7 DAYS: THE HIGH ATLAS & THE SAHARA at MERZOUGA

Marrakesh is an exciting, exotic city, full of colour and with non-stop activity. Spending time in the centre of Marrakesh, in and around the Medina and the old city walls, provides interest at every turn. Some hours spent here offer memorable sights, smells and experiences. Today you are led by an official City Guide for half a day. With discussion you can decide on your particular areas of interest. Options include Jemaa el Fna Square (a lively entertainment square), the Medina and its Souks, a Traditional Apothecary visit, the Koutoubia Mosque (outside only for non Muslims), Medersa Ben Youssef (Koranic School), Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace. All easily reached on foot. Your official City Guide will take the most effiient routing for your choices. The Majorelle Gardens (once owned by Yves St Lauren) is about 30 minutes walking from the Medina (optional; not yet costed in). An enjoyable experience is a Caliche trip, a horse drawn carriage tour around central Marrakech (optional; not yet costed in). Afternoon and evening at your own informal leisure. You may wish some additional activities t be includsed e.g. a hammam and spa, massage, patisserie making class, rooftop afternoon tea experience (none yet included in the trip cost). Overnight in Marrakech

Today you travel away from city life, deep into the countryside. The High Atlas contains dramatic scenery on a grand scale. Only an hour's drive south from Marrakech, you enter their foothills. High peaks and deep, water cut valleys abound. Look out for Mount Toubkal, the highest peak (4,167m). The High Atlas are home to the Berbers, who live in this beautiful but challenging land. Their villages cling on to steep mountain slopes, almost organically, so well do they merge with the landscape. Berber life is fascinating; on the upper slopes sheep and goats graze whilst, near the valley floors, the terraced fields show lush green as the river water irrigates the grains, vegetables, fruits and nuts. Here you can really begin to appreciate how a life is wrested from a harsh environment and how utterly invaluable is water for survival. You will pass through villages that are equally entracing as you observe daily activities. Paticularly interesting is a market day when such villages are crazy busy as buying and selling takes place. Many phtograph stops can be made, so fascinating is all that is around you. Coffee/tea stops too can be taken when the mood and need takes you. An Argan Oil Co-operative is visited. This is an example of rural development to help ladies gain extra income. The processing of the argan nuts into both culinary oils and cosmetic products is seen. Near to the top of the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass (2,260m), the watershed of the High Atlas, a stop is taken. From here there are great panoramic views over the mountains, their peaks and valleys, as well as over the snaking N9 road recently travelled. Descending the southern slopes of the High Atlas there is much to still fascinate in the local Berber activities seen. The climate becomes noticeably drier as you approach Ouarzazate. On arrival in to Ouarzazate, the “Peaceful City” lunch is taken. Departing Ouarzazate, heading eastwards, there is the very important reservoir of El Mansour. It provides water for domestic use, for farming and to generate hydro-electricity. In the very near vicinity is a major solar power plant development. Your journey then travels along the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, a Kasbah being a fortified “fort” where chiefs and landowners once lived. Many kasbahs are now in disrepair (having been made of pisé mud that is easily eroded by wind and rain). Look out for stork nests atop the corner towers of these old kasbahs. Between the small towns of this area you can see various traditional farming activities. Nomads to are often encountered, herding their sheep, goats and camels; you may see some tents too, the herders’ homes when they are away from their village. At El-Kelaâ M’gouna, the intensely cultivated plots of farmland are bordered by rose bushes. The rose petals are used in the cosmetic industry. In May a Rose Festival takes place, celebrating the year’s production. Soaps and lotions can be purchased here. Boumalne Dadès is a major town, bridging the Dadès River and at the entrance to the upper Dadès Valley. Overnight Boumalne Dadès

Leaving Boumalne Dadès, and just after Tinerhir, the journey continues towards the deeply water cut chasm of the Todra Gorge. The semi-desert landscape of this area reveals impressive buttes, mesa and plateaux. Many dry riverbeds are seen, riverbeds that come alive with thunderous power during flash floods from the occasional storms that can occur here. Travelling in towards the Todra Valley offers a great views from your vehicle. In the lower Todra valley you can view traditional settlements that cling to the valley sides, high above the valley floor. The valley floor is covered in densely packed date palmeries. Dates are a very high value crop but their continued success depends upon the water from the Todra River. Taking a side road from close to Tinerhir, and climbing upwards into the upper Todra valley area is simply wonderful. The road twists and turns with fantastic views throughout the journey, the gorge’s sides narrowing as you travel inwards. The Todra Gorge is 300m high and was made by the Todra river, cutting down through red stained limestones. A walk through the gorge is a most enjoyable (and easy) experience. Imagining the mighty flash floods that can sometimes pass through the gorge is very thought provoking. After time in the Todra Gorge and moving on, the ever-increasing aridity and parched landscapes are entered as you travel ever onwards towards the Sahara. Passing through many small towns (e.g. Tinejad, Melaah) often a market day can be encountered; lively, bustling and colourful. Erfoud is where your travels turn southwards. In Erfoud, “fossil capital” of this area, there is the opportunity to visit a craft workshop where the fossil rich rocks are carefully and skilfully changed into objects, some practical (e.g. side and dining tables) and some decorative (e.g. plates and bowls). On then to Merzouga. You are now truly in the Sahara! By now the massive sand sea of Erg Chebbi will be looming on the forward horizon. Here the sand dunes rise to over 200m and cover an area of 35 sq. km. The colour of this area of sand dunes changes depending on the time of day and are especially enriched and enchanting just before sunset. Having settled into your overnight accommodation in a Bedouin Camp, there is the option (included) to take a camel ride into the sand dunes. Having ridden some distance, you climb up the nearest sand dune on foot to watch the colourful display as the sun sets; a most magical moment. After sunset, and as darkness quickly ensues, it is time to return to camp for dinner and a night by the campfire enjoying traditional Berber music from the locals (drumming and singing). Before heading to bed, take a look at the night sky; the star show can be incredible in this area of minimal light pollution. As well as the opportunity to view a magnificent sunset, if you are an early riser, then a Saharan sunrise can be just as thrilling (but do wrap up warm as the morning can be very chilly!). Overnight in Bedouin Camp

This journey is truly spectacular, travelling through a very remote and empty land that borders the Sahara. Views are vast and extensive, with desert plains and high mountains and plateaux all around. This journey gives a real feeling of wilderness; it is awesome in its grandeur. The journey is truly wonderful. Stops can be made to “feel” this awesome wilderness, to the appreciate the wide skies and the lack of any human impact (other than the road!). Acacia forests are seen too, “umbrella shaped” trees, specially adapted to the harsh environments. Protected gazelle reserves too are passed. After Alnif, a possible lunch stop (and a place with fossil interest too), it is on to the Draâ Valley, a valley rich with date palmeries on the valley floor; very tasty too (many stall holders are seen, in the season, selling delicious dates). Then turning north in the direction of Ouarzazate, it is up and over the Anti Atlas and the Tizi-n-Tinififft Pass (1,693m); spectacular, of course, as ever. This area is almost bereft of any vegetation and no wonder; here “bare bones of rock” form the landscape with minimal soil. The multiple layers of rock that were once part of an ancient ocean floor have been uplifted to create a landscape that is almost like a contour map, so clear are the boundaries between each thin rock layer. After a fabulous day totally "away from it all", reach the city of Ouarzazate, the Peaceful City. Overnight Ouarzazate

Before the highest part of your High Atlas return journey today, about 45 minutes north from Ouarzazate, lies Aït Benhaddou, a grand fortified settlement, now a World heritage Site and well worth a stop and a stroll. Aït Benhaddou is the most famous Kasbah in Morocco (dating from the 11th century) and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Aït Benhaddou kasbah was once a chief's stronghold and fortified village, a most impressive creation. It was an important part of the ancient trade route over the High Atlas between Marrakech, Ouarzazate, and the Sahara. Time is taken at Aït Benhaddou to leisurely wander within the well preserved and conserved fortified settlement. Perhaps climb to the high watchtower that once guarded the converging routes of the many camel caravans that met at this important transit point. The film industry of Ouarzazate often uses Aït Benhaddou for scenes e.g. Gladiator, Game of Thrones and, most recently, Odyssey (Director "Christopher Nolan). Then it is up and over the High Atlas once again (but seen from a very different perspective). The highest peak, Mount Toubkal 13,671 feet (4,167m) in this impressive mountain range should again be looked out for – perhaps it was cloudy on the outward journey. The N9 road continues to wiggle its way upwards to the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass before starting its slow descent to the Marrakech Plain. Descending the north facing slopes of the High Atlas there is much to still fascinatein the local activities seen. River valleys that have been deeply cut into the landscape can be seen. Many rock sellers are at the roadsides, all trying to boost their family’s income. After all the tranquillity and tradition of the mountains, however, soon you are once again in the midst of the hustle, bustle and clamour of vibrant Marrakech. It has been quite a trip! Overnight Marrakech

In the morning, depending on your flight’s schedule, you'll perhaps have some final moments to explore the Marrakesh Medina before heading out to the airport for departure. Private transport and driver to Marrakech Menara Airport; end of your tour arrangments.