Private 10-Day Family Tour · From Fes
10-Day Imperial Cities & Sahara Family Adventure
From the ancient lanes of Fes to the golden dunes of Merzouga, the souks of Marrakech, the beaches of Essaouira and the blue streets of Chefchaouen — a private family journey across Morocco, at a pace that suits everyone.
- Duration10 days / 9 nights
- Start → endFes → Tangier
- DesertCamp night in Merzouga
- Imperial citiesFes, Marrakech, Rabat
- PaceRelaxed, family-friendly
- Tour type100% private
Tour overview
Ten days the whole family will remember
This private family tour starts in Fes, Morocco’s oldest imperial city, with a guided walk through its thousand-year-old medina. From there you cross the Middle Atlas — with a stop to meet the Barbary monkeys in the cedar forests near Ifrane — to the Sahara, where the children ride camels into the dunes at sunset and spend a magical night at a desert camp.
A full day in the desert brings 4x4 adventures, nomad families, Gnawa music in Khamlia and flamingos on the seasonal lake. The road west passes through the Todra and Dades gorges and the movie-set kasbah of Aït Benhaddou to Marrakech, then on to the beaches of Essaouira.
The journey finishes in the north: the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, royal Rabat and the blue lanes of Chefchaouen, before a final drive through the Rif Mountains to Tangier. Your private driver adapts every day to your family — snack stops, rest breaks and all.
Tour highlights
Adventures for every age
The Fes medina
A guided walk through a living medieval city.
Barbary monkeys
Meet the wild macaques of the cedar forests.
Camels & desert camp
A sunset ride and a night under the stars.
Sahara 4x4 day
Nomads, fossils, Gnawa music and flamingos.
Todra & Dades gorges
Red canyon walls and Monkey Fingers rocks.
Aït Benhaddou
The kasbah from Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
Essaouira beaches
Fishing boats, ramparts and sea breeze.
Blue Chefchaouen
Painted lanes in the Rif Mountains.
Day-by-day itinerary
Your ten days, day by day
Arrival in Fes & Guided Medina TourFes Saïss Airport → Fes
Your private driver welcomes your family at Fes airport or your accommodation. After settling in, set out with a licensed local guide to discover the imperial city: the golden gates of the Royal Palace, the Jewish quarter (Mellah) and the blue-tiled Bab Boujloud gate into the medina.
Inside Fes el-Bali, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visit the Bou Inania madrasa, the Nejjarine fountain, the colourful dye pits of the tanneries and the Al Quaraouiyine mosque, home to one of the oldest universities in the world. Finish at the fortress viewpoint for a panorama over the medina.
- Guide Licensed city guide
- Overnight Riad, Fes
- Meals —
Fes to the Sahara via IfraneFes → Ifrane → Midelt → Ziz Valley → Merzouga
Drive south through Imouzzer to Ifrane, a surprising alpine-style town nicknamed the “Switzerland of Morocco”. In the cedar forest nearby, stop to watch the Barbary macaques — always a favourite with children.
After lunch in Midelt, cross the Tizi n’Talghemt pass and follow the palm-filled Ziz Valley south. In the late afternoon, swap the car for camels and ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes, stopping on a high dune for sunset before arriving at your desert camp for dinner and a night under the stars.
- Drive approx. 8 h with breaks
- Camel ride approx. 1.5 h
- Overnight Desert camp, Erg Chebbi
- Meals Breakfast & dinner
A Family Day in the SaharaErg Chebbi → Khamlia → Merzouga
Wake early to watch the sun rise over the dunes, then ride your camels back to the village for breakfast. Set off on a 4x4 desert tour: an old mine, a nomad family who will welcome you with Berber tea, and the village of Khamlia, where Gnawa musicians play their joyful, rhythmic music.
Stroll through a shady palm grove and, in season, see pink flamingos on the Merzouga lake. Kids can try sandboarding on the dunes before an evening of rest at a comfortable hotel at the edge of the desert.
- Activities 4x4 tour, sandboarding, Gnawa music
- Overnight Hotel, Merzouga
- Meals Breakfast & dinner
Rissani, Todra Gorge & the Dades ValleyMerzouga → Rissani → Erfoud → Todra → Dades
Visit Rissani, the ancient capital of the Tafilalet, with its lively market (busiest on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays), then a fossil workshop in Erfoud, where children can see how ancient sea creatures are cut and polished from the marble.
Drive through palm groves to the Todra Gorge and walk between its towering red cliffs beside the river. Continue to the Dades Valley, stopping at the strange Monkey Fingers rock formations and a viewpoint over the winding gorge road.
- Drive approx. 5 h with stops
- Overnight Kasbah hotel, Dades
- Meals Breakfast & dinner
Dades to Marrakech via Aït BenhaddouDades → Rose Valley → Ouarzazate → Aït Benhaddou → Marrakech
Pass through Kelaat M’Gouna in the Valley of Roses, famous for its May rose festival, and the palm groves of Skoura. In Ouarzazate, the “gate of the desert”, families can visit the film studios.
Explore Aït Benhaddou, the UNESCO-listed kasbah seen in Gladiator, The Mummy and Game of Thrones, then cross the High Atlas on the Tizi n’Tichka pass to Marrakech.
- Drive approx. 6 h with stops
- Overnight Riad, Marrakech
- Meals Breakfast
Marrakech with a Local GuideMarrakech
Discover the Red City with a local guide: the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Koutoubia Mosque and the blue gardens of Jardin Majorelle.
Wander through the largest traditional souk in Morocco, then enjoy free time on Jemaa el-Fna square as the snake charmers, acrobats, storytellers and food stalls come alive in the evening.
- Guide Licensed city guide
- Overnight Riad, Marrakech
- Meals Breakfast
Marrakech to EssaouiraMarrakech → Argan country → Essaouira
Drive west towards the Atlantic, stopping to see goats climbing in the argan trees and a women’s cooperative producing argan oil.
Arrive in Essaouira, the old port of Mogador, known for its seafood, sandy beach and surfing. Visit the busy fishing harbour, walk the ramparts with their old cannons and explore the relaxed, car-free medina — perfect for families.
- Drive approx. 3 h
- Overnight Hotel, Essaouira
- Meals Breakfast
Essaouira to Rabat via CasablancaEssaouira → Casablanca → Rabat
Follow the coast north to Casablanca to visit the Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Morocco, with its minaret rising over the ocean, and stretch your legs along the Corniche.
Continue to Rabat, Morocco’s elegant capital, and settle into your hotel for the evening.
- Drive approx. 5.5 h with stops
- Overnight Hotel, Rabat
- Meals Breakfast
Rabat to ChefchaouenRabat → Ouazzane → Chefchaouen
Explore imperial Rabat on the Atlantic coast: the unfinished Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V with its royal guards, and the blue-and-white lanes of the Kasbah of the Udayas.
In the afternoon, drive north through Ouazzane into the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen, the famous town whose houses and alleyways are painted in every shade of blue.
- Drive approx. 4 h
- Overnight Hotel, Chefchaouen
- Meals Breakfast
Chefchaouen to Tangier & DepartureChefchaouen → Rif Mountains → Tangier
Enjoy a final morning wandering the blue alleyways of Chefchaouen, perfect for family photos and a last few souvenirs.
Then drive through the Rif Mountains to Tangier airport for your departure flight — or, on request, we can arrange an extra night in Tangier.
- Drive approx. 2.5 h
- Transfer To Tangier airport
- Meals Breakfast
Photo gallery
What you’ll see along the way
What’s included
Everything taken care of
Included
- Pick-up at Fes airport or your accommodation, drop-off at Tangier airport
- Private air-conditioned 4x4 or minivan with English-speaking driver, fuel and tolls
- Child seats on request, free of charge
- 9 nights in hand-picked riads, hotels and a Sahara desert camp
- Daily breakfast, plus dinners in the desert camp, Merzouga and the Dades Valley
- Licensed local guides for the Fes and Marrakech city tours
- Sunset camel ride, 4x4 desert tour and sandboarding
Not included
- International flights
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Lunches and drinks
- Monument, museum and film-studio entrance fees
- Optional activities: quad biking, surf lessons, hammam
- Tips for guides, drivers and camp staff
Good to know
Family travel questions
Planning with children? Message us on WhatsApp and a local expert will reply quickly.
Is this tour suitable for young children?
Yes. The tour is private, so the pace is set around your family, with regular breaks, snack stops and free time. Camel rides are short and gentle, and younger children can ride with a parent. Child seats are provided on request.
How long are the driving days?
Most days involve 3–5 hours of driving with plenty of stops. The longest day is Fes to Merzouga, about 8 hours including breaks, lunch in Midelt and the monkey stop in the cedar forest.
What is the desert camp like for families?
The camp sits among the dunes of Erg Chebbi, with private family tents, real beds and warm bedding, and dinner served in the camp. Luxury tents with private bathrooms are available as an upgrade, and the second desert night is in a comfortable hotel.
Can we start or finish in another city?
Yes. The tour starts in Fes and ends in Tangier, but we can reverse it, start in Marrakech or Casablanca, or finish in Fes, depending on your flights.
When is the best time for a family trip to Morocco?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are ideal. School holidays at Easter and in October are popular, while summer suits the coast and the north but is very hot in the desert at midday.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. You can add a beach day in Essaouira, an extra night in Marrakech or a cooking class, upgrade accommodation, or adjust any day to your children’s ages and interests.
Book your adventure
Reserve your private family tour
Send us your preferred dates and your children’s ages and a local travel designer will reply personally with availability and a tailored quote — no obligation. For the fastest answer, message us on WhatsApp.
- Tour10-Day Imperial Cities & Sahara Family Adventure
- DepartureAny day, from Fes
- GroupPrivate — your group only
- CancellationFree within seasonal notice
Request this tour
Tell us your dates and family size — we’ll send availability and a tailored quote.
Usually replies within a few hours
