Morocco--advice on itinerary needed!
 

We are going to morocco with our 30 year old sons for 12-14 days in late September. We are thinking of using Authentic Morocco. Has anyone used their guides? happy with them?

Our tentative itinerary is below. Any suggestions?
Day 1--fly into Casablanca, spend nite in Rabat.
Day 2--Moulay Idriss
Day 3--Chefchaouen; visit Volubilis on the way
Day 4- Chefchaouen
Day 5-7 Fes
Day 8 train to marrakech
Day 9 - marrakech
Day 10-11 relax inEssaouira
Day 12--return to marrakech and fly out

The one thing missing is a nite in the desert with a very short Camel ride. Is there any way to add the camel ride/nite camping w/o a lot of extra driving time? To go from Fes via Midelt to Erg Chebbi and then via Tinerhir/Ait Benhaddou/Telouet to Marrakech seemed to add about 5 days and lots of driving time. is there someplace closer than Erg Chebbi that you would recommend?

Is it better weather if we delay the trip until early October? or more rains

I would do a desert trip of 3-4 days.great experience. Remove Casablanca and rabat.

I enjoyed a trip of two days Chefchaoen, 2 fes, 3 days desert tour which took me to Marrakech.

3 days Marrakech and one day trip Eassaouira.

If u want details of tour let me know and I willing to tell u as I really enjoyed mine and u need to beware of scams.

Is there any way you could add more time to your trip? While it was a lot of driving, the desert portion of our trip was the most memorable, and the scenery was beautiful. It was without a doubt the highlight of our trip and an experience of a lifetime.
Laurie

I would appreciate it if you would send me the details of your trip. some of the people are not keen on much driving which is why we eliminated the sand dunes.

Sallam 'lekum alainr,

I recently compiled/guided an 11-day itinerary from Casablanca to Marrakech that visited all of your proposed overnight stops except Chefchaouen, and also included two nights in the Moroccan Sahara. Please feel very free to email me should you wish to chat about it.
Sorry for the short reply, as I'm currently on tour with limited time for forum posting.
Your fellow traveler,
Darren Humphrys

Hi I would do the following:

Day 1: Casablanca plane lands, sleep in rabat
Day 2: leave for Chefchaoen 4hrs CTM bus 10euro approx
Day 3: enjoy Chefchaoen, sleep
Day 4: go fes with bus
Day 5: fes
Day 6: day tour moulay idriss, volubilis ( u could do them en route to Chefchaoen also)
Day 7-9:desert tour 3 days is good, with 4 you see more off the beaten track
Day 10: Marrakech
Day 11: day tour to eassouira or sleep over
Day 12: Marrakech fly out

Day 6 I.e. Moulay idriss u can gain if u manage to do it en route to Chefchaoen or leave it out.

Don't leave out Chefchaoen its so so pretty, Lots of culture of the Riff mountain people. I would rather leave moulay idriss out which is another imperial city with a medina like fes and volubilis r just roman ruins.

Fes 2 days r enough, marrakech 2-3 days r enough, Eassaouira day trip works out v well. Not good for swimming so mainly u walk around pretty seaside village which is v small and eat fish.

If you want more details on tour email me on my profile and I can give u the full itineray as I did it and how.

Hi, Alainr
Actually, all the particulars of our trip are in my trip report, which is the next post after this topic.

here is a link to blackmons' Trip Report

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...t-173792-2.cfm