Andy_Chen

I'm looking for feedback on my 9 day trip to Morocco in November.

19-Nov Arrive in Country. Transfer from Airport to Hotel. Explore Marrakech by ourselves that night. Find a great restaurant.
20-Nov Hire a guide to take us through Marrakech this day
21-Nov Marrakech to Ouarzazate. Stop at Ait Ben Haddou.
22-Nov Travel from Ouarzazate to Tinerhir.
23-Nov Travel from Tinerhir to Merzouga. Need to get there and be on camels by 3 pm.
24-Nov Return from desert. Travel Merzouga to Fez. Long drive day. Multiple stops along the way.
25-Nov Guided Tour in Fez
26-Nov Fez to Chef (or skip Chef and head to Casablanca for flight out to Paris. Quick stop in Volubilis)
27-Nov Chef to Casablanca. Stop at Volubilis / Meknes. Fly out to Paris in the evening

I would love to hear thoughts in general and I also have specific questions:

1) On the 24th, is that a realistic day? Getting back from the dunes and then driving 6 hours from Merzouga to Fez?
2) We would like to make it up to Chefchaouen from Fez on the 26th, but that means we will have a very long drive on the 27th from Chef to Casablanca. Is it possible to stop in Volubilis and still catch a flight at 7 pmto Paris on that day (the 27th)?
3) We plan to hire a car and guide for the 21st to the 24th. Do we also need a guide to Chef?

joannay

Just a general observation, it's a very rushed itinerary in a place that's good, most of all, for slowing down. The beauty of Morocco cannot be appreciated, I don't believe, at the pace you've set. Of course it can be done, many people do it this way, and I believe all miss the point.

dutyfree

Too bad that you are not including Essaouria on the coast in your travel plans-truly a favorite place in Morocco. It has everything from an old fishing harbor surrounded by a seawall with medina (great shopping) wonderful restaurants and beaches along with the infamous goats in the trees.After staying 3 days there last Christmas I can see why the singer Cat Stevens called it home for several years many years ago!

joannay

I agree with Dutyfree, Essaouira may be my favorite place of all. I thought about suggesting it but decided it made no sense to add yet another stop.

qwovadis

Way too crammed for me...

www.merzouga-tours.com

spend more time here and in High Atlas

Less in more crowded touristic places.

Since the 1960s have been a big fan of trains there

Cheap adventurous way to get around seat61.com/morocco

Happy Planning,

joannay

QV, that's hard advice to someone who's apparently on his first trip there, "Less in more crowded touristic places". It's where we all went on our first visits and found the quieter spots later. The bigger cities still have their charm off the beaten path but rare is the person who can resist the glitz first time around.