If you’ve explored the Marrakech medina and haggled for bargains in the sprawling souk, heard storytellers weave their magic in the Djemaa el Fna square, and dined al fresco on Moroccan cuisine, it’s time to travel further afield to discover more of the magic of Morocco.
Marrakech sits in the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, North Africa’s chain of mountains linking Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Here, the High Atlas range is cut by the Draa River to the south and Imlil valley, Ourika valley, Zat valley .. to the north. There are lots of excursions to do from Marrakech to the The Berber Valleys of the High Atlas Mountains which are only about a one hour drive from the city. Here are some days tours you can do from Marrakech 

1. Day Trip to Toubkal and Imlil valley
2. Day Excursion to Ourika valley
3. Day trip to Amizmiz and Kik Plateau
4. Day trip to Zat Valley
5. Day trip to Ouzoud waterfalls and Imi-ifri natural bridge
6. Day trip to Essaouirra
7. Day trip to Ourzazate and ait benhaddou kasbahs

Close to Europe and a great winter destination, Morocco is a great option for families with small kids with plenty of short excursions and day trips.


Family travel to Morocco has never been easier. Travel to Morocco is easy, and there are a lot of fun activities for kids, teens and adults alike. Holidays can be arranged to include a comfortable stay, but with plenty of exciting excursions to visit medinas, camel rides into the desert, and hiking – depending on where one stays. A family holiday in Morocco combines adventure, culture and lots of fun.

Moroccan Package Deals for Families

Visiting a city like Marrakesh or Fez gives kids and adults plenty to see or do, besides enjoying the hotel facilities. Medinas are a wonderful place to while away a few hours, with intriguing spices, smells, foods, wares and trinkets to bargain for. Pastries, fresh fruit, nuts and kebabs are readily available on the streets.

Moroccan Excursions for Families



Most hotels will arrange for excursions, Car hire is simple and Morocco independent travel is easy enough for visitors. Independent operators for tours and excursions are readily available. Some optional tours include:

• Travel on a camel into the sand dunes of the Sahara desert.
• Ride on a mule to visit ancient Berber villages.
• Visit one of Morocco’s excellent beaches for surfing, diving and swimming opportunities.
• Visit the palaces, mosques and open-air markets.
• Ski in the Atlas mountains
• Visit a kasbah (fort), which are usually beautifully renovated and in prime locations.

Tips on Travelling to Morocco with Kids

Travelling to Morocco with kids will attract a lot of attention, since Moroccans love children. Following a few useful tips will keep travellers safe:

• Don’t allow kids to pet stray animals.
• Drink bottled water only, or take water from the hotel along on excursions.
• Keep out of the sun in the hottest times of the day.
• If kids are unused to very hot climates, travel during the cooler months of the year (before or after July and August).
• Allow kids and teens to swimming costumes and skimpy clothes at the beaches only.

Following a few tips and guidelines will make a trip to Morocco memorable. Families travelling to this wonderful African country usually return time after time to experience the unique culture.

From the moment you arrive in Marrakesh, you’ll get the distinct feeling
you’ve left something behind – a toothbrush or socks, maybe? But no, what you’ll
be missing in Marrakesh is predictability and all sense of direction. Never
mind: you’re better off without them here. Marrakesh is too packed with
mind-boggling distractions and labyrinthine alleyways to adhere to boring linear
logic. If you did have a destination, you’d only be waylaid by snake charmers,
out-of-control donkey carts, trendy silver leather poufs and ancient Berber
cures for everything from relationships to rent.

Start at the action-packed Djemaa el-Fna, and if you can tear yourself away
from the castanet-clanging water-sellers and turbaned potion-sellers, head into
Marrakesh’s maze of covered market streets. Marrakesh’s souqs are like a cold
riad plunge pool on a scorching July day: nothing quite prepares you for the
shock. Dive in headfirst at any street headed north off the Djemaa el-Fna, and
with any luck you’ll emerge exhilarated and triumphant some hours later, carpet
in tow.


While you’re in the heart of the Medina, you may come upon a palace museum,
stay in a riad guest-house, and venture a dish of piping-hot snails. But it’s
worth leaving the charms of the old city occasionally for dinner, drinks, art
galleries and fixed-price boutique shopping in the ville nouvelle (the new
town). Go with the flow, and become an honorary Marrakshi bahja (joyous
one).



Places to Visit :

See amazing Palaces and Monuments on a morning tour of Marrakech which
includes the sweet smelling gardens of Bahia Palace, Koutoubia Tower with its 70
meter high minaret and the recently discovered Saadian Tombs.See the famous
Koutoubia Tower, the largest mosque in Marrakech with a 70 meter high minaret.
The tower is a great example of Hispano-Moorish art. Continue to Bahia Palace
which is surrounded by beautiful gardens filled with fruit trees and sweet
smelling flowers. Built in the 19th century, the palace was intended to be the
greatest Palace of its time.



Leaving Bahia Palace you will continue to the cedar wood domes and marble
columns of the Saadian Tombs. Dating back to the time of Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur
(1578-1603), the tombs were only discovered in 1917 and their subsequent
restoration have made them one of the most popular attractions for visitors to
Marrakech.


Your last stop will be the Tiskiwin Museum, a beautiful double riad
containing the private collection of folk arts belonging to Dutch collector Bert
Flint. You will also see examples of Moroccan handicrafts at Dar Nejjarine
before returning to your Marrakech hotel
What do out of Marrakech
:


Follow ancient Berber Trails across the Atlas Mountains on a day trip from
Marrakechinto the Moroccan past. From the valleys to the mountain summits, you
will discover the faces, smiles and traditional lifestyle of Morocco, away from
the busy cities.The Moroccan landscape is not only majestic, it dictates the
lives of the men and women who live in this region. Traveling by 4WD lets you
get where the large tour buses can’t go. Depending on the season, you may
discover lush slopes covered with sheep or snow-covered summits.



Your journey to the secrets of Morrocco will take you over the Atlas
mountains by the trails with an opportunity to take pictures. Arriving in the
Berber village of Tahanaout you will have a guided visit of the mills and be
served the traditional mint tea by the locals. In the village of Imlil located
in the famous Ourika Valley you will be served lunch and enjoy a photo stop.
Prior to travel back to Marrakech on the evening.

Day 1


Hello there & welcome to magical Morocco, your driver will meet you in
the airport arrivals & will transport you to the hotel / riad

Day2
Today, we start our family fun expedition driving into the Atlas Mountains,
climbing high and onwards to our destination Ouarzazate. Interestingly, this
stunning town & area has been made very famous by featuring in so many
classic Hollywood movies. Ouarzazate or known by the Berber locals as ‘the door
of the desert’ has been the backdrop in films such as ‘Gladiator’ (Russell
Crowe), ‘Alexander’ (Oliver Stone) and classics like ‘Lawrence of Arabia’.
Together, we will visit the famous film studios here and let our imaginations
run wild.

Day3


How would you like to see a gorge that has walls a 1000 foot high? Well
today, we have the unique opportunity to discover and explore the stunning Todra
Gorge. The whole family will witness the magical affect of the stones changing
colour, as sun moves from East to West, delivering varying shades of yellows,
oranges and glowing reds. As the day evolves so does your Morocco adventure
tour, and we cruise back to relax by the hotel pool. Here we harmonies in the
subtle warmth of Morocco life and dream steady of the days ahead. Home life is
now a distant memory.


Day4

The great family adventure continues by crossing the Jebel Sahrou mountain
range and downwards to the ‘Erg Chebbi’ or sand dunes to you and me! This
majestic sand structures signify the beginning of the mighty Sahara Desert,
where we’ll swap 4×4 jeeps for camels to trek deep into this hypnotic landscape.
During this inspiring transit on this unusual form of animal transpaortation,
you’ll be wow’ed at the bewildering expanse of the Sahara Desert. Even the kids
will have clarity in their own peacefulness as the desert envelopes itself
around you. In good timing to satisfy one’s hidden beast, we’ll arrive at a
genuine Berber camp for delicious food and a night underneath the skies wet with
stars. Tonight we will hear tales of old, and the whispers of the desert night
and relaxation in one of the most spectacular overnight locations you’ll ever
have.


Day5

Our next stop is the Gorges du Dades, a stunning gorge of the Dadès River and
lies between the Atlas Mountains and Anti-Atlas mountain range. Although sad to
leave the hypnotic charm of the Sahara, day five promises to be as every bit
special as the days so far. Along our way we’ll discover the purpose built
Kasbahs and many other southern wonders of this beautiful region. Tonight you
will stay in a fantastic hotel in the Gorges du dades.

Day6

Your Morocco family adventure holiday is about to discover another incredible
town called Aït Benhaddou, a ‘fortified city’ and Unesco registered for its
historical value and beauty. Interestingly Aït Benhaddou has been home to many
film sets from Gladiator to The Mummy. The natural landscapes are a feast for
the eyes and the town itself is located hill side. Together we’ll take a guided
tour, and discover the dusty treasures of this unique city.

Day7

We’ll have time in the morning to enjoy some free time in Ait Benhaddou,
before moving on. When ready we’ll journey over the Atlas Mountains and head for
the red glow of Marrakech. It’ll be late afternoon by the time we arrive in this
exotic place of intrigue and family adventure. This is Morocco’s second largest
city, full of marvellous colour, luscious fruits, street sellers and
entertainers. We’ll freshen up and then explore the main square ‘Djamma-El-Fna’
before resting for another delicious dinner.


Day8
A family holiday in Morocco wouldn’t be complete without a city tour. It
takes a local to really show you the delights of this city. Marrakech the
distant city conjures up many images of exotic magic carpets, snake charmers and
frankincense and myrrh brought in by camel trains – and we’ll bring this sense
of magic to the whole family. We’ll of course begin in one of the busiest
squares in Africa, then weave our way through darkened alleyways, find hidden
gardens & court yards. Your senses will overload on the sights &
exciting smells and you’ll be able to test your bargaining skills with the
world’s greatest sales men. Need more relaxation, we can highly recommend a
traditional Hammam steam bath and massage, not a bad way to end the day.

Day9
The tour ends after breakfast in Marrakech. We hope to see you again or at
least read your testimonials

A wonderful walking experience in the Atlas Mountains. As well as exploring
the atmospheric bazaar of old Marrakech, you’ll enjoy the tranquil pace of life
in the remote villages of the High Atlas. Easy day-walks will introduce you to
mountain villages inhabited by the friendly and traditional Berber tribe.


Once you’ve acclimatised we’ll set off on a trek deeper into the hills,
through stunning mountains where life has stood still for centuries. At the end
of the trip we recommend an extension to the old coastal port of Essaouira or
more time in Marrakech.













Itinerary :



Day 1  : Arrival then transfer to the Atlas
Mountains.


You will be picked up from Marrakech airport and transferred to the small
town of Imlil in the Atlas Mountains. Your first night is spent in a friendly
family run guest house where you will enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner on the
roof terrace  ( Dar Adrar ).


Day  2 : Imlil – Tizi n’Tamaterte – Tachddirt


The day’s trekking will take you from Imlil, through Tizi n’ Tamaterte to
Tachdirt. It involves around 5-6 hours of walking and takes you from 1740m above
sea level to around 2300m. You’ll spend the night in a guest house in Tachdirt
and on your way there you can enjoy your lunch at the pass.


Day 3  : Tachddirt – Imsker


Setting off from Tachdirt, you’ll strike out for the red village, passing
many other dwellings as you walk. You’ll be travelling for a round 5 hours along
the Imnan Valley, which is a simply beautiful area of North Africa, to get to
Imsker to spend a well-earned night in local gites.


Day 4  : Imsker – Tizi n’ Libour Pass – Tizi Oussem


At the end of your 3rd day, after 6-7 hours of trekking, you will get to try
the local steam bath or hammam. A steam bath is a wonderful experience at the
end of a long day of travel and sightseeing. From IMsker you’ll rise from 1600m
to 2100m at Tizi N’tacht, which enables you to gaze out across the Azzaden
Valley, one of the most beautiful sights available in the region. After lunch at
the pass, you’ll trek on up to Tizi Oussem , dinner, bed and a steam bath.





Day 5 : Tizi Oussem – Imlil


From Tizi Oussem, you and your group will head back to Imlil. As you head
there, your guide will take you past the largest waterfall in the Toubkal
region. Lunch will be in Tizi Mzzik at 2500m and youcan join your mules to
finish the journey home to Imlil. The last day will see approximately 5-6 hours
of trekking. Overnight in Imlil.


Day 6 : Imlil – Marrakech :


You will be picked up after breakfast and transferred to Marrakech (about 1 ½
hours). Once you have settled into your riad, we suggest you set off and explore
Marrakech – overnight in a riad.


Day 7 : Marrakech


Free Day to explore Marrakech – overnight in a Riad


Day 8 : Departure


You will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight home.

Clothing & Equipment List for Morocco Highlights
  
Although Western clothing is quite acceptable, Moroccans generally
dress more traditionally -
especially in rural areas. Out of respect for
local culture please dress conservatively i.e. no sleeveless
or low cut tops
etc. Although shorts are acceptable in main tourist areas, they (like skirts)
should be
baggy and reach at least to the knee. Women should cover their
heads, arms and legs when entering
religious buildings. At night in the
desert or mountains (especially from October to March) it can get

surprisingly cold, so pack warm and windproof clothing.
The following list
of clothing and equipment is intended to be fairly comprehensive and
experienced
travellers may well take a good deal less luggage than we
recommend.


 
Clothing
 

• Walking boots or sturdy walking shoes (optional)


• Trainers or strong sandals (all purpose wear)


• T-shirts


• Long sleeved shirt


• Long walking trousers


• Shorts/short trousers**


• Tracksuit bottoms or similar


• Thin fleece (summer); Thick fleece (winter)


• Warm jacket


• Lightweight waterproof jacket


• Waterproof trousers (winter only)


• Thermal underwear (for the desert camp)


• Warm hat and gloves (for the desert camp)


• Sunhat (styled to cover face, ears and neck)


• Swimwear (optional)

Equipment

• Soft-sided bag (50-80 litres)


• Lightweight daypack


• Sleeping bag (Nov-Feb)*


• Sleeping sheet (Mar-Oct)


• Sunglasses


• Camera,


• memory card(s)


• Passport (and visa if required)


• Insurance documents


• Cash, credit/debit cards


• Money security belt/pouch


• Trip information and itinerary


• Universal travel adapter


• Personal first aid kit


• Inspect repellent


• Sunscreen


• Torch and batteries


• Towel


• Ear plugs


• Binoculars (optional)


• Loo kit (toilet paper/tissues)


• Washing kit (wet wipes and dry anti-bacterial handwash are
  useful),

• 2-season sleeping bag is recommended between November and
  February.

Sleeping bags are available to hire for MAD 25 per day – please request at
time of booking .

• Shorts/ short trousers: are fine for children, but we recommend adults cover
  their legs (at least to

the knee) and upper arms.