12 Day Morocco Family Vacation: Agafay, Atlas & Essaouira
A 12 day Morocco family vacation with short drives: balloon and desert camp in Agafay, mule walks in the Atlas, beach days in Essaouira.
See the day-by-day routeAbout this 12 day Morocco family vacation
Our 12 day Morocco family vacation keeps the drives short and the adventures big. No day has more than four hours on the road.
First, the family explores Marrakech and flies in a hot air balloon. Then you ride camels and quads in Agafay and sleep in a desert camp. After that, two days in Imlil bring mule walks and bread baking with a Berber family. Next, Essaouira gives you beach days, a camel ride and surf for the teens. Finally, you visit the Ourika waterfalls and cook a tagine together. As a result, this 12 day Morocco family vacation suits most children from five or six.
Highlights of this 12 day Morocco family vacation
- Hot air balloon
- Camels & quad in Agafay
- Night in a desert camp
- Mule walk in the High Atlas
- Bread baking with a Berber family
- Camel or horse ride on the beach
- Surf or kitesurf for teens
- Ourika waterfalls
12 day Morocco family vacation: day by day
- 1dayDay 1
Arrival in Marrakech
We meet you at the airport and take you to a family riad with a pool.
- 2dayDay 2
Marrakech for families
The Majorelle Garden in the morning, the souks after lunch and the storytellers of Jemaa el-Fna in the evening.
- 3dayDay 3
Balloon & Agafay desert
A hot air balloon at sunrise, then camels and quads in the stone desert of Agafay and a night in a desert camp.
- 4dayDay 4
Up to Imlil
Drive to the foot of the High Atlas and take a first walk with a mule to carry the little ones when they are tired.
- 5dayDay 5
A day with a Berber family
An easy valley walk between walnut trees, then baking bread and sharing lunch in a village home.
- 6dayDay 6
To the coast
Drive to Essaouira with a stop at an argan cooperative, and a first walk on the ramparts.
- 7dayDay 7
Essaouira medina & port
The fishing boats, the old cannons on the ramparts, the medina and an afternoon on the beach.
- 8dayDay 8
Beach adventures
A camel or horse ride on the beach of Sidi Kaouki, and a surf or kitesurf lesson for the older children.
- 9dayDay 9
Back to Marrakech
Return to Marrakech and enjoy a calm afternoon at the riad pool.
- 10dayDay 10
Ourika Valley
An easy walk to the Ourika waterfalls and a picnic by the river.
- 11dayDay 11
Family cooking class
Shop for spices in the souk, cook a tagine together and eat what you made.
- 12dayDay 12
Departure
A slow breakfast and transfer to the airport.
What’s included in this 12 day Morocco family vacation
Included
- 11 nights of accommodation as listed (riads, guesthouses and a desert camp)
- Breakfast every morning
- Dinner and breakfast at the desert camp
- Private transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with driver
- Pick-up in Marrakech and drop-off in Marrakech (hotel, riad, airport)
- Camel ride as described in the programme
- Mountain guide and mule for the luggage
- Surf lessons with board and wetsuit
Not included
- International flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums
- Optional activities (for example quad, buggy or balloon) unless listed
- Travel insurance
- Tips for drivers and guides
Draft based on this programme – our team confirms the exact list with your quote.
Where you stay
- Night 1Riad in Marrakech
- Night 2Riad in Marrakech
- Night 3Desert camp in Agafay
- Night 4Guesthouse in Imlil
- Night 5Guesthouse in Imlil
- Night 6Riad in Essaouira
- Night 7Riad in Essaouira
- Night 8Riad in Essaouira
- Night 9Riad in Marrakech
- Night 10Riad in Marrakech
- Night 11Riad in Marrakech
Comfort level: Standard + – comfortable riads, guesthouses and a traditional desert camp, chosen by our team. Luxury camps and riads are possible on request.
Best time for this trip
Spring, autumn and the winter holidays are the most comfortable for children. In July and August Marrakech is very hot, but Essaouira stays cool.
- JanGood
- FebGood
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGood
- JunPossible
- JulPossible
- AugPossible
- SepGood
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGood
What to bring for this trip
- Warm layers for the balloon at sunrise
- Warm pyjamas for the desert camp
- Torch for each child
- Comfortable shoes for the mountain walks
- Swimsuits for the pool and the beach
- Windproof jackets for Essaouira
- Sun hats and children’s sun cream
- Snacks for the drives
- Refillable water bottles
Booking & payment
- How to book
- Send your request; we confirm the programme and the price in writing on WhatsApp or by email.
- Payment
- A deposit secures your booking and the balance is paid on arrival.
- Cancellation
- Our cancellation conditions are sent with your quote, before you pay anything.
- Weather & changes
- If the weather stops an activity, we adapt the day or replace the activity.
12 Day Morocco Family Vacation: your questions
How long are the drives on this 12 day Morocco family vacation?
Most days have no drive or less than two hours. The longest is Imlil to Essaouira, about three and a half to four hours with a stop at an argan cooperative.
What age is this 12 day Morocco family vacation for?
It suits children from about five or six. Mules carry younger children on the mountain walks, and we can adapt every activity to their ages.
Can young children do the hot air balloon?
Balloon operators set a minimum age. Tell us your children’s ages and we confirm it or plan another activity for that morning.
Why is there no Sahara night at Merzouga?
Merzouga is 9 to 10 hours from Marrakech, which is hard with children. The Agafay desert gives camels, quads and a camp night only 45 minutes from the city.
Can our teenagers try surfing?
Yes – Essaouira and Sidi Kaouki have lessons for beginners, with board and wetsuit. Essaouira is windy, so kitesurf is popular there too.
What our travellers say
A holistic experience
Booking a trip with Moroccan active adventures gave us the most memorable new years celebration of our lived. Our guide Mouhssin was especially talented at turning down deserted mountain/desert roads and finding beautiful riads…
Activities on this trip
Read more about each experience – what to expect, who it is for and what to bring.
Quad & buggy ridesDay 3 – Balloon & Agafay desertDetails →
Camel & horseback treksDay 3 – Balloon & Agafay desertDetails →
Desert camping & stargazingDay 3 – Balloon & Agafay desertDetails →
Hot air balloon rideDay 3 – Balloon & Agafay desertDetails →
Hiking & trekking adventuresDay 4 – Up to ImlilDetails →
Surf & kitesurf experienceDay 8 – Beach adventuresDetails →Optional activities
Add one or more of these to your 12-day trip. They are not included in the price – ask us and we add them to your programme.
Optional · extraCycling & mountain bikingMountain biking on Atlas trailsSee the activity →Optional · extraKite surfing lift-offKitesurf lesson in windy EssaouiraSee the activity →Optional · extraWindsurfing adventureWindsurfing sessionSee the activity →
Optional · extraAuthentic culinary experiencesCooking class or food walk in the medinaSee the activity →Optional · extraWellness and relaxationTraditional hammam and spa timeSee the activity →Optional · extraAtlas zipline adventureZipline in the Atlas foothillsSee the activity →Request this 12-day trip
Fill in the form and press send: your request comes straight to our team’s inbox (or WhatsApp, if you prefer) and we reply with the full programme and a clear price.
- No payment to send a request
- Private tour on your dates
- Or write to us: +212 600 643 098
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