Morocco Family Adventure - Atlas to the Atlantic

A wonderful holiday in family-friendly Morocco - Story-tellers, jugglers and acrobats of Marrakech - Easy Atlas trekking with mule support - Camel riding on the beach at Essaouira

Close to home but a world away, Morocco is an alluring country for travellers of all ages and the ideal destination for a family adventure holiday. This established family adventure begins in the 'Arabian Nights' city of Marrakech, with its maze-like souks and world-famous main square, the Djemaa El Fna, a focus each evening for acrobats, musicians and story-tellers. Then, from Oukaimeden on the edge of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, we trek for 3 days through the homeland of the welcoming Berber people. Including leisurely lunches beneath shading walnut trees, this easy walk offers plenty of opportunity for the families to meet the local people and their families. From our comfortable gite in the village of Aroumd, there are spectacular views of Mount Toubkal (4167m /13,668ft), the highest peak in North Africa. Leaving the Atlas mountains behind, we drive westwards to the ancient fortified port of Essaouira. Spending 2 nights in a comfortable and characterful 'medina' hotel, we can explore the bustling harbour with its open-air fish restaurants, take camel rides along the endless Atlantic beaches or watch the kite surfers and wind surfers enjoying the waves. Morocco is an easy to get to destination for a family holiday with a real cultural twist!

We also offer some fantastic extensions which you can enjoy after your trek, or spend a few extra nights in the enchanting cities of Marrakech or Essaouira in a Moroccan Riad. View our website for details.

Trip Guide
Is it for you? Suitable for children age 6 and up.
This is one of the most accessible of our family adventure holidays, with relatively short flights and just 3 days of trekking (tired youngsters can even ride mules for parts of this short walk). Suitable for 6 year olds and above. Too hot during the summer, Morocco is perfect at May and October school half term breaks.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1: Arrive in Marrakech where we are met by a KE representative. Complimentary airport transfer to the group hotel. KE Land Only package services begin with the evening meal.

Day 2: Morning sightseeing around the Djemaa-el-Fna and souks, with english speaking guide. Hotel.

Day 3: After breakfast we drive to Oukaimeden, in the Atlas Mountains. We can leave our bags at our overnight gite, before taking a look round this typical Berber village.

Day 4: In the company of our trek crew and with our bags packed onto mules, we begin our trek today. We walk via the village of Amskere to reach our overnight gite in Tinerhourhine.

Day 5: Following a good track we trek along the mountainside to the Tizi-n-Tamatert. After time for a drink we descend into the village of Ait Souka and our next overnight gite.

Day 6: We take a day walk today up the valley from Aroumd, to the interesting shrine of Sidi Chamharouch. We can picnic by the river here before returning to our gite.

Day 7: We leave the mountains today, making a short downhill walk to meet our transport for the drive west. We check in to our hotel for 2 nights, in the seaside town of Essaouira.

Day 8: There's lots to see and do in Essaouira: bargaining in the souks, looking round the harbour and taking a camel ride, or walking on the golden sands of the beach.

Day 9: Leaving Essaouira we drive back to our Marrakech hotel. We've plenty of time for last minute souvenir hunting before sampling the evening entertainment in the main square.

Day 10: KE Land Only package services end after breakfast. Complimentary airport transfers are provided.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

During this trip the group will spend 3 nights at a comfortable 3 star family orientated hotel in Marrakech. At Oukaimeden, we will stay in a newly built mountain refuge with modern facilities, including showers, bar and restaurant. Accommodation here is in small dormitories. At Tacheddirt, we will stay in a basic gite and above Imlil, we will stay for 2 nights at a gite with hot showers. In the gites rooms are a mix of 2-person, 4-person and dormitory accommodation. Although mattresses and bedding are provided at each of these refuges and gites, we recommend that group members take a lightweight, 2 or 3 season sleeping bag. In Essaouira we stay in a comfortable hotel close to the Medina and beach.