Map of Morocco Family Holiday including Morocco

Take the whole family on an action-packed tour of Morocco

Imagine a country with the charisma of Europe, the passion of Africa and the charm of the Middle East. A place where ancient cultures are intertwined with dramatic landscapes and time-worn medinas give a glimpse into imperial cities of the past. Now, the whole family can fall under Morocco’s spell on an action-packed adventure from magical Marrakech to the old pirate port of Essaouira, covering everything from camel-clad deserts to pristine beaches along the way. So whether it’s in spice-infused back alleys, among crumbling Roman ruins or below the snow-capped Atlas Mountains – the allure of Morocco will prove impossible to ignore.


Start
Marrakech, Morocco
Finish
Marrakech, Morocco
Destination
Morocco
Style
Original
Theme
Family
Code
XMFE
Physical rating
Ages
Min 5
Group size
Min 2, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • Morocco is a real feast for the senses. Sip sweet mint tea in rural villages, see goats climbing trees in the desert, and tap your foot to traditional Berber musicians in Marrakech

  • Adventure into the Atlas Mountains and stay with a berber family for an insight into traditional Moroccan life.

  • With French, Portuguese and Jewish influences, Essaouira is about as exotic as it gets. Feast on fresh-caught seafood, explore unique art galleries and be dazzled by a blue-specked townscape

  • Witness the magnificent rolling waves of the Atlantic ocean from the back of a camel

Is this trip right for you?

  • A camel trek along the Atlantic Ocean (Day 5) is a highlight of the trip for many travellers. But if you'd rather not ride a camel, you can always walk alongside the camels instead. It's a gentle, relaxing walk of about an hour each way.

  • The walk to the Berber homestay in the High Atlas Mountains can be hard in some places. Please talk to your leader if you would like to opt to travel on the back of a mule for this portion of the trip.

  • Summer temperatures in Morocco can get very hot. If you're travelling in the warmer months, be sure to wear layers, use sun protection and drink plenty of water. Nights can get quite cold, so warm clothes are essential.

  • There are some long travelling days on this trip as we cover a great deal of land. The road to the High Atlas Mountains is very windy, please take this into consideration if you or your child suffer from motion sickness.

Itinerary

Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Morocco. Marrakech is a feast for the senses, a world of spice markets, Berber music, carpets, delectable foods, acrobats and perfumed gardens. You can arrive at any time today as there are no activities planned until your group meeting at 5pm. If you have an arrival transfer booked, please look for a representative with an Intrepid Travel sign when you arrive at the airport.

Your hotel is located just outside the city walls around the old Medina. It is about a 30-minute walk to the main square, Djemaa el Fna (or a short calesh/taxi ride). It's also near a lot of local shops and restaurants. Settle in and relax.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Gomassine or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Today's adventure begins with a drive over the impressive High Atlas Mountains to the village of Imlil (approx 2 hours), the largest village in the Mizane Valley. You will store your main luggage here, before continuing on foot (1 hour) to the traditional mountain village of Aroumd with your daypack. If you don't feel comfortable with the walk, your leader can arrange a mule for you to ride instead.

Perched on a rocky outcrop, the remote village of Aroumd offers stunning views across the High Atlas Mountains and a unique opportunity to experience traditional Berber culture. We spent 1 night in a family-run mountain home (gite) in Aroumd. Surrounded by the smell of woodstoves and bread, meet the host family and enjoy Berber hospitality and food.

NOTE: The walk from Imlil to Aroumd and further to the Sidi Chamharouch shrine requires appropriate footwear. You may choose to bring sturdy boots if you prefer so, but pair of good walking shoes with rigid and grippy sole will be sufficient.
Accommodation
  • Dar Tajine or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
This morning we will have a bread cooking demonstration for breakfast and perhaps an early morning walk around the village of Imlil. We will then transfer to Taroudant passing through some Berber villages and a stop in one of the oldest mosque in the high altas where we learn about the Al Mouhad dynasty in which era this monument was built.

We continue our drive across the high Altas mountains via the Tizi n Tast which will give you a great view of the largest plain of Sous.

We arrive at our accommodation for the evening in the late afternoon in time for a swim in the pool and relax.
Accommodation
  • Al Mounia or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Armed - Bread cooking demonstration
  • Tinmel - Tinmel Mosque
Optional Activities
  • Donkey ride - MAD100
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Enjoy a day of free time. You might like to take a walk with your family through the oasis and explore the local villages. The oasis is full of palm trees and streams of water, giving it an exotic atmosphere. Perhaps have a go at riding a donkey around the fields.
Accommodation
  • Al Mounia or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
After breakfast it's time for a short trip to Taroudant city (approximately 30 minutes). This pretty, conservative town (often called 'Little Marrakech') has a tannery which you will visit and spend some time at. Moroccan leather goods are very popular, and here you can learn how the animal skins are cured to produce the leather. It's an interesting snapshot of old-fashioned local craft, and a chance to souvenir a slice of hand-made Morocco.

Then we travel up the coast to Sidi Kaouki (approximately 4 hours). Mount a camel and take in the view as the waves crash along the shore line, taking in the awesome scenery as you plod along. This may well be one of the highlights of your trip. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach, then board the bus again and head to Essaouira (approximately 30 minutes).

This delightful artists' town is a former Portuguese trading colony and was once home to sizeable British and Jewish populations. The town faces a group of rocky islands called the Mogador and is surrounded by an expanse of sandy beaches and dunes. It's still a busy fishing port, and its pretty harbour is filled with tiny colourful fishing boats which go out early every morning.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Souiri or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sidi Kaouki - Camel Ride
  • Taroudant Tannery
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Today is free for you to explore Essaouira as you please. Everything in the small centre is within walking distance, and the beach is nice and clean, great for strolling along. Why not wander the harbour and its adjacent fish markets where you can witness the daily auction. A fresh-cooked plate of the day's catch is highly recommended. Perhaps browse some of the many shops and art galleries where unique local pieces are on display. The town is becoming renowned for its burled Thuya wood, delicately formed and inlaid in tiny shops. The scent from the oils used to polish the richly coloured wood permeates the air and makes walking through the streets incredibly pleasant.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Souiri or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Leaving Essaouira behind, journey inland to Marrakech (approximately 3 hours). Enjoy an afternoon walking tour of the city centre, taking in the main sights on your way to the sprawling Djemaa el-Fna main square and souq. As is usual in a souq, individual trades and crafts are concentrated in one street or area, so the shoemakers are all next to each other, as are the jewellers, potters and weavers. This is the best place in Morocco to sharpen your bargaining skills, and you are almost certain to be tempted by some of the extraordinary variety of merchandise on display – perhaps a pair of traditional Moroccan slippers or some spices. The market almost has the atmosphere of a medieval fair. Snake charmers and jugglers are among those who vie to entertain you. In the evening, wonderful smells waft by as food stalls cook up their local delicacies.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Gomassine or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Marrakech - Medina walking tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Your trip comes to an end this morning. There are no activities planned for the final day and you are free to depart the accommodation at any time.
Optional Activities
  • Marrakech - A Taste Of Marrakech: Inside the Medina Urban Adventure - MAD605
  • Marrakech - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage - MAD750
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Minivan

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), Gite (1 night)

Included activities

  • Armed - Bread cooking demonstration
  • Tinmel - Tinmel Mosque
  • Sidi Kaouki - Camel Ride
  • Taroudant Tannery
  • Marrakech - Medina walking tour

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Morocco Family Holiday trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you.
2. Minimum age for children on this trip is 5 years old. Please note that anyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by (and share accommodation with) a parent or legal guardian.
3. A discount of 10% applies on this trip to children 17 years and under at time of travel.
4. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 2 (Aroumd) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
5. While Wi-Fi is available in our hotels it is important to note that wi-fi works best in the hotel foyer and will be very slow in the rooms. An easier option may be to purchase a SIM card in Morocco to stay connected.
6. Ramadan is an exciting time to travel through Morocco but there are also a few things to bear in mind. Meal times will be a lot later than you may be used to, in particular dinner. You will find restaurants will open at 7–7.30 pm in the evening for dinner. Which will mean your family may not be eating dinner until 8–8.30 pm. Likewise breakfast may not start until 7 am. As you travel through the countryside there will be limited small road side cafes to stop at. Your leader will pre-plan where to stop to ensure families have access to snacks and bathroom stops along the way. Morocco is a Muslim country therefore alcohol is not readily available, particularly during Ramadan.

Essential trip information

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