Day 1 – Marrakech
Arrive at any time of the day. Optional pick-up from the airport and transfer to your hotel. If you arrive in the morning, a city tour of Marrakech is planned in the afternoon.
Day 2 – Marrakech
Today we head out of Marrakech for a day of fun in the adventure-park of Terres d’Amanar. At the foot of the High Atlas Mountains, you can relax and take a swim at the swimming pool, go for a short hike, test your acrobatic skills in the Acropark, and play donkey-polo! This park is built in partnership with the local population of the region and implements a strict environmental policy, making it a sustainable project that Moroccanguides is happy to support! In the afternoon, we return to Marrakech, where you will stay the night.
Day 3 –Skoura
Drive over the spectacular Tizi ‘n Tichka pass before arriving to Ouarzazate. From there, we travel through the Draa Valley to Skoura, situated along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs. Here, you will stay the night in a traditionally built kasbah hotel, where the children can go for a swim in the swimming pool and discover all the little corners of the kasbah.
Day 4 –Merzouga
Travel east to the edge of the Sahara, passing through the village of Tazzarine and Alnif before stopping at the town of Rissani where you will have some time to explore the town on your own. Afterwards, we head for Merzouga, where we will reach the edge of the Sahara desert. Hop on a camel and go for a camel ride to your desert camp. The children can dress up with real desert turbans. At night, they can watch the stars and look for the famous Milky Way! In the morning, you can see the beautiful sunrise lighting up the desert. Overnight in desert camp.
Day 5 –Zagora
We continue our journey this morning from Merzouga to Zagora. Pass by arid desert plains and fertile palm oases where nomads made their camp, and then arrive in Zagora in the afternoon. A southern desert town, Zagora has a charming old centre filled with crumbling Kasbahs and fertile plots of farmland amid the date palms. Overnight in Zagora.
Day 6 –Ait ben Haddou
This morning we head to the famous Ksar of Ait Benhaddou via the Draa Valley. The Ksar of Ait ben Haddou is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and has been the setting for many films including Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. You will enjoy a guided tour of this remarkable site and at night you can do an optional cooking class. Very nice for the kids to practice their cooking skills!
Day 7 –Essaouira
From Ait ben Haddou, we drive to the Atlantic coast and reach Essaouira. You will have an orientation walk through the city, then you are free to explore Essaouira’s funky coastal ambience. In the morning, don’t miss the colourful and lively spectacle of the return of the boats to the port, with their baskets full of fish. Essaouira is also famous for its music scene and a great chance to check out a live performance. Take a walk at the beach (in summer, you can go swimming), and go for a visit of the hammam to get a thorough scrub!
Day 8 –Marrakech / Casablanca
Today we drive back to Marrakech or to Casablanca, it depends on where you are leaving. In either city, it is nice to explore the old medina and do some last shopping, or visit some cultural heritage sites, such as the Saadian Tombs in Marrakech and the Ben Youssef Medresa. In Casablanca, visit the huge Hassan II mosque, or go relax at the beach.
Day 9 Marrakech / Casablanca
Departure day! Leave at any time today. Optional transfer to the airport is possible.