MAGICAL MOROCCO: ATLAS MOUNTAINS & SAHARA DESERT ADVENTURE

MAGICAL MOROCCO

ATLAS MOUNTAINS & SAHARA DESERT ADVENTURE

APRIL 26th 2025 – MAY 3rd 2025

OCT 4th 2025 – OCT 11th 2025

We have 2 options for the Morocco trip. A min of 10 people are needed to confirm one date or both dates.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike across stunning mountains, valleys and gorges

• Gaze upon riverside Oases, Kasbahs and Berber villages

• Desert safari, camel ride & sleeping under the stars in the Sahara

ITINERARY

Saturday April 26th Day 1 Fly into Marrakesh. Overnight in Marrakesh

Sunday April 27th Day 1 Marrakech - Ouirgane - Tinzert - Imi Oughlad

HIKING

Transfer from Marrakech in the morning (70km drive) to Ouirgane. Then begin the trek which heads south along mule tracks near a saline stream towards the village of Marigha Izdern (1,205m) then to Imareghan Noufla (1,224m) where intensely flavoured olive oil is produced. We trek through a mix of field crops, wild flowers via Berber hamlets to the little village of Tinzert where salt is mined

We then head up the other side of the valley passing terraced wheat-fields, villages and diverse mineral rich mountain slopes, through juniper woodlands to reach the Imi Oughlad, night in Imi oughlad in a Gite.

Approx: 4 hrs hiking time.

Monday April 28th Day 3: Imi Oughlad- Tizi Oussem / Ait Aissa
HIKING

After breakfast we'll head up and out of the valley and hike to the stunning Azzaden Valley. The views open up with a rushing mountain stream surrounded by lush walnut groves

Overnight in IMLIL Approx: 5 hours hiking

Tuesday April 29th Day 4 Tizi Ouzzem 1600m - Tizi Mzik 2489m - Imlil 1740m HIKING

We set off up in north-westerly direction for a 2-3 hour hike up steep mountain slopes, passing by woods, pine and juniper, look upon the Imlil and ait oussaden valleys, then a slow but steep descent for an hour or so to imi n'ifri and our field picnic

Overnight in IMLIL Guest house Approx: 5 hours hiking.

Wednesday April 30th Day 5 : Imlil - Dades Valley

We'll head out over the Atlas Mountains, driving over the stunning Tizi-n-Tichka mountain pass & once we’re in the desert, we'll see riverside oases & barren hillsides dotted with kasbahs

We’ll also walk through traditional Berber villages

We'll visit the Ouarzazate /Atlas Film Studios (Africa’s largest film studios. Once we reach Dades Gorge, relax at the hotel

We’ll also get the opportunity to visit local shops

Thursday May 1st Day 6: Dades Valley - Todra Gorge - Merzouga

Transfer from the Dades Valley to Todra Gorge - a massive fault dividing the High Atlas mountains, rising up 300 metres in a narrow valley with palmeries and Berber villages. DESERT SAFARI

Walk to the palmery, a green oasis full of large date palms, head further into the desert to the town of Merzouga. At sunset, we’ll go by camel or a jeep to a Berber camp where we'll enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner . We’ll spend the evening under the stars, on the dunes and beside the warmth of the fireside with a drum party & story swapping.

Total driving time 5-6 hours

Friday May 2nd Day 7 : Merzouga – Marrakech DESERT SAFARI

Prior to sunrise, we’ll have a 90 minute CAMEL ride or you can go with a JEEP to explore the area

When we reach Merzouga, we’ll have breakfast and begin our journey (8 hours) through the stony desert and over the Atlas mountains, with stops for photos, visits, exploring and lunch.

Overnight in Marrakech

Saturday May 3rd Day 8: Free time in Marrakech

Flights back to UK

FLIGHTS

Easyjet, BA & Ryan Air have direct flights. But best to confirm the trip soon and book flights early to get better deals

DRESS CODE

Morocco is a conservative country, which means you always need to be mindful of your clothing choices. This is especially true in the country’s more rural areas, which include the Sahara Desert and its surrounding villages. As a general rule of thumb, you should always attempt to cover body parts considered “private”. For women, this means covering the arms (or at least the shoulders) and the knees up. For men, it requires covering up the shoulders and above the knee.

FOOD

Meals on the trek are cooked by the Berber muleteers. The food is fresh and healthy. Example meals:

Breakfast: Jam, bread, cookies, fruit, juice, butter, coffee, milk

Lunch: salad, tomatoes, carrots, lentils, beans, rice or pasta, fish (sardines, tuna), seasonal fruit

Dinner: Soup, classic Moroccan tajine (chicken is popular), couscous, olives, nuts, fruit

BAGGAGE

Personal baggage, cooking equipment and food are carried by the mules, leaving you to carry only a rucksack with whatever you need close at hand for the day. NB : Left luggage or unnecessary luggage can be left safely in our storage in Imlil till you come back from the trek.

COST

£625 For payment upto Dec 31st 2024 (Special early bird rate)

£695 For payment upto Jan 31st 2025

Single room supplement £95 (Except for the 1 day in the gite)

FOR FULL DETAILS RSVP