Day 1: Marrakech- High Atlas – Telouet - Ait Ben Haddou – Valley of 1000 Kasbahs– Rose Valley- Dades gorge

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, a mud brick kasbah protected by UNESCO and known as the finest and most famous in Morocco, which has featured in a number of films, such as Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth and The Gladiator. After the tour we stop for lunch. 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 Dades Valley. Here you will stay in a Moroccan Riad bed and breakfast, complete with tea service and full dinner.

Day 2: Todra gorges– Draávalley – Zagora

After breakfast in the hotel, we continue on our journey to the spectacular Todra gorge. The road passes through Tinerhir, set amidst green palms, and yellow Berber villages, until we start to see high walls of pink and grey rock stand out against the sky. After a walk through the gorge, we resume our journey to the Draa Valley. The waters running down from the High Atlas have formed a long oasis which runs from Ouarzazate to M'Hamid. The most luxuriant part, with millions of date palms, is located between Agdz and Zagora. The dates of Zagora are of particularly high quality and can be bought anywhere in the area during the harvest period from September to December. Whatever you do, make sure you taste this exceptional fruit. We move on to Zagora, dinner and overnight accommodation in a typical Riad.

Day 3: Zagora – Tamegroute - Mhamid – Oasis of Iriki – dunes of Erg Chigaga (sandboarding)

After breakfast, we continue south into the desert of Mhamid. The journey takes us past Tamegroute (where you can visit a pottery workshop and watch the potters at work) and the dunes of Tinfou to Mhamid, once a lonely oasis and an important stop on the old caravan routes. Before Mhamid, we leave the paved road and drive into the desert; if you are lucky, you may see ostriches, antelopes, and gazelles; you are sure to encounter free-roaming dromedaries and herds of goats. In an adventurous drive in a Land Cruiser on the desert tracks, you will reach the sacred oasis of Iriki after about 50 km and then continue to the dunes of Erg Chigaga, which stretch over an area of about 40 km. The golden dunes reach a height of 300 m and our desert camp is located in the middle of the dunes. Enjoy the hospitality of the nomads, with the famous mint tea, the “Whiskey berbère,” as a welcome drink. Lunch at the camp; sandboarding on the dunes and camel ride into the sunset. Dinner and overnight stay in the desert camp and nomadic romance.

Day 4: Trekking with dromedaries to the dunes of Erg Chigaga

If you sleep in the desert, make sure you get up early to admire the golden light of dawn as it illuminates the sand dunes. After breakfast, we set out on our trek with the dromedaries to the dunes of Erg Chigaga. After 2 - 3 hours of travelling, we reach a tamarind tree, under whose shade the guides cook a lunch of kebabs and fresh bread baked in the sand in the traditional nomad style. We go back to our camp, where you can admire a breathtaking sunset among the dunes while awaiting dinner. Dinner and overnight accommodation in a Berber tent.

Day 5: Lake of Iriki –fossil mountain– Tazenakht – Marrakesh

After breakfast, we continue on our journey by jeep along the old track of the Paris-Dakar rally, reaching the dried up salt lake of Iriki. We pass below the fossil mountain and finally leave the desert behind and reach Tazenakht, a famous carpet manufacturing centre. We stop in Tazenakht for lunch and return to Marrakesh towards evening.