Current as of: April 26, 2024 - 11:59
Marrakech, Camels & the Sahara – Family Adventure Trip Notes
- Ways to Travel: Family Group, Guided Group, Private Group Adventures
- Destination: Morocco
- Programmes: Family
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Activity Level:
3 out of 7 - Moderate
- 8 Days: Land Only
- Ages: 9+
- Trip Code: FMS
Trip Overview
Discover magical Morocco, where desert dunes meet mighty mountains and cultured cities
The dune-rippled Sahara, bulky Atlas Mountains and mazy Marrakech play host to this highlight-packed family adventure. Over the week, we journey deep into Morocco to enjoy never-forgotten experiences in a spectacular landscape: riding camels in the Sahara, sleeping under the desert skies and travelling by mule through rugged mountains. We also seek a little culture, enjoying lunch with a local Amazigh family, visiting a working film studio and navigating pulsating Marrakech on a thrilling horse-drawn carriage tour.
At a Glance
- Six nights in comfortable hotels, one night in a Sahara camp with shared facilities
- Travel by private bus, mule and camel
- Group normally 8 to 20, plus leader. Minimum age: 9
Highlights
- Ride a mule into the Atlas Mountains and enjoy lunch with a Amazigh family
- Visit the hillside ksar of Ait Benhaddou, filmset of many Hollywood blockbusters
- Tour the Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate
- Enjoy a camel trek into the Sahara and sleep under the stars
- Watch artisan potters at work and take to the wheel
- Embark on a horse-drawn carriage tour of Marrakech
Is This Trip for You?
This trip is graded Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more on our ratings, please visit our Activity Level guidelines. The level takes into account some of the activities and that there are some early starts and long journeys. The trip is designed with active children aged 9 to 12 in mind, although it is also suitable for 13 to 16 year olds.
Several days involve early starts but this allows us to get the most from our time in Morocco and avoid the highest temperatures. Morocco is stunning but large and the cities and country areas are spread out. This means there are sometimes long journeys, but this is the only way to see all the country offers. We are not confined to our vehicle though, as there are plenty of photo stops and opportunities to stretch your legs.The approximate drive times are noted on the daily itinerary. Travelling conditions are generally comfortable as most roads are reasonably well maintained.
The temperatures in Morocco are hot in the summer months but we try to make the most of the coolest parts of the day for our sightseeing so you can expect some early starts. Expect it to be hot to very hot in the desert from May through to September.
Morocco can get cold in the winter months though usually daytime temperatures are mild. It is advisable to pack winter clothes for November through to March when night time temperatures especially in the desert and the mountains can drop considerably. During these months there can also be rain throughout the country and snow in the mountains. As Morocco is generally mild to hot it is not set up for colder temperatures and so there may not be heaters available. Please pack winter clothes and nightwear to ensure you are comfortable. Of course you can also ask for more blankets from the hotels. Please be prepared for the colder months.
Ramadan is expected to run from approximately 10 March-10 April 2024 and 28 February-29 March 2025. One of the most important periods in the Islamic calendar, it is a special time to visit a Muslim country. Each evening, the streets empty as people head home to break the fast, followed by an air of festivity upon their return. Our leaders and drivers choose to work at this time so we continue to run trips; however, their energy levels may be slightly lower than normal. Many tourist sites, restaurants and shops will have an amended schedule, but your tour leader will know how to adapt the itinerary to still experience all the inclusions on this trip and maximise your experience during this special time.
Group
The maximum group size is 20. Only adults accompanying children can join this tour. A local tour leader is with the group throughout the trip.
Adult min age: 9
Min group size: 8
Max group size: 16
Itinerary
Land Only
- Start City: Marrakech
- End City: Marrakech
Land Only Itinerary
Fly to Marrakech
We have an easy start to the tour, with a free transfer from Marrakech Airport to the hotel. Your tour leader will meet the group this evening.
Accommodation: Opera Plaza Hotel, Red Hotel (or similar)
Start Marrakech
The tour starts in Marrakech, an electric city with a Unesco-listed medina and plenty of landmarks to explore. If you have time after your flight, you may want to splash in the hotel pool or take a taxi to the nearby Djemaa el Fna, the busy central square where street vendors sell freshly squeezed orange juice.
The welcome briefing with your leader will either be this evening or tomorrow morning depending on flight arrivals.
Accommodation: Opera Plaza Hotel, Red Hotel (or similar)
Across the High Atlas Mountains to Ait Benhaddou
With time to explore Marrakech at the end of our journey, we leave the Red City and head into the Atlas Mountains. Partway through, we stop to embark on a fun mule ride and walk to the village of Tighza where we will have a lunch prepared by a local family to learn more about life in the mountains.
Returning to our bus by mule, we transfer over the Tizi n’Tichka pass, the highest in Morocco at 7,235ft (2,205m), enjoying views of the rugged mountains as we go.
Tonight we stay near the Unesco-listed Ait Benhaddou, which we visit at sunset tomorrow, a mesmeric ksar (fortified village) where red-clay buildings layer a hillside. It has been used as the filming location for several Hollywood movies, including The Mummy (1999) and Gladiator (2000).
Accommodation: Ksar Ljanoub (or similar)
Drive time: Six hours
To Ouarzazate; return to Ait Benhaddou
Today we travel to Ouarzazate, nicknamed the door to the desert because it used to be a crossing point for African traders on their way to Europe. It is now the site of the Atlas Film Studios, the setting for the Hollywood film Disney’s Aladdin (2019), and the series Game of Thrones. We take a guided tour of the studio and see filmsets in situ, including Egyptian-style statues. After lunch, we have free time before a tour of Ait Benhaddou, in which we navigate the labyrinthine streets of the ksar. We time our visit for sunset, when the buildings turn a deep ochre, which makes for great family photographs.
Accommodation: Ksar Ljanoub (or similar)
Drive time: One hour and twenty minutes
Ait Benhaddou to the Sahara
Leaving Ait Benhaddou, we journey to the Sahara, heading south along the Draa Valley, admiring Amazigh villages and palm trees as we go. At the edge of the sands, we embark on what will undoubtedly be one of the most memorable experiences of the trip: a one-hour camel ride over and through the dunes. Our destination is a simple but atmospheric Bedouin camp, where we spend the night.
The accommodation is a ring of mud huts, though we’ve found many travellers prefer to sleep under the desert sky, watching shooting stars and naming the constellations.
Please note: You are requested to bring only an overnight bag and leave your remaining luggage with the vehicle.
Accommodation: Camp Chez Le Pacha or similar (full-service camping)
Drive time: Four hours and a half
The Sahara to Zagora
It’s fun time again as we embark on another one-hour camel trek back to our bus. We then travel to the city of Zagora, stopping at the Tamegroute village pottery works where a collection of seven families use traditional methods to create beautiful ceramics with a signature green glaze.
While there, we watch the talented artisans at work and even get to try throwing a bowl on the potter’s wheel. After, it’s to our hotel in Zagora, where we have time to unwind in the flower-filled gardens and take a dip in the hotel pool.
Accommodation: Auberge Chez Ali (or similar)
Drive time: Two hours and a half
Zagora to Ouarzazate
Today we head back to Ouarzazate where we visit Taourirt Kasbah, once the palatial home of the powerful Glaoui family and, more recently, the backdrop for movies including Gladiator and Prince of Persia (2010). Here we tour the labyrinthine passages to visit the still-spectacular reception, dining room and private apartments. We also head to the roof to look over the palm tree oasis and river valley below.
After our visit, we enjoy free time to relax at our hotel and take a dip in the kidney bean-shaped pool.
Accommodation: Club Hanane (or similar)
Drive time: Three hours and a half
Ouarzazate to Marrakech
After breakfast, we drive back to Marrakech. This afternoon, we take a tour of the city by calèche, a traditional horse-drawn carriage and a classic Marrakech experience. Our sightseeing tour, which lasts two to three hours, starts at Jemaa el-Fna and takes in the Agdal Gardens, the city walls and glimpses the old medina. We end the day back at Jemaa el-Fna, which comes alive with food stalls, and musicians in the evenings – a great place to enjoy our farewell dinner (not included) and soak up the atmosphere.
Accommodation: Opera Plaza Hotel, Red Hotel (or similar)
Drive time: Four hours and a half
Fly to London
Our journey ends after breakfast. Hop onto your free transfer to Marrakech Airport to catch your flight. Alternatively, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in the Red City.
End Marrakech
Our journey comes to an end after breakfast. Hop onto your free transfer to Marrakech Airport to catch your flight. Alternatively, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in the Red City.
Accommodation
Family-friendly hotels with swimming pools and Sahara camp
We have chosen a selection of comfortable family-friendly hotels with swimming pools. We also spend one night in the Sahara, a never-forgotten experience that will likely be discussed over family meals for many years to come.
Marrakech: Opera Plaza or Red Hotel (nights 1 and 7)
We begin and end our adventure in Marrakech, where we stay at either the four-star Opera Plaza Hotel or the Red Hotel. Both are in the same complex and there’s plenty to keep the family entertained, including a swimming pool area and bowling lanes.
Ait Ben Haddou: Ksar Ljanoub (nights 2 and 3)
We stay for two nights at Ksar Ljanoub, winner of Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award in 2023. Enjoy the Atlas sunshine with a dip in the pool or relax under the shade of a parasol. You can also enjoy views of the mountains and desert from the rooms or the terraces, with a chance for a beautiful sunrise or sunset.
Sahara: Camp Chez Le Pacha (night 4)
The highlight for many is our night in the Sahara, where our camp is circled by bronze dunes you can climb to watch the sun set and rise. Our accommodation is a ring of traditional mud huts, though most prefer to take their beds outside to sleep under a blanket of stars – look out for the tell-tale streak of a shooting star. In the centre of the camp is a fire, which is lit at night and typically becomes the place to share stories and bond with our guide and hosts. Distractions are few here, which allows everyone to share, what is for many, a bucket-list experience.
Zagora: Chez Ali (night 5)
In Zagora, we stay in an auberge (inn) called Chez Ali with pretty floral gardens. After our night in the desert, many head straight to the pool for a refreshing swim or to relax with a book.
Ouarzazate: Club Hanane (night 6)
Before we head back to Marrakech, we stay at Club Hanane in Ouarzazate. Here you can sit by the pool at breakfast, while the hotel also has a lounge and outside seating area.
Worth knowing
- The only night without a pool is when we are camping in the Sahara
Single supplement from USD 232
Accommodation - Pre Trip
Pre-tour accommodation is available in Marrakech.
Accommodation - Post Trip
Post-tour accommodation is available in Marrakech.
Food & Drink
All breakfasts, one lunch and two dinners are included.
Moroccan food is, generally speaking, excellent, though not particularly varied. Breakfasts usually consist of bread and jam with coffee or tea. Where meals are not included, budget for the following approximate prices:
- Lunches: 60-100 dirhams (US$6-US$10)
- Dinners:
- In cities: 80-200 dirhams (US$8-US$19)
- Small towns and villages: 60-100 dirhams (US$6-US$10)
- Soft drinks in restaurants: 10-20 dirhams (US$1-US$1.90)
- Alcohol:
- Beer: 30-50 dirhams (US$2.85-US$5)
- Wine: 150 dirhams (US$14) and more
Vegetarians can be catered for but there is a fairly limited choice of vegetarian couscous, tajine or omelettes. This is particularly the case during the more rural sections of the trip.
Please note, if you have any special dietary requirements, you should inform us prior to the trip. If you have a specific medical/dietary need (eg coeliac or vegan) you may find it helpful to bring some food with you from home.
Transport
We use a private bus with a local driver for most of this trip, the size of which will depend on the group size, though we ensure there are some spare seats. The roads in Morocco are reasonably good and driving conditions in towns and on the plains are good. On mountain roads, the pace will be slower. Buses usually have air conditioning and heating but may not be up to European standards. We also have mule and camel rides and a Marrakech city tour in horse-drawn carriages.
Weather & Seasonality
From April to June and in September, Marrakech and the north are pleasantly hot with temperatures averaging 26C (79F) in the day and 16C (61F) at night. It is unusual for there to be much humidity so it is quite pleasant except at midday when the sun is very strong. Desert temperatures are similar to those in Marrakech with the nights usually a little cooler and the days a little hotter. Mountain temperatures are cooler than in Marrakech. In winter, the daytime temperatures in Marrakech are around 18C-22C (64F-72F) with night temperatures falling to 4C-7C (39F-45F). The days should be clear and sunny, and a particularly attractive feature of the winter months is the clear views of the snow-covered Atlas Mountains.
The temperatures in the south are generally a couple of degrees higher than those north of the mountains. There is a small chance of rain and it has even been known to snow (very infrequently) in January and sometimes February on the higher desert plateaux (in which case it is cold at night and early in the morning on the southern side of the Atlas).
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Opera Plaza Hotel, Angle Avenue Mohammed VI et Avenue Hassan II, Marrakech
Phone: +212 5243 51515
Please note the Red Hotel is in the same complex as the Opera Plaza. It is used on some departures.
Recommended arrival time: Hotel check-in is from 2pm
Airport: Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotels are approximately a 20-minute drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers.
If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Catching your return flight
Exodus provides free departure transfers for all customers to Marrakech Airport (RAK) from the end hotel. If you’re not taking the Exodus transfer, allow three hours for check-in, bag drop, immigration and security.
Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.
Marrakech airport
The amount of time it takes to get through Marrakech Airport can vary considerably. Therefore, we suggest you mitigate for delays and allow two hours to get through immigration, security and baggage reclaim on arrival. Take a pen with you to complete the arrivals form and have the details of your accommodation to hand for this purpose. Operators are not allowed to wait inside the terminal building for clients, so please find your Exodus representative outside the main doors.
Upon departure from Marrakech, we suggest allowing three hours to navigate the airport: check in, bag drop, immigration and security can take even longer on exit. The airport doesn’t accept mobile boarding passes, so we suggest having a printed boarding pass to avoid subjecting yourself to further delays.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Marrakech
Location end: Marrakech
What To Take
Essential Equipment
- Reusable water bottle
- Sunhat, sunscreen and sunglasses
- Backpack
- Lightweight walking shoes
- Torch (flashlight) for the desert
- Light jacket
- Toilet paper/tissues (advisable for rest stops)
- Swimming costume
For November to March departures, you will also need:
- A fleece jacket/waterproof jacket
- Gloves
For the desert stay, we request you only bring an overnight bag and leave your remaining luggage with the vehicle.
Optional Equipment
As Morocco is a Muslim country, we ask that you wear suitable clothing ie over-the-knee skirts/shorts/trousers and with shoulders covered. Additionally, women should avoid wearing close-fitting or revealing clothes.
Practical Information
Visa
Morocco
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Morocco. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/morocco
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/morocco
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/morocco/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Morocco.html
Vaccinations and Health
Morocco
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis and typhoid. A polio vaccination certificate may be required for some travellers. Please confirm your needs and requirements with your doctor or travel clinic.
Local Time
Morocco's time zone: Africa/Brazzaville (UTC +01:00)
Electricity
Morocco's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins, European standard) and E (two round pins) – 220V, 50Hz
Money
Morocco's currency: Moroccan dirham (MAD), a non-convertible currency. You can only import/export a maximum of 2,000 dirham to or from Morocco.
ATM Availability
It is easy to use Visa/Mastercard at the ATMs in larger towns and cities in Morocco. Credit cards are normally accepted for more expensive souvenirs, such as carpets. Please note, most shops will charge up to five percent extra for the use of credit cards.
Extra Expenses & Spending Money
Please allow approximately 50-100 dirhams (approximately US$5-US$10) per person per day to cover small souvenirs and soft drinks (see also Eating and Drinking).
Tipping
Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work and tipping is at your discretion for both the leader and the local staff. However, tipping is part of the local culture and generally expected. If you do wish to tip, we have found it useful for the group to have a tipping kitty – about 300 dirhams (US$29) per person. This can ease confusion and embarrassment of not knowing how much or how little to tip local staff (such local guides, hotel staff etc). If you do not wish to join the group kitty, do not feel pressured. Many clients also wish to tip their leaders and drivers at the end of the trip. We suggest 30 dirhams (US$3) a day per person for the leaders and 10-20 dirhams (US$1-US$2) a day per person for the drivers. This is completely at your own discretion and to be used as a guideline only.
People, Places & Planet
We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.
Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:
People
How this trip helps improve life for local communities.
- Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
- This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible.
- In the desert, we hire cameleers, which supports the local economy.
- Read more about our other initiatives here.
Places
How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.
- By travelling in a small group, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
- We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for reusable bottles.
- The payment of entrance fees to natural reserves and archaeological sites generates income used to upkeep and develop these important sites. We visit several heritage sites on this trip.
- Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices regarding working animals and wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
- We rewild 1,075sqft (100sqm) per passenger to compensate for all trip and flight emissions.
- Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.
Planet
How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.
- Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
- We stay in a desert camp, which reduces the carbon footprint.
- Our local partners have reached B Corp Certification which requires they demonstrate high levels of social and environmental performance.
- Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.
Tips for sustainable travel on this trip
- Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
- Plastic waste reduction: Please bring a reusable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.