8-Day Morocco Family Tour — Souks, Surf & Trek

Experience Itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1 — Arrival in Marrakech

   • ›Meet-and-greet at the airport and transfer to a traditional riad in the old medina (a converted Moroccan family house around a courtyard) or to a modern hotel with a bigger pool, or to a small boutique guesthouse in the palm grove.
   • ›Free afternoon to settle in, swim, watch the sun set from the rooftop or take a short stroll in the narrow lanes of the medina, where each street has its own craft or product.
   • ›Welcome dinner at the riad or hotel.
2. 2

   Day 2 — Marrakech walking tour

   • ›Half-day morning walking tour with an English-speaking local guide in the red city of Marrakech, named after its pink ramparts.
   • ›We walk through the souks of the medieval medina to see artisans, bakers, carpenters, spice merchants and old herbal pharmacies.
   • ›We also visit the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Bahia Palace and the Koutoubia Mosque.
   • ›The tour ends at the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square, with lunch on a rooftop terrace overlooking the acrobats, storytellers, musicians and snake charmers below.
   • ›In the afternoon you can take a horse-drawn carriage around the city walls or visit the Majorelle Gardens, once owned by Yves Saint Laurent.
   • ›In the evening the square turns into a huge open-air food market with grilled meat, fried fish, snails, harira soup, spiced ginger tea and many other local dishes.
3. 3

   Day 3 — Marrakech to the High Atlas (Imlil)

   • ›Morning departure from Marrakech into the foothills of the High Atlas.
   • ›We pass farmland and the Moulay Brahim Gorge, with a stop at the village of Asni (lively Berber market on Saturdays with livestock and household goods).
   • ›The road then climbs through cherry, apple and apricot orchards along a river to the village of Imlil, the trekking base for Jbel Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa (full summit needs at least 3 extra days).
   • ›You can stay in a charming stone-built guesthouse with terraces and great views over the Imlil valley, or in a boutique hotel in the nearby Ouirgane Valley with an outdoor pool.
   • ›Free afternoon to explore.
4. 4

   Day 4 — Trekking day in the Atlas

   • ›Full day with a local mountain guide and mules (one mule for the youngest children or for the picnic).
   • ›We walk among Berber villages, walnut and apple orchards, irrigation channels and small mosques.
   • ›Stop for mint tea with a local family in their home and have a simple picnic lunch by a stream.
   • ›Easy to moderate walking — the pace is set for the family, with many breaks.
   • ›Back at the guesthouse in the late afternoon for dinner.
5. 5

   Day 5 — High Atlas to Essaouira

   • ›After breakfast we drive down the Imlil Valley, back to the Marrakech ring road and then on toward the Atlantic coast.
   • ›The landscape changes to olive trees and chalky earth.
   • ›As we get close to Essaouira we pass through the famous argan trees, which grow only in this valley between Essaouira and Agadir.
   • ›Optional stop at a women's cooperative to taste argan oil (cooking and cosmetic), argan-and-almond peanut butter, and at an organic cheese farm with goat cheese and Val d'Argan local wine (must be booked 24 hours ahead, adds about 2 hours).
   • ›Essaouira has white walls, ramparts, a sandy beach, surf shops, fish restaurants, art galleries and a quiet, car-free medina.
   • ›Lunch on Place Moulay Hassan; in the evening you can try the day's catch grilled at the harbour.
6. 6

   Day 6 — Free day in Essaouira (water sports)

   • ›Free day in Essaouira.
   • ›The family can book half-day or full-day surf, kite-surf or windsurf lessons on the beach with a local school (please book 48 hours in advance).
   • ›Other options include a hike along the coast, horse riding or camel riding on the beach, quad biking or a family cooking class.
   • ›You can also simply walk the ramparts, watch the blue fishing boats in the harbour or play on the sand.
7. 7

   Day 7 — Free day in Essaouira

   • ›Second free day in Essaouira to do more of the same activities, to do nothing at all, or to add an extra excursion such as a half-day in the Diabat surf coves, a horse-riding picnic, or a visit to the Jewish quarter and the Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah museum.
   • ›Free choice of lunch and dinner.
8. 8

   Day 8 — Essaouira to Marrakech

   • ›Depending on your flight, transfer by main road from Essaouira to Marrakech airport (at least 3 hours).
   • ›For flights before 2 pm, an extra night in Marrakech or an early start is highly recommended.
   • ›End of the tour.
   • ›You can also extend your stay with one of our other Morocco adventure tours.

Know Before You Go