Leaving the noisy city behind us, we head south toward the great heights and plunging valleys of the Toubkal Massif. After crossing the Haouz plain, we pass through the small town of Asni. From here our road starts to climb toward the foothills of the Atlas Range. Stretching out below us is the valley of Oued Rhirhaia, where the tiny villages of the region appear to dangle from the steep hillsides. Our path meanders through the mountains to the village of Imlil. From here we begin our trek accompanied by our expert local guide, starting out first toward the village of Armed and the shrine of Sidi Chamarouch. The largest village in the valley, Armed rests on a moraine spur overlooking the valley floor. Armed is a classic example of a Berber village, with its mix of busy, colorful streets (often gridlocked by passing goat and cattle herds) traditional terraced farming, and welcoming guesthouses. The Berber people have worked these lands for generations, transforming a harsh landscape into verdant, productive terrain that provides them with what they need to survive. Fields of wheat, corn and potatoes, as well as walnut, cherry and apple groves dot the landscape, turning the craggy mountainsides into green oases. We continue east, crossing the river and arriving at the shrine of Sidi Charamouch, a favourite destination of tourists and pilgrims alike, though only Muslims may cross the stone bridge to the shrine itself. Sitting beside a small waterfall, the village is a jumbled grouping of houses that appear to melt into one another. Here the trail climbs steadily, meandering its way up toward the snowline and Toubkal Refuge. After the day's trek of approximately five hours we spend the night here, in anticipation of tomorrow's ascent to the summit. Approx: 5-6 hours.

We start our day early in preparation for the ascent to the summit of Jebel Toubkal, the jewel of the Atlas. Following the southern cirque, we cross the stream above the refuge and move across one of the many scree fields. The boulders and rock fields require some negotiating. This portion of the trek is fairly simple; however, the scree and altitude can present challenges. The views afforded by the ascent will more than compensate for the effort made. As we crest the ridgeline, we arrive on the plateau. From here it is a short hike to the summit. The views from the peak are indescribable. You will know then why you made the journey. As Pliny the Roman scholar once remarked, the Atlas are "the most fabulous mountains in all of Africa."Spend the night in Armed Village. This is a long day of 9-10 hours trekking.

Today, the day’s journey starts from Imlil Valley down, passing by Asni, Moulay Brahim Gorges and Tahnoaout and join the way eastward that goes out of the Atlas Mountains up to the winding mountain roads to TIZI n'Tichka, taking in a stark and beautiful terrain. The road takes us through several isolated Berber villages situated along the mountainside and below in secluded gorges. It's a fascinating and realistic glance at the landscape and culture of these rugged and hospitable people. Once down from the mountain passes we follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to the city of Ouarzazate. Here we enjoy lunch and afterward continue to Klaat Mgouna, known as The Valley of Roses. From here you can take in some remarkable views of the valley, kasbahs, and the southern side of the Atlas range. Our final destination is Dades, where we will overnight

We begin our day's journey with a drive from Dades to the Todgha gorges. Both of the limestone river canyons were formed by their respective rivers, on the final 40 km through the Atlas Mountains. In places, they can reach a height of 400 m, and are one of the many natural wonders of the region. Our final destination is Merzouga, a popular gateway to the Sahara beyond. Here you can immerse yourself in the stark beauty of the desert while riding camels into the sunset. The night is spent by the fire under a canopy of stars.

After watching a spectacular desert sunrise, we'll venture out again on camelback through the shifting dunes. Then we return to meet our driver for transport to the fortified village (ksar) of Ait Benhaddou, found along what was once the caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987, it has been a favoured location of film makers around the world.

After breakfast we will set out for Marrakech, retracing our route through the mountains and Tizi n'Tichka pass. We arrive back at our accommodation by the mid-afternoon.