Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Marrakech - Agafay Desert - Ourika - Essaouira
100% customisable for you
Gather the little ones, pack the bags and charge the iPads, as it’s time to hop on a flight to Morocco. Lasting just shy of four hours, we can provide children aged three to ten with tailored fun packs to keep them entertained (and quiet) on the flight. You’ll touch down in Marrakech early this evening, where a private transfer will whisk you to your accommodation for the next two nights, a charming riad in the heart of the medina. Enjoy your first taste of Moroccan cuisine and fresh mint tea in this peaceful setting. While the little ones might be excitable, try to get an early night before tomorrow’s jam-packed day of discovery.
This morning, tickle your tastebuds with a traditional Moroccan breakfast (think fresh cheeses, honey, olives, eggs and bread) at your hotel. In the spirit of adventure, the children might even try something new…
After fuelling up for the day, head out for your first activity: biking through Marrakech’s medina (old town). This red-walled UNESCO World Heritage site is a sight to behold, its labyrinthine streets bursting with colour and life. Zooming around this historic district on two wheels is the best (and most enjoyable) way for the family to experience the hustle and bustle.
This afternoon’s activity? A private guided tour of the city’s legendary souq. From visiting historic weaving workshops to meeting shoemakers and other artisans, you’ll encounter fascinating local characters. Whether there are budding carpenters or little fashion designers among you, be sure to let your enthusiastic local guide know what you’re most excited to see. The tour (with snack stops to keep little ones fuelled) will include entry to the Dar Si Said Museum, a treasure trove celebrating the city's culture and history.
This evening, make time to wander around the glorious Djemaa el-Fna, Marrakech’s main square, and marvel at everything from snake charmers to storytellers, who entertain locals and tourists alike.
Enjoy breakfast in Marrakech this morning before a private transfer to the Agafay Desert, under an hour’s drive away. Here, the family will spend a day exploring the desert before a night sleeping at a luxurious camp in the heart of the desert, with the Atlas Mountains as a beautiful backdrop. There’s plenty of fun for all the family here, be it hiking, biking or riding your way across the arid landscape. Back at camp, excitable children can splash around in the bio-designed swimming pool, and parents can indulge in a relaxing massage. For dinner, southern Moroccan cuisine is served al fresco, and guests gather around the cosy firepit for a cup of mint tea before admiring a light pollution-free night sky. You’ll hopefully all sleep like babies in the quiet of the desert tonight.
Calling adventure seekers large and small for an action-packed day in the desert. Kick off this morning with an adrenaline-fuelled buggy ride across the arid landscape. Traverse the rocky dunes and rugged trails as a family team of four – who’s behind the wheel first? – before returning to camp for a delicious lunch.
You’ve tried a buggy, but what about a camel?! While not as adrenaline-fuelled as this morning’s excursion, riding these gentle giants through the serene desert is an amazing experience. Make sure you film each other as the camel stands up because it’s almost impossible to maintain one’s dignity! Led by your guide, make sure to stop occasionally to take in the magic of the desert, imagining the caravans that once passed through these same routes between the Sahara and the Atlantic.
After all today’s desert fun, it’s time to head to your next destination. Hop back in a private transfer heading to Ourika, just under two hours’ drive away, tucked in a beautiful valley. You’ll spend two nights in a charming hotel with spectacular views over the High Atlas Mountains and surrounding Berber villages.
Rise and shine this morning, ready to discover the gorgeous Ourika Valley, a region renowned for its waterfalls. You’ll get up close and personal with the water as you descend the Tazitounte Canyon in wetsuits, harnesses and ropes (silly selfies are a must). Led by an experienced instructor, navigate the wadi bed, surrounded by waterfalls, natural pools, lush vegetation and magnificent landscapes. Your adventure will include jumps, slides and abseiling, so strap in for an unforgettable experience. Who can make the largest splash? After the descent, which will take around two hours, it’s time for a well-deserved picnic by the edge of the Ourika wadi.
Leaving wetsuits and waterfalls behind, this afternoon, you’ll go for a guided walk along a beautiful trail through the mountains, passing groves of walnut trees and Berber villages, and with your kit carried on the back of an adorable donkey. It’s a lovely opportunity for the children to appreciate life in these isolated Berber communities.
Back at the lodge, you can all enjoy a more cultural adventure, experiencing a hammam steam room to ease any aching muscles.
Today, you’re swapping the mountains for the coast. It’s about a four-hour drive to reach the laidback port city of Essaouira, so make sure iPads are charged for the journey. You’ll stay for three nights in Essaouira, in a charming family-friendly riad complete with a swimming pool and a relaxing spa, where parents can enjoy treatments, a sauna and another hammam steam. Even better? The long, sandy beaches are just a short walk away – perfect if the little ones need to let off steam after the car journey. Come evening, stroll along the sand or head into town to wander the bustling souq.
Breakfast is served on your hotel’s rooftop terrace this morning (the ultimate motivation for getting everyone up bright and early).
Today, the children (and parents, obviously) can try their hands at yet more adventure, this time watersports galore. We will arrange for private surf or boogie board lessons for smaller children, whereas tweens and teens might want to try their hand at kitesurfing instead, because Essaouira is famously windy, so perfect for the sport.
All that exercise will build up an appetite, so we’ve just the activity to help: a Moroccan pastry workshop. This afternoon, join a homebaker in a hands-on Moroccan biscuits class. Learn to make traditional recipes, including shortbread and almond biscuits, before washing down your freshly baked treats with fresh mint tea. As you bake and eat, chat with your guide about everyday life and learn about The Women's Charity Association El Khir (AFBK), which supports the workshop by hiring local women.
If you've room left for dinner, we recommend consulting our Dossier for the tastiest tagine in town.
It’s your final full day in Morocco, so let’s make it one to remember.
After breakfast, hop in a private transfer and leave Essaouira behind, heading south to the waterfalls of Sidi M’Barek, around half an hour’s drive away. Here, you'll be led by an experienced guide along a well-marked route, passing through a lush green landscape to reach the picturesque falls. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a peaceful picnic lunch as a family. At the end of the hike, you'll be transferred back to Essaouira.
This afternoon, the family can enjoy more watersports, so either a continuation of the learning curve of any newfound favourite or the chance to try the other option of surfing or kitesurfing from the day before.
Then make the most of your last night in Morocco. Whether picking up any final souvenirs in the souq, strolling along the beach, or wandering the medina. Why not let the children decide the agenda?
This morning, you might have to tear the children away from their breakfasts-with-a-view to return to Marrakech for your flight home. Pass the two-and-a-half-hours on the transfer looking at photos from your trip and discussing the family’s adventure holiday highlights (parents vs camels has to be one). The only question left is, where to next?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
