South Morocco

Day 1 Marrakech: Early evening meet with your guide to share essential trip information, and so that your passport and insurance details can be collected.

Note: we leave early tomorrow for the start of our adventure, so you may want arrive a day earlier (or stay a day later) so that you can explore this unique city. After the meeting, perhaps head to the city’s main square – Djemaa El-Fna – for dinner.

Day 2 Marrakech to Armoud: This morning we take a short drive up into the High Atlas Mountains to the village of Imlil (approximately 2 hours), admiring the stunning scenery along the way. On arrival, we will store your main luggage and load your daypacks onto pack mules before walking into traditional mountain village life with a one-hour trek up to the peaceful village of Aroumd. If you feel like the walk is too strenuous then there's the option (at a cost) of riding the mule. The remote village of Aroumd offers stunning views across the High Atlas Mountains and a unique opportunity to experience traditional Berber culture. You will spend the night in a family-run mountain home (gite) in Aroumd. Surrounded by the smell of woodstoves and bread, meet the host family and enjoy Berber hospitality and food. Facilities at the homestay are shared (both the bathroom and sleeping arrangements) but cosy, comfortable and definitely a unique experience. You can take some time to explore the village and the surrounding farmlands.

Day 3 Armoud to Ait Benhaddou: This morning we journey along mountain roads and over Morocco's highest pass, Tizi n'Tichka (2,260 metres), to Ait Benhaddou on the edges of the Sahara (approximately 6 hours). Perched on a hilltop and almost unchanged since the 11th century, Ait Benhaddou is one of Morocco's most iconic sites. Its grand kasbah has been listed as a World Heritage site, with its fortified village being a fine example of clay architecture. It has also been the star of countless films and TV shows, including Lawrence of Arabia, Game of Thrones and Gladiator.

Day 4 Ait Benhaddou to Zagora: This morning you'll journey south towards the Sahara, stopping in the regularly used film location of Ouarzazate along the way (approximately 5 hours in total). Continue to travel through the lush Draa Valley to Zagora, a small oasis town on the Sahara fringe that is perfect for an overnight stop. Take a stroll through the palm groves, explore the ksars and wander around the surrounding countryside.

Day 5 Night in the Desert: Today we continue our journey along the rugged and desolate Jbel Tadrart ranges and through seas of sand and past the occasional desert oasis of date palms to the township of Tamegroute. Leaving Tamegroute behind we drive to the end of the road at the frontier town of M'Hamid (approximately 1 hour). From here, take a short camel ride through the dunes, where you’ll transfer into 4WD vehicles. The rough track runs parallel to the Algerian border, across the stony Hamada desert. We reach the massive and breathtaking Erg Chigaga dunes in the late afternoon. Your camp for the night is fairly basic with bedding, mattresses and toilet facilities provided. If you are making the trip during the winter months of November to March it can get very cold at night, so it’s a good idea to bring base layers and a warm sleeping bag.

Day 6 Taroudannt: This morning we spend the day travelling towards the market town of Taroudannt, sometimes called ‘Little Marrakesh’. The journey should take around six hours in total. The drive takes us through desert scenery and along a route that's a reserve for the indigenous argan trees. Argan oil is highly prized for its culinary, cosmetic and medicinal uses and is only produced in Morocco, and is certainly a trademark of Morocco around the world. If you're lucky, we will come across the famous image of goats climbing these trees in search of nuts. Please note that this is a long travel day, and you won't arrive at tonight's accommodation until late afternoon/early evening.

Day 7 Taroudannt to Essaouira: In the morning, you can explore the town and its souks. Afterwards, we leave the valleys of the High Atlas Mountains behind and head west to the coastal town of Essaouira (approximately 5 hours). This is a picturesque town, and still a working port. As you’ll arrive in the early evening, there won’t be much time to look around today. Local seafood is as fresh as it gets and the perfect choice for your dinner tonight.

Day 8 Essaouira: Today, you will join a local guide for a walking tour through the old medina, Jewish mellah, port and skala (sea wall). Afterwards, use your free time to get to know the town. From its narrow streets to its silver and thuya wood and clothing shops there is plenty to explore and lots of souvenirs to buy. Take a stroll (or ride a horse – or another camel) along the miles of sandy beach. Line up with the cats and seagulls to watch the daily catch come in and get cleaned, then lunch on it in one of the kiosks on the front. Or for a little rest and relaxation, how about a hammam or a henna?

Day 9 Essaouira to Marrakech: Today we return to Marrakech, a 3 hour drive, where you trip ends. If you would like to stay on we can arrange accommodation for you.