Le Grand Tour
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Marrakech
Upon arrival at Marrakech airport, our driver will take you to your hotel in the new part of the city, about a half-hour drive away. The hotel, adorned with colourful mosaic tiles has spacious family rooms. Relax by the pool or take a quick trip to Djemaa el Fna, the famous central square, just a 10-minute taxi ride away. Explore the souks, with their vibrant stalls and local crafts.
For a quieter experience, enjoy the view from one of the rooftop terraces overlooking the square, where you can watch storytellers and snake charmers below. When evening falls, dine at the food stalls in the square.
Day 2 – Guided walking tour with storyteller
After lunch, meet your English-speaking guide for a walking tour of the city. Your storyteller will share tales of sultans as they guide you through the Mellah district, the Moorish Palace of Bahia, and the bustling souks. The 3-hour tour ends at Djemaa El Fna square. This activity is great for children up to ten years old. For teenagers, we recommend exploring Marrakech by bike or joining a cooking workshop.
In the afternoon, explore Marrakech at your own pace. Wander through the medina, shop for souvenirs, or relax by the hotel pool.
Day 3 – Day trip to the Atlas Mountains
Travel time: approx. 1.5 hours
A short drive from Marrakech are the beautiful Atlas Mountains. You’ll be collected from your hotel by your local guide and driven into the mountains for a donkey ride. Occasionally you’ll pass by a traditional Berber village where time seems to have stood still. This is a very authentic side of Morocco. You’ll stop at a particularly picturesque spot where your guide will prepare a simple picnic lunch. It’s an unforgettable experience – gazing at the snow-capped peaks, with a sandwich in one hand and a camera in the other. At the end of the trek you’ll be driven back to your hotel in Marrakech.
Day 4 – Marrakech – Ait Benhaddou
Travel time: approx. 5 hours
Today you pick up your rental and head out on the road. Along the way, you’ll pass small villages, donkey carts and catch glimpses of snow-capped peaks on the horizon. Arrive in Ait Benhaddou via a winding mountain pass, home to one of Morocco’s largest kasbahs. Your accommodation is a kasbah-style hotel with sand-toned walls and small windows, designed to keep the heat at bay. Enjoy views of the village from the pool!
Day 5 – Explore Ait Benhaddou
Start your day with breakfast on the terrace, overlooking the old town. To reach the kasbah, hop across the sandbanks at low tide or take a donkey ride for a small fee over the small river. Pay a small entrance fee (about 5 dirhams, or £1 per person) to enter the ancient walled city. Begin your exploration by winding your way up to view the clay houses along the green riverbed and climbing the stone stairs of one of the towers. Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing by the pool. In the evening, enjoy a variety of local Moroccan specialties on the terrace.
Day 6 – Ait Benhaddou – Zagora
Travel time: approx. 3 hours
After breakfast you will hit the road again as you drive deeper inland to the immense Sahara Desert, passing through fertile areas with small villages and bright green palm. This journey takes you through the vast Draa Valley, one of the largest in Morocco, where lush trees and shrubs stand out against brown-red rocks. Along the way, locals sell sweet dates at roadside stalls. After about a three-hour drive from you’ll reach Zagora, a medium-sized town that serves as the starting point for your camel trekking adventure. Tonight, you’ll stay in a family room overlooking a garden full of flowers and palms around the pool.
Day 7 – Zagora – M’Hamid
Travel time: approx. 3 hours (of which 1.5 hours by camel)
This morning, you can explore Zagora or take a dip in the pool before heading out in the afternoon. Pack an overnight bag with the essentials and the rest of your luggage can be left at the hotel. Water and tea are provided in the desert, but feel free to bring any other drinks you wish. Climb onboard your awaiting camel and set off into the Sahara. Children aged seven and older can ride a camel alone, as the camels walk slowly and are easy to hold on to. Younger children can ride with their parents.
After about an hour and a half you’ll arrive at your tented camp in the middle of the desert. While the kids play in the sand, relax with a cup of mint tea and climb a sand dune for a breathtaking sunset.
As the sun sets your guides will prepare a traditional meal which you can enjoy under the stars. After dinner, join in as your hosts play drums and sing songs around the campfire before heading off to bed in your Bedouin tent.
Day 8 – M’Hamid – Zagora
Travel time: approx. 3 hours (of which 1.5 hours by camel)
Early in the morning, climb one of the nearby dunes for a stunning view as the sun rises and transforms the colours of the desert. After a simple breakfast and a cup of mint tea, you’ll mount your camel again and return to M’Hamid. Wave your camel goodbye before driving back to Zagora, where you’ll arrive around lunchtime.
You’ll stay at the same hotel as before. Spend the afternoon relaxing in the palm garden, taking a dip in the pool or exploring the town. Several restaurants are located nearby.
Day 9 – Zagora – Taroudant
Travel time: approx. 6 hours
After breakfast you get back in the car. Today you set course for the coast, but you won’t arrive there today. It takes at least two days of travel and we have therefore planned an overnight stay in Taroudant. This is also a long day of about six hours. If you want to slow down the pace, we will simply plan an extra night for you about halfway.
In the afternoon you will arrive at your riad inside the walled city. The two city squares, Place Assarag and Place Talmoklate, with the Arabic souks in between, are where you can buy everything and a good place to stretch your legs after the long drive.
Day 10 – Taroudant – Essaouira
Travel time: approx. 4 hours
After breakfast you’ll continue your journey north. You drive over winding roads and through small villages straight through the Anti-Atlas Mountains to Essaouira, a small authentic fishing town. We’ll arrange a family hotel with a swimming pool near the beach, and about a 15-minute walk from the medina. The always-present wind in Essaouira brings a refreshing sea breeze, and after a day at the beach you can unwind on the inviting roof terrace. While this hotel may not have the same charm as some of the other accommodations from your trip, you’ll appreciate its prime location and pool for those hot days.
Day 11 – 13 Essaouira – camel ride on the beach and free time
Today you’ll be going on a scenic camel trek across the beach. You’ll be picked up from your hotel in the morning and transferred to the starting point, after a briefing you and the family will climb aboard your camel and set off on a slow plod along the beach and into the dunes. Depending on the age of your children, they can either ride alone or with you.
The rest of your time here is free to do as you wish. Head into the medina and wander past white-washed houses with vibrant blue shutters, browse the local shops, souvenir stalls, and art galleries or dine on fresh seafood at the harbour where stalls bbq the catch of the day. The constant wind in Essaouira makes for great kite-flying on the beach too!
Day 13 Essaouira – Marrakech
Travel time: approx. 3 hours
Since you cannot fly back from Essaouira, we will include one last night in Marrakech for you. Back in Marrakech you’ll return your rental car and stay again in our family hotel with swimming pool. Head off for one final dinner and wander around the souks for any last minute souvenirs.
Day 14 – Marrakech – UK
Today your time in Morocco comes to an end, We’ll arrange a transfer for you back to the airport to catch your flight home.
Accommodation
