It’s an early start as we collect you from your hotel or riad in Marrakech and begin our journey through the High Atlas Mountains, enjoying spectacular scenery as we climb to 2,260m for the Tizi n’Tichka Pass.
With comfort breaks and pauses for photography along the way, we arrive at Aït Ben Haddou where your guide will take you on a tour of this historic and fascinating fortified city.
The setting for this ksar and adjoining kasbahs is nothing short of spectacular. Its commanding position in the Ounila Valley evolved a long a former caravan route from the Sahara to Marrakech. The high, defensive walls, narrow passages, earth and clay construction and exotic landscape have provided the location backdrop for numerous blockbusters including Lawrence of Arabia, The Mummy and The Prince of Persia.
Next, we head for Zagora, passing through the Drâa Valley from which the river and its oases provide a vital source of life not only for the Berber villagers but also for the intense agriculture of this region.
Date palms are prolific and the villagers grow a variety of fruit and vegetables throughout the valley in their patchwork of precious terraced land.
On the outskirts of Zagora we reach our desert outpost where we climb on to our camels and head into the Sahara against a setting sun and the dunes of Erg Lihoudi.
Our destination for the night is a traditional Berber camp where you can enjoy your evening meal and a memorable night’s sleep in a private Berber bivouac under a canopy of dazzling stars.
