Tours: High Atlas and the Sahara Desert

11 days, 10 nights

Day 1: Marrakech

Arrival in Marrakech, transfer to hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure in Marrakech.

Day 2: Marrakech – Dades Valley

Travel up into the beautiful High Atlas through oak trees, almond groves and riverside oleanders to the bustling mountain village of Tadart for lunch. The road climbs over the dramatic Tizi-n-Tichka Pass (2200m), and descends to the plain of Ouarzazate. On to the Dades Valley, ‘the valley of a thousand kasbahs’, with its green fields and amazing rock formations of red sandstone. Stay for the next 4 nights at a traditional auberge.

Day 3: Excursion to M’goun Gorges and the Valley of the Roses

1½ hour walk in each of the valleys, with a lovely open air picnic in between. Splendid mountain scenery and traditional Berber villages.

Day 4: Walk in Dades Gorges

A circular walk of 8 hours (taking it easy) to explore the delightful Dades Gorges. Evening dinner with a Berber family.

Day 5: Dades Valley, walk at the ‘Monkey’s Fingers’

Morning at leisure in the calm of the Dades Valley. Possibility of 1-2 hours walking through the gardens, good for birdwatching too (over 100 species live or migrate through the valley). In the late afternoon, a dramatic walk of 3 hours up through the slot canyons of the ‘Monkey’s Fingers’ rock formation and back over the mountain to the lovely village of Ait Arbi as the sun sets. The perfect time of day to take some wonderful photos.

Day 6: Ait Oudinar – Merzouga

Travel east to Tinerhir and the famous Todhra Gorge. Walk for 1½ hours in the palm groves, set in a dramatic amphitheatre of 300m-high cliffs. This is one of the best birdwatching sites in the whole of Morocco, so bring your binoculars! Continue up the Gorge to Tamtattouchte, and on through breathtaking scenery to the pretty Berber village of Amellago. Drive down from the mountains to the desert to stay in a hotel at the foot of the dunes. Welcome to the Sahara!

Day 7: Camel trek and camping in the dunes

Morning drive to Merzouga to see Gnaoua musicians perform. Tour the Erg Chebbi dunes and the contrasting ‘black’ desert, visiting villages, abandoned mines, and fossil sites. In the late afternoon, set off by camel for an unforgettable ride into the sunset. Camp overnight in the dunes and dine under the stars.

Day 8: Merzouga – Tamnougalt

Rise before dawn and climb the dunes to watch the sun rise over the desert. After breakfast, return to the hotel by camel. Leave the desert via Rissani and the Jebel Sahro (‘the dry mountains’). Cross the Tizi-n-Tazazert Pass and explore historic kasbahs in the late afternoon light on the way to Tamnougalt in the Draa Valley for our overnight stay. Dinner at a kasbah.

Day 9: Tamnougalt – Taliouine

Before leaving Tamnougalt, explore the kasbah and its beautiful location by the river. Journey to the bustling centre of Tazenakht, where there is a carpet weaving co-operative. Continue on to the pretty village of Taliouine, famous for producing saffron, in the shadow of the Jebel Sirwa. Stay in a traditional auberge.

Day 10: Taliouine – Marrakech

Before leaving Taliouine, visit the saffron co-operative to learn about their high-quality production. Climb back into the High Atlas to ascend the Tizi-n-Test Pass (2093m) and visit the trekking centre of Ouirgane and its gorges. Stop off at the beautiful 12th century mosque of Tinmel, once an important administrative centre and treasury, set against a dramatic mountain backdrop. At Azni, just south of Marrakech, branch off into the Ourika Valley, with its lovely streams and waterfalls, and the resort of Oukmaiden, a centre for trekking and skiing, famous for its flora and fauna. Return to Marrakech and enjoy your final night in a riad.

Day 11: Marrakech

At leisure in Marrakech until your transfer to the airport.