Morocco is hugely popular as a family destination, and these two guided trips into the desert and Atlas mountains – by camel or mule – will appeal as much to adults as kids
Morocco has become such a popular family destination that virtually every major travel company now offers some variation on an Atlas mountains or desert adventure, but these two caught our eye.
KE Adventure is a trekking specialist that has started to offer family trips in recent years. Its family trek, Les Petits Caravaniers, starts in the Draa valley, and travels in camel convoy on the edge of the Sahara, across sand dunes and along ridges, and camping out at night, for four days.
The group walks for up to five hours each day but there are plenty of stops to explore the desert, examine the rock art and search for fossils. Equipment is carried by camel and kids can also hitch a ride, which should keep cries of "I'm tired..." to a minimum. The trip ends with a free day in Marrakech.
Unusually, the trip is bilingual, so your kids will mix with French kids and (whisper it) may even pick up some vocab.
If group travel is not your thing, take a look at Tourdust, a small, independent travel company specialising in adventure travel. It describes its Marrakech and Mountains trip, as "an adult holiday that children will enjoy", pointing out that the accommodation is not specifically aimed at families and swimming pools may be unattended. Starting in Marrakech, you transfer to Imlil in the Atlas mountains where you begin a three-day trek, walking four to five hours a day and staying overnight in Berber villages. Instead of camels, the trip is accompanied by mules, which the children can ride too. There are two full days in Marrakech at the end of the trip.
Orange juice seller, Djemaa el Fna, Marrakech
Orange juice seller, Djemaa el Fna, Marrakech. Photograph: Alamy
KE Adventure: Departures October 12 and 26. The trip costs £475 per person and includes airport transfers, guide, most meals, HOTEL ACCOMMODATION and camping equipment. The desert landscape is often stark. If you crave greenery, or the sea, try their other Morocco adventures which include surf lessons and coastal camping.
Tourdust: £442 land only or £537 with flights, including transfers, B&B accommodation in .Marrakech, tour guide while trekking, all meals while trekking
This former fortune teller’s house, in the north medina, is a luxury boutique in the truest sense. The seven-room, family-friendly riad has been lavishly decorated in soothing tones of pistachio and peach tadelakt, layered with rich Moroccan silks and embroidery, and dotted with brass lanterns by celebrated designer 
This artist’s lair is part gallery, part workspace and part exhibition room, and occasional guesthouse for like-minded souls who want to immerse themselves in Marrakech’s creative hub. Run by photographer Laila Hida, it has a dynamic atmosphere, with everyone from Magnum photographers to local, up-and-coming street artists zipping in to work on their latest project, or to talk shop over coffee or mint tea in the courtyard. Pressed, concrete tiles in geometric patterns cover the floors; the three rooms are simple but inspiring spaces for a working getaway.
