Imperial red city of Marrakech historic medina sites, souks and Jemaa el Fna, scenic Tizi n’Tichka high Atlas Mountain pass, Ouarzazate (gateway to the Sahara Desert), Zagora (located in the Draa Tafilalet region known as the date basket of Morocco), M’Hamid (final frontier village before the desert starts), wild desert camping overnights spots – Sidi Naji, Erg Zahar, Erg Smar, Erg Chigaga - , Ksar Ait Ben Haddou (Unesco world heritage site), local women’s argan oil co-operative, Imlil (mountain village from which most high Atlas mountain hiking paths start), Imenane valley, Tizi n’Tamatert, Tinerhourhine, Tizi n’Aguersioual, Tizi Oussem, valley of Azzadene, Tizi Mzik.

Day one-Marrakech : Arrival in Marrakech at a time of your choice (early arrival will ensure you have additional free time to explore the exotic surrounds of the world-famous Jemaa el Fna, souks and alleys). Late afternoon group meeting with overview of tour, followed by a meet and greet group dinner, overnight Marrakech.

Day Two-Marrakech to Zagora : After breakfast, depart to Zagora (located in the Draa River valley in the Moroccan region of Drâa-Tafilalet and known as the date basket of Morocco), by crossing the stunning and scenic Tizi n’Tichka high Atlas Mountain pass. Coffee on the pass. Local lunch Ouarzazate (gateway to the Sahara Desert). Arriving in Zagora, free time to relax or explore till dinner, overnight Zagora.

Day Three-Zagora to M’Hamid to Sidi Naji (Sahara desert): (After breakfast, transfer to M’Hamid, the final frontier village before the desert starts. Free time to explore the small village and experience local desert living before lunch. After lunch, transfer to Sidi Naji, the 1st wild camping overnight point. The drive will be along the Draa River with its varied terrain of the surrounding area. Sidi Naji contains a marabout – a small shrine containing the grave of Sidi Naji, a Muslim holy man, member of an important family in south Morocco, which is also the site of an annual nomadic pilgrimage. Meet your desert guide, support team and camels. Prepare for the next day’s trekking day, before relaxing and enjoying the magnificence and magnitude of the desert. Hot dinner to be served around the fire. Overnight tented accommodation.

Days Four-Sidi Naji to Erg Zahar: Breakfast at sunrise. Today’s trek will be completed before a late lunch in Erg Zahar. The route from Sidi Naji to Erg Zahar will be along an ancient dried lake that slowly transforms into rolling dunes. Although not much vegetation, the views are no less spectacular. After taking a relaxing lunch to recharge after the morning trek, spend some time to explore the dunes of Erg Zahar. The dunes in this area are the second tallest after Erg Chigaga, however they are known to be even more remote and wild than the ones in Erg Chigaga, as these contain no permanent camps. Assist with setting up camp and prepare for tomorrow’s trekking day before leisure time to climb up the high dunes and marvel in a glorious desert sunset or just take in the solitude, quietness, tranquility and vastness of the Sahara Desert. Enjoy a dinner by the fireside before retiring to your tents for the night. Approx. 4 to 5 hours trekking.

Day Five- Erg Zahar to Erg Smar : After breakfast, the trek will cross the now dammed (and dried) Draa River. Trekking across its river bed there’s a true sense of the vastness of this once flowing river. Even though the river is now dry, water still runs deep beneath the ground. Remnants of past settlements can still be seen through the area. Lunch under the shade of Tamarisk trees. At the water well, while making a stop to replenish the water supply for the next days of trekking, there will be an opportunity to “wash”, by using well water. Tonight camp will be set up under the large Tamarisk trees, Prepare for the next day’s final trekking, before leisure time to bask in the glory of the Sahara Desert. Enjoy dinner and good conversation by the fireside before retiring to your tents for the night. Approx. 5 hours trekking.

Day Six- Erg Smar to Erg Chigaga : After breakfast, we will trek to Erg Chigaga via a series of rolling small dunes and flat plateaus. Lunch under the shade of Tamarisk trees. Be amazed to arrive at the base of the Erg Chigaga dunes – this is the largest dune field in the area and with some dunes towering up to 300m high, they roll for an impressive 40 km through the desert southwest of M’Hamid, just north of the Algerian border, offering an unforgettable “empty-desert” experience with breathtaking views. Overnight at a standard desert camp with shared accommodation, ablution and charging facilities. Time to wash off the dust and sand of the previous days trekking! The final desert dinner, served with flaming hot sand bread (demonstrated by the cook), will be around the fire, before retiring to your rooms to pack your bags. Approx. 5 hours trekking.

Day Seven- Erg Chigaga to Ksar Ait Ben Haddou : Early sunrise climb to the top of the big dunes, followed by your final desert breakfast. The transport will be ready to transfer you to the crumbling ancient Ksar Aït Ben Haddou (UNESCO world heritage site). Local lunch on the way. Arriving, leisure time to visit the ksar and its small, colourful and charming shops hidden around unexpected corners, explore the crooks and crannies of the crumbling structure, enjoy refreshments on the carpeted terrace, or brave the many steep stairs to the top wall with magnificent views of the ksar. Overnight in the douar (village) of Ait Ben Haddou.

Day Eight- Ksar Ait Ben Haddou to Imlil: After breakfast, depart to the small high Atlas Mountain village of Imlil, by crossing the stunning and scenic Tizi n’Tichka high Atlas Mountain pass. On the way, stop at a local women’s argan oil co-operative Lunch in a small village on the pass. On arrival in Imlil, free time to explore the small mountain village from which most of Morocco’s high Atlas Mountain hiking paths start, overnight Imlil .

Day Nine- Imlil to Tinerhourhine village : After breakfast, meet your mountain guide, support crew and mules to carry your luggage. Start your slack-packing hike towards Tinerhourhine in the Imenane Valley via the Tizi n’ Tamatert (mountain pass) at 2,279m, passing the village of Tamatert. Lunch at the top of the pass, offering an amazing panoramic view over the High Atlas peaks. After lunch and some rest, continue to Ouanesekra and then to Tamguist. Arriving at Tinerhourhine, relaxation time before dinner, overnight homestay at Tinerhourhine. Approx. 4 hours hiking.

Day Ten- Imenane Valley to Valley of Azzadene: After breakfast, leave the village of Tinerhourhine and hike along the Imenane Valley, to reach the traditional Berber village of Ikkis, then continue to Tizi n’Aguersioual (mountain pass). Lunch near the village of Matate. A further 2 hours hiking to the village of Ait Aissa, or alternatively the village of Tizi Oussem, where it’s possible to use the village hammam (traditional steam bath). Dinner with local family, overnight Ait Aissa or Tizi Oussem. Approx. 6 to 7 hours hiking.

Day Eleven- Azzadene Valley to Imlil to Marrakech: After breakfast, hike to Tizi Mzik (mountain pass) and descend to the Mzik village for lunch. After lunch, hike back to Imlil village. Approx. 4 hours hiking. Meet your transport and arrive back in Marrakech late afternoon. Drop off at pre-booked accommodation.

Day Twelve- Marrakech: After breakfast, private taxi transfer to Menara International airport at a time suitable to your flight departure schedule.

*Basic packing list covering both Sahara Desert trek and Atlas Mountain Valleys hike is provided as part of the full tour itinerary.