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Morocco 11 day itinerary: Morocco 11 Day Itinerary with Kids: Kasbahs, Dunes & Beach
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11 days · Family, split drives

Morocco 11 Day Itinerary with Kids: Kasbahs, Dunes & Beach

Children love the big desert – this route gets them there without very long days. Kasbahs, gorges and camels on the way, sandboarding in the dunes, then the beach in Essaouira.

See the day-by-day route
11 days / 10 nightsStarts in MarrakechEnds in MarrakechPrivate tour
Marrakech→Aït Benhaddou→Ouarzazate→Dades Valley→Todra Gorge→Merzouga→Skoura→Marrakech→Essaouira→Marrakech

About this Morocco 11 day itinerary

This Morocco 11 day itinerary takes families to the real Sahara without very long days. The road to the dunes is split into short stages, with something fun at every stop.

First, the children discover Jemaa el-Fna, the Majorelle Garden and the souks. Then you explore Aït Benhaddou and a film studio in Ouarzazate. After that, you walk in the Todra Gorge and ride camels to a desert camp. Next, a day in the dunes brings sandboarding, a buggy and Gnawa music. Later, a kasbah with a pool in Skoura breaks the drive back. Finally, Essaouira ends the trip with the beach. In short, our Morocco 11 day itinerary is private and planned around your children.

Highlights of this Morocco 11 day itinerary

  • Jemaa el-Fna storytellers
  • Exploring Aït Benhaddou
  • Film studios in Ouarzazate
  • Easy gorge walks
  • Camel ride & desert camp
  • Sandboarding & Gnawa music
  • Pool night in a Skoura kasbah
  • Camel or horse ride on the beach

Morocco 11 day itinerary: day by day

  1. 1day
    Day 1

    Arrival in Marrakech

    Settle into your riad, then the storytellers, musicians and juice stalls of Jemaa el-Fna.

    Stay: Riad in Marrakech
  2. 2day
    Day 2

    Marrakech for families

    The Majorelle Garden, a treasure hunt through the souks and a quiet afternoon by the pool.

    Stay: Riad in Marrakech
  3. 3day
    Day 3

    Over the mountains to Aït Benhaddou

    Cross the High Atlas with stops in Berber villages, then climb through the lanes of Aït Benhaddou to the granary at the top.

    On the road: about 4 h with stopsStay: Riad near Aït Benhaddou
  4. 4day
    Day 4

    Film studios & the Dades

    A visit to a film studio in Ouarzazate, then the Valley of Roses to the Dades.

    On the road: about 3 h with the studio visitStay: Riad in Dades Valley
  5. 5day
    Day 5

    Todra Gorge & camels

    An easy walk in the Todra Gorge, then Merzouga and a camel ride at sunset to the desert camp.

    On the road: about 4–5 h with stopsStay: Desert camp
  6. 6day
    Day 6

    A day in the dunes

    Sandboarding, a nomad family, Gnawa music in Khamlia and a buggy ride with a parent.

    Stay: Riad in Merzouga
  7. 7day
    Day 7

    West to Skoura

    Back west through Tinghir to a kasbah hotel with a pool in the palm oasis of Skoura.

    On the road: about 5–6 h with stopsStay: Kasbah in Skoura
  8. 8day
    Day 8

    Back to Marrakech

    Over the Tichka pass to Marrakech, with a stop for lunch in the mountains.

    On the road: about 5 h with stopsStay: Riad in Marrakech
  9. 9day
    Day 9

    To the ocean

    Drive to Essaouira, watching argan oil being made on the way, and play on the beach at sunset.

    On the road: about 3 h with the argan stopStay: Riad in Essaouira
  10. 10day
    Day 10

    Beach day in Essaouira

    A camel or horse ride on the sand, the port and its blue boats, or a family surf lesson.

    Stay: Riad in Essaouira
  11. 11day
    Day 11

    Back to Marrakech & departure

    A relaxed drive back to Marrakech for your flight.

    On the road: about 2.5–3 h

What’s included in this Morocco 11 day itinerary

Included

  • 10 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
  • 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

  1. Night 1Riad in Marrakech
  2. Night 2Riad in Marrakech
  3. Night 3Riad near Aït Benhaddou
  4. Night 4Riad in Dades Valley
  5. Night 5Desert camp
  6. Night 6Riad in Merzouga
  7. Night 7Kasbah in Skoura
  8. Night 8Riad in Marrakech
  9. Night 9Riad in Essaouira
  10. Night 10Riad in Essaouira

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, October and the winter holidays are the most comfortable for children in the desert. From June to September the Sahara is too hot for a family trip.

  • JanPossible
  • FebGood
  • MarBest
  • AprBest
  • MayGood
  • JunPossible
  • JulAvoid
  • AugAvoid
  • SepPossible
  • OctBest
  • NovGood
  • DecGood

What to bring for this trip

  • Sun hats and children’s sun cream
  • Scarves for sand and wind
  • Warm pyjamas for the desert camp
  • A torch for each child
  • Comfortable shoes for the kasbahs and gorges
  • Swimsuits for the pool and the beach
  • Snacks and games for the drives
  • Small overnight bag for the camp
  • 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.

Morocco 11 Day Itinerary with Kids: your questions

Is the Sahara possible on a Morocco 11 day itinerary with kids?

Yes. This Morocco 11 day itinerary splits the road to Merzouga over three days with kasbahs, film studios and gorge walks, and the way back over two days with a pool night in Skoura.

What is the longest drive for the children?

About 5 to 6 hours with stops, from Merzouga to Skoura and from Skoura to Marrakech. We stop often for snacks, photos and short walks.

Can young children ride camels and buggies?

Camel rides suit most children. For buggies, younger children ride with a parent and the driver sets a calm pace.

Is the desert camp comfortable for families?

Yes, the tents have real beds and blankets, and we ask for family tents where possible.

When is the best time for this Morocco 11 day itinerary?

Spring, autumn and the winter holidays. In July and August the desert is too hot for children, so we suggest a route without the Sahara.

Local team in MoroccoYour trip is planned and run by our own team on the ground.
Private, on your datesOnly you and your travel companions, starting when you want.
Every day can changeAdd a night, an activity or a slower pace – the plan adapts to you.
Answers on WhatsAppAsk us anything before you book: +212 600 643 098.

What our travellers say

TA5.0 ●●●●●
Moroccan Active Adventures on Tripadvisor
●●●●●

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…
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Activities on this trip

Read more about each experience – what to expect, who it is for and what to bring.

Quad & buggy ridesQuad & buggy ridesDay 6 – A day in the dunesDetails →Camel & horseback treksCamel & horseback treksDay 5 – Todra Gorge & camelsDetails →Desert camping & stargazingDesert camping & stargazingDay 5 – Todra Gorge & camelsDetails →Hiking & trekking adventuresHiking & trekking adventuresDay 5 – Todra Gorge & camelsDetails →Surf & kitesurf experienceSurf & kitesurf experienceDay 10 – Beach day in EssaouiraDetails →A family in front of the golden doors of the Royal Palace in FesCultural explorationDay 2 – Marrakech for familiesDetails →

Optional activities

Add one or more of these to your 11-day trip. They are not included in the price – ask us and we add them to your programme.

4x4 & off-road safarisOptional · extra4x4 & off-road safaris4x4 tour around the dunes and nomad familiesSee the activity →Cycling & mountain bikingOptional · extraCycling & mountain bikingCycling in the oasisSee the activity →Kite surfing lift-offOptional · extraKite surfing lift-offKitesurf lesson in windy EssaouiraSee the activity →Windsurfing adventureOptional · extraWindsurfing adventureWindsurfing sessionSee the activity →Hot air balloon rideOptional · extraHot air balloon rideSunrise flight before or after your tripSee the activity →Authentic culinary experiencesOptional · extraAuthentic culinary experiencesCooking class or food walk in the medinaSee the activity →
Quick request

Request this 11-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

More ideas for 11 days in morocco

11 days in Morocco: Fes to Marrakech, Slow & Deep in the SaharaMorocco Tour 11 Days: Fes to Marrakech with Two Nights in the DunesPrivate tour · Fes to Marrakech · Desert, slower paceA slower crossing for desert lovers: Fes, the cedar forest, two nights in camps in Erg Chebbi with a day walking with the caravan, a whole day in the Todra Gorge, and the kasbahs on the way to Marrakech. 11 days in Morocco: Surf Coast & Anti-Atlas from AgadirMorocco 11 Days: Surf Coast & Anti-Atlas from AgadirPrivate tour · Round trip from Agadir · Surf, coast & hikingA sunny loop from Agadir far from the busy routes: surf in Taghazout, swim in Paradise Valley, cycle the walls of Taroudant, hike among the granite boulders of Tafraoute and walk the red cliffs of Legzira near Mirleft. 11 days in Morocco: Marrakech, the Sahara, Fes & Chefchaouen11 Days in Morocco Itinerary: Marrakech to Fes & ChefchaouenPrivate tour · Marrakech to Fes · Desert, cities & hikingThe classic first trip with breathing room: two days in Marrakech, the kasbahs and gorges, a night in a camp in the dunes, the medina of Fes, and two nights in Chefchaouen with a hike to the Akchour waterfalls.

See all 8 ideas for 11 days

A similar trip, shorter or longer

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Quad & buggy rides
Land adventure

Quad & buggy rides

On this trip: Day 6 – A day in the dunes

Quad biking Marrakech style means leaving the city noise behind in minutes: dusty palm grove tracks, Berber villages and the rocky hills of the Agafay desert, with the Atlas Mountains on the horizon. Our guides ride in front, set the pace to the slowest rider and stop for photos and mint tea. You do not need any experience – we show you the controls and do a short practice loop before we leave.

Where
Marrakech palm grove (Palmeraie), Agafay desert, Merzouga dunes
Duration
1 hour to 6 days
Level
Beginner friendly, no experience needed
Minimum age
Drivers usually 16+; younger children ride as buggy passengers
  • Desert right next to the city
  • Quad or buggy, your choice
  • Real landscapes, not a track
See the full activity page
 Camel & horseback treks
Land adventure

Camel & horseback treks

On this trip: Day 5 – Todra Gorge & camels

Camel trekking Morocco’s Sahara is the slow, quiet way into the desert: a line of camels led by a guide on foot, swaying over the orange dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga as the light turns soft. Most of our guests ride at sunset to a camp in the dunes and come back at sunrise. It is calm, not sporty – anyone who can sit on a saddle for an hour can do it.

Where
Merzouga (Erg Chebbi), Agafay desert, Marrakech palm grove
Duration
1 hour to 6 days
Level
Easy, no experience needed for camels
Minimum age
Children ride with an adult; ask us for small kids
  • The classic Sahara moment
  • Local camel men
  • Slow travel
See the full activity page
 Desert camping & stargazing
Land adventure

Desert camping & stargazing

On this trip: Day 5 – Todra Gorge & camels

Sahara desert camping in Morocco is about one evening you will not forget: arriving at a camp hidden between the dunes of Erg Chebbi, climbing a ridge for sunset, eating tagine by the fire while drums play, then lying on a rug under more stars than you thought possible. Our camps near Merzouga range from simple nomad-style tents to comfortable tents with real beds and private bathrooms.

Where
Merzouga (Erg Chebbi dunes), Agafay desert near Marrakech
Duration
1 to 3 nights
Level
Easy, for all ages
Camp types
Nomad-style, standard and luxury tents
  • Real dunes
  • A sky full of stars
  • Choose your comfort
See the full activity page
 Hiking & trekking adventures
Land adventure

Hiking & trekking adventures

On this trip: Day 5 – Todra Gorge & camels

Hiking Morocco’s High Atlas is a walk through a lived-in landscape: terraced fields, walnut trees, flat-roofed Berber villages built from the same red earth as the mountains, and mule paths that people still use every day. Our local mountain guides grew up around these valleys. They choose the route, set a steady pace and arrange lunch or a night in a village house.

Where
High Atlas (Imlil, Ourika, Toubkal), Dades & Todra gorges, Merzouga dunes
Duration
Day hikes to 5-day treks
Level
Easy valley walks to challenging summit treks
Minimum age
Valley walks for families; Toubkal for fit teens and adults
  • Real mountains near Marrakech
  • Toubkal, the big one
  • Village life on the trail
See the full activity page
 Surf & kitesurf experience
Water adventure

Surf & kitesurf experience

On this trip: Day 10 – Beach day in Essaouira

Surfing Morocco means long right-hand point breaks, sandy beach breaks for learning and warm sun when Europe is cold. The coast north of Agadir – Taghazout, Tamraght and the fishing village of Imsouane – is the heart of it, with Essaouira and its windy beaches further north. We organise lessons and surf guiding with licensed local surf schools and instructors, from your first wave to your first point break.

Where
Taghazout, Tamraght, Imsouane, Essaouira
Duration
Half-day lesson to a week-long surf camp
Level
Complete beginners to experienced surfers
Minimum age
Children who swim well, in lessons suited to them
  • World-class point breaks
  • A great place to learn
  • Surf in winter sun
See the full activity page
 A family in front of the golden doors of the Royal Palace in Fes
Moroccan experience

Cultural exploration

On this trip: Day 2 – Marrakech for families

Our Morocco cultural tours are built around people, not just monuments. You walk the medinas of Fes and Marrakech with a guide who grew up there, drink mint tea in a Berber village in the Atlas, watch craftsmen cut zellige tiles or dye leather, and share a meal with a family. The aim is simple: to understand how Moroccans live today, and where those traditions come from.

Where
Fes, Marrakech, Meknes, Chefchaouen, Atlas villages, Merzouga
Duration
Half-day city walk to 10+ day tours
Level
Easy – mostly walking
Group
Private or small group
  • Living medinas
  • Amazigh heritage
  • Crafts you can watch being made
See the full activity page
 4x4 & off-road safaris
Land adventure

4x4 & off-road safaris

Optional extra: 4x4 tour around the dunes and nomad families

A 4x4 tour Morocco style takes you where normal cars cannot go: around the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes, across the black stone plains near Merzouga, up rough mountain tracks in the Atlas and down into dry riverbeds where nomads still water their flocks. You sit back with an experienced local driver who knows the pistes, the weather and the best places to stop.

Where
Merzouga & Erg Chebbi, High Atlas tracks, Dades & Todra gorges, Agafay
Duration
Half day to multi-day private tours
Level
Easy – you are a passenger, no driving needed
Group
Private vehicle for your family or group
  • Reach the hidden places
  • Drivers who know the pistes
  • Private and flexible
See the full activity page
 Cycling & mountain biking
Land adventure

Cycling & mountain biking

Optional extra: Cycling in the oasis

Mountain biking Morocco’s High Atlas means riding mule paths between Berber villages, rolling down terraced valleys and stopping for tea where the trail meets a walnut grove. Our guides know the tracks around Marrakech, the Ourika and Imlil valleys and the Agafay hills, and pick routes that fit your level – from easy dirt roads to longer climbs and technical descents.

Where
Agafay desert, Ourika and Imlil valleys (High Atlas), Dades and Todra gorges
Duration
Half day to multi-day tours
Level
Easy to challenging – routes chosen for you
Bikes
Mountain bikes and e-bikes, helmet included
  • Mountains near the city
  • Village trails, not empty parks
  • Huge variety
See the full activity page
 Kite surfing lift-off
Air adventure

Kite surfing lift-off

Optional extra: Kitesurf lesson in windy Essaouira

Kitesurfing Morocco means steady Atlantic wind, long beaches and two very different playgrounds. In the far south, the Dakhla lagoon offers wide, flat, shallow water that is ideal for learning and for freestyle. Further north, Essaouira is known for its strong trade winds in spring and summer, with choppy water in the bay and powerful waves on nearby beaches for experienced riders.

Where
Dakhla lagoon, Essaouira and other Atlantic spots
Duration
Single lessons to a full kite week
Level
Beginner courses to independent riders
Minimum age
Set by the school – children need enough weight to control a kite
  • Reliable wind
  • Flat water for learning
  • Waves for advanced riders
See the full activity page
 Windsurfing adventure
Water adventure

Windsurfing adventure

Optional extra: Windsurfing session

Windsurfing Morocco starts with one word: wind. Essaouira is nicknamed the Wind City of Africa, because the trade winds blow along this coast for much of the year, strongest in spring and summer. The wide bay is a good classroom, Moulay Bouzerktoun to the north is a famous wave spot, and far to the south the Dakhla lagoon offers flat water on the edge of the Sahara. We organise lessons and rentals with licensed local windsurf centres and instructors.

Where
Essaouira bay, Moulay Bouzerktoun, Sidi Kaouki, Dakhla lagoon
Duration
2-hour lesson to a week-long windsurf camp
Level
Beginners (lessons) to advanced wave sailors
Minimum age
Children who swim well, with kids’ rigs where available
  • Reliable wind
  • Spots for every level
  • Wave sailing at Moulay
See the full activity page
 Hot air balloon ride
Air adventure

Hot air balloon ride

Optional extra: Sunrise flight before or after your trip

A hot air balloon Marrakech flight is the quietest way to see Morocco wake up. You leave the city in the dark, watch the burners light up the envelope, and lift off just as the sun climbs over the Atlas Mountains. Below you, red-earth villages, olive groves and dry riverbeds turn gold, and on clear winter mornings the snow on the High Atlas shines on the horizon.

Where
Countryside outside Marrakech (launch site set by the pilot each morning)
Duration
About 1 hour in the air, 4-5 hours door to door
Start time
Very early pick-up, before sunrise
Level
No experience needed
  • Sunrise over the Atlas
  • Silent, slow flying
  • Rural Morocco from above
See the full activity page
 Authentic culinary experiences
Moroccan experience

Authentic culinary experiences

Optional extra: Cooking class or food walk in the medina

A Morocco food tour is the quickest way into the country’s heart. With one of our local guides you taste fresh msemen pancakes at breakfast, follow the smell of cumin through the spice souk, try harira and grilled meat at the stalls of Jemaa el-Fna, and learn why a tagine needs time. We take you where locals actually eat, not where the menus are in five languages.

Where
Marrakech, Fes, Essaouira, Atlas villages, Merzouga
Duration
3-hour food walk to full-day class
Level
Easy – come hungry
Diets
Vegetarian options on request
  • Street food you would not find alone
  • Markets as a lesson
  • Cooking with real cooks
See the full activity page
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