5 days/4 nights: “From Marrakech to the dunes of Erg Chebbi and Fes”

Our trip will take us through the High Atlas mountains by way of the historic Tizi-n-Tichka pass. With an elevation of 2,260 meters the size and beauty of the mountains cannot be overstated. This pass is also dotted with ancient oak woods, walnut groves, traditional Berber villages and picturesque valley pastures complete with roaming free range goats and sheep. The mountain pass opens into a high desert lunar landscape and  we reach our first destination, the Telouet Kasbah; along the ancient route of the caravans, this was the seat of power of the El Glaoui family, hence sometimes called the Palace of Glaoui. (if you wish you can visit the Kasbah). We continue to Ait Benhaddou, where we will stop for lunch.  This UNESCO protected medina has been featured in such films as Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth and The Gladiator. Morocco has long been a favorite of Hollywood and you will also have a chance to visit previous movie sets that are still standing. From here we set off through The Valley of 1000 Kasbahs. Kasbahs are ancient castles or strongholds.The road you travel along may be paved today, but 1000 years ago it was just a path full of traders going to and from Europe.These Kasbahs offered a safe place to conduct business and spend the night in safety. We then travel through Skoura and Kelaa M’Gouna an area known for both roses and its handcrafted daggers. Then through the lush Draa Valley. Here you will stay in a Moroccan Riad bed and breakfast, complete with tea service and full dinner.

After breakfast we set off to the Todra Gorge.This marvel of geography with cliffs of ping and gray reaching the sky cannot be overstated. It’s a wonderful spot for a break and peaceful walk. From here we travel to the near by village of Erfoud for lunch. This area is home to centuries old horizontal wells called Qauah, that once irrigated the desert. After lunch we set out for Merzouga and the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Here you will admire the gilded pink dunes from the saddle of a dromedary passing effortlessly through the sand. The Chebbi dunes are continuously changing and moving, reaching a height of 160 meters.The evening will be spent in a luxury desert camp enjoying first class Berber hospitality. Complete with the traditional mint tea ritual, dinner and music topped off with star gazing in the vast desert sky.

After breakfast with a view of the dunes of Erg Chebbi, we continue on our journey to Rissani and Erfoud. We travel north towards Al Rachidia and the valley of Ziz, famous for its millions of date palms. We will pass Midelt, well known for its honey production and travel to Fes.

After breakfast you will have the whole day to visit Fes. Fes is one of the four imperial cities and lies 350 metres above sea level in a fertile valley. Its medina is home to textile, leather, ceramics and weapons workshops, as well as the oldest university in the world. Its medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is, with its buildings, markets and mosques, one of the most fascinating centres of the Islamic world. You will feel as if you have stepped back in time, breathing in a medieval air: your senses will be lost amidst wonderful scenery, peculiar sounds, rich scents and many colours. Overnight stay in a Riad.

After breakfast we resume our journey to Ifrane and Azrou in the Middle Atlas Mountains. We will arrive in Ifrane, founded during the French protectorate in 1929, known for its alpine climate, with snowfall and cold in winter and cool temperatures in summer. The town was a kind of summer colony for French families and was initially designed, according to the taste of the time, in the style of Alpine villages.  We continue on to Azrou a mountain resort, situated on a plateau at 1250 metres and a famous cultural centre of the M’guild Berber ethnic group. Through Khenifra and Beni Mellal you finally reach Marrakech where your journey ends.