Essaouira Private Day Trip de Marrakech

While Essaouira was interesting and picturesque, it was not worth 4 & 1/2 hours getting there - with the obligatory stop at a shop selling Argan oil- and another 3 + hours to return. In addition, there were several other issues: - we were not contacted the night before about who was our tour guide and where to meet - we had to ask multiple times to turn on the A/C in the van during our loooong ride to and from (really!?!?) - we also had to ask multiple times to turn on the phone power outlet. - the "tour" consisted of dropping us off to look around on our own for 4 & 1/2 hours. Why do I need to ask for A/C and power?? Are they saving a few cents by leaving these off?? I would not recommend this "tour".

Driver Ayoub was great! TRY VERY BEAUTIFUL CITY! To be done again, thank you again for this beautiful unforgettable day

Yassine's guide was warmly delivered on time. Olive trees were very detailed. There was plenty of free time in Seville. It also reminded us where to look for seafood.

This was a very nice tour to the lovely city of Essaouria. The operator got in touch with me early to provide all needed information to get to the van. There, a driver and our lovely tour guide Charaf (Pakita!!) were waiting for us. During the trip, Charaf shared with us some rich information about his Berber culture and the landscapes on the way. At the end, they were waiting for us on time and left us at the pick up point.

Charaf the guide and driver Mauaad lead our trip from Marrakech to Essaouria. The ride to and from are comfortable and it is a nice day trip from Marrakech. We were given 4 hours to explore independently which was a perfect amount of time to see the sea side town. Charaf had some good recommendations that he shared with us before dropping us off, he also shared lots of interesting things about the area we were driving through on the ride there as well as some general knowledge about Morocco. I would recommend this trip to anyone who enjoys more of an independent aspect of travel and an unguided city experience. Some things to note: The hotel/riad pickup, although advertised was not actually accurate and instead we asked to meet at a busy pick up spot which was a 22 minute walk away from our Riad. This seems reasonable considering the low price we paid for this trip, but I’m not sure why they wouldn’t just be transparent about this from the beginning. There are also some stops on the way to Essaouria, including and Argan Co/op and a chance to see the goats in the Argan trees. Overall, great value and friendly guide. It was a good chance to see Essaouria and I would take this trip again if I wanted to make the trip from Marrakech to Essaouria for the day.

Is just a transfer from Marrakech to Essaouira. Do not expect anything else. The driver/tour guide wasn't engaging. There were 2 stops, 1 for using the bathroom and/or refreshments and the other one was at a women cooperative for argan oil. These stops were all in a rush. The temperature was warm and when asking to turn the aircon, the bus driver was reluctant to do so. The driver was most of the time on the phone and I wasn't feeling safe on this bus.

The driver didn't even introduce himself because he knew what he was going to do; he was driving like a crazy person. Kept circling and stopping around Marrakech and it took us 4h to get there. On the way there he was so slow I would've been faster running there. Going 50 on a 100 road and then of course on the way back we were really fast because he was speeding of course. He wanted to get home really fast clearly as the next day it's Eid. While driving kept the window down when it was cold and air conditioner was working perfectly. We had to tell him multiple times to close it because it was cold. Lying saying that it wasn't working when it completely was as as soon as we got in we closed it because it was cold. And then suddenly 15 minutes before arriving Essaouira he said it was working. Of course we stopped at a café where they'd know the sellers. Drove while talking on the phone the entire trip and at the end dropped people where they weren't supposed to be dropped. Almost crashed into other cars multiple times and wouldn't even check if everyone was on the bus.

The driver was fun and easy going. The add states 8 5hrs for the tour yet it took 11hrs. This was the most disappointing as I had train ride booked and lost my fee and had to repurchase ticket again. There was no option given if we wanted to do a walking tour of Essaouira. Every other tour I've done have option if you want to do a tour we have a guide, buy no option given.

Well, it started with the driver picking my wife and me up at 9:00am... an hour after the quoted 8:00am time. From there we were driven around while they picked up and dropped off other people on other tours. Then they stopped at a gas station and had to change vehicles. Poor communication and your company employees yelling at each other. It's now 10:00am we begin heading out of town and the driver pulls over. There was supposed to be a english speaking guide. We had no guide, just the driver who spoke French and Arabic but offered nothing in the way of being a tour guide. During the time we were riding around and sitting on the side of the road, the driver was either talking to a woman on the phone (We think it was his wife) or sneezing or coughing. I was sitting in the front seat and was exposed to it non- stop. Several times I asked him to cover his mouth. He would not. I have Leukaemia and my immune system is not what it once was. We stopped for a bathroom break and he started coughing and I covered my mouth with my hand and said COVER, COVER, COVER. His response was "NO" then he said something in French and aggressively poked me with his finger. We arrived at our destination 5 hours after the quoted start time. It was only 2.5 hours away. Traveling international is not inexpensive, so when you waste time driving around and then sitting on the side of the road, you will think twice the next time you book a tour. The next time this driver does something like this, he might run up on someone that's not 64 with cancer. Overall, he was the worst driver/guide we've ever had and he needs to take lessons in customer service. Best part, no one on the trip tipped him. Oh. getting back to Marrakech so late, we missed our planned dinner.

Note that the trip only includes transfer. You will have 3,5 hours in Essaouira which is more than enough. The driver will expect some tip at the end, otherwise gets mad at you.