Really appreciated how the tour managed to cover a variety of attractions across the Atlas Mountains, desert and many small towns and villages within the short span of 4 days. Guides and locals that we interacted with were extremely friendly, giving us insights on what life is like around their towns.
Not one to normally leave a review, I feel compelled to do so for this company in order to clarify some of the vague itinerary and inform potential travelers choosing between the many Sahara desert tour options.
We took the 4 day/3 night group tour with nights in Zagora Dunes, Dades Valley, and Merzouga.
FIrst off, this tour is a relatively low-budget option that will allow you to see just about everything advertised. If you are looking for the cheapest way to see all these places, it is not a terrible option. However, if you are taking a trip to Morocco, I believe there are way better options to experience the sights and culture of this region. The main problem with this tour is the lack of clarity/hospitality from the van drivers and even some of the guides, leading you to feel rushed around and hustled. Additionally, the food is pretty disappointing overall.
In particular, please keep in mind lunch is not included and you are not really left to discover other options on your own to suit a variety of a budgets. You will be immediately ushered from the van to an overpriced restaurant offering a prix fixe menu in the 100-150 dhs range - incredibly expensive for Morocco, and overpriced for what you get. If you choose not to go this option (which is heavily discouraged) you will be stressed worrying if you will make it back to the van on time while you find a more reasonable option.
Here is a selection of the issues we experienced while on this tour:
-Day 1 - hidden cost of Ait Ben Haddou tour at the end. No real option to skip this. Similarly hustled in scarf shop where guide tries to convince you to buy a desert scarf. A nice souvenir if you were already looking for one, but by no means necessary as the camel ride is relatively short.
-Night 1 - upon arrival to the camels to go into desert, desert guide immediately rushes us to camels without telling us what we need to take and what we should leave in van.
-Night 1 - at desert camp, guide yells for us to come back to camp in the exact prime moment of sunset. This is one of the main reasons we came out to the desert! Similarly, we were rushed out of the sunrise the next morning.
-Morning 2 - the included “breakfast” at 7am is leftover bread from last night’s dinner. No other food options/stops until Ouarzazate about 6 hours later.
-Night 3 - Upon arrival in Merzouga Dunes area, half of us were dropped at a desert hotel/campsite next to a parking lot with no explanation of what is happening or why we were being split up. The given lodging was low-quality makeshift tents similar to the first night, except they are actually right next to the parking lot - close to dunes, but by no means in the dunes. Pictures included. We then took a camel ride out to the dunes and got to see the desert we were waiting for, but then went back to the parking lot. No potential for stargazing. Also a safety issue as nothing was secured and many cars/buggies are driving by this area all the time. In fact, we were locked out of the main complex itself with no access to bathrooms until the morning. Never provided an explanation for why half of us from various tours were dropped off at this faux camping while others apparently spent the night in the dunes.
-Day 4 - be aware this is an extremely long drive with very short stops. Bring snacks!
-Day 4 - when getting back (late) to Marrakech, the driver attempted to drop us off at Djemaa El Fnaa square even though in the booking it says we will be dropped back at our riad. Eventually I convinced the driver to drive us closer to the riad as the square was very far from where we were staying. Why not just say in the booking you will be dropped in the square? Leads to both customers and drivers feeling upset as the driver stated he did not normally do this.
With Morocco offering so many amazing low-cost food options - from the fresh bread for breakfast to fresh fruits and vegetables for sale everywhere to home-cooking out of tagines in local restaurants, the food on this tour was extremely disappointing in comparison. I live in Tangier and my partner had had the chance to experience much of the great food and culture of this country in the two weeks of her visit prior to this tour, so it was not as big of a deal for us. But I could not help feeling that those for whom this tour was a primary chunk of their visit would be missing out on some of the best parts of this country.
In conclusion, we did get to see many of the places advertised. However we would not consider booking with this company again for the reasons stated above and a general lack of friendliness. It feels most of the guides and the driver are there to check off boxes of what they are obligated to show you, rather than welcome you to their country.