Worldwide with Idalis

My journey to Morocco was truly one-of-a-kind. While we spent some time in Marrakesh, this blog will concentrate on the renowned three-day Sahara Desert tour. This popular tour offers numerous variations, differing in pricing, but generally follows a similar route. It’s certainly a dream for budget travelers, and you’ll need at least five days to complete the trip (three days for the tour and two days for arriving in and departing from Morocco). If you’re interested in joining the exact tour I experienced, click the link below.

Getting There

• When traveling to Morocco, you’re likely to arrive at Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK). Be prepared for potential long lines upon arrival and departure. The journey from the airport to the city center is relatively short but can be quite chaotic. I do not recommend renting a car, at least not in Marrakesh.
  • Pro tip: Arrange for a taxi through your hotel for pickup; this will save you both time and money.
• We visited in May, which I believe is the ideal time to go. Avoid summer, as it can get extremely hot in the desert. Instead, consider visiting just before or after summer, keeping in mind that desert temperatures can drop significantly at night.

Where to Stay

• When visiting Morocco, it’s essential to stay in a traditional Riad, as they reflect the country’s rich culture and are incredibly beautiful.
• During our trip, we experienced both a Riad (Riad Malfa) and The Central House Marrakesh Medina, where we enjoyed delightful traditional breakfasts, stunning rooftops, and, of course, authentic Moroccan tea.
  • Staying in the city center of Marrakesh is advantageous, as most tours have a central pickup point near the souks.
• This blog focuses on the Sahara, making it a must to spend at least one night in the desert. We stayed at Auberge Sahara, which was linked to the Merzouga Desert Bivouac, offering a comfortable and budget-friendly experience.

Sahara Desert Tour – Day 1

• Pick-Up: In Marrakesh, the pick-up point is located in the city center by the souks at 7:30 AM. If you’re staying in the city center, you’ll need to meet there, as larger vans cannot navigate the narrow alleys.
  • Arrival and Seating: Make sure to arrive early to secure your preferred seats with your group.
• High Atlas Mountains and Tizi n’Tichka Pass: After a quick stop at a convenience store for snacks and a light breakfast, we made two additional stops before reaching the highlight of the day. The High Atlas Mountains and Tizi n’Tichka Pass offer stunning viewpoints along the route. These stops are brief, allowing you to capture some photos, but there isn’t much to do at these locations. Be prepared for strong winds, which can make it uncomfortable to stay outside for long.
• Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah: The highlight of day one was visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This stunning clay-built kasbah is primarily a tourist destination, as it seems uninhabited. Fun fact: it has served as a filming location for shows like Outer Banks (Season 4) and Game of Thrones, among others, which your tour guide will elaborate on. After the visit, we had lunch at a tourist trap restaurant; I recommend seeking out a different place for better quality and more affordable food. Don’t hesitate to say no if something doesn’t appeal to you.
• Dinner & Overnight in Kalaat M’Gouna/Dades: You may make a few additional stops for restroom breaks or scenic views in the Rose Valley, although this depends on your tour guide’s schedule. We were the last group to arrive at our hotel, which limited our time for other stops. Upon arrival, someone will assign you to your room, where you can unwind before enjoying a buffet-style dinner. The accommodations were private, but the beds felt quite hard, and the shower water stopped working at some point. Keep in mind the price you paid; overall, it wasn’t too bad since we were mainly just sleeping there before an early 6 AM departure the next day.

Sahara Desert Tour – Day 2

• Breakfast at the Hotel: We woke up early to leave by 7 AM and kick off our day. The hotel offered a buffet-style breakfast, but it was quite limited, leaving the group a bit disappointed. It mainly consisted of breads, jams, and a few yogurt cups. After packing our bags and hopping into the van, we drove for a couple of hours before reaching our first destination.
• Canyons of Todgha Gorges: I had no idea what to expect on this journey, but we headed to Tinghir to explore the Todgha Gorges, where 300-meter cliffs rise majestically above a palm tree-lined canyon. While the canyon itself wasn’t particularly captivating, we took a tour through the fields to visit a rug-making store. There, we learned about the rugs, saw how they were crafted, and had the opportunity to purchase some. This tour was much more intimate and engaging, and our entire group enjoyed it. I would definitely return to Tinghir to explore more of the city.
• Quads and Dromedary Ride in Merzouga: Upon arriving at the Merzouga lodge, we learned that we should bring only one bag, as the dromedary (camel) would carry it back to the campsite. We spent some time at the lodge relaxing, stretching, and chatting with others before embarking on the quads. The quads cost an additional 50 euros per person, but we felt it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience worth trying. We enjoyed a guided desert tour lasting about 40 minutes and then rode through the stunning golden Erg Chebbi dunes during golden hour on dromedaries (camels). Some of our group chose to sandboard instead, but we didn’t have enough time to do all three activities, despite the guides’ assurances.
  • We noticed that our guides tended to overpromise, which became a recurring issue throughout our trip.
• Merzouga Desert Camp: After receiving our assigned campsite, we had some time to unwind before sunset. Once the sun dipped below the horizon, we gathered to enjoy dinner in a tent, which turned out to be quite tasty, with vegetarian options available. Following dinner, we savored some Moroccan mint tea while listening to and dancing to live Berber music and drumming before heading off to bed.

Sahara Desert Tour – Day 3

• 6 AM Sunrise: After waking up at 5:30 AM, we packed our bags and made our way to the top of a sand dune to witness the sunrise. We arrived early, and the experience was truly magical and peaceful. I definitely felt like I could have spent more time at the desert camp to fully enjoy the sand. After about an hour, the dromedaries (camels) were ready to take us back to the lodge for breakfast. The breakfast was similar to the previous day, and we had some time to shower and tidy up before returning to Marrakech.
• Drive Back to Marrakech: Our journey took us through Ouarzazate and the High Atlas Mountains once more, but we didn’t make any stops. We caught up on sleep and paused for lunch, along with a few other brief stops for snacks and restroom breaks. We arrived in Marrakech around 8:30 PM. This day felt the longest since there was little to see, and we were all eager to return home. However, we formed a strong bond with the people in our van, and we truly enjoyed our time together. The tour guide strongly encouraged us to leave a review, mentioning he would “get in trouble” with his boss otherwise. Remember, don’t let anyone pressure you or make unrealistic promises; at times, it felt like they were trying to compensate for the reviews.

Cultural Insights

• Tipping in Morocco is customary: While it doesn’t need to be substantial, it’s appropriate to give a few extra dirhams for services such as taxis, tour guides, or any assistance sometimes, it’s even expected.
  • On a few occasions, we encountered individuals who specifically requested tips.
• Dress modestly: While Marrakesh is accustomed to tourists and has a more open-minded atmosphere, you’ll be visiting smaller villages, so it’s important to show respect.
• Having cash on hand is essential, as many places do not accept cards. I suggest obtaining Moroccan Dirham in advance; although euros are accepted, you may end up paying more. Cash is also handy when navigating the souks and in areas where you might not have service.

Practical Tips

• Lunch Arrangements on the Tour: The tour indicates that lunch is “optional” and not included in the price. However, it’s worth noting that while it’s labeled as “optional,” you will likely find yourself quite hungry. The tour has set up lunch at a restaurant in a remote location, leaving you with no alternatives since lunch is served early and dinner is quite late. The food at these establishments is catered to tourists, featuring a fixed menu that may not reflect the best of Moroccan cuisine.
  • It’s unavoidable, but it’s essential information, and you will find similar remarks in the reviews for these tours.
• Guided Tour Options: Similar to the lunch situation, there is also an “optional” guided tour. However, this option is not truly optional. While it may be disappointing not to have the freedom to explore on your own, we asked our tour guide about it, and he mentioned that it isn’t a significant additional cost.
• Cash-Only Policy: Be aware that many restaurants and tour guides, especially in remote areas, only accept cash.
• What to Pack? Although you’re heading to the desert, temperatures can drop at night, so it’s advisable to bring a jacket and pants for the evening. During the day, it tends to be warmer, but you should still dress thoughtfully. If you plan to ride a camel or go quad biking, wearing pants is a good idea. Linen pants are a popular choice, as other options may not be practical.

Safety (Personal Reflections)

In my view, I did not feel any danger while in Morocco, particularly during our tour. Our group consisted of tourists from around the globe, and we had a tour guide with us nearly 24/7. The locations we explored also had other tour groups present, which contributed to a sense of safety. When we ventured out on our own in Marrakesh, the main city, we encountered no issues either, as it is the largest tourist hub in Morocco. It seamlessly blends locals and travelers, and we even noticed many children in the souks, which was quite surprising. It’s worth mentioning that I traveled with my partner, so my experience may differ from others. While I cannot address the experience of solo travelers, I believe that if you are a solo traveler on a group tour, there should be no reason to be concerned about safety.

---

Soon, you will discover that this is a dream destination for budget travelers, and there are countless other places on my list to explore, including Fes, Chefchaouen, and Rabat. While you’re there, be sure to try traditional dishes like chicken tagine, zaalouk, and couscous, which happen to be some of my favorites. We also dined at an upscale restaurant with a fabulous view, Kabana Rooftop Food & Cocktails in Marrakech, and enjoyed the performances by dancers and a DJ at Safran Marrakech. There is so much to experience in Morocco; we were truly sad to leave but incredibly grateful for our wonderful adventure.