Atlas to the Atlantic - Morocco Family Adventure

Atlas to the Atlantic - Morocco Family Adventure 10 Days

From $895 USD

Trip URL: www.adventurelink.com/

3 reviews

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Atlas to the Atlantic - Morocco Family Adventure
Atlas to the Atlantic - Morocco Family Adventure
Atlas to the Atlantic - Morocco Family Adventure
Atlas to the Atlantic - Morocco Family Adventure
Atlas to the Atlantic - Morocco Family Adventure
Atlas to the Atlantic - Morocco Family Adventure
Atlas to the Atlantic - Morocco Family Adventure
Atlas to the Atlantic - Morocco Family Adventure
Atlas to the Atlantic - Morocco Family Adventure
Atlas to the Atlantic - Morocco Family Adventure
Atlas to the Atlantic - Morocco Family Adventure
Atlas to the Atlantic - Morocco Family Adventure
Atlas to the Atlantic - Morocco Family Adventure
Atlas to the Atlantic - Morocco Family Adventure

Overview
Itinerary
Nuts & Bolts
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Overview

Highlights

Duration: 10 Days
Comfort: 66.6666666666667%
Language: English
Rating: 60.0%
Style: Family Travel
Trip ID: 62408
Start Location: Marrakesh, Morocco
End Location: Marrakesh, Morocco

Guaranteed:
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Primary Activities: Trekking
Other Activities: Camel Rides, Deserts, Urban Exploration, mule ride, walking
Activity Level: Basic

Close to home but a world away, Morocco is an alluring country for travellers of all ages and the ideal destination for a family adventure holiday. This established family adventure begins in the 'Arabian Nights' city of Marrakech, with its maze-like souks and world-famous main square, the Djemaa El Fna, a focus each evening for acrobats, musicians and story-tellers. Then, from Oukaimeden on the edge of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, we trek for 3 days through the homeland of the welcoming Berber people.

Including leisurely lunches beneath shading walnut trees, this easy walk offers plenty of opportunity for the families to meet the local people and their families. From our comfortable gite in the village of Aroumd, there are spectacular views of Mount Toubkal (4167m /13,668ft), the highest peak in North Africa. Leaving the Atlas mountains behind, we drive westwards to the ancient fortified port of Essaouira. Spending 2 nights in a comfortable and characterful 'medina' hotel, we can explore the bustling harbour with its open-air fish restaurants, take camel rides along the endless Atlantic beaches or watch the kite surfers and wind surfers enjoying the waves. Morocco is an easy to get to destination for a family holiday with a real cultural twist!

Additional Informaiton

The child price age for this holiday is: 5-18 years

The group size for this holiday is: 4-16

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Marrakech: On arrival in Marrakech you will be met by a KE representative who will assist with the short transfer to the group hotel in the city. Depending on your flight arrival time, after settling in you may have the opportunity to do a little exploration.

Marrakech is a friendly city and quite easy to get around and most people head for the central square of the Djemaa-el-Fna beneath the imposing tower of the Koutoubia Mosque. KE services begin with the evening meal taken at the group hotel or a nearby restaurant. The group leader will give a trip briefing during dinner. Overnight at the hotel. Included meals: Dinner (D)
Day 2: In Marrakech: On our first morning in Morocco, we will have a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and then take a stroll with a local guide around the Djemaa-el-Fna. Even in the morning there’s a real bustle here as people go about their daily business and orange juice stalls and colourfully-painted horse-drawn open carriages, called caleches, vie for business.

To escape the heat we’ll walk into the adjacent souk area. The shaded passages, streets and hidden squares of the souks cover a huge area on the north side of the Djemaa-el-Fna and we will be able to explore some of the most interesting and accessible parts. Pottery, carpets and leather goods are amongst the most interesting souvenir options. This is a fascinating experience for adults and kids alike. Returning to the hotel for lunch, we will then follow the local example and have a couple of hours rest until mid afternoon. A popular option in the afternoon is to take a tour of Marrakech by horse drawn carriage. You could ask your driver to drop you off at the very posh Hotel Mamounia, once a favourite hang-out of Winston Churchill, who declared it to be “the loveliest spot on earth.”

This is a great place to sit in the gardens and have a cup of coffee or a bottle of coca cola. In the evening, we will want to return to the Djemaa El-Fna. At around 6 p.m. each evening this large open square becomes the focus of activities for local people and tourists alike. Troupes of Berber acrobats and musicians, together with story-tellers, and water sellers begin their evening performances which become more and more animated as the sun sets.

In addition to the sounds of horns and pipes the air is filled with the mouth-watering smells of dozens of amazing food stalls which spring up as if by magic in the centre of the square, illuminated by hurricane lamps and offering all manner of exotic delicacies. The square is surrounded by cafes, many with terraces offering great views of the scene below. We will return to the hotel for dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Drive to Oukaimeden: After a leisurely breakfast, we set off on the 75 km (46 mile) drive to the starting point of our walk. We drive southwards out of the city, with the peaks of the Atlas ahead of us. At the bazaar town of Asni, we turn away from the main road and begin to climb into the foothills of the Atlas.

Our route ascends between Berber villages comprised of clusters of mud-brick houses. Crossing the northern slopes of a range of high peaks, including Angour (3616m. / 11,864ft.), we arrive at the village of Oukaimeden which sits in a high and grassy valley at an altitude of 2668 metres (8754 feet). Oukaimeden has the distinction of being Morocco’s principal ski station and there is a refuge here built and maintained by the French CAF (Club Alpin Francais).

This is our overnight accommodation, a place with hot showers, a restaurant and a bar. The afternoon is free to do some easy walking around the village. Nearby, there are some fine examples of rock inscriptions created by the ancestors of the Berber people. (B,L,D)
Day 4: First day of walking, to Tinerhourhine: In the morning, we will meet our trek crew and the mules which will carry our baggage. Setting off on our first day of walking, we will follow the road which serves the ski area and then, where this fades away, we find a good path which climbs towards the south.

We pass through pleasant pasture in a high valley directly beneath the summit of Angour. It is a reasonably gradual climb over a distance of just 3 or 4 kilometres to the high point of our entire route, at the pass known as the Tizi-n-Eddi (2928m. / 9607ft.). Before setting off, we will make sure that we have sufficient mules to carry any of the younger group members in case anyone has a problem with this part of the walk. Dropping down from the pass, with views of our next day’s route to Imlil, we follow zig-zagging mule trails via the village of Amskere to reach our overnight gite in Tinerhourhine (2291m. / 7517ft.), which we reach after a total of around 4 hours easy-paced walking.

We overnight in a basic, but very pleasant gite. Such simple accommodation can be found throughout the Atlas Mountains. Owned and run by local villagers, these gites usually provide dormitory style accommodation and have simple bathroom and toilet facilities, together with a restaurant or dining area with an open fire. The dining area also serves as a communal area and the tables can be used for writing diaries and for playing cards and other games (which we provide). (B,L,D)
Day 5: Contour around to Imlil: Due south of Tinerhourhine is a long crest of Atlas peaks, including the high point at Aksoual (3842m. / 12,605ft.). Today’s 4-hour walk traverses beneath this crest on a good trail to reach the Tizi-n-Tamatert (2279m. / 7477ft.), a pass which overlooks the village of Imlil.

The area around Imlil was recently used as the backdrop for parts of the major Hollywood movie “Kundun.” The old kasbah above the village was renovated and made to look like a Tibetan temple. We drop down the valley on a trail that cuts across a series of hairpin curves bringing the road up from the village Tamatert across the pass. A side trail leads close to the kasbah above Imlil and from here we reach our next stop at another gite in the village of Ait Souka.

We should reach our overnight accommodation by early afternoon and the rest of the day is free to rest and to explore the village. Altitude at the gite is approximately 2000 metres or 6500 feet. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Day-hike to Sidi Chamharouch: There are several options for exploring in the vicinity of Imlil. One of the most attractive is the return hike to the unusual hamlet of Sidi Chamharouch. This walk takes us up the valley above Aroumd, following the east side of the stream and passing through a number of terraced fields and groves of walnut trees.

Finally, where the trail begins to climb more abruptly towards the basecamp for Mount Toubkal, we reach the Muslim pilgrimage site of Sidi Chamharouch, which is tucked under the steep mountainside, where a stream emerges from a rocky gorge. A huge white-painted boulder marks the spot where, legend has it, Saint Chamharouch lies entombed. Here there are a couple of wayside stalls and we will stop for a cool drink and a picnic lunch by the river, before retracing our steps to our village gite. (B,L,D)
Day 7: To Essaouira and the Atlantic Ocean: After an early breakfast, we make the short walk down to Imlil, where we meet our transport for the drive via Marrakech to the Atlantic coast. This is about a 5-hour drive in a comfortable private minibus and takes us through a landscape which is mostly quite arid. We will pass through a number of villages and towns and stop off for cold drinks and for a snack lunch.

Arriving at the walled town of Essaouira, we will check in to our hotel, which is located at the heart of a maze of streets and alleyways. Essaouira is one of the most attractive towns in the whole of North Africa. It has a long history and its architectural influences range from Berber, to French and Portuguese. Fishing is the most important commercial enterprise in the town, although it is becoming equally well known for its handicrafts and artistic elements. The quality of the light is what attracts artists to Essaouira, together with its stunning location and laid-back atmosphere. Facilities for tourists are developing and there are excellent restaurants, bars and hotels.

The most interesting of the hotels are converted town houses, dating from the 19th century and of a very unusual form, often squeezed into unlikely spaces. Behind an unprepossessing frontage in a tiny alleyway, there can be tall courtyards, shaded gardens and flower-decked balconies. Having settled into our hotel, it is time for a walk out to the main square, where several pavement cafes allow the luxury of people watching. On the seaward edge of the square is the harbour, with its colourful fishing boats and long row of fresh fish stalls. Here, they will barbecue whatever takes your fancy from a huge array of glistening fish, fresh from the sea. (B,L,D)
Day 8: A free day in Essaouira: There is lots to see and do in Essaouira. The ramparts of the town, overlooking the sea, are impressive and to get to them there is a choice of routes through the backstreets. Shops selling local foodstuffs and spices, as well as art galleries, souvenir stalls and a bewildering assortment of cafes and bars are all a part of the Essaouira street scene.

The streets making up the souk or bazaar extend beyond the town walls and would take a week to explore fully. The harbour is a riot of colour and no day in Essaouira would be complete without spending some time in a sunny corner of the main square with a café crème or a coca cola close to hand. However, leave the walled part of the town behind and a whole new world opens up. A short, but growing, promenade street fronts the Atlantic Ocean and a stretch of golden sands extends beyond this for mile after mile. If you don’t fancy the simple pleasure of bare-foot walking along the sea’s edge, take a camel.

There are always a couple of these “ships of the desert” waiting to earn their hay by taking tourists for a leisurely ride. At the far end of the beach, a couple of miles away, is the crumpled remains of an old fort, now washed by the sea. This makes a good objective for a salty stroll. Essaouira is one of the world’s great surfing and windsurfing destinations and there is usually a good Atlantic swell. (B,L,D)
Day 9: Return drive to Marrakech: After breakfast at our hotel, we make the drive back to Marrakech, stopping briefly at the almond farm on the outskirts of the city. We arrive in time for a late lunch, then check in to our Hotel and have the rest of the day free for sightseeing. Another chance to visit the remarkable Djemaa el-Fna. Traditionally, our last night in Morocco is celebrated with an excellent Moroccan buffet feast. Relaxing over this leisurely meal and swapping tales from the souks with your fellow travellers is a memorable way to end this fantastic family adventure. (B,L,D)
Day 10: Depart Marrakech: KE services end after breakfast. There is a complimentary transfer to the airport for the return flight. (B)

Nuts & Bolts

Trip Includes

An experienced professional English-speaking local leader
Marrakech Airport transfers (on first and last day of itinerary)
All land transport involved in the itinerary
Mules for children to ride (2 per mule) for 4 days of trek
Hotel accommodation in Marrakech and Essaouira
All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 10
Half day Sightseeing tour of Marakech with an English speaking guide
A full service on trek including food and all equipment (excluding personal equipment)

Trip Excludes

Travel Insurance
Tips for staff
Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc.

Trip ID#: 62408

CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

Operator

For the specifics on this tour operator, please contact AdventureLink directly.

Reviews (3)

Toni Powell

Rashid, our guide, was brilliant with my children. They loved him! He played with them, looked after them - wish I could have brought him home!
- Overall Rating
  80%
- Guide Rating
  100%
- Value Rating
  90%
- Itinerary Rating
  90%
- Accomodation Rating
  80%
The Lee Family

We had an amazing time - thank you! It is hard to narrow down what we enjoyed most - a great trip with so many great experiences. We particularly loved being in the mountains - but also loved being by the coast too.
- Overall Rating
  70%
- Guide Rating
  100%
- Value Rating
  90%
- Itinerary Rating
  90%
- Accomodation Rating
  70%
Susan Chance

The holiday was a great success and the children thoroughly enjoyed experiencing a new culture and alternative type of holiday. We would definitely think about doing another adventure holiday. Our guide from start to finish was Mohammed. He was always helpful, kind, considerate, knowledgeable and a pleasure to have as our leader. He is clearly respected in the community and has a great support team with him - muleteers and cook. He helped to make our holiday a great success.
- Overall Rating
  80%
- Guide Rating
  100%
- Value Rating
  90%
- Itinerary Rating
  90%
- Accomodation Rating
  80%

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