Morocco- what to do with 6 days? Marrakech and Essaouira?
Replies: 13 - Last Post: Jul 4, 2012 6:11 AM Last Post By: daviddaoud
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Morocco- what to do with 6 days? Marrakech and Essaouira?
My husband and I have only 6 nights to spend in Morocco. We would like to stay 3-4 nights in Marrakech and may be do side trips, eg to the High Atlas( perhaps staying one night) and then go to Essaouira for a night. We will be flying in and out of Marrakech. I have read lots of posts on this and would like some feedback on whether this is the best use of our limited time in Morocco. Also where are the best places to visit in the High Atlas close to Marrakech? We are interested in seeing something of the Berber culture but not too touristy. Also a half day or day hike would be good- any suggestions? Is it feasible to hire a car and driver for a day out of Marrakech or is it better to take a Grand Taxi?We luckily don't have to worry about our budget too much and like to spend as much time as possible seeing and doing things rather than in travelling from A to B. We are in our mid 50's but very active.
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...... in Marrakesh and most especially Essaouria you won't need a car, too difficult to use in these towns.The trip to Essaouria from Marrakesh by bus takes 3 hours, its short enough and you have a choice of bus companies the best being these... http://www.oncf.ma ( beside the Railway Station) . http://www.ctm.ma
If you need a driver and car, discuss this with the receptionist at your hotel, they usually have dependable drivers to call on for guests.
Have you studied a good guide book yet, like the LP or the Cadogan ? you'll find more there than can be written here, when you find something you might be interested in, post again with specific questions.
With only 6 days better to just do Marrakech and Essaouria, the time will fly by.
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Hi,You will have a wonderful time with this schedule. A few of days/nights in Marrakech is possibly enough and one night in Essaouira is sufficient although you could stay forever in either city! This leaves you some time for hiling or a desert stay.
If money is not a problem why not get a driver the hotel recommends? I would. It's definitely an easier option than bus/grand taxi unless you crave the "get amongst it with the locals experience". Driving in Marrakech can be a particular kind of nightmare. Having a local driver is a great way to get around particularly if he speaks some English or you have some French?
As for the mountains I say definitely go but have no advice on with whom or how as I go with my Moroccan friend, however my father did a trip with a personal driver across and back and had the time of his life. In his eighties and loving life he kept sending me texts from the High Atlas saying waaaawww, I'm in the mountains hurtling past sheep, goats and donkeys with my new friend Rachid! It was at the same time hilarious and alarming!
Edited by: ethelfleda
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kiwisontheroad, I have not gathered from your post when you are planning to come. Please note that today in Marrakech, the temperature is 45C with 46 expected for tomorrow. The coast is considerable cooler at the present time.4
...... good point raised by David, when will you be in Morocco ?I disagree with hotsytotsy having enough time to include a "desert stay", you don't........if you are going to Eassouria and arriving in Marrakesh to start with. i.e. time for a bus to travel from Marrakesh to Merzouga is 12.5 hours.
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in general, marrakech is okay even in summer, because the heat is very dry. But at the moment, there is a heat wave which is supposed to last at least until friday 29th june. anyway, if you go to marrakech, try to make it to Ourika valley and the holy place Setti Fatma for a day. You could spend another day in the Oukaimeden area, around the Toubkal, Morocco's highest peak. A good way to escape from the heat.personally, i am not sooo crazy about essaouira. i prefer oualidiya. beautiful views there.
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Goodness, the temperatures have gone mad. As David writes, head for the coast or the mountains!And yes, there's NOT enough time for the sand dunes, even more so in this heat.
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A couple of nights ago we had a good thunder-banger with lightning here in Taroudant. There was rain, but barely enough to wet the street. The surprising thing for me was when I went down the next morning, I found all the cars covered in Mud. There is a thin layer of fine sand/dust all over my "deck" which is the roof of the next building. I'm theorizing that we got a hot wind from the desert. Since then, it has been very warm, both day and night time.Everyone here is suffering, not just me. I at least have the opportunity to get under a cold shower whenever I need to.
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Have just managed to squeeze another 2 nights in Morocco by changing other parts of our trip so now have 8 nights. It is so far to come from NZ that we want to make the most of it. Thanks for all the suggestions. I am researching them.It sounds like it is better to base ourselves in Marrakech and do some day trips plus a visit for one night to the coast. We will be there the last part of September - is this a busy time and do you need to book ahead to get accommodation in a nice riad? If not we might try booking for a couple of nights for when we arrive then we would have some flexibility to go elsewhere for a night or two.
The only guide book I have is 8 years old - The Rough Guide. Maybe I should get an up to date one. I hoped to do it all on the internet.
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Lucky ducks with more nights! well done.hahaha...get a new guide book! lol
I would advise to book for Marrakech at least. It's a very popular destination and is always busy particularly after Ramadan. The weather is still hot but bearable so the tourists " zey wheeel cerm now" as my Moroccan friend says. He likes to book ahead for overnight trips away too. If a local can't find somewhere to stay that says a lot I suspect. We have been stuck in the past.
But that's just me. I am terrified of arriving somewhere with nowhere to sleep. Mispent youth may explain that particilar paranoia.
Don't forget LP have a phone app these days and you can buy pertinent chpters of books to download to e-readers. See my blog link above for all that stuff. It's a wonderful idea.
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Yes, it's terrible to be told a hotel is booked up if you arrive tired already. That happened to me just a few days ago at Sidi Ifni, where a big Moussem is now in full swing. A huge market, music every night, and large red flags everywhere. I really should have phoned a few days in advance of my arrival.
