga) I hope I can visit this place too! There is only one bus that leaves Boulmanes for Merzouga directly. So I wouldnt worry at all, particularly since youll be able to buy a ticket the day before. Thanks for sharing your experience. I have just one question, is it safe for just 2 female travellers? And thats in addition to food, lodging, and tours, of course. At Benhaddou is a must-do detour along the route from Marrakech to Merzouga. So with the help of your blog, we have planned a DIY tour, which involves a mix of bus travel and rental car. And once youre booked, you wont have the chore of trying to sort through the sea of aggressive hawkers once arriving in Merzouga. A scarf will be your best piece of clothing in the Moroccan desert for various reasons. I pitched my tent in the desert, got lost between the dunes, drank plenty of tea and saw more camels than I could imagine. And is it possible to do this in one day? Hello! Its also a pleasant city to visit. This hotel is located very close to the sand dunes and organizes camel and 44 tours in the desert. You mentioned local buses at Rissani. My husband and I will be going to Morocco for 10 days in December. After your first night in Fes, you can then spend a full day in there. We dont speak French or Arabic either yet managed to get by most of the time.
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