Day 1 – Welcome to Marrakech
On arrival at Marrakech airport, your driver will meet you and take you to your hotel in the newer part of the city, around a 30 minute drive away. Decorated with colourful mosaic tiles, the hotel offers spacious family rooms and a welcoming pool where you can relax after your journey.
If you feel like heading out, Djemaa el Fna, Marrakech’s famous main square, is just a 10 minute taxi ride away. Wander through the lively souks filled with colourful stalls, spices and local handicrafts. For a quieter experience, take in the view from a rooftop terrace overlooking the square and watch the storytellers and snake charmers below. As evening falls, join the locals at the bustling food stalls for dinner.
Day 2 – Guided walking tour with storyteller
After lunch, you will meet your English-speaking guide for a walking tour of the city. Through stories of sultans and local legends, your guide brings Marrakech to life as you explore the Mellah district, visit the Bahia Palace and weave your way through the bustling souks. The three hour tour finishes at Djemaa el Fna square. This experience is particularly well suited to children up to around ten years old. For teenagers, we recommend discovering Marrakech by bike or joining a hands on cooking workshop instead.
In the afternoon, you are free to explore Marrakech at your own pace. Wander through the medina, browse for souvenirs or head back to the hotel to relax by the pool.
Day 3 – On the road to Ait Benhaddou
Today you collect your rental car and set off on an unforgettable journey through Morocco’s striking landscapes. Along the way, you will pass charming villages, spot donkey carts making their way along dusty streets, and catch glimpses of snow-capped peaks on the horizon. The road winds through the High Atlas Mountains, offering ever-changing views that are sure to delight the whole family.
You will arrive in Aït Benhaddou, an ancient village and home to one of Morocco’s largest and most impressive kasbahs. Your accommodation is a kasbah-style hotel with sand-coloured walls and small windows designed to keep the interiors cool. Take a moment to relax by the pool while soaking in the breath-taking views of the village, and watch the play of light across the fortified walls as the sun begins to set. It’s the perfect introduction to Morocco’s magic and history.
Day 4 – Time to explore Ait Benhaddou
Wake up to breakfast on the terrace, with sweeping views over the old town as the morning light illuminates the clay walls. To reach the kasbah, you can hop across the sandbanks at low tide or take a donkey ride across the small river for a modest fee. A small entrance charge of around 5 dirhams per person (about £1) gives you access to the ancient walled city. Wander along the narrow streets, climb the stone steps of one of the towers, and admire the clay houses lining the green riverbed. The views from the top give a real sense of life in the village through the centuries.
Spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool, soaking up the sunshine and the peaceful surroundings. In the evening, savour a variety of local Moroccan dishes on the terrace, enjoying the rich flavours of the region as the sun sets over the kasbah. It’s the perfect mix of adventure, history, and family-friendly relaxation.
Day 5 – Ait Benhaddou to Zagora
After breakfast, you will set off again, driving deeper into the vast Sahara Desert. The route takes you through fertile lands dotted with small villages and bright green palm trees, weaving through the incredible Draa Valley, one of Morocco’s largest. The lush vegetation stands out beautifully against the red-brown rocks, and along the way, local stalls offer sweet dates for you to sample.
After around three hours on the road, you will arrive in Zagora, a medium-sized town that marks the start of your camel trekking adventure. Tonight, you will stay in a comfortable family room overlooking a garden filled with flowers and palms, with a pool perfect for relaxing after the day’s journey.
Days 6 – On to your camel and into the desert!
This morning, you can explore Zagora at your own pace or take a refreshing dip in the pool before setting off in the afternoon. Pack an overnight bag with the essentials and leave the rest of your luggage at the hotel. Water and tea are provided during your desert adventure, though you are welcome to bring any other drinks you like. Then climb aboard your waiting camel and begin your journey into the Sahara. Children aged seven and older can ride alone, while younger children can ride safely with a parent. After around an hour and a half, you will arrive at your tented camp in the heart of the desert, where kids can play in the sand while you relax with a cup of mint tea or climb a dune to watch the sunset.
As night falls, your guides will prepare a traditional dinner to enjoy under a sky full of stars. Afterwards, join in as your hosts play drums and sing around the campfire, soaking up the desert atmosphere, before retiring to your Bedouin-style tent for a magical night in the quiet of the Sahara.
Day 7 – Wake up in the desert
Early in the morning, wake up and climb one of the nearby dunes to watch the sun rise, casting a golden glow over the vast desert and transforming its colours before your eyes. After a simple breakfast and a cup of refreshing mint tea, it’s time to mount your camel once more and make the journey back to M’Hamid. Say farewell to your camel before driving back to Zagora, arriving around lunchtime.
You will stay at the same hotel as before, giving you the perfect chance to relax in the lush palm garden, take a dip in the pool, or explore the town at your own pace. Several restaurants nearby offer local flavours if you fancy a leisurely lunch or an early evening meal.
Day 8 – Final stop Marrakech
After breakfast, you will begin your journey north once more, with the end of your tour now in sight. You drive past the vast palm oasis again, and at the T-junction follow the signs to Ouarzazate, pronounced “war‑zatzat.” In this arid landscape, dotted with occasional palm groves, lie Morocco’s largest film studios, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Atlas Mountains. Actors from films like Gladiator have filmed some of their most iconic scenes here, enduring the desert heat for the perfect shot. After navigating the hairpin bends of the mountains, you return to Marrakech, hand back your rental car and settle in for your final night at a riad in the medina, just a short walk from Djemaa el Fna square.
These riads are peaceful oases tucked away from the bustling streets. Behind a simple wooden door lies a small palace with a tranquil courtyard where breakfast is served, and a rooftop terrace offering sweeping views over the city. There is even a small splash pool to cool off, giving you the perfect place to relax and soak up the authentic Moroccan atmosphere on your last evening.
Day 9 – Time to head home
Sadly, today it’s time to say goodbye to Morocco. We will arrange your transfer to Marrakech airport, which is about a twenty-minute drive, in time for your flight. Once you are back home, we would love to hear about your adventure. We always enjoy receiving emails and photos, so do share your favourite memories from your trip.
Accommodation
