Merzouga desert tour 3 days from Marrakech to Fes

Amazing Except could only go one way on camel and decided to go in morning by car Sunrise was amazing

Me and my partner did the tour Marrakech -> Desert -> Fes of three days and two nights. Let's start from the beginning: I had written a message to the agency asking where the pick-up point was (having entered the address of the Riad as requested) and for 20 days no one answered. A week into the tour, still nothing. I then wrote on whatsapp where I finally received at least the address information, but not the time. The night before, at 21:30, still no information regarding the departure time. I rewrite on WhatsApp, and I get Response. The first day: the shared taxi comes to pick us up to take us to another shared taxi, because they collect all the people who have the same tour together. And so far no problem. For the driver nothing to say, super helpful (he even stopped to allow two other travelers to buy tobacco where he knew it could be found). First stop with Atlas view, photos, nothing to say. Then we arrive in Ait-Ben-Haddou where theoretically the Guide is optional. It's not, he picks you up directly in the taxi and there's no way to get away from the group and finally asks for the three euros excluded from the price (as indicated). I would recommend changing the specification "optional" to "mandatory, cost 3€). The cute city tour but no big deal, is very fast and the Guide then takes you to a super tourist place for lunch. Not being included, we had arranged ourselves, but in order not to split from the group we still decided to sit down and order tea. We were kicked off the table (the waiter's fault though) and had to wait an hour for the others to finish as we could not leave the group having not been given a meeting point and a return time. The Guide also takes you to a scarf shop where the shopkeeper with a demonstration shows how to put it correctly in the desert and illustrates the different types of fabrics. No obligation to buy in case you already have the scarf (which can also be bought later, I say this because the costs were a bit higher than in other places). Stop at Atlas Studio which in my opinion can be skipped (you stop in front ten minutes and start again, you only see the facade). After more hours by car, you are distributed in the various hotels for the night (on this nothing to say, ours was beautiful). The second day: meet outside the hotel and we leave. With the Guide (included in the price) you have to see the gorges and then the country. We were unlucky because it was raining, but it was still super interesting, the Guide prepared and nice. It also took us to see where the carpets are made (we were greeted at Berber, with mint tea) and, after an explanation and demonstration who wants can also buy (again, not mandatory). Another lunch stop, once again a very touristic place where all taxis stop. We can't review this either because we had prepared packed lunches for the two days ourselves and therefore waited outside. Direction Merzouga, unfortunately still raining. We are divided here among the various hotels (some went by car, some by camel, some slept in the luxury tent etc...). And here the confusion begins: we are left by those who have to take care of us who quickly load our luggage on the car and leave us to a child who loads us on dromedaries (I suggest we change this too: there are no camels in Morocco) and with other tourists makes us cross the piece of desert that divides us from the camp. Unfortunately it started to rain again and we had to run to the camp earlier than expected. When we arrive at the camp, we discover that it is divided into 3. We then look for our suitcases and, once we have found them, we sit down to be welcomed back to Berber style, with tea and sweets. When we go to the tent, we are asked what the name of the person who brought the luggage was but, having failed to show up, we did not know. So we start wandering through the various fields in the rain and with backpacks on our shoulders to figure out where we should go. Eventually we are sent to one of the camps where we are given the key to the tent. The evening experience was nice, dinner, Berber music and good company. Even the comfortable tent, unfortunately, again because of the heavy rain that is not normal, got a little wet, but that depends on no one but climate change. Huge flaw: the main camp was the disco. Since we arrived until midnight and maybe beyond, there was very loud music that made it impossible to enjoy the silence of the desert. Talking to other people the next day, we found that it wasn't the only field that predicted music, so a somewhat similar experience for everyone. Another experience shared by the other guests of our camp, no one knew how it would be organized the next day. All we knew was that at 8 o'clock we were supposed to be in a part of town, but nobody told us how we were going to get back and how. Finally after dinner the boss came and finally explained everything. Day 3: Hearty breakfast (although made probably with the leftovers of the day before, at least as far as bread is concerned). Departure at dawn, by dromedary, and you reach the end of the desert, all wet because the poor animals had been outside all night and caught the downpour with all the harness on. From there again the cosmic nothingness because it was not the point indicated to us the day before. We and the other guests follow the other people and arrive where they left their luggage and wait for them hoping someone will pick us up. Fortunately we are there and the tour starts again. From here on out everything is still fine, even the second driver super nice and helpful. Stopped by monkeys. At lunch this time we stopped: also this stage of the various taxis so very touristy, but very abundant. In summary: very long and tiring tour to not really live the desert experience. I don't know if the confusion of the various camps and the organization depends on the tour operator or who then manages it on site, but it is very confusing. If you want to experience the silence of the desert, this is not the Tour I Recommendation. We don't know how much the rain affected the confusion, we leave the benefit of the doubt. Trip in a cute dromedary but you start practically all together and so there is almost queue and a lot of people. Keep in mind that, in addition to the price indicated, there is the Guide of 3€ (which is not optional) per person and lunches if you do not want to wait for the group outside (in the premises where they take you, a higher price than a normal lunch, between 10 and 15€ that person more or less). If you want to get around Ait-Ben-Haddou well, this is not the ideal tour as it is very much in a hurry. Again congratulations to the drivers, on which really, nothing to complain.

Attention, inform yourself really well. I'll start by saying that the places the tour takes you to are beautiful: Ait ben haddou, Ouarzazate oasis, Dades Gorges and finally the Merzouga desert. As far as the organization is concerned, unfortunately it is terrible. For the first night's accommodation near Ouarzazate you are sorted into various hotels (of very low quality) without being informed of anything beforehand, you only find out when they make you get off the minibus. We travel on fairly old minibuses, ours had a flat tire, and we had to replace it halfway through the trip. After the second night in the desert (fortunately a beautiful one), we were picked up in a separate taxi because we had to go to Fez. The taxi was a very old van with broken seats and a driver who only spoke Moroccan, furthermore the driving was extremely dangerous, the driver overtook on bends and even if cars were arriving in the opposite direction. So zero security. It's a shame, considering that these tourist tours are now well established, they should start improving the services.

The tour was certainly well organised, frequent stops with beautiful views, professional and kind driver. Departure from Marrakech and return to Fes. However, I advise you to be wary of the places where they will take you to eat for lunch, which are extremely touristy and have prices double if not triple compared to the rest. The experience in the desert was fantastic, of course there is very little authentic Berber but mass tourism also leads to this. Ait guide well not up to par. but this is not the fault of the tour operator

I was very satisfied with the desert tour. However, the hotel for the first night was not available. The room and the food needed to be upgraded. The camel ride in the desert and the camp room were both wonderful. It was a wonderful memory.

The tour was amazing! Star gazing in the Sahara was an unforgettable experience. I forgot some things in my camp and the tour operator had it returned the next day. Highly recommend them!

If you visit Morocco, this is a must-do experience you should not miss! Below the most important information to keep into account when booking: - the tour operator is constantly in touch with you at any time through whatsapp, checking out everyday how is the trip is going and helping if needed; - the program is fully respected and clearly stated what is not included in the price; - restaurants are very touristic and quite expensive compared to rest of Morocco, but you are free to go anywhere else in the surroundings to have your meals; - hotels are very typical and desert camp (luxury in my case) have all comforts; - camel ride is the best but keep in mind that if you book this tour in winter, the sun will set quite earlier; - watching the desert starry sky is unbelievable! Please keep into account that this tour includes 7-8 hours driving per day. This could be very tiring but worth it. Just know what to expect.

The place is absolutely magical, one of the most inspiring views, the staff are very helpful and nice, the food was great too, definitely coming back !

A fantastic trip, the people are beautiful, the place are amaing, seeing the sunset and sunrise in the desert it's a sight that leaves you speechless and it doesn’t matter the length of the journey because it’s worth it

The overall experience is great, the first Riad (Citadel Riad) was wonderful, both the service, the food and the location. The visits are very fast and sometimes you cannot see the site well, just 10 minutes to take the photo and that's it. The desert was very good but the dinner and breakfast left something to be desired...the guides were super attentive and very nice, as was the minibus driver, Khalid. The trip from Merzouga to Fez was 7 endless hours in a taxi.