Mountains, Deserts and Mint Tea

1. 1

   Day 1

   Arrive Marrakech

   Fly UK to Marrakech. We arrive at the airport and transfer to our hotel. Depending on the time of the flight we have a late afternoon walk into the markets where we start to acclimatise and appreciate that the short flight has brought us to a completely different world! Overnight at Hotel.

2. 2

   Day 2

   Marrakech, cooking class, Imlil Atlas Mountains

   This morning we head out and visit the souq, mixing with the local Marrakeshi as we buy the ingredients needed for our lunch today; the meat, vegetables, herbs and spices that form the basis of Moroccan cuisine. During our hands-on cookery class, the chef will teach us how to make traditional dishes that are central to Moroccan cuisine. Along the way we'll learn about the key ingredients and techniques needed to make some of the most famous Moroccan dishes, such as couscous, pastila, tagine, tanjia and harira. For lunch, we get to savour the gastronomic delights of our morning cookery class, so we had better pay close attention! After lunch we journey into the mountains to a small village and hike into the Imlil valley which has great views of Morocco’s tallest mountain, Mount Toubkal. We have a short hike this afternoon from the road and then head to our base for the night – a typical Berber mountain village set deep in the Atlas mountains. Life has changed little here over the years and our hosts will take us on a guided tour of the village. Accommodation tonight will be a simple village house or ‘gite’. Sleeping arrangements are likely to be multiple occupancy rooms with mattresses on the floor. (If you prefer we can return to our Marrakech Hotel). Overnight at in Village House.

3. 3

   Day 3

   Mountain Drive & into the Desert at Zagora

   In the morning we descend to Imlil and begin our journey across the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Ouarzazate (approx. 4 h). From there we continue from Ouarzazate to Zagora with stops en route to observe the plate tectonics and geographical features. Continuing along the Vallee du Draa through an arid plains landscape, oasis settlements and date palmeries. We encounter nomadic pastoralists and explore the desert landscape. Along the way you’ll have the chance to study the desert landscapes and see oasis agriculture, desertification and sand dune encroachment. Overnight at Hotel

4. 4

   Day 4

   Camel Trek and Desert Camp

   First thing this morning we head out on to the arid plains to an oasis settlement where we leave our vehicle and meet your camelteers to begin our camel safari into the desert (4 hours camel safari). We’ll encounter nomadic farmers and explore a magical area of rolling dunes in the desert. We’ll set up camp and prepare traditional Moroccan fare under clear starry skies and sleep in large Bedouin-style tents. With luck your camel drivers and camp staff may sing and play drums to round off the magical atmosphere of the evening.

5. 5

   Day 5

   The journey home and Ait Benhaddou

   In the morning you leave the camp and mount the camels once again to continue exploring the desert. Around 12:00 you will head backwards Zagora with a stop at Tamgroute where you can explore the coranic library and the pottery cooperative.

   Our final destination today is Ait Benhaddou. This is probably the best-preserved fortified kasbah in the country. With its dramatic walls of red earth, slit windows and crumbling towers, it is a magnificent example of a traditional stronghold. Chosen as a location for Hollywood films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Jewel in the Nile and more recently Gladiator, Ait Benhaddou sits upon a lofty pinnacle of rock overlooking a river and we are very lucky to stay overnight in this beautiful setting. With its dramatic walls of red earth, slit windows and crumbling towers Ait Benhaddou is a magnificent example of a traditional stronghold and has been chosen as a location for Hollywood films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Jewel in the Nile and, of course, Gladiator.

6. 6

   Day 6

   Marrakech - UK

   First thing this morning you will return by road to Marrakech. Depending on our flight time, we may have time for a final morning in the souk, watching the hustle and bustle of this magical city before heading back to the airport for our return flight to the UK.

Itineraries can change with the seasons, local conditions and your group's needs. Ask us and we'll tailor it.