Travel Diary
This is the third and final post of this Morocco Travel Diary - Read also the first two posts - Travel Diary - Morocco - From Marrakech to Ouarzazate e Travel Diary - Morocco - From Ouarzazate to the Erg Chebbi Dunes
This is a trip to Morocco, on a 7-day tour organized by Morocco.comfrom Marrakech to the Sahara Desert. Join me on this adventure in this Travel Diary!
Day 4 - Erg Chebbi Dunes, Todra Gorges and Ouarzazate
Climb the Erg Chebbi Dunes.
I can say that today comes one of the most eagerly awaited moments of this trip. Watching the sun rise over the Erg Chebbi Dunes.
I didn't sleep much during the night. The noise of the wind, the aches and pains in my body from the camel ride and the anxiety of waking up early meant that I didn't get many hours of sleep. The alarm clock went off before 6am. As soon as I put my nose out of the tent, I went back inside to change my clothes. Putting on shorts was out of the question, so I opted to wear the same clothes as the day before. The wind is so cold that my face hurts. A good coat is essential, as is a good moisturizer for the lips.
We're ready to start climbing the Dunes. Only half the group shows up. I quickly realize that climbing the dunes is no easy task. The aim was to reach the top of the dune before sunrise. The pain in our legs, the shortness of breath and tiredness made us stop a few times. And once we were about halfway up, we decided it was a good place to watch the sunrise. Now we have to rest and wait.
Sunrise in the Desert
And the long-awaited moment arrived. Anything I can tell you won't do justice to what I saw, so I'll leave you with the photos. And yes, it's even more spectacular live. One of those things that you can also put on your Bucket List - The list of things you have to do before you die.
At 7 a.m. we return to camp for breakfast, and by 8 a.m. we're ready for the return journey. Again 1h30m by camel and then Jeep to Café Du Sud. We'll start the return journey to Ouarzazate, where we'll spend the night, but first we'll visit the Todra Gorges.
Gorges du Todra (Todra Gorges)
We have reached the magnificent Gorges du Todra, or Todra Gorges as they are also called. If you're a climbing enthusiast, I'm sure you're familiar with these gorges, the most famous in Morocco.
It feels like you're going to be swallowed up by the landscape, which is why they are also known as gorges. These gorges are in the Todra Valley and are made up of cliffs that reach up to 300 meters in height, which narrow as they go.
Ouarzazate
We return to Ouarzazate and the Riad Dar Rita, where we spend the night, before starting the journey back to Marrakech.
Day 5 - Ouarzazate, Fint Oasis, Marrakech
We start our journey back to Marrakech. But first we'll visit the Atlas Film Studios. Ouarzazate is known as the Hollywood of the desert.
Atlas Film Studios
As I work in a television production company, I was very curious to visit these movie studios. Where productions such as "Alexander the Great" or the "Last Temptation of Christ" were filmed.
Several films and series depicting ancient Egypt were also filmed here. I know, I look like Lara Croft in this photo 😀
I really enjoyed the visit and recommend it. For around 4Euros you get a guided tour with a guide who speaks English or Spanish and tells you the story of each movie and shows you where each scene took place.
Fint Oasis
Here we make a brief stop and head for Marrakech. We're all really looking forward to arriving at the Riad.
Marrakech
We return to our starting point and the Riad Dar El Masa. Tonight we'll have dinner at one of Marrakech's most famous restaurants, Comptoir Darna, in the new part of town (outside the Medina).
Comptoir Darna
The Riad employee had made the reservations the day before, at our request, and also arranged for the cab to pick us up.
At midnight it was my birthday, and my travel companions surprised me. I was really surprised and happy. I loved the surprise. And it was the first time in my life that they sang Happy Birthday to me in Arabic.
This restaurant is worth a visit and a more elaborate look. The average meal is around €30 per person, and the belly dancing show and access to the upstairs disco are included in the price. The atmosphere is select and sophisticated, and even the bathroom is worth a visit for its architecture.
Day 6 - Marrakech
Today is my birthday. Today is all about visiting the city with an official local guide. Tonight is my second birthday dinner and the restaurant is already booked. But now it's 9 a.m., we've had breakfast and then we're going to visit: the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque, the Jewish Quarter, and the Souks in the Medina.
Bahia Palace
This is one of the places you really have to visit for its beauty, history and grandeur. It was built in the 19th century by Grand Vizier Si Musa and expanded by his son Ahmed Ben Musa, who kept his harem here with 4 wives and 24 concubines.
It was one of the places I most enjoyed visiting and photographing.
The cost of visiting the Palace is approximately €1.
Saadian tombs
The Saadian Tombs are a collective mausoleum where members of the Saadian dynasty who reigned in Morocco from the 16th to the 17th century are buried.
Koutoubia Mosque
This is the main temple in Marrakech, and non-Muslims are not allowed inside, so we only visited, or rather admired, the outside. The architecture is beautiful and its 69-meter-high minaret can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. And it's a great point of reference.
This is where the call to prayer is made five times a day.
Souks
In the souks you'll find practically everything, from sweets to leather goods. You always have to haggle over the price. And don't be ashamed, even I, who had never haggled over a price in my life, managed to get a good deal.
In the streets further inland from the Medina, you'll find streets divided by trade. Just like downtown Lisbon. The street of goldsmiths, the street of shoemakers, silver, gold, etc.
Halfway through the tour we took a break for lunch, and at the end of the guided tour, which finished around 4pm, we went back to the Riad to rest and get ready for dinner.
Birthday Dinner
My birthday dinner was at El Pepenero restaurant, very close to our Riad, a 5-minute walk away. When you walk through the door you feel like you've just entered a palace. They serve typical Moroccan and Italian food, and the average price per person is around 20€.
The trip has come to an end and tomorrow I return to Portugal. I'll carry Morocco in my heart and I'm sure I'll be back many times.
Did you like the post? Be sure to read the other posts in this Travel Diary:
- Morocco - From Marrakech to Ouarzazate
- Morocco - From Ouarzazate to the Erg Chebbi Dunes
- Morocco - From the Erg Chebbi Dunes to Marrakech (East)
Don't forget that the tour doesn't include Stravel insuranceI always travel with travel insurance and this is one of the ways you can feel safe and confident during your trip. I always travel with travel insurance and this is one of the ways to feel safe and confident during your trips. If you usually travel without insurance or if you have any doubts about whether or not it's worth taking out travel insurance, be sure to read on this article on the importance of traveling with travel insurance. The Blog has a partnership with Heymondo Seguros, and it is with them that I always take out my travel insurance. And if you take out insurance with Heymondo Insurance through my Blog you get 5% discountJust click on the image.
You can read this more detailed itinerary, also written by me, on the Morocco.com
I hope you enjoyed it, happy travels and see you next time!
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Very interesting! I loved the blog. ... Thanks for sharing.
I'm glad you liked it. In December I'm leading a New Year's Eve trip to Morocco. I'm going with the company fotoadrenalina. If you'd like any more information, just let me know. Kisses
I just love Morocco. I've visited several times and hope to continue to do so on a regular basis. Honestly, my favorite thing, apart from Marrakesh, is Merzouga, the desert. The nights spent there were simply phenomenal.
Hi Catarina, You're right, the Merzouga desert is spectacular. It really is a trip that stays in the heart. Love and happy travels.
What an extraordinary experience to see the sunrise in the middle of the Sahara. And all the other places are spectacular too. Morocco is a trip I've been putting off, and I'm not sure why, but I'm sure I'm going to do it!
Hi Ana, seeing the sunrise in the desert was truly one of the best experiences of my life. Love and happy travels.
What a sunrise! Wonderful!" 🙂 We visited Ouarzazate, but we didn't do the guided tour, what a shame. I loved the post, very complete.
Thank you Edson, it really is an experience not to be missed.
Hi,
Very nice article. I'm dying to visit Morocco and it's so close, isn't it? I'll write down the tips for when I get there.
Thank you 🙂
I have to go to Morocco. I was delighted with the experience and I'm glad you climbed the dune, even though it was difficult. Those are the memories you carry with you for life.
It really is Luciana, whenever we have a bad day it's these good memories that we have to think about. 🙂 Love and happy travels.
Morocco is such a rich country! I've loved following your trip. I'm sure it was an unforgettable birthday!
It was one of the most spectacular birthdays I've ever had 🙂
Morocco, so close and with such wonderful landscapes. I've only been to Marrakech and I loved it. I'm planning to go back and see more.
I've been to several cities and I still want to go back. Marrakech is wonderful.
Morocco has long been a destination on our list, we even have a very specific idea of the route to take and what to visit, but it has fallen by the wayside.
I really liked the way the trip was recorded. This kind of detailed account helps us get a better idea of what lies ahead!
Thanks Janete 🙂 I really enjoy writing detailed reports. When I go traveling I always look for detailed information on other blogs. Happy travels.
The photos are simply phenomenal! I don't know why, but I keep putting off a visit to Morocco, it's a country that attracts me so much, but I've still never been. And after all, it's so close...
That's right Gil, it happened to me for a long time too. I kept postponing my trip to Morocco, but once I'd been there the first time, I always wanted to go back. Happy travels.