Morocco Family Adventure: Camels, Kasbahs & the Coast

Today the family explores dazzling Marrakech with a friendly local guide who keeps children engaged. You ride a horse-drawn carriage around the old ramparts and gardens, visit the exquisite Bahia Palace with its courtyards, and explore the colourful souks on a treasure hunt for lanterns, drums, pointy leather slippers and spices, learning the fun of gentle haggling. You might visit the tranquil Majorelle Garden or a hidden courtyard for mint tea and pastries. As dusk falls, you arrive in the great square of Jemaa el-Fnaa, alive with storytellers, musicians, acrobats and snake charmers, a living circus that captivates all ages, and try fresh orange juice from the stalls. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, dazzled and delighted. This evening, enjoy a relaxed family dinner. Rest well, for tomorrow you head into the green Atlas foothills.

Today the family enjoys a refreshing day trip into the green Ourika Valley in the foothills of the High Atlas, a cool contrast to the city. You drive up the valley past Berber villages, terraced fields and rushing rivers, and set off on a gentle walk beside the river, scrambling to pretty waterfalls amid the rocks (the older children love this). You visit a traditional Berber home or a women's argan cooperative for mint tea and to learn about mountain life, and enjoy lunch at a riverside cafe with tables set right in the flowing water. The mountain air, greenery and adventure are a delight for all ages. As the day ends, you return to Marrakech. This evening, enjoy a relaxed family dinner and perhaps a rooftop view over the city. Rest well, for tomorrow the great overland adventure to the Sahara begins.

Today the family sets off on an exciting overland adventure across the High Atlas towards the desert. You wind up the spectacular Tizi n'Tichka pass, the highest road in Morocco, with breathtaking views over Berber villages and terraced valleys, stopping for photos and snacks along the way. You descend to the mighty kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that rises like a giant sandcastle above the river, and the children are thrilled to hear it has starred in many famous films and shows. You explore its winding lanes together and climb to the granary at the top for sweeping views. As the day ends, you settle into your family hotel near Ait Ben Haddou, gazing at the floodlit kasbah. This evening, enjoy a tagine dinner beneath the stars. Rest well amid the dramatic scenery of the south.

Today the family journeys to the golden dunes of the Sahara for the great highlight of the trip. You drive east along the kasbah trail, past palm oases and the dramatic Todra Gorge where you can walk beneath towering pink cliffs, to Merzouga on the edge of the great dunes of Erg Chebbi. In the late afternoon everyone mounts a camel and rides in a caravan into the towering dunes, the sand glowing amber, and climbs a high dune to watch a spectacular sunset and try sandboarding down the slopes. As night falls you reach your desert camp among the dunes, sharing a tagine dinner beneath countless stars, with Berber drumming and music around the fire that children love. As the day ends, you settle into the magical camp. Rest well beneath the stars of the Sahara, the great dunes all around.

This morning the family wakes early to watch a magical sunrise over the dunes of Erg Chebbi, the sand glowing pink and gold, before riding camels back out of the desert for breakfast, perhaps with one last roll or slide down a dune. You then set off on the scenic drive back towards Marrakech, retracing the kasbah trail through Ouarzazate and over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, with stops for photos, snacks and stretching legs, and the ever-changing landscapes to enjoy. As the day ends, you arrive back in the Red City and settle into your hotel. This evening, enjoy a relaxed family dinner and share favourite memories of the desert adventure. Rest well, for tomorrow the family heads to the breezy Atlantic coast and the fun beaches of Essaouira.

Today the family heads to the Atlantic coast and the relaxed, breezy port of Essaouira. You drive west from Marrakech across the plains, stopping at an argan cooperative where the children can watch the famous oil being made by hand (and perhaps spot the goats that climb the argan trees). You reach Essaouira, a blue-and-white walled port with a fun, safe medina and a vast sweeping beach, and settle into your seafront hotel. In the afternoon the family explores the lively harbour full of blue fishing boats, strolls the honey-coloured ramparts with the wind and gulls, and shares a feast of fresh grilled seafood by the port. As the day ends, you soak up the mellow, easy seaside atmosphere. Rest well by the sea in Essaouira, ready for a fun beach day tomorrow.

Today the family enjoys a relaxed, fun day by the sea in Essaouira. The vast sweeping beach is perfect for building sandcastles, flying kites in the famous breeze, and paddling in the waves, and the children can ride camels or horses along the sand, a highlight they will remember. Older children and teens might try a beginner windsurfing or surfing lesson, for which Essaouira is famous, while grown-ups relax at a beach cafe. You can also explore more of the friendly medina, a UNESCO site of woodcarvers and craft shops, in search of last souvenirs. Above all, this is a happy day to unwind together after the adventures of city and desert. As the day ends, you share a final seaside dinner of fresh seafood. Rest well by the sea, reflecting on the wonderful family adventure you have shared across Morocco.

After a final, relaxed morning by the sea in Essaouira, perhaps a last beach walk or ice cream on the ramparts, the family is transferred back to Marrakech Menara Airport for your onward international departure. You leave having shared a fun, safe and enriching adventure across Morocco, the storytellers and souks of Marrakech, a green Atlas valley with rivers and waterfalls, the movie-castle kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a camel trek and a night at a Sahara desert camp under the stars, and the breezy beaches of Essaouira. The images stay vivid long after you land, the acrobats of Jemaa el-Fnaa, the camels on the golden dunes, the giant sandcastle kasbah and the sandcastles on the Atlantic beach. Morocco has given the whole family colour, adventure, learning and warmth in abundance, and you depart already dreaming of a return to this magical country.