Morocco adventure tour for families

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

No Internal Flights: This is a land-based itinerary with no domestic flights. All journeys are made by air-conditioned minibus/coach, with local 4x4 vehicles for the desert section. This avoids the higher emissions of short-haul flying.

Shared Transport: Travel is shared by a small group (maximum 16 people), ensuring fewer vehicles on the road and reduced emissions per passenger.

Walking Exploration: The tour includes several walking segments that replace vehicle use and allow for low-impact exploration:
o Aït Benhaddou: Guided walking tour through the UNESCO-listed kasbah.
o N’Kob Oasis: A walk through the Palmerie.
o Todra Gorge: Option to stroll through the Gorge and Palmerie.
o Marrakech Medina: On-foot exploration of souks, alleys, and main square.
o Essaouira: Walking in the UNESCO-listed medina and along the beach.

Vegetarian and Vegan Options: While not fully vegetarian/vegan, Moroccan cuisine features many naturally plant-based dishes such as vegetable tagines, lentil soups, couscous with vegetables, and fresh salads. Special diets can be catered for if advised in advance.

Local-Sourced and Seasonal Food: Meals at local restaurants and in the desert camp feature seasonal produce from surrounding regions, such as dates from the Draa Valley and vegetables from oasis farms.

Plastic Waste Reduction: Guests are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles. Many accommodations have refill points. The tour actively promotes Water-to-Go filtration bottles (removing over 99.9% of contaminants) to reduce single-use plastics.

Sustainable Flight Choice Encouraged: Guests are advised to compare CO? emissions when booking their international flights and select airlines committed to sustainable fuel use.

ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE

Accommodation Reducing Environmental Impact: Accommodation is in locally owned Moroccan hotels and a Berber desert camp, both using energy and water conservation practices. Guests are asked to switch off lights, air-con, and fans when not in use.

Entry Fees Supporting Preservation: The guided visit to Aït Benhaddou includes entry fees that contribute to preserving its unique mudbrick architecture and surrounding landscape.

Camel Trekking Animal Welfare: The camel ride into the Sahara follows strict guidelines:
o Only ~1 hour of riding per day.
o Camels are free to roam with access to food and water when not working.
o No camels under 4 years old are used.
o One rider per camel.
o Regular veterinary health checks.

Environmental Guidance to Travelers: Guests are reminded to:
o Use biodegradable toiletries.
o Avoid excessive packaging before travel.
o Take home plastic waste where possible.
o Respect local customs and dress modestly, especially in rural/desert areas.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

Locally Owned Accommodation: Accommodation is in locally owned Moroccan hotels and a Berber desert camp, keeping tourism spend within the country and supporting family businesses.

Support for Local Enterprises:
o Roses Valley: Stops at local cooperatives selling rose-based products.
o Berber Carpet Cooperative: Visit with demonstration and direct sales opportunities to support rural artisans.
o Djemâa-el-Fna: Supporting local traders at the market.
o Essaouira Medina: Free time to explore artisan woodcarving workshops, souks, and cafés.
o Optional Local Activities: These include cooking classes, Ouarzazate film studio tours, rock climbing in Todra Gorge, horse riding, surfing, windsurfing, kayaking, and quad biking - all operated by local providers.

Tipping Kitty: A kitty is collected at the start of the tour to ensure fair tips for hotel staff, restaurant workers, local guides, camel handlers, and drivers. Children on family tours do not pay into the kitty.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY & DIVERSITY

Local Staffing: The tour is led by an English-speaking Moroccan guide, with a local driver and additional site-specific guides. This ensures employment benefits remain within Morocco and encourages authentic cultural exchange.

Fair Working Conditions: Camel handlers and porters are employed following International Porter Protection Group (IPPG) guidelines, ensuring safe and ethical working environments.

Inclusivity: This is a family tour open to children from 5 to 16 years old, designed to be engaging for mixed-age groups while respecting Morocco’s cultural norms.

Accessibility: Due to uneven terrain in medinas, deserts, and gorges, the itinerary may not be suitable for travelers with limited mobility. Please get in touch to find out if this tour is suitable for you.