10 Days Southern Morocco Tours from Marrakech

Get to know Marrakesh today with a tour just made for families—a treasure hunt! Your private guide will lead you through the historic Medersa (school) and the city's palaces, all the while entertaining the kids with games and activities. Refresh yourselves with treats from the open-air souk (market) and explore the medina. At the end of the tour, your guide will select a winning Marrakesh expert—a prize will be awarded, a great motivation for the kids!

Now that you know the city a little, the afternoon presents a few options. Do a little souvenir shopping at the souks, or visit one of the famous gardens just outside the city—try Jardin Majorelle (which you can visit as part of a bike tour of the city) or the Anima Garden. Head to the bustling Jemaa el-Fna and see the kids wonder at the snake charmers, storytellers, and food stalls, and then relax in one of the rooftop cafés or a restaurant. Be sure to try the traditional thé à la menthe (mint tea).

Take an unforgettable morning trip and watch the sunrise over the desert from a hot air balloon! Definitely worth the early wake-up call, you and the kids will be struck both by the excitement of the trip but also by the peace, soft colors, and crisp early morning air—a contrast to the bustling city once the day kicks off. You'll see villages, hills, and deserts, all framed by a mountain backdrop. You'll also dine on the best Moroccan pastries as you have breakfast in the air!

That won't be the only fine dining you do today—but how about getting the kids to help out for a change? Take your family for a culinary workshop at the Amal Center and learn the basics of Moroccan cooking as a family. You'll begin with a blindfolded test guessing the contents of spice jars (the winner gets a pastry!), and progress to cooking a chicken tajine. While you wait for it to cook in the fire, you'll learn about the center and its work training disadvantaged women for employment. The whole family will come away inspired—and with some culinary skills to practice at home.

There's a bit of driving today—6.5 hours—but it's broken up with such fascinating stops that the day will fly by, even for the little ones! Heading over the Tizi n'Tichka Pass and the High Atlas mountains, you'll encounter stunning vistas, traditional Berber villages of mud brick, and farmland. Your first stop is in Taddert, where you'll visit an argan oil cooperative and learn how this precious oil is extracted and used in food, cosmetics, and health products.

As you descend the pass, you'll reach Morocco's most famous medieval kasbah (citadel), the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Aït Benhaddou Kasbah. Take a break and explore its ancient streets, then head to Ouarzazate, Morocco's version of Hollywood. Tour a movie studio or visit the Musée du Cinema to learn about the films produced in the region and get up close with props and sets.

Driving on, you'll enter the Dadès Valley and continue to Kelâat M'Gouna, the "Valley of the Roses." Your driver will pause here so you can visit a collective and see for yourselves how artisans convert the petals into rose water and oil. Keep an eye out for traditional nomads and farmland as you drive through this area. Your final stop is Boumalne Dades, a major town straddling the Dades River.

It's a day of adventure as your guide drives your family to Merzouga, stopping off at several Saharan desert communities on the way. Driving through the stunning 984-foot (300 m) red limestone Todra Gorge, you'll get your first taste of the Sahara in busy Erfoud. Here, you'll visit artisans to see how locally-obtained fossil-rich rock is transformed into beautiful tables, plates, and bowls. Your next stop is Rissani, where the kids will wonder at the donkey "parking lot" and enjoy exploring the market. Next, visit Maison Tuareg, a storehouse of traditional arts and crafts.

As you continue, you'll soon see the tall dunes of Erg Chebbi in the distance—covering almost 14 square miles (35 sq km), some peaks rise over 650 feet (200 m). Their color and shape change depending on the time of day and the wind. When you reach them, rent a sandboard for a thrilling way to explore—the younger family members can take a gentle cruise down the smaller slopes, while the more ambitious among you can go for the heights—the bigger the dune, the longer the ride!

Near Merzouga, get ready for your most memorable transport and accommodation experience so far— you and the kids will arrive at luxury tents via camel! The kids will love the experience of gliding over the sands on these "ships of the desert," but that's just the start of the fun. Once you've settled in, take them up to the nearest dune for a beautiful view of the sunset. Back in camp, you'll enjoy an evening around the campfire, listening to traditional Berber music. The kids will be amazed at the vast expanse of stars you'll see, unhindered by the buildings and lights of a city.

Let your private driver do the work today as you're transported to the fascinating city of Fes. On the way, your family will pass through the Ziz Valley, known for its beautiful hidden oases and clusters of palm trees. Keep your eyes peeled for historic ksars along the road—these are fortified tribal villages built by merchants in earlier times to protect their produce. Stretch your legs in Midelt, "the Apple City," and grab lunch. Enjoy the spectacle of fruit growing in the desert—made possible by the nearby River Moulouya.

From here, you'll head over the Col du Zad pass (7,146 ft/ 2,178 m) and through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas mountains. The kids will love spotting the families of Barbary macaque monkeys in the trees and by the side of the road. Continue through Azrou to arrive in Fes late in the afternoon—the perfect time to explore some of the shops in the medina and enjoy dinner in this ancient Imperial city.

Spend the day steeping your family in the atmosphere of one of Morocco's most important cities. Home to the world's oldest university, Fes has long been a center of the Arab-Muslim civilization and beyond. Your family will be guided through all the nooks and crannies of the ancient medina, from its narrow alleyways to its rooftop heights. In the largest urban pedestrian area in the world, you'll encounter all manner of craftsmen, bakers, mosques, foundouk (roadside inns), and tanneries. In short, your family will be immersed in the bustle of local life here. Pause at one of the terraces for a mint tea and savor it all.

To get really hands-on, involve the kids in a pottery and mosaic workshop. Your family will learn about the art of cutting for the exquisite local zellige tilework with instruction from a local craftsman. Naturally, there will also be a tea break where you can ask any questions. Kids and adults alike will come away with a new appreciation for the beautiful artwork that adorns the buildings of this city.

In the evening, leave the beaten track for an experience not to be missed. Fes is famous for its cuisine, and there's no better way to be introduced to it than by enjoying the hospitality of a local family, where you'll benefit from family recipes passed through the generations. The kids will be fascinated to learn about Moroccan life, culture, and cuisine direct from other kids—a chance that few tourists have.

Explore the Blue City After breakfast, your family will head toward the Rif mountains and to the "Blue Pearl of Morocco," Chefchaouen. On the way, you will stop at the ancient Roman outpost of Volubilis to see the spectacular UNESCO-listed ruins there. Several townhouses are well preserved, including the rooms and mosaic decorations, so there's plenty for the kids' minds to work with as they imagine life here in what was once Rome's farthest outpost.

Afterward, you'll make your way north to be in Chefchaouen by early afternoon. One of Morocco's prettiest towns, you'll enjoy the other-worldly feel of this artsy, blue-washed mountain village. The medina is car-free, so let the kids wander and enjoy fresh orange juice or ice cream. The hub is the Outa El Hamam square, where you can enjoy live music and entertainment. If you like, you can explore the kasbah there or just relax and soak up the atmosphere.

Mosque Marvel at the intricate interiors of the Mohamed V Mausoleum in Rabat. Break your trip from Fes to Casablanca with a stop at the imperial city of Rabat, Morocco's capital since 1956. The second-largest city in the country and a UNESCO World Heritage designation in its own right, there's plenty to explore. Explore the medieval fortification of the Chellah Necropolis, or stroll through the charming medina to find the Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohamed V. Let the kids run around in the Andalusian Gardens, then pass through the grand door of the Kasbah des Oudaïas, the gate out of Rabat's old city center.

When you're ready, continue to Casablanca. Get your bearings there with a stroll through the medina, and be sure to make time for a guided tour of the Hassan II Mosque, the second-largest in the world and home to a museum, baths, Koranic school, library, and a prayer room that can hold 25,000 people (the courtyard can hold an additional 80,000!). You and the kids will be awed by the lavish ornamentation and craftsmanship—don't forget to look up at the world's tallest minaret! Afterward, enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants overlooking the ocean.

Take a break at the beach to let the kids burn off some energy before the flight. Sadly, it's the last day of your Moroccan adventure. Your private driver will take you to the airport, but first, why not enjoy a leisurely breakfast and a last stroll around the city? If time allows, head to Plage Lalla Meryem for a couple of hours of beach relaxation before you catch your flight. Safe travels!