Day 1 – Arrival at eco-farm Lalla Takerkoust
Whichever direction you arrive from, the final stretch takes you along a dusty, bumpy road, but it’s all part of the adventure. As soon as the reservoir comes into view, you’ll know you’re nearly there. Stretch your legs after the journey and settle in with a freshly squeezed orange juice under the shade of a tree. Meanwhile, the children can head straight for the pool or make friends with the goats and pigs roaming around the farm.
You’ll sleep in a comfortable cottage with your own terrace, surrounded by lush gardens and open space, ideal for slowing down, unwinding and enjoying a few quiet moments while the children happily explore. In the evening, you can enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal, with fresh ingredients straight from the farm’s own vegetable garden. The kitchen is well known in the area, so it’s worth letting them know when you arrive if you’d like to dine here that evening.
Day 2 – Traditional mud-house building
Today, it’s time to get your hands dirty. Together with local villagers, your children will learn how traditional mud-brick houses are built using a simple mix of earth, water and straw. First, they’ll make their own bricks, squashing the mixture into moulds and leaving them to dry in the sun. It’s messy, fun and usually a highlight for younger travellers.
As the freshly made bricks need a few days to dry, you’ll use bricks that have already been prepared to help build a small section of an existing structure. The children can decide where the door and windows should go before construction begins. Layer by layer, the walls take shape, finished with a roof made from bamboo poles and mud plaster. Looking up at the finished result, they’ll notice it’s built just like many of the traditional homes in the area. Most of the local builders don’t speak much English, but with plenty of smiles, gestures and teamwork, you’ll be surprised how much you can communicate. Parents are welcome to lend a hand, join in the building, or simply watch the project come together.
If building isn’t quite your thing, there are other activities to choose from during your stay, including cooking and horse riding. See the options below, or speak to your travel specialist for more information.
Day 3 – Departure from Lalla Takerkoust
Today your Moroccan family adventure comes to an end. If this is the end of your time in Morocco, you’ll drive back to the airport in Marrakech, where you’ll return your rental car before your flight home.
If you’d like to stay a little longer, we can always add a few extra nights in vibrant Marrakech to soak up the atmosphere, wander through the colourful souks or enjoy one last tagine on a sunny rooftop terrace.
If you’re not heading home just yet, there are plenty of ways to continue exploring Morocco. Head west to the laid-back coastal town of Essaouira for fresh sea air, sandy beaches and a charming fishing harbour. Or travel south along the famous route of kasbahs and ancient fortresses, where dramatic landscapes gradually give way to the vast dunes of the desert. Wherever you go next, another side of Morocco is waiting to be discovered.
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
Lalla Takerkoust - horse riding
The farm is also home to a number of friendly horses who, as well as helping feed and care for, you can saddle up for a ride through the surrounding countryside. Alongside a local guide, you’ll follow quiet trails past terraced fields, dry riverbeds and the shimmering waters of the nearby reservoir. Heading out on a morning ride is a great way to start your day, when the soft sunlight reflects off the lake, and you may spot local fishermen starting their day.
Children aged 8+ can join the ride, and don’t worry if you’ve never ridden a horse before as your guide will be walking with you and making sure to suit the pace to your experience. More experienced riders, or those wanting to spend longer in the saddle can opt for a two-hour ride to explore even further afield. Just speak to your travel specialist for more information.
Lalla Takerkoust - Cooking class
The farm’s vegetable garden is a big part of the experience, with fresh, seasonal produce coming straight from the earth. Your cooking workshop begins with a stroll through the garden to harvest the ingredients you’ll be using later. Then it’s time to head to the shaded patio, where you’ll cook alongside the local women. Although not everyone speaks English, that only adds to the fun, and cooking becomes the shared language as you smile and exchange gestures while creating your own traditional tagine using a treasured family recipe. Slow-cooked over charcoal, your tagine simmers gently until lunchtime, and honestly nothing tastes better than a dish you’ve made together from scratch.
If you’d like to combine this with other activities during your stay on the farm, just speak to your travel specialist to arrange this.