M orocco is a magical kingdom of exotic sights, smells, sounds and cultures. Our trip will take you and your teenagers from Marrakesh into the High Atlas Mountains – home to the Berbers, a fiercely independent people renowned for their gentleness and hospitality.

Your family will trek on a winding mule path through the picturesque highlands. Make sure to pack some all-terrain footwear, as these trekking days are not for the weak and weary. They are fun, a bit challenging, and one of the most rewarding activities your family will experience. After a full day of hiking we’ll camp next to a natural spring under a blanket of stars. It’s days and nights like these that family memories are made of.

The famed Kasbah awaits you and your teens in Imlil, and from there we’ll continue on to the exotic cities of Essaouira and Marrakesh. Essaouira is a gorgeous coastal town nestled amidst old Berber, French and Portuguese military fortifications. We’ll enjoy exploring narrow winding streets as we pass through a sea of whitewashed houses adorned with blue doors and shutters.

2008 Dates

2009 Dates

Dates

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Days 1 and 2 – Depart U.S. / Arrive Marrakesh

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, where your Morocco family vacation begins.

Days 3 to 6 – Oukaimeden

This is North Africa’s largest ski resort, but during the off-season it serves as a beautiful base from which hikers can explore the terrain of eastern Morocco. As you stretch your legs on the first hike of this adventure and reach the astounding mountain-top views from Tizi Atar, your whole family will be speechless.

Discover Neolithic etchings As you and your teenagers walk the surrounding countryside, keep your eyes peeled for these traces of prehistoric civilizations. Hike to Tizi Atar You’ll hike to the highest summit of the adventure along a meandering mule path as you head to the beautiful mountain pass of Tizi Atar. We’ll take our time getting up to 9,400 feet above sea level, while enjoying the breathtaking views of surrounding peaks and Marrakesh on the plains below. Camping First we trek to Tachdirt Valley, where we share our trail with children tending goats and women carrying freshly cut reeds. Then we camp for a night next to a clear refreshing river, under a sky that fills with stars as the night falls.

Days 7 and 8 – Kasbah

Sitting at the foot of the highest mountain in North Africa, this haven’s setting is exceptional. The world renowned Kasbah is not your typical hotel. It’s more of an extension of the hospitality that stems from the Berbers who run it, and a welcoming yet exotic environment for families seeking comfortable surroundings.

Hike to Sidi Chamharouch This destination is popular with Moroccans as a pilgrimage site. There is a shrine to Sidi Chamharouch in the form of an enormous whitewashed boulder that can only be reached by foot. Free time Play cards, do some laundry, read a book or just relax. Hike to valley of Ouirgane This will be our last trek in Morocco and it couldn’t be a more ideal. Our path will rise through a village, past the daily lives of local families and through fields of grazing sheep and goats. We continue through an ever-changing landscape of shrubs and barren desert, ending in lush groves of fruit and olive trees.

Days 9 to 11 – Ouirgane and Essaouira

These two towns are beautiful in two very different ways. Ouirgane is nestled in the Atlas Mountains and filled with forests and fruit trees, while Essaouira is a laid-back seaside town with a pleasant, cool breeze. You and your teenagers will enjoy everyday encounters with the local culture in both these villages.

Berber village of Ouirgane Visit the home of a local couple, where you can sit down for some fresh baked bread served with honey and mint tea – a favorite Moroccan snack – while you take advantage of the opportunity to get to know these remarkable people. Visit a fishing pier The enchanting fortified fishing port of Essaouira is alive with local activity. Veiled woman watch their husbands unload fish, locals order fish cooked to order as soon as they flop onto dry land, and the day’s catch is bid on so it can be shipped all over the world. Free day Explore Essaouira, go to the beach or just relax.

Days 12 and 13 – Marrakesh

Marrakesh is a fascinating and energetic city, with numerous marketplaces where Berber villagers and tribesmen bring their goods for sale. At the heart of it all is Djemaa el-Fna, a huge open space where onlookers gather round groups of acrobats, drummers, pipe musicians, dancers, storytellers and comedians. There is something for everyone!

Majorelle Gardens With marble pools, raised pathways, groves of bamboo, banana trees and coconut palms, it is not surprising that this garden was designed by a painter. Even the house is painted a bright blue and green, in sharp contrast to the surrounding red of the city. Visit a medersa This is one of Morocco’s traditional boarding schools that is no longer in use, but the architecture is phenomenal. Families can explore it inside and out. Explore the souqs A labyrinth of twisting narrow alleys and colorful markets teeming with locals, the souq is a very important place in daily Moroccan life – for social reasons and shopping purposes. In fact, there’s one in every town in Morocco. Djemaa el-Fna This expansive Marrakesh marketplace is family fun for everyone. You can even watch a real snake charmer at work! You could come away with some great keepsakes, here so get ready to bargain.

Day 14 – Depart Marrakesh / Arrive U.S.

Please Note:   Thomson Family Adventures will attempt to adhere to this itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, cultural, or availability) may necessitate changes in the accommodations.