Day 1 – Arrival in Marrakech
Upon arrival at Marrakech airport, our driver will take you to your hotel in the new part of the city, about a half-hour drive away. The hotel, adorned with colourful mosaic tiles has spacious family rooms. Relax by the pool or take a quick trip to Djemaa el Fna, the famous central square, just a 10-minute taxi ride away. Explore the souks, with their vibrant stalls and local crafts.
For a quieter experience, enjoy the view from one of the rooftop terraces overlooking the square, where you can watch storytellers and snake charmers below. When evening falls, dine at the food stalls in the square.
Day 2 – Guided walking tour with storyteller
After lunch, meet your English-speaking guide for a fascinating walking tour of Marrakech. Your storyteller will bring the city to life with tales of sultans and local legends as you wander through the historic Mellah district, admire the ornate Bahia Palace, and soak up the energy of the bustling souks. The 3-hour tour finishes at the iconic Djemaa El Fna square, where the lively atmosphere of street performers and food stalls captures the magic of Marrakech. This tour is perfect for younger children up to ten years old, while teenagers might prefer a bit more adventure with a bike tour around the city or a hands-on cooking workshop which we would be happy to arrange.
In the afternoon, the city is yours to explore at your own pace. Meander through the winding streets of the medina, hunt for unique souvenirs, or simply relax by the hotel pool and watch the world go by. Whether you’re after culture, shopping, or downtime Marrakech has something for everyone.
Day 3 – Set off for Ait Benhaddou
Today you’ll pick up your rental car and set off on your self-drive adventure from Marrakech. Along the way, you’ll pass charming little villages with mud houses and regularly overtake donkey carts piled high with goods. Drive through lush palm oases, with snowy mountain peaks still visible on the horizon. A winding mountain pass brings you to Ait Benhaddou, one of Morocco’s largest and most famous kasbahs.
Tonight, you’ll stay in a Kasbah-style hotel, built in warm sand tones with small windows that keep the rooms pleasantly cool. From your lounger by the pool, you can watch the village below, enjoy a few nibbles from the restaurant, and splash in the refreshing pool — the perfect way to unwind after a long day on the road.
Day 4 – Free day to explore at your own pace
After breakfast on the terrace, head out to explore the kasbah at your own pace. To reach it from your hotel across the river, hop from sandbag to sandbag at low tide, ankle-deep in the slow-moving water, or take a donkey ride if the water’s higher.
Step through the large mud gate (around €1) and step back in time. Wander the narrow alleys, play hide-and-seek among the gates, and climb to the highest point for sweeping views of the clay houses and green riverbed below. Don’t miss the stone staircase of one of the towers for an extra sense of adventure, and stop by as the village ‘grandpa’ invites you in for a cup of tea and a look inside his home. By lunchtime, stroll to Restaurant Timmolt and savour local kefta, spicy meatballs with pepper and cumin dip – a delicious taste of Morocco!
Day 5 – Ait Benhaddou to the Dades Valley
From Ait Ben Haddou, it is just a half-hour drive through the fertile valley to Ouarzazate where you can do a bit of shopping or withdraw some cash. Then the road winds on to the Dades Valley, taking you through rugged mountains, green palm oases and tiny villages with spectacular views at every turn. Stop for a drink along the way or treat yourself to a chicken and prune tagine at Restaurant Panoramic with its terrace overlooking the valley. As the rock walls start to narrow into a dramatic gorge, you know you are nearly there, the perfect prelude to the Dades Valley’s striking scenery.
Check in to your simple mountain hotel the ideal base for an afternoon trek with local guide away from the tourist paths. For little ones, a donkey will be there to help along the way. Make sure you have sturdy shoes and water for the trek. In the evening, enjoy a relaxed dinner at the hotel. Before turning in, unwind on the bougainvillea-covered terrace and listen to the mountain stream flowing quietly below.
Day 6 – From valley to desert
After a leisurely breakfast, continue your journey and drive to Zagora. The landscape opens up into vast, arid plains as you travel, and after about an hour you reach the Draa Valley, one of Morocco’s most fertile regions, where every village is surrounded by palm oases. As the road winds higher, you will spot one of the country’s largest oases on your left, with millions of palm trees stretching into the distance. The gates of Zagora welcome you as you drive through the dusty streets of the city. Don’t miss the famous sign at the roundabout at the end of the main street: 52 more days to Timbuktu (by camel).
Day 7 – A night under the stars
This morning you can explore Zagora or take a refreshing dip in the pool before setting off in the afternoon. Pack an overnight bag with the essentials, leaving the rest of your luggage at the hotel. Water and tea are provided in the desert, though you are welcome to bring any other drinks you like. When your camel is ready, climb aboard and set off into the Sahara. Children aged seven and over can ride alone, as the camels walk slowly and are easy to hold onto, while younger children can ride safely with their parents.
After about an hour and a half, you’ll reach your tented camp in the heart of the desert. Let the kids play in the sand while you relax with a cup of mint tea, or climb a nearby sand dune to watch a an epic sunset. As the sun sinks below the horizon, your guides will prepare a traditional meal for you to enjoy under the stars. After dinner, gather around the campfire as your hosts play drums and sing songs, before settling down for the night in your Bedouin tent.
Day 8 – Time to leave the desert
Wake up before dawn to watch the sunrise over the dunes. You can climb a dune or stay on one of the mattresses at the camp. With some luck, you might spot a desert fox. As the sun rises, the temperature increases quickly. Breakfast includes pastries, eggs, fresh fruit, dates, figs, olives, and sometimes a nut spread or jam brought by your guide.
After breakfast, climb back onto your camel for the return journey through the sand. After about an hour and a half, you reach your car. Say goodbye to your camel and drive back to Zagora, arriving at lunchtime. You stay in the same hotel as before. You can wash off the desert dust in the pool, relax in the garden, or take a short walk around the town.
Day 9 – Back on the road to Ouarzazate
After breakfast, you head back north as your tour draws to a close. On your right, the palm oasis stretches out again, and at the T-junction, follow the signs to Ouarzazate. Many of the village names along the way can be tricky, but the road signs are clear even in English. If you spot a market, stop to take it in as lambs and goats are traded, oranges weighed, and juicy plums tasted. Buying something fresh is a treat and a chance to practise your haggling skills. Tonight, you stay in a colourful hotel room with a swimming pool, set within a peaceful palm garden.
Day 10 – Guided mountain biking tour
This morning is all about getting active. After breakfast, you’ll drive just outside the centre of Ouarzazate to the start of your cycling tour, where you’ll meet your guide and get set up with a mountain bike and helmet. It’s a scenic pedal over small bridges and alongside rivers towards the Fint Oasis. After around 1.5 hours of cycling, the desert landscape gives way to a lush valley of palm trees and flowing water, tucked between rocky hills. Once you arrive, there’s time to explore the oasis on foot and cool off in one of the streams that run through the valley, so it’s worth bringing a small backpack with a towel or spare clothes. Enjoy a glass of Moroccan tea before cycling back to Ouarzazate.
The bike tour is suitable for children aged 12years+. If your children are younger we will remove the bike tour and you have the day to relax. Or you could visit the nearby Kasbah of Taourirt – one of Morocco’s best-preserved kasbahs. Once home to the powerful Glaoui family, it’s a maze of mud towers, narrow passageways and decorative rooms.
Day 11 – Final stop Marrakech
After breakfast you continue your tour and drive towards the Atlas Mountains. In this arid landscape, dotted with occasional palm oases, you will find Morocco’s largest film studios where actors from Gladiator once filmed scenes in the heat. You can visit the sets for around five euros per adult and two and a half euros per child, explore the area, take photos or even create your own mini-scene.
The road then slowly descends back towards Marrakech where you return the car and spend your final night just a short walk from the famous Djemaa El Fna.
Day 12 – Time to head home
Unfortunately, today it is time to say goodbye to Morocco. A transfer will be arranged to Marrakech airport for your flight, which is about a twenty-minute drive. When you get home, we would love to hear about your trip and see your photos.
Accommodation
