Fes and Morocco family itinerary

This 10-day circuit begins in Fes and pairs the parts of Morocco that suit children best — the medina's sensory intensity and tanneries, the cedar forests and macaques of the Middle Atlas, the Sahara's camel trek and desert night sky — finishing in lively Marrakech. The drives are spread so no single transfer exhausts younger travellers, and each base has a riad or hotel with a courtyard or pool, which is non-negotiable in warmer months. The route can be driven in a private vehicle or arranged as a guided tour.

The ages that benefit most are roughly 6–14. Very young children (under 5) can come but will get less from the Sahara camel trek and the medina walking; older teenagers tend to engage deeply with the history and the photography. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the ideal windows; avoid July and August inland due to heat above 38°C.

This itinerary starts in Fes (arriving at Fès–Saïss) and finishes in Marrakech, an open-jaw routing that avoids backtracking. Adjust the cities if your flights work differently.

• Day 1: Arrive Fes. Transfer to a riad with a courtyard; a gentle first walk to the Blue Gate and Talaa Kebira.
• Day 2: Fes medina with a guide — the Chouara tanneries, a medersa, the Nejjarine woodwork and a hands-on craft demonstration children enjoy.
• Day 3: Day trip to Volubilis (Roman ruins to clamber around) and Meknes; back to Fes for the night.
• Day 4: South through Ifrane and the Azrou cedar forest (Barbary macaques) and down the Ziz Valley; overnight near Midelt or Erfoud.
• Day 5: Continue to Merzouga; afternoon camel trek into Erg Chebbi, sunset on the dunes, luxury camp dinner and overnight under the stars.
• Day 6: Sunrise on the dunes; west through the Todra and Dadès gorges (walk the 'monkey fingers' rocks); overnight in the valley.
• Day 7: Aït Ben Haddou — climb the UNESCO kasbah and the film sets at Ouarzazate; overnight in Ouarzazate.
• Day 8: Over the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Marrakech (4 hrs); riad pool afternoon; gentle evening on the Jemaa el-Fnaa square.
• Day 9: Marrakech — Jardin Majorelle (open at 9am before crowds), a medina wander and a hammam for older children and adults.
• Day 10: A slow Marrakech morning and afternoon departure flight (RAK).

The desert segment (days 4–6) is the highlight for most children and the memory that lasts longest. The camel trek into Erg Chebbi takes 20–40 minutes from the road edge to the camp — entirely manageable for children from about 5 years old. Luxury camps at Merzouga offer proper beds and ensuite bathrooms; the gap between budget and luxury camp matters enormously for families, who need functioning toilets and solid sleeping arrangements rather than thin mattresses and shared facilities.

The cold is the variable most families underestimate: desert nights in spring and autumn drop to 10–15°C; in winter to 2–5°C. Good camps provide blankets, but pack a warm layer in each child's bag regardless of the season. Dawn is the second highlight — rising before sunrise to climb a dune crest and watch the light arrive across Erg Chebbi is one of the great Moroccan experiences at any age.

Private transport is essential for a family itinerary — you control the stops, the pace and the moments when a child needs to eat or rest. A good driver for this route (10 days, private vehicle for 4–5 people) typically runs US$180–280 per day including fuel and tolls but excluding accommodation. Request a driver comfortable with children and familiar with the route; many have driven the Fes–Sahara–Marrakech circuit hundreds of times.

Food is generally family-friendly — mild tagines, couscous, flatbreads, fresh juices and Fassi pastries work for most children. Stick to bottled water and cooked food, especially for younger children. Riads are almost always welcoming; ring ahead to confirm pool depth and ask about interconnecting rooms or family suites. Many Fes and Marrakech riads have family rooms with a double and two singles in one space, ideal for a family of four.

• Book riads with pools — essential in spring, autumn and required in summer.
• Private vehicle for all transfers — non-negotiable for families with younger children.
• Pack warm layers for the Sahara regardless of the season — desert nights are cold.
• Bring familiar snacks for the driving days — long Atlas roads are beautiful but remote.
• The Atlas Studios tour in Ouarzazate is consistently the unexpected children's favourite.
• Bring sun cream with SPF 50+ — the Saharan sun and Atlas altitude are intense.

A private 10-day family trip in Morocco (two adults, two children) typically costs US$4,000–7,500 all-in excluding international flights, depending on riad standard, camp choice and driver quality. This breaks down roughly as: private driver US$200–280/day (US$2,000–2,800 for 10 days); accommodation US$120–300/night (US$1,200–3,000 total); meals US$60–120/day for the family (US$600–1,200 total); desert camp US$150–350/person for one night.

Travelling in the shoulder season (April or October) rather than the spring peak (March or October half-term) brings riad and camp rates down by 15–25%. Booking the driver, riads and desert camp as a package through a reputable Fes-based tour operator simplifies coordination and often produces a better total price than booking each element separately.