Morocco Desert Trips made our Morocco trip care-free, enjoyable, and complete. First we had a day trip with a local guide in Marrakech, which was amazing! Our guide Aziz was not only knowledgeable but also pleasant, fun, approachable and kind. We had laughs and learned so much at the same time. We also hired a transfer from the airport to the medina in Marrakech. My partner forgot a bag inside the car with his passport, wallet and work laptop. After the initial shock and stress, we contacted Said and the driver kindly turned around and returned the bag, intact. What a relief! After that, we had a 6-day tour: Marrakech - Ouarzazate (Atlas crossing and Ben Ait Haddou with overnight in Skoura) - Merzouga (Desert camp) - Fes (2nights) - Chefchaouen - Marrakech. It was a lot, I repeat, a lot of driving but having a driver, a car with GPS, and accommodations taken care of was such a wonderful thing. It allowed us (4 people) to be more present and relaxed to enjoy the beautiful scenery and experiences. The fact we didn't have to worry about anything was new experience for me, and it was great! Crossing the Atlas and going through snow peaked mountains, the date palm tree groves in the oasis and Ben Ait Haddou was quite an extraordinary experience. Watching the landscape change so drastically is fascinating. The desert camp was great with the tent having a shower and toilet! The camel is 7km long but so fun! Those dunes are stunning! Fes was stunningly beautiful and so authentic. Lots of cats :-) Chefchaouen, personally, I would have skipped it. The town is very touristy, busy, with very intense vendors, and the 8hr drive to Marrakech was very long. Said, from Morocco Desert Trips, was VERY responsive, taking care of all of our inquiries. Kamal, our driver, is a very kind and gentle soul. He was amazing and we are so happy we got a driver like him. The car was a mini-van type, with the first row turned around so we, passengers, faced each other. Accommodations were good, especially in Fes, and all included breakfast. 2 nights (Skoura riad had the best meal we had in Morocco) had dinner included, the other one was at the desert camp. In Fes, we also had a city tour included. The tour guide had a personality we didn't click with but still gave a knowledgeable amount of information. So, all in all, great value for our trip! It is important to know that some of the tours and journeys take you to vendors and points of interest that give you a tour/presentation of their products, craft or site, making you prone to spend $ but not necessarily expect it. PS: the haggling in Morocco is almost mandatory. Not my best skill, so that made me feel uncomfortable at times and I ended up not getting good deals, but some people love it, so I recommend just have fun with it :-) We felt taken care of from beginning to end. I am so happy we had a chance to do and see so much in so little time. This company is not only reliable but also professional and personalized, and I would strongly recommend it to anyone travelling alone, couples, family or groups. Said and Kamal, you were great! We brought superb memories from Morocco,...
Read moreMy daughter and I just returned from the 17-day Best of Morocco Grand Tour offered by Said and Morocco Desert Trips. From start to finish, the tour was excellent. We made several changes to the listed tour, and Said was very helpful and flexible in doing so. He almost always responded with 24 hours to our emails. We were able to significantly reduce the cost of the tour by choosing standard rather than luxury accommodations. The rooms were always safe, clean, and well located. The only slight inconveniences were a few lukewarm showers and a couple nights of spotty WiFi.
Our driver, Kamal, was wonderful. He was very professional. He was always on time and a very safe driver. He provided great advice on what was advisable and what wasn't during the time we were on our own. Kamal also added numerous extra activities not listed on the itinerary that he knew we would enjoy, and Said is wise enough to allow Kamal this spontaneity. Kamal also has a great sense of humor, and we were very comfortable traveling with him for such a long period. Our experience with the local guides was a bit varied. Most were good or excellent, but few seemed to be acting by rote rather than responding to us and our questions. However, this was a very minor issue.
One way to judge a tour company might be by how they deal with the unexpected, and here Said and Morocco Desert Trips again deserve high marks. One day our car started making a noise. After arriving safely at a garage, the trouble was diagnosed. Unfortunately, the repair required a part be sent from Marrakech, which was several hours away. At this point, we had completed the day's activities but were three hours away from that night's lodging. After Said found a local driver to transport us, Kamal rode along to ensure we arrived safely even though this meant he had to make the three-hour return trip back to the car. The following day, Said arranged for another driver, who was excellent, to complete that day's itinerary while Kamal oversaw the repair and joined us that night. Throughout, Said and Kamal's first concern was our safety and second was ensuring we didn't miss any of the promised activities.
In addition, my daughter and I found Morocco very welcoming and easy to manage. I had some concerns before going about how much we might be hassled when on our own. But this really wasn't an issue. We did have to say "no thanks" a lot, but generally that was enough. The food was good and very affordable. We did have to get comfortable with being the only women in some restaurants, but, as tourist, we always felt welcomed.
All in all, this was a great trip, and it's hard to imagine a tour company doing a better job. If I am ever able to return to Morocco, I will certainly book my travel with...
Read moreMy daughter and I recently went on a 12-day Morocco tour organized by Said from Morocco Desert Trips, and I can confidently say it was an unforgettable adventure. From the moment I signed up for the tour to the final farewell, every aspect of the journey exceeded my expectations. The itinerary crafted by Said, was nothing short of spectacular. It seamlessly blended must-see attractions with off-the-beaten-path gems, providing a comprehensive and immersive experience of the destination. It was clear that a great deal of thought and expertise went into planning each day's activities.
Our tour driver Kamal deserves special recognition for his exceptional knowledge, enthusiasm, and passion for the destinations. Kamal not only shared fascinating insights about the places we visited but also added a personal touch that made the tour truly special. Accommodations and transportation were top-notch. We stayed in comfortable, well-located and safe hotels that allowed us to make the most of our time. The transportation arrangements were smooth and hassle-free, ensuring we were always on schedule.
What truly set this company apart was evident that they prioritize the well-being of the local communities and the environment. They provided opportunities for us to interact with locals, which added depth to our experience and allowed us to support the communities we visited.
In the end, my journey with Morocco Desert Trips was not just a vacation; it was a cultural and educational experience that left a lasting impact. I can wholeheartedly recommend Morocco Desert Trips to anyone seeking an exceptional and responsible travel adventure. They are experts at creating memories that will stay with you long after the...
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