Family Atlas Mountain and Sahara Adventure

Family Atlas Mountain and Sahara Adventure

527 Views
8 Days From

$1200

$1143

Family Atlas Mountain and Sahara Adventure

8 Days Starting and ending in Marrakech

Visiting: Marrakesh, Aït Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, Agdz, Zagora, Tamegroute

Tour operator:

Explore!

Tour code:

FAT

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 20

Physical rating:

Moderate

Age range:

7-

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Vegans, Meat

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Active

From: $1200 $1143 Travel Club discount: -$57

NB: Prices correct on 21-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

From the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara Desert, adventures await across Morocco's stunningly diverse landscapes. Take a stroll in the High Atlas, cycle the southern mountain slopes and head deep into the desert dunes on camelback to sleep under the stars at a Berber camp. Discover all that the country has to offer, from the bustle of Marrakech's souks to the kasbahs that line the dusty desert roads, on a family-friendly exploration of Morocco's highlights.

Journey into the Atlas Mountains - Uncover the remote regions of the Atlas on bike and on foot and experience Berber hospitality.
Camp on the sands of the Sahara - Delve deep into the dunes of the Sahara on camelback and camp under the stars.
Explore majestic Marrakech - Get lost in the bustling medina and souks of the captivating Red City.

Highlights

  • Journey from bustling Marrakech, across the High Atlas Mountains to the edge of the Sahara

  • Explore the captivating medina and souks of Marrakech, known as the Red City

  • Ride mules to a Berber village and cycle the southern slopes of the Atlas Mountains

Places You'll See

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Trip Starts In Marrakech

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Location: Marrakesh

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Bleu Sea Le Printemps

Our tour of Morocco starts in the Red City. With its dusty rooftops, maze-like streets and bustling souks, Marrakech encompasses the essence of Morocco. Head to the medina and people watch while you sip a mint tea in Jemaa el-Fna (the main square) or visit the Jardin Majorelle, just a short walk from our hotel.

There are no activities planned for today, so you're free to arrive at any time and explore the city or relax by the hotel pool. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive at Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK), which is around a 20-minute drive from our hotel. Our Explore Leader will meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for a welcome meeting and then an optional dinner. If you arrive later, they'll catch you up as soon as possible.

Day 2: Drive To Tighza In The High Atlas Mountains, Gentle Circular Walk Around The Village

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Location: Marrakesh

Accommodation: Gite

Accommodation Name: Gite Tighza

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We'll depart Marrakech after breakfast and head south, crossing the Tizi n'Tichka Pass and winding our way up the peaks of the Atlas Mountains.

The High Atlas is North Africa's greatest mountain range and has been a barrier between the northern plains and the pre-Sahara for centuries. Up here in their mountain stronghold, the fiercely independent Berbers - the Lords of the Atlas - live by their own traditions. The Berber way of life is unique and lost to most of North Africa - here, music, dance, language, and religion are far removed from the rest of the Arab world.

We'll pass by the ruined kasbah of Telouet and the fortified village of Anmiter, continuing to our night stop of Tighza. On arrival, after settling in, we will take a gentle circular walk around the village covering a distance of 2.8 km (1.7 miles), with a total ascent and descent of 90 meters (295 feet). We will take a relaxed pace, following the winding tracks high above the valley.

Our base for tonight is a family-owned village house on the outskirts of Tighza. Feel free to unwind on the terrace, with panoramic views of the High Atlas, or enjoy Berber cuisine in the small tearoom - dishes are made using fruit and vegetables grown in the family garden.

Day 3: Valley Hike And Drive To Ait Ben Haddou To Tour The Kasbah

Location: Aït Benhaddou

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Ksar Ljanoub

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we'll head out on a hike through the valley. Walking along cultivated fields, we'll learn about the channels built to divert the waters from the melting snow into the terraces and mud-built villages. Heading down the southern slopes of the High Atlas, we'll reach the trailhead in Anmiter where our bus will be waiting. The hike is expected to take two to three hours in total, covering a distance of 4.5 km (2.8 miles) with an ascent of 23 meters (75 feet) and a descent of 170 meters (560 feet). At the end of the walk we'll enjoy a leisurely picnic - prepared by our chef - in the shade of the almond trees.

Our journey continues driving along the Ounila Valley where the barren slopes contrast the green valley floor, before we reach our hotel opposite the famous kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou.

This afternoon is free to spend as you wish. You can relax by the swimming pool or take a guided tour of Ait Ben Haddou. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of Morocco's most famous locations and was once an important stop in the trading routes between Marrakech and the Sahara.

Day 4: Bike Ride To Ouarzazate And Drive To Tamnougalt

Location: Ouarzazate, Agdz

Accommodation: Kasbah

Accommodation Name: Kasbah Itrane

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, we'll take to the saddle and cycle from Ait Ben Haddou down towards the Draa Valley and the town of Ouarzazate. The total duration of our ride is 21km and a support vehicle will drive alongside us for non-cyclists. Note that helmets are supplied in two sizes, or you can bring your own for a better fit. During the summer months, we'll set off early to avoid the midday heat.

Known as the 'Doorway to the Desert', Ouarzazate is in the south of the High Atlas, sandwiched between the high mountains and the expanses of the Sahara. It's home to the Atlas Film Studios, one of the largest studios in the world, where scenes from films including The Mummy, Gladiator, Babel, Kingdom of Heaven and Lawrence of Arabia were shot. We'll pay a visit to the studios and tour the famous film sets before departing and continuing on through the Draa Valley.

Our drive will take us across a landscape lined with palm groves, kasbahs and traditional ksours (villages), as we make our way to Tamnougalt, once the capital of this remote desert region. The village's name translates to 'meeting point' and even today it hosts an annual festival in October, when people from the surrounding villages gather to celebrate the traditions of the region's old ruling quaids (masters).

Tonight, we'll stay in a kasbah-style hotel in the middle of the Draa Valley, which has a swimming pool and access to valley walks.

Day 5: Drive Via Zagora To Tiraf Dunes To Camp In The Desert

Location: Zagora

Accommodation: Camp, ing

Accommodation Name: Ouled Driss desert camp

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Turning south today, we'll follow the course of the Draa River, spending the morning driving through the changing scenery towards the oasis of Zagora, 'The Gate of the Desert'. Once a major outpost along the caravan route, it apparently takes 52 days by camel from here to Timbuktu. We'll continue on to Tagounite, on the fringes of the sand dunes, giving us a taste of the grand expanse of the Sahara.

From here, we'll hop off our bus and onto camels, creating our own caravan as we head into the oasis of the Tiraf dunes. We'll stop to enjoy the quiet desolation of desert life before we reach our overnight camp in time for a late afternoon bread-making session. Finally, we'll tuck into a hearty Berber dinner under the star-strewn sky of the Sahara.

Our desert camp has a combination of two-person and three-to-four-person family tents with a central communal tent for meals. Rather than bunking down in your tent, you might decide to camp out in the open and spot shooting stars as you drift off to sleep.

Day 6: Visit Tamegroute And Drive To Ouarzazate

Location: Ouarzazate, Tamegroute

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Les Jardins de Ouarzazate

Meals Included: Breakfast

Retracing our steps, this morning we'll head back north on camelback. Meeting our bus on the road, we'll journey on to Tamegroute, where we'll stop to visit the 17th-century zaouia (a multi-functional space of worship and learning). This was once the base of the Naciri Brotherhood, the holy leaders of Tamegroute and arbitrators of desert disputes. We'll also pay a visit to the local potters' cooperative before continuing back to Ouarzazate later in the afternoon.

Day 7: Drive To Marrakech For City Tour

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Location: Marrakesh

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Bleu Sea Le Printemps

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we drive back to the Red City and dive straight into the heady delights of Marrakech with a guided tour. We'll pass by the rose-coloured Koutoubia (booksellers) Mosque on the way to Bahia Palace, an open-air museum that's famous for its decorated stucco walls and marble floors.

We'll fuel up on fresh pastries from a traditional bakery before continuing to the medina on foot. There, we'll be guided through the labyrinth of spice-scented souks, passing by craftsmen selling rugs, leather goods and crockery before dropping by a spice shop to sample ripe dates and almonds. Finally, we'll navigate our way out into the energetic Jemaa el-Fna Square.

Day 8: Trip Ends In Marrakech

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abdelmajid ouazine
sandracristina.amaral

Location: Marrakesh

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our tour of Morocco ends at our hotel in Marrakech.

There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to depart from Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK).

What's Included

  • Accommodation

  • All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)

  • Fully Guided

  • Meals – Half Board

What's Not Included

  • Tipping and Gratuities

  • Country Entry Visas

Why Book this Tour

This tour is designed for families who enjoy a range of activities from riding mules in the High Atlas mountains and camels in the desert to cycling to a film studio and walking amongst the mountains and visiting the Berber villages and their people. It's a journey as well as an active trip where the scenery changes daily and it gives you the chance to meet up with locals including a unique experience where camel handlers of the nomad tribes share a their lifestyle with the group.



Also note, we have priced this trip on a direct flight with BA arriving in the afternoon. There are alternative options including with Air Maroc which flies via Casablanca and arrives late at night.

Meals

Breakfasts: 7
Lunches: 4
Dinners: 2

Videos

Check out our Q&As

  • I'm going on a walking/cycling trip-do I need to train?

    It will depend on the grade and how fit you already are. Check the trip page for details of the walking or cycling grade and how far you’ll be walking/cycling each day. For moderate or challenging trips in particular we’d recommend doing some walks or cycles before you leave to build up your fitness and prepare you for the distances being covered.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    We have a wide range of ages nationalities on our small group trips and they come from all walks of life.

  • Should I get travel insurance?

    Yes–it is a condition of booking that you are fully insured when travelling with us

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    At Explore, we're the experts in adventure travel. Our small group adventure holidays have been running since 1981. Today, Explore is one of the most trusted travel companies in the UK with over 500 trips to more than 120 countries.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    Yes, but there are no concessions for doing so, and we must have a record in your booking advising as such before the trip departs.

  • Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?

    Being a responsible company is a large statement, something that has to be entwined within the very fibre of a company. Discover the charities and partnerships we support as part of this at https://www.explore.co.uk/about/sustainability/charities-and-partners

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    We want to be as clear as and as honest as possible about what happens if you decide to that you no longer wish to travel on your trip. Our booking conditions have details of the costs you’ll incur when you cancel-these charges depend on how long it is before your planned departure.

  • What is the accommodation like?

    We choose comfortable accommodation in the best locations possible. We opt for small, local and family-run accommodation where we can, as opposed to large chain hotels. We typically use hotels that are the equivalent of European 3-star, and you’ll usually have an en suite room. Occasionally, where we want to get off the beaten trail we may stay in more basic accommodation.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Sustainability is embedded within the fibre of Explore, it emanates from the inside out. But as we enter a new decade it is clearer than ever that our world needs help, and Explore has created a sustainability strategy based on the 2015 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Our flexible booking and safety policies mean you're protected before and during your travels with us. Receive a full refund if your trip is cancelled, transfer your trip free of charge up to 10 days before departure minus any irrocoverable costs.

  • Do I need to be very fit to book with you?

    All our trips require some level of active participation. This could be on a cultural trip, trek, safari, expedition or voyage. It is in the interests of all members of the group that everyone should be capable of fully participating in the activities of their chosen trip.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Final documents will include a comprehensive trip itinerary, climate and country information, budgeting and packing advice visa and passport information and details on optional activities available.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Yes on most of our trips. Most trips are based on customers sharing twin-bedded rooms. If you book a group trip as an individual, you will share a room with someone of the same sex. However, on many trips we offer the opportunity to pay a supplement to pre-book a single room, known as our single room option. On some trips a single room will be provided every night, on others it will be provided o

  • Do we have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel

    It’s now a condition of booking a trip with us that customers should have one of the following before they travel - — Be vaccinated against COVID, having received the full recommended course, and allowing enough time for immunity to take effect. Full vaccination includes any booster required to keep the vaccine valid. — Have taken a negative test (rapid antigen or PCR) within 72hrs of departure.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Explore will only offer hotels that have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with local government guidelines. We will ensure these measures include; enhanced room cleaning, ventilation, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in public areas, food safety, staff re-training and minimising contact within the properties.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Eric  

Family Rock The Kasbah

Again, even families need down time. On our journ

Again, even families need down time. On our journey there were 8 kids (ages 10-18), all inod health and very eager to travel. This trip was non-stop, so a day (or half day) of rest would have been nice. Our evening at the Kasbah Itrane would have been a great place to relax.

Helen  

Family Rock The Kasbah

I would fully recommend this trip. A very memorabl

I would fully recommend this trip. A very memorable holiday for all of the family

Louise  

Family Rock The Kasbah

Excellent tour leader. Pleasant travelling compani

Excellent tour leader. Pleasant travelling companions. The young people hadod fun. Successful. Pleased about mules, bikes and camels, adding interest and activity for youth. Quality of mountain bikes better than I anticipated. Looking for similar trip next Christmas with range of similar activities over and above sightseeing.

Kirsty  

Family Rock The Kasbah

A perfect trip for our family, the children were a

A perfect trip for our family, the children were aod age for this trip at 15 and 17.

Louise  

Family Rock The Kasbah (21-Dec-2019)

Excellent tour leader. Pleasant travelling compani

Excellent tour leader. Pleasant travelling companions. The young people had good fun. Successful. Pleased about mules, bikes and camels, adding interest and activity for youth. Quality of mountain bikes better than I anticipated. Looking for similar trip next Christmas with range of similar activities over and above sightseeing.

1 Select your preferred date

Saturday - Saturday

Dec 21, 2024 - Dec 28, 2024
$1238

Travel Club discount: -$62

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Travel Club discount: -$73

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Travel Club discount: -$70

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$1200 $1143

Travel Club discount: -$57

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Travel Club discount: -$57

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Travel Club discount: -$57

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Travel Club discount: -$57

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Travel Club discount: -$57

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Travel Club discount: -$57

Saturday - Saturday

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$1200 $1143

Travel Club discount: -$57

Saturday - Saturday

Aug 16, 2025 - Aug 23, 2025
$1200 $1143

Travel Club discount: -$57

Saturday - Saturday

Oct 11, 2025 - Oct 18, 2025
$1200 $1143

Travel Club discount: -$57

Saturday - Saturday

Oct 18, 2025 - Oct 25, 2025
$1200 $1143

Travel Club discount: -$57

Friday - Friday

Oct 24, 2025 - Oct 31, 2025
$1200 $1143

Travel Club discount: -$57

Saturday - Saturday

Oct 25, 2025 - Nov 01, 2025
$1200 $1143

Travel Club discount: -$57

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$1200 $1143

Travel Club discount: -$57

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$1270 $1210

Travel Club discount: -$60

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$1270 $1210

Travel Club discount: -$60

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    CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.

  • Low Deposit

    CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.

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