FormerNJGal

My husband and I will be flying in to Fez from Barcelona and spending about 2 weeks in Morocco. We know that there's a lot to see in the country, but we wanted to just do a few highlights on this trip. We plan to rent a car before we leave Fez, drive ourselves to the various places, and then turn in the car when we get to Marrakech.

Here is what we came up with. We know that there are a couple of longish drives in this plan and we're OK with that. If anyone experienced with travel in Morocco sees anything concerning about this plan, please speak up! The overall dates of the trip are not changeable.

Fez - Sept. 15 to 20 (5 nights), includes day trip to Volubilis

Drive, overnight in Errachidia - Sept. 20 (1 night)

Drive, Desert Glamping in Erg Chebbi - Sept. 21 (1 night)

Drive, Stay in Ouarzazate - Sept. 22, 23, 24 (2 nights)

Marrakech - Sept. 24 to 29 (5 nights)

FormerNJGal

My husband and I will be flying in to Fez from Barcelona and spending about 2 weeks in Morocco. We know that there's a lot to see in the country, but we wanted to just do a few highlights on this trip. We plan to rent a car before we leave Fez, drive ourselves to the various places, and then turn in the car when we get to Marikkesh.

Here is what we came up with. We know that there are a couple of longish drives in this plan and we're OK with that. If anyone experienced with travel in Morocco sees anything concerning about this plan, please speak up!Fez - Sept. 15 to 20 (5 nights)

Drive, overnight in Errachidia - Sept. 20 (1 night)

Desert Glamping in Erg Chebbi - Sept. 21 (1 night)

Drive, Stay in Ouarzazate - Sept. 22, 23, 24 (2 nights)

Marrakech - Sept. 24 to 29 (5 nights)

Moderator1

Your two threads have been merged

FormerNJGal

IDK, there was a weird glitch when I was posting. I didn't mean to post the same thing twice. You can delete the second one (I don't see a way to do it).

MmePerdu

My feeling is that for a relatively short visit, while 5 nights each in Fes & Marrakech sound right, the 4 nights driving in the desert could be better spent in coastal locations. Ouarzazate is quite underwhelming compared to many other places & it appears you’re using those 3 nights before & after to get 1 night camping. If this is important to you then ok, but I’d swap it in a heartbeat for taking the train from Fes, maybe an overnight in Meknes, then train on to Marrakech, adding 2 nights in Essaouira during your stay there. If you like Morocco then go back when you have more time for a more leisurely desert experience.

thursdaysd

Entirely agree with MmePerdu. Totally underwhelmed with Ouarzazate and rather liked Essaouira.

progol

Ditto to the above. We absolutely loved Essaouira. I’d take a day from Marrakech as 4 nights is plenty. I’d try to keep the night in the desert (I do think being in the desert is remarkable) but skip Ourzazate and Errachidia. I also think Ourzazate is underwhelming, though I would make a stop to see one of the kasbahs.

zebec

Bang-on advice above.
I am done. the town that Hendrix almost bought

neckervd

I don't agree with Mme Perdue. The crossing of the Atlas up to Errachdia and the route des Kasbahs through the Dades and Todfra Valleys are real gems.
May be your planned stay at Ouarzazate is a bit long. May be you plan side trips from there to the South

zebec

Former NJG,
What follows is lengthy. I just went back to our old trip journal to get more info for you. Stating the obvious, mais bien sur with your finite time frame choices will need to be made. Yes indeed, as Necker has pointed out, those 2 gorges are justly popular places. Our sunrise experience at one of them was amazing. I refer to the vista from the 3* hotel Kasbah Tizzarouine in Boumalne du Bades. Another highlight would be remote Skoura, found at the end of Vallee du Dades towards Ouzarzate (these spellings). You could reach Skoura via Boumalne, through the mountain piste at Valee Bou Thrar, an authentic Berber heartland. I had a serious fall down a rockface nearby at Tourbist, a careless accident that taught this photographer to be more careful. One could possibly stay in Skoura at the less-touristy Ait Abou. Their tower is apparently the tallest in the country. Not luxe, but we loved it for its genuine, real McKoy vibe.

As for Fes (plus Sefrou and Bahlil), we highly recco guide Ali: SEFRIOUI ABDELALI [email protected] 34 RUE OUSSAMA IBNOU ZAID APPARTMENT 5 PHONE-- 061254058
If he is still guiding now into his '70s, Ali would be a great choice. Honest, reliable and possibly offering to end your tour with a meal at his family's home in the Ville Nouvelle part of Fes.

*FWIW, few countries drew as much snarky comments from judgmental traveler-than-thou types responding to itinerary discussions, as once did Le Maroc over on lonely Planet's old Thorn tree forum. Too many negative creeps with their ponytails tied too tight.
I am done. the end

PS suggested listening: anything by Boujmia, the late great Bob Marley of that nation. Almost certainly killed by the government. Hard to find CDs.
See also (hear also?) anything by gnawa artist Abdermane Paco.

MmePerdu

Neckervd, I would agree with you completely if the trip seemed less rushed & they could linger in the places you mention. But considering the short time frame & missing the entire Atlantic coast, I'd opt for the coast.