manu423

Thanks to all for the input, @Comicman and @Progol.
Despite the rave reviews for Morrocan Family, we have decided to go with Desert Majesty for a 5 day trip from Fes to Marrakech through Merzouga, etc-- v big price difference! and it turns out it does not really save too much to book our own hotels.

So here is the revised plan:
Day 1 Arrive Marakech 20:30- taxi directly to Essaouria
Day 2 Essaouria
Day 3 Essaouria- Marakech
Day 4 Marakech
Day 5 Marakech
Day 6 train to Fes
Day 7 Fes
Day 8 Fes
Day 9 Fes
Day 10 Drive to Merzouga with Desert Majesty - overnight in desert camp
Day 11 desert (overnight in desert camp)
Day 12 Todra Gorge, (overnight possibly at Auberge le Festival)
Day 13 Dades, Ait Ben Haddou, (overnight possibly at Auberge Ayouze)
Day 14 Teleouet, return Marrakech for late evening flight

Hotels- in Marrakech- booked Dar Rocmarra, and in Fes, Le Grand Alcazar.
Any tweaking recommended?
Thanks again, getting excited!

yestravel

That looks like a good trip. I hope you enjoy yourself. I'm sure you will be fine with another company. I don't recall who we used but our driver/guide was fine.

Comicman

"it turns out it does not really save too much to book our own hotels."
It is more having control of the places you stay over someone who does not know you well making these choices. I will add that getting your car and driver or travel company in this loop can add a lot as they know the on the ground of many hotels. Sometimes they can even negotiate you a better price as they know many hotel management.
It is always my advice that you should get involved in the planing as in the end you get a more magical trip. You should (and you are) asking questions from those that have taken these trips before as well.
"Day 1 Arrive Marakech 20:30- taxi directly to Essaouria"
How are you doing the taxi or did you arrange a transfer? Another alternative is to take the number 19 bus right from the airport which will stop at the train station / Supratours bus station and can get the very comfortable Essaouira bus. This is a bit more hassle but much cheaper @ about 10 Euros (100 Dh) each. There are quite a few buses a day. But if not on a budget getting picked up at the airport and relaxing as you are driven to Essaouira can be a plus.
You will be happy you have 2 nights in Essaouira.
Going back the bus could be a better option as it will save a lot over taxi (car and driver think in the 120 to150 Euro range and taxi (harder option especially if you can not speak french as you have to negotiate the price) should be on the taxi price sign just across the terminal from where you exit and before the taxi men. You should be able to get that set price. It includes your luggage for free. You might get the return trip to Marrakech for less.
I looked at Dar Rocmarra and I do not know this place but the location in the Dar Bacha neighborhood is a plus making finding it at night easier. There is a lot in that location and it is a not bad walk to where you can get a taxi into the new town for dinner of shopping. If the reviews all look good then this could be a good choice.
FES ...
You might want to have the e Grand Alcazar's porter meet you at the Blue Gate to show you how it get to the Riad.
But the area is a good one. I would explore going always down hill and exit the medina at the bottom where I get a taxi to the blue gate (think 20 Dh or 2 Euro) to walk back to my accommodations.
"Day 9 Fes"
I would lose this day and add it to your to Merzuga to Marrakech leg. The drive from Fes to Merzuga is an all day affair and if you get there after dark you lose seeing the sunset over the dunes. this adds pressure and limits any stops on the way. And there are many very good stops along the way. So I suggest you stop overnight in either Azrou or in Midelt. then go to dunes the next day. stops I recommend for you bellow.
Volubilis.
Mouley Idress.
Ifraine.
Azrou.
The Ceder Forest with it's bands of wild Barbary apes and lovely nature.
Would be a shame to miss these. You can also add a short trip to Meknes by a fast train. Though many sites in Meknes are currently closed for repairs.
"Day 12 Todra Gorge, (overnight possibly at Auberge le Festival)"
Have other options as the Le Festival is currently very booked. There are other good choices there and even more great choices at the Dades gorge.
Are you planing to do any hiking? For me the Todhra gorge is a magical place. If you can see it as the sun rises, The light starts to slowly fill the pinch of the gorge like honey making the walls glow with a rainbow of colors.
For day 13 I would personally stay in Ouarzazate over Ait Ben (Auberge Ayouze) as there is a lot more to do at night and Auberge Ayouze is kind of isolated. But this is me.
"Day 14 Teleouet, return Marrakech for late evening flight"
Just get an early start here as there can be delays over the pass. watch the weather as well.
As you can see I only suggested minor tweaks as your plans look pretty solid.
Minor thoughts.
If you are taking a long flight to Marrakech you might be tired and a 3 hour drive might be hard for some. As there is little to see on the drive from Marrakech to Essaouira it OK to fall asleep
What time of year will you go? This can effect your trip and I might offer changes depending on the time of year.

Hope this is helpful to you.

progol

I’m glad you have it all sorted and have found a place that works better for you. And Comicman has given you a lot of great information.

I realize I don’t know where you’re flying from, but the last thing I’d want to do after a long flight and arriving at night is to travel another 2 1/2 hours or more to get to my first destination. I’d probably stay in or near the airport and take more local transportation in the morning. I understand wanting to get there right away - and generally speaking, I think this would be a great idea, but a long drive at night after a flight would make me think twice.

Comicman

"I’d probably stay in or near the airport and take more local transportation in the morning"
As the airport in Marrakech is close to the center you would not really want a hotel next to the airport (both less of quality and less things to do).
I would recommend going to Gueliz area, where you can find great hotel options from 30 Euro a night to 2000 Euro a night. It is a short 10 minute taxi ride and is a fixed 70 Dh set price (7 Euro) for up 2 three persons. So quite cheap.
So I think progol's question of where are you flying in from would change advice I would give.

manu423

Thanks Progol and Comicman for the input. I already booked a transfer from the airport to Essaouira with Marakech Airport Transfers for 60 euro. Our flight is from Tel Aviv, only 6 hrs Can always sleep in the taxi.... I didn't want to waste half a day travelling the next day.

Regarding sleeping in Ouarzazate over Ait Ben Haddou-- we'd like to stay away from tourist crowds-- but what would we miss in Ouarzazate in the evening?

Any specific hotel rec's for Dades Gorge instead of Auberge le Festival in Todra Gorge? Which place is nicer for an overnight?

thanks! we leave this Thursday... Ramadan Kareem

Comicman

"Marakech Airport Transfers for 60 euro"
That is a good price , well done.
"but what would we miss in Ouarzazate in the evening?"
For me restaurants, cafes, lovely walks. But if you want solitude your idea is fine. Just get your dinner (if your hotel does not already include it in your price, many do).
"Any specific hotel rec's for Dades Gorge"
Will look at what I would recommend tomorrow. Did you check if Le Festival was booked on your dates. I think you need to contact them directly.
Please come back with a nice report

Comicman

Please come back with how your trip went