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Travelling through the relatively unspoilt south of Morocco’s high mountains, harsh desert and paradise-like green oases.

You’ll visit Berber meeting-places and the medieval medinas of Marrakech and Taroudant. You’ll explore the labyrinths of oriental sultans’ cities and their picturesque covered markets. You’ll spend two nights in a goat-hair nomad tent on the edge of the Sahara, and have the opportunity to ride a camel into the dunes. And you’ll be able to chill out on the Atlantic coast in the quaint port town of Essaouira.

Day 1-3: The trip will start in Marrakech, the principal capital of the south, where we’ll spend three nights. The city’s dazzling centre, the Djemaa el Fna square, is an enthralling and exotic Eastern experience populated by snake-charmers, acrobats and storytellers. You’ll be able to have a meal at one of the small food stalls that appear only at night to serve up delicious kebabs, seafood, soup and salads. You’ll explore the medieval medina and markets heaving with a colourful mixture of bright carpets, piled fruit and dyed skeins of wool. Behind small gates you will discover handsomely-wrought sultan’s tombs, ancient palaces and Koranic schools. The numerous terraces are great for people-watching and, in the evening, a refreshing visit to a steamy hammam (a Turkish bath) is recommended. 

Day 4: On day 4 we’ll head for the kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou and cross the High Atlas Mountains with their snow-covered summits and deep river valleys. In the days that follow we’ll undoubtedly encounter one of the weekly markets which provide the most important gathering-places for inhabitants of remote villages.

Day 5-6: On day 5 we’ll travel through the Drâa Valley and stunning desert landscape to Erg Chebbi. The latter, on the edge of the Sahara, is Morocco’s most beautiful sand dune region and that’s why we’ll spend two nights here in a goat-hair nomad tent! You’ll be able to explore on foot or take the opportunity to ride a camel. Either way we know that you’ll enjoy the endless sea of sand and this region’s spectacular sunrises and sunsets.

Day 9: The trip then continues to Ouarzazate, where you can pay a visit to Kasbah Taourirt, the birthplace of the last Pasha of Marrakech.

Day 10-11: On day 10 we’ll travel through splendid volcanic scenery to Taroudant, a charming walled city with what will seem like an anachronous medieval-like street-life. On the following day you will be able to explore Taroudant’s small alleys, buy some unusual ethnic souvenirs, and visit a tea-house.

Day 12: On day 12 we’ll drive through the lush green argana forests towards Essaouira, a friendly coastal town on the Atlantic Ocean. There you’ll be able to simply loll on a terrace, or if you’re feeling energetic, either explore the ancient alleys or go for a long walk on the beach. In the morning you will be able to watch the fishing boats unload their catch of sardines at the port. Then, in the evening, we recommend that you treat yourself to freshly-caught fish where it is served in any of the quaint little harbour restaurants.

Day 13: On the afternoon of day 13 we will return to Marrakech where, because the trip ends the following day.

Day 14: Departure.