Ouirgane for Families

A Berber village situated in a scenic bowl shaped valley in the High Atlas Mountains south west of Marrakech, Ouirgane buzzes with activity on Thursdays when Berber families flock down from the mountains by donkey. It has become a very popular base for day walks into the Tassa Ouirgane National Park and longer treks to Jbel Toubkal and Amizmiz areas.

In the countryside there is the constant attraction of herds of very cute and colourful goats with kids, some of which don’t mind being stroked as they forage around for tasty bits of vegetation.  Chameleons, geckos and lizards are to be found in many locations, which can be a fun activity for children.  There are fascinating bits of stone, plants and birds everywhere you look.  Three of the guest houses in this area have outdoor swimming pools, where you can cool off in the heat of the day.

Treks are available led by experienced guides who will always bring a mule for your child to ride (with you if necessary).  Meet and take tea with Berber families and see how the local people live. See boys playing football with battered old balls or driving an old inner tube with a stick - illustrating how children can exist without a PSP or Facebook!

Jon Stock, travel writer for the Sunday Telegraph, recently trekked in the High Atlas with his family including his children aged 10, 8 and 6:

“Take three young children, some flatulent mules, Mohammed the singing muleteer, and the High Atlas mountains in Morocco, and you have all the ingredients for a successful trekking holiday."

To read the full article on treks with a family see Morocco we'll be coming round the Atlas Mountains.

Here is a quote from a client who recently visited the mountains with her 2 and a half year old: 

“At Chez Momo in the mountains we hadn’t anticipated being able to do a trek with a small child … but we booked a guide and a donkey, which meant one of us walked and one rode with our child. So we all had a rewarding three hours visiting Berber villages, meeting and drinking tea with a Berber family and their children, and despite an initial protest our daughter loved riding on the donkey and didn’t want to get off! The other great thing about Chez Momo for kids is the tent in the grounds for sitting and playing in the shade plus the swimming pool.”   Maria Bowers 05/09

Possible Family Itinerary:

Day 1 Relax by a swimming pool in beautiful surroundings

Day 2 Take a short trek into the country with guide and mule

Day 3 Visit the Berber market then take a walk to the lake