trip details for moroccan family adventure (FMA)

I found Mt Toubkal fantastic, great views, great fun, great climb. Zoe and Tony were always making sure we weren't bored on the truck with lots of games. I never realised how beautiful the sky is at night, but when we slept out in the Sahara desert, in a berber camp, you could see every last star. I found there was a great variety throughout the trip - mountains, cities, deserts and the ocean. When you break away from the cities the welcoming feeling you get from the locals is over the top. In the truck you can socialise without being restricted to talking to the people on your left or right. I like overlanding, the truck is a good choice to get around in. I had great fun!' Oscar Brennecke-Dunn

is this trip for me?

Route: Marrakech to Marrakech

Length of Section: 11 or 14 Nights

Profile: Arriving in Morocco is like wandering onto a film set - suddenly you are transported to a place where people wear long robes and turbans, where donkeys clop along narrow alleyways and you can wander through exotic bazaars and souks. We'll stay mostly in traditional riads and kasbahs on this trip, with some camping in the desert. There's a trip to Ait Benhaddou, where 'Gladiator' was filmed, a camel ride into the dunes of the Sahara at Erg Chebbi, and the chance to go walking in the Atlas Mountains. We'll also visit the pretty seaside town of Essaouira, with its walled medina where no cars are allowed, before heading back to Marrakech.

Comfort Zone: 3 out of 5 [explain comfort zone rating]

Physical Rating: 2 out of 6 [explain physical rating]

Crew: 2 Western crew, local guides as necessary.

Vehicle: Overland expedition vehicle, camels.

Accommodation: Elegant merchants riad in Marrakech, converted kasbah hotels, small family run atmospheric hotels, french auberge and restaurant in Atlas, world famous Atlas eco-hotel, desert camping and campsites. If possible we try to find accommodation with pools. (30% camping, 70% hotels)

what's included?

14 Night Itinerary

Nights 1-2: Marrakech:

Stay in Sumptuous Merchants Riad complete with pool
2 night stay in Marrakech to explore the souks, bazaars and back streets

Nights 3-4: Valley of Kasbahs:

Overland across the High Atlas into the Valley of the Kasbahs
Overnight at and wander through the stunning Ait Benhaddou Kasbah
Overnight stay and time to explore the vast Todra Gorge and palmery

Nights 5-8: The Sahara & Southern Valleys:

Chill out time in converted Kasbah with pool in Ouazazete
Overnight Saharan camel expedition into the Erg Chebi sand dunes
Anti Atlas and then spectacular drive over Tizzi-n-Test pass in High Atlas
Traditional berber meals in the Sahara and at Todra Gorge

Nights 9-11: Atlas Mountains:

Stay at the award winning Kasbah de Toubkal mountain lodge under Mt. Toubkal
Stay at lovely mountain auberge, restaurant & pool

Nights 12-14: Atlantic Coast & Return to Marrakech:

2 night stay in the beach town and colourful port of Essaouira

11 Night Itinerary

Nights 1-2: Marrakech:

2 night stay in Marrakech to explore the souks, bazaars and back streets
Stay in Sumptuous Merchants Riad complete with pool

Nights 3-5: Valley of Kasbahs:

Overnight at and wander through the stunning Ait Benhaddou Kasbah
2 night stay and time to explore the vast Todra Gorge and palmery

Nights 6-8: The Sahara & Southern Valleys:

Chill out time in converted Kasbah with pool in Ouazazete
Traditional berber meals in the Sahara and at Todra Gorge

Nights 9-11: Atlantic Coast & Return to Marrakech:

2 night stay in the Medina beach town and colourful port of Essaouira

what can I do on the way?

(Activities available at extra costs)

Visit the amazing Atlas Film Studios
Epic 2 day climb of Mt Toubkal (14 day itinerary only)
Explore the Imlil area on a Berber village walk (14 day itinerary only)

notes:

General notes: Price Notes: There is no kitty or local payment. On our family trips we have no kitty or local payments because there is nothing worse than travelling around with wads of cash while trying to supervise the kids. From personal experience we know that families need to relax and forget about the hassle of money for a while. Pay upfront and bring only what you need for the extras.

Child's Price: There is a 10% discount off the trip price per child. Children must be aged 6 or above. Teenagers from 16 - 18 will be charged adult price. Children must be accompanied by 1 or more adults.

Trekking Mount Toukbal: at the time of booking please indicate whether you will be trekking or not as this affects the booking of accommodation. If you do not inform us and you decide to trek please note that you maybe charged for a nights accommodation that you do not use.

Hotel accommodation is based on twin, triple, quad or five sharing. At the time of booking please indicate your family's room requirements. If we do not hear from you we will book rooms we consider suitable.

Please note: Because of the nature of the areas we travel through we cannot guarantee the exact hotels we will stay in.