Experience Overview
Imagine a country with the charisma of Europe, the passion of Africa and the charm of the Middle East – a place where ancient cultures are intertwined with dramatic landscapes and time-worn medinas. Now, the whole family can fall under Morocco’s spell on this eight-day adventure from magical Marrakech to the old pirate port of Essaouira, covering everything from camel-clad deserts to ocean beaches along the way. So, whether it’s in spice-infused back alleys, among crumbling Roman ruins or below the snow-capped Atlas Mountains – the allure of Morocco will prove impossible to ignore.
Highlights
- Sip sweet mint tea in rural villages, see goats climbing trees in the desert and tap your foot to traditional Amazigh musicians in Marrakech – Morocco is a real treat for the senses!
- Adventure into the Atlas Mountains and stay with a local family for an insight into traditional Moroccan life.
- With French, Portuguese and Jewish influences, Essaouira is about as exotic as it gets. Feast on freshly caught seafood, explore unique art galleries and be dazzled by a blue-specked townscape.
- Witness the magnificent rolling waves of the Atlantic Ocean from the back of a camel.
Trip Details
Product Code: 3035
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Minivan
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: XMFE
Starts: Marrakech, Morocco
Finishes: Marrakech, Morocco
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (7), Lunch (3), Dinner (2)Accommodation: Hotel (6 nights),Gite (1 night)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) $812 ($102 /day)
Itinerary
Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Morocco. Your adventure begins in Marrakech – a feast for the senses and a world of spice markets, Amazigh music, carpets, acrobats and perfumed gardens. You can arrive at any time today before your welcome meeting at 5 pm. If you have an arrival transfer booked, please look for a representative when you arrive at the airport. Your hotel is located just outside the city walls around the old medina, about a 30-minute walk to the main square, Djemaa el-Fna – the largest public square in the world. It's also near a lot of local shops and restaurants, so there’s plenty to do if you arrive early. After your meeting, why not head out to dinner with the group and get to know each other.
Accommodation:
- Hotel Gomassine or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Today's adventure begins with a drive over the High Atlas Mountains to the village of Imlil – the largest village in the Mizane Valley. You’ll store your main luggage here, before continuing on foot to the traditional mountain village of Aroumd with your daypack. If you don't feel comfortable with the walk, your leader can arrange a mule for you to ride instead (the kids will surely love the mule ride!). Perched on a rocky outcrop, the remote village of Aroumd offers views across the High Atlas Mountains and a unique opportunity to experience traditional Amazigh culture. Spend tonight in a family-run mountain home (gite) in Aroumd. Surrounded by the smell of woodstoves and bread, you’ll meet the host family and enjoy some traditional food together.
Accommodation:
- Dar Tajine or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, you'll have a bread cooking demonstration for breakfast and maybe an early morning walk around the village of Imlil. Transfer to Taroudant, passing through some Amazigh villages and across the High Altas Mountains via the Tizi n Tast, which gives you a great view of the largest plain of Sous. Arriving at your accommodation in the late afternoon, maybe take the kids for a swim in the pool and have a relaxing evening.
Included Activities:
- Armed - Bread cooking demonstration
Accommodation:
- Hotel L'arganier or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Today after breakfast, take a fun donkey ride through the picturesque oasis of Tiout. This is not your average city tour – by exploring the gorgeous oasis on the back of a donkey, you’ll be immersed in the local way of life and travel as the locals do. The oasis is full of palm trees and streams of running water, giving an exotic atmosphere full of sights, smells and sounds. By hiring these donkeys and their guides, you'll be directly supporting the local community and ensuring that the animals are well taken care of, providing ample food and shelter. After your tour, join a local woman in her home for a traditional homemade lunch. Not only will this experience leave you feeling full and happy, but it also supports the local community by providing income for the women in the village who prepare the meal with love and care.
Included Activities:
- Taroudant – Local Lunch
- Taroudant – Donkey Ride
Accommodation:
- Hotel L'arganier or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast this morning, you'll travel up the coast to Sidi Kaouki. Mount a camel and take in the view as the waves crash along the shoreline, taking in the awesome scenery as you plod along. This may well be one of the highlights of your trip! Enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach, then board the bus again and head to Essaouira. This delightful artists' town is a former Portuguese trading colony and was once home to sizeable British and Jewish populations. The town faces a group of rocky islands called the Mogador and is surrounded by an expanse of sandy beaches and dunes. It's still a busy fishing port, and its pretty harbour is filled with tiny colourful fishing boats which go out early every morning.
Included Activities:
- Sidi Kaouki - Camel Ride
Accommodation:
- Hotel Souiri or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Today is free for you to explore Essaouira. Everything in the small centre is within walking distance, and the beach is perfect for a long walk. Why not wander the harbour and its adjacent fish markets where you can witness the daily auction – a freshly-cooked plate of the day's catch is highly recommended. Maybe take the kids to browse some of the many shops and art galleries where unique local pieces are on display. The town is becoming renowned for its burled Thuya wood, delicately formed, inlaid and polished with oils. The scent from the oils fills the air and makes walking through the streets a delight for the senses!
Accommodation:
- Hotel Souiri or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Leaving Essaouira behind, journey inland to Marrakech. Enjoy an afternoon walking tour of the city centre, taking in the main sights on your way to the sprawling Djemaa el-Fna main square and souq. As is usual in a souq, individual trades and crafts are concentrated in one street or area, so the shoemakers are all next to each other, as are the jewellers, potters and weavers. This is the best place in Morocco to sharpen your bargaining skills, and you are almost certain to be tempted by some of the extraordinary variety of merchandise on display – perhaps a pair of traditional Moroccan slippers or some spices. The market almost has the atmosphere of a medieval fair. Fortune tellers and jugglers are among those who vie to entertain you. In the evening, wonderful smells waft by as food stalls cook up their local delicacies.
Included Activities:
- Marrakech - Medina walking tour
Accommodation:
- Hotel Gomassine or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Your trip comes to an end this morning. There are no activities planned for the final day and you are free to depart the accommodation at any time. If you’d like to extend your stay in Marrakech, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.
Optional Activities:
- Marrakech - A Taste Of Marrakech: Inside the Medina Urban Adventure (605 MAD)
- Marrakech - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage (750 MAD)
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Deborah - Traveled, February 2024
This was our first Intrepid adventure but won’t be our last. As a family with children aged 20, 17 and 12 it can be difficult to find a trip or activities that suits everyone but we found it in our Morocco holiday. Every day was full of excitement and new experiences. We had great fun with our fellow travelers and an excellent leader in Ibrahim. From our mountain stay, donkey and camel rides, to the different environments of Marrakech and Essaouira, we had an amazing time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/22/2024
Chris - Traveled, February 2024
Unbelievable family trip, highly recommend, perfect balance of activities and culture. Ismail the tour guide was amazing, he is a credit to intrepid and an amazing ambassador for Morocco he made the trip for us
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/18/2024
Rudy - Traveled, February 2024
Great trip for a family looking to adventure a bit in Morroco with loads of fun activities for everyone and you are sure to be taken care of.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/18/2024
Mikayla - Traveled, December 2023
Intrepid travel and our local guide made our family trip to Morocco the adventure of a lifetime! We were able to relax ,connect with local people, and enjoy the well-planned itinerary. We are already dreaming about our next trip with Intrepid!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/25/2023
Sean - Traveled, December 2023
HUGE thanks to our guide, Mohamed Inti, for making our family trip around Morocco so absolutely magical. We learned so much about the history, culture, and language during our trip. Mohamed took such amazing and tireless care of us, working around our son's severe food allergies and breaking through our daughter's usual shyness.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/26/2023
Atticus - Traveled, December 2023
We had a great time! Our tour guide, Mohamed Inti, was so kind and approachable. Every day, we got to do something fun and interesting. I also learned a lot of Arabic and about Moroccan culture. Overall, a great experience!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/26/2023
Emma - Traveled, October 2023
Amazing trip. Our guide Hassan was excellent.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/28/2023
Emellia - Traveled, October 2023
A fabulous group trip that meant we made the most of the week we had available and saw some incredible sights and had some unforgettable experiences with a lovely bunch of like minded people. Worth enquiring to see what the age range of other children in the group already booked are - we were lucky that most of ours were similar age but with the age range 5-18 it could have been harder if they were further apart in age.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/29/2023
Tim - Traveled, August 2023
Our Canadian family of 6 had the pleasure of doing an Intrepid tour through Marrakesh, Taroudant, Agar, and Essaouira. We absolutely loved it. Our guide Mohamed was genuine and knowledgeable and we enjoyed our group and of course the variety in scenery and culture. The Atlas Mountains provided us a real personal touch as we stayed with local families. Our hearts go out to them as we've heard of the earthquake.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/19/2023
Leigh - Traveled, August 2023
We had a great time on our Family Morocco trip in August. We enjoyed the whole experience, saw some great sights and made some lasting memories of a wonderful welcoming country.Our guide, Hassan, was excellent
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/18/2023
Lorraine - Traveled, February 2024
If you are on the fence about Morocco being suitable for young kids, don’t be. It’s wonderful, safe and fun.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/22/2024
Brandon - Traveled, July 2023
Intrepid worked out well for our trip to Morocco, our group leader was well informed and was able to answer and assist on all aspects of our trip
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/08/2023
Russell - Traveled, July 2023
Cannot rate this trip highly enough. Said is a first class guide and our family had a memorable time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/25/2023
Karen - Traveled, July 2023
This is a great trip to experience the colours, sounds and traditions of Morocco, from Souks to mountain villages to bustling seaside towns. Our guide, Tariq, was excellent and the itinerary full and exciting. Delicious food and spectacular scenery. We highly recommend this family holiday.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/17/2023
Sarah - Traveled, May 2023
Really great trip, the entire family enjoyed it. Siad was a great leader and very knowledgeable, as well as environmentally conscious.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/04/2023
Kelly - Traveled, May 2023
What a trip was worried about going in an adventure such as this with 3 boys 14, 8, 5 the are very fussy eaters and one with ASD. The group leader Saïd was simply the best played with the children and was cheerful and enthusiastic about everything the the positivity brushed off on everyone. Would definitely book again.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/03/2023
Eric - Traveled, May 2023
I would highly recommend a trip with Intrepid, everything was well organised, interesting and fulfilling, accommodation was excellent and the food was very good, if a little challenging for children. We would go again ??
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/04/2023
Richard - Traveled, April 2023
A perfect trip for young families to immerse themselves in a different culture so close to Europe . Lots of adventure in the desert, mountain and beach, while being completely in safe hands with Hicham, our wonderful guide, and our driver.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/14/2023
Kayte - Traveled, April 2023
Excellent tour that really showed a range of what life is like across Morocco. Everywhere we visited was unique and breathtaking.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/15/2023
Simon - Traveled, April 2023
This was a great trip with a fantastic group of families and the perfect tour guide in Hicham
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/21/2023
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