We're planning on ending our trip in Morocco by leaving from Marrakesh and visiting the kasbahs around Ait Benhaddou, Skoura and Ouarzazate. We'd then fly from Ouarzazate to Casablanca for the flight home.
Other than this leg, our trip is all cities and public transit or grand taxi rides, so other than a partial day guide in the Fez medinah, we don't have a car or guide.
1. What's the best way of doing this? Should we hire a guide from Marrakesh, or rent a car? If a guide, any suggestions? If a car, is it expensive to not return in the same place as pick up?
2. Any reccomendations of where to stay in this area (both towns and specific hotels) would be much appreciated. It sounds like Ouarzazate isn't as nice as other areas, but does its relative convenience make up for that?
Kasbah side trip from Marrakesh
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We rented a car in Marrakech and dropped in Fez. I don't recall the charge being very much. Long story on the rental agency - budget left us hanging without a car, got one on site at the Marrakech airport.
On where to stay - what's your expectations on budget?
We stayed in a very cool (authentic) kasbah in Skoura but it was one of the pricier places we stayed on the trip. Included good breakfast & dinner though.
http://www.ilove-marrakesh.com/kasbahaitbenmoro/index_en.html
Thanks - This hotel looks lovely - we budgeted $80 - $150/night for hotel, so this looks in range.
Did you do this area in your own car without a guide then? Was it relatively easy to get around?
Hi again,
We used trains and buses and an occasional taxi at the beginning and end of the trip, but in the middle we did our own car pretty much from Marrakech to Fez.
Ended up with a beat up little Puegeout 4 cylinder stick shift from 1st Car, despite having booked a 4x4 from Budget. Went up over the Atlas to the kasbah area and the Dades Gorge. This whole part we thought was very easy as long as you don't mind some mountain driving. The roads are paved and in pretty good shape. You do have to watch out for people walking though but otherwise, I thought the roads were in as good shape and as well signed as a lot of rural Europe.