Compare Morocco Family Journey by Classic Journeys vs Morocco in 8 days - Bazaars, Deserts & Atlas Mountains - Charm by Exoticca
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 9 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 4,695 | $ 1,499 |
| Price Per Day | $ 522 | $ 187 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Luxury | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A | 7 Breakfasts and 7 Dinners. |
| Description |
You will love Morocco, and it's even better to enjoy family vacations in Morocco with the kids. The terrain ranges from snow-capped mountains to deep, colorful valleys carpeted with fields and date palms. You'll meet members of our extended family who welcome us onto their farms and into their homes. Stay in lovely hotels, every one with a swimming pool. And the best surprise of all is the warmth and pride with which the Moroccans welcome us and make everyone feel comfortable and well cared for. Your kids will say it was their best day EVER. Your family vacation in Morocco will find you four-wheeling the Moroccan plains, then clambering onto a camel, swaying into steep Saharan dunes to watch the sun set, and settling into a Berber encampment to eat and sing and dance around the campfire before nodding off in a carpeted luxury tent. The very best day...unless you count spotting wild monkeys on a walk in a cedar forest, hanging out with shepherd families, watching the snake charmers in Marrakesh, squeezing past donkey carts in the ancient alleys of Fès, or biking along the dikes in an oasis. |
Get a glimpse of the life and colour of the Jemaa el Fna square in Marrakech, stroll through modern Rabat and experience the story of the thousand and one nights in Fez. Cross the Atlas Mountains to Midelt and Erfoud and enter the desert of Erg Chebbi, the Gorges of Todra and the Dades Valley until you reach the magnificent Kasbahs of Ait Ben Haddou in Ouarzazate. |
DAYS 1-2 - FÈS
We begin our Morocco trip in Fès (2 nights). From our luxury hotel, we go for a stroll that includes a 16th century fortress and pottery-making for the kids. At our friends' country estate, we'll meet the locals and the kids ride mountain bikes. And we go time-traveling back to the 9th century as we explore the Medina in Fès before dinner at one of Morocco's finest restaurants.
DAYS 3-4 - ERFOUD / MERZOUGA
On our drive into the Middle Atlas Mountains, we walk in cedar forests inhabited by Barbary apes, then check into our restored fortress/hotel in Erfoud (1 night). We'll meet local farmers and children as we take a path through their fields to the home of a Blue Man family. Later, we 4-wheel out to the Saharan dunes at Merzouga (1 night) where we ride camels and overnight at a Berber encampment with all the amenities.
DAYS 5-6 - OUARZAZATE
En route to Ouarzazate (2 nights) we'll walk in the 900-foot-deep Todra gorge. We also go biking in an oasis, visit a kasbah that appeared in Gladiator and Romancing the Stone, ramble the foothills of the Atlas Mountains and meet the students at a small country school.
DAYS 7-9 - MARRAKESH
Our last stop is Marrakesh (2 nights). We'll visit Djemaa el-Fna square to see the snake charmers. There's shopping in the souks and a final dinner in an over-the-top private mansion. On our final day, our family vacation in Morocco ends as we transfer to the airport for departure.
Day 1: US - Night on board
Arrive at your US departure airport, ready to board a flight to Marrakech. Night on board. If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
Day 2: Marrakech
Arrive in Marrakech and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free to start discovering this wonderful city. A walk through the Medina allows you to enjoy the best of its architecture and the unique, colourful atmosphere of the city. Dinner and overnight stay in Marrakech. * * Dinner not included if you arrive after 20:00.
Day 3: Marrakech
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, embark on an eye-opening tour of the wonders of Marrakech, starting with the Minaret of the Koutoubia, from the 13th century and the spiritual centre of Marrakech. Visit the Palace of the Bahia, the residence of the old vizir, and known for its intricate tile and wood carving decoration. Discover how spices and argan oil are made in a local school before you head to the Jamaa el Fna square home to the bustling souks, so typical of the city and full of fruit vendors and stalls selling wicker baskets, traditional sweets and authentic souvenirs. At nightfall, the square looks magical as it is lit was thousands of lights. Dinner and overnight stay in Marrakech.
Day 4: Marrakech - Casablanca - Rabat - Meknes - Fez
Breakfast at the hotel. Set off by road towards iconic Casablanca, and enjoy a city tour where you can marvel at the Art Deco buildings and the Dar El Baida White House before visiting the Mohammed V Square and the upmarket Anfa district. Leave in the direction of Rabat to visit the Kasbah of the Oudayas, a citadel that is located to the north of the city. This fortress retains its Arab character of narrow alleys with white and blue façades that lead to viewpoints from which there are incredible views of the Atlantic coast. After the visit, travel to Meknes to see the exterior of the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, one of the few mosques in the country that can be accessed by non-Muslims. Inside, notice the delicate decoration and beautiful tiles.* Finally, head to the city of Fez. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Fez. * Please note: The city of Meknes is currently undergoing extensive renovation works and no date has been set for their completion. Many of the city's landmarks are inaccessible and/or hidden behind protective covering, but your guide will endeavour to show you as much of the city as possible during your visit.Please note: The city of Meknes is currently undergoing extensive renovation works and no date has been set for their completion. Many of the city's landmarks are inaccessible and/or hidden behind protective covering, but your guide will endeavour to show you as much of the city as possible during your visit.Please note: The city of Meknes is currently undergoing extensive renovation works and no date has been set for their completion. Many of the city's landmarks are inaccessible and/or hidden behind protective covering, but your guide will endeavour to show you as much of the city as possible during your visit.
Day 5: Fez
Breakfast at the riad. Enjoy a full day tour of Fez, considered the centre of Islam in Morocco. It is the intellectual and religious capital of the country. Begin with a panoramic view from one of the hills surrounding the city, then visit the bronze doors of the Royal Palace and walk into the medina to visit Medersas, the centre of Koranic studies. Explore the workshops in the artisan neighbourhoods. Walk along the broad Boulevard of Mohamed V and stroll through the endless streets of the world's largest medina. After the visit, return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Fez.
Day 6: Fez - Midelt - Erfoud
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart through the gentle mountains of the Middle Atlas, until you reach the city of Midelt, known for its apple cultivation. Continue along a beautiful route and view Berber life first hand. Arrive in Erfoud, at the edge of the great Sahara desert. Tonight, you have the opportunity to spend the night in a Berber Jaima Camp of your choice in the dunes of the Sahara.* Dinner and overnight stay in Erfoud. * Optional Night in the Sahara Dunes. Take a 4x4 all-terrain vehicle to reach the high dunes of Merzouga. Admire the magical sunset and spend the night in a typical Berber Jaima Camp, with a traditional dinner included. Please note: If you would like to book this experience you must reserve it in advance, up to 30 days before departure, as places are limited. You will not be able to sleep in the hotel if you choose this optional night at the camp.
Day 7: Erfoud - Gorges of Todgha - Dades Valley - Kalaat M'Gouna - Ouarzazate
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, visit the captivating Gorges of Todgha, and the Dades Valley, to experience the natural wonders of this unique landscape. Pass by ancient fortresses and lush oases before arriving at the small Berber town of Kalaat M'Gouna, famous for its roses and perfumes. Continue to Ouarzazate, a desert city and enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 8: Ouarzazate - Ait Benhaddou - Marrakech
Breakfast at the hotel. Embark on a visit to the Kasbah of Taourirt, the former residence of the Pacha Glaoui called the Lord of the Atlas Region. Continue to the majestic Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This Kasbah, dotted with crenellated towers, is considered one of the most beautiful in the country and has often been a filming location for movies. In the afternoon, depart across the High Atlas mountains en route to Marrakech. Arrive in Marrakech, and spend the rest of the day exploring at your leisure. Dinner and overnight stay in Marrakech.
Day 9: Marrakech - US
Breakfast at the riad. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport of Marrakech or Casablanca to board a flight back to the US. Arrive in the US and end your trip. Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.
