Mountains & Imperial Cities

The adventure begins in the Red City, Marrakech. You can arrive at any time today. There is a group meeting in the evening, where we get together as a group for the first time and you can ask any questions you may have. Stay: Moroccan House (or similar).

With time to explore Marrakech at the end of our journey, we leave the Red City and head east into the Atlas Mountains. Our destination for the day is the well-preserved ksar (fortified village) of Ait Benhaddou. This historic Unesco-listed complex is one of the most spectacular sights in the Atlas mountains, made famous as the filming location for several Hollywood films including Gladiator (2000). The route takes us over the Tizi N Tichka pass, the highest in Morocco, arriving mid-afternoon. We then have time for a walk around the town before dinner. Marrakech to Ait Benhaddou: 120mi (190km), 4hr 30min drive Stay: Kasbah el Janoub (or similar) (B/D).

Leaving after breakfast, we drive approximately four hours to reach the Todra Gorge – a canyon in the eastern part of the High Atlas mountains, 15mi (24km) long and more than 3,280ft (1,000m) high.

On arrival, we take lunch and then have a two-hour walk, starting in the Todgha Valley before heading into the gorge itself. The walk is not challenging and the natural rock walls of the canyon provide shade from the Moroccan sun. We stay overnight at our hotel in the valley. Ait Benhaddou to Tinghir: 130mi (210km), four hours' drive Stay: Hotel Taboriht (or similar) (B).

Our journey takes us on one of the smaller passes across the Atlas Mountains to the town of Midelt, a remote settlement still quite new to Morocco's tourist map. The pass takes us through the beautiful Ziz Valley, with lush palmeries and dramatic mountain views. The town itself is populated largely by Amazigh people but was settled by the French at the beginning of the 20th century. It was the second town in the country, after Casablanca, to get electricity.

On arrival, we have free time to explore the town with a stop for tea and cakes with a local family. Tinghir to Midelt: 170mi (270km), 5hr 30 drive Stay: Hotel Taddart (or similar) (B/D).

Today we cross the Middle Atlas mountains. Although not as high as the High Atlas, the range is surprisingly lush, with forests of oak and cedar plus large swaths of fertile land used for growing all manner of fruits, nuts and cereals. En route, we stop in the small town of Ifran known for its distinctive European architecture, looking more like it belongs in the Alps than the Atlas.

On arrival in Fez, we should have free time before we enjoy a traditional pastilla dinner, a famous dish from this region, at a nearby restaurant. Midelt to Fez: 130mi (210km), 4hr 30min drive Stay: Riad Tafilalet (or similar) (B/D).

This fascinating city is the intellectual and religious centre of Morocco. Founded more than 1,000 years ago, it has many mosques and medersas (theological colleges) including the ninth century al-Karaouine University, whose architecture is very similar to that seen in Moorish Spain. The medina is one of the largest in the world, an immense and confusing warren of souks home to thousands of craftsmen with their tiny shops opening onto narrow alleyways.

Noisy and pungent, Fez medina is an absorbing, unique experience. Our city guide walks us through different sections of the souk – from those selling leather to brass, copper and ceramics. And, of course, no visit to Fez is complete without a visit to the tanneries. Outside the medina, we visit the Jewish District (mellah), the exterior of the Royal Palace and drive to a panoramic viewpoint over the medina. Stay: Riad Tafilalet (or similar) (B).

We travel to Volubilis after breakfast, a Unesco World Heritage site housing the largest and best-preserved Roman ruins in North Africa. Despite the damage caused by an earthquake in 1755, this important Roman town retains some detailed and very beautiful mosaics. Our next destination is the sacred hilltop town of Moulay Idriss. Once off limits to non-Muslims, the picturesque medina offers an excellent insight into traditional Moroccan life. We visit a family with whom we share a lunch of home-cooked cous cous.

In the afternoon, we travel to Meknes, our next imperial city, where we enjoy a walking tour of this former capital, including the impressive gate with its arches of mosaic tiles. Fez to Volubilis to Meknes: 70mi (110km), 2hr 30min drive (1hr 15min visit Volubilis) Stay: Hotel Swani (or similar) (B/L).

We break our journey to Marrakech in the small town of Bin Louidane. The ride from Meknes takes us on a different road across the Middle Atlas range.

On arrival, we have time for a gentle walk around the lake, a contrasting experience in a country known for having a dry desert landscape.

In the evening, we enjoy a barbecue dinner in the garden of our riverside gite. Meknes to Mrirt to Bin Louidane: 195mi (310km), six hours' drive Stay: Gite L'eau Vivre (or similar) (B/D).

From Bin Louidane, we continue south to Marrakech, one of the most popular and historic destinations in Morocco. Here we enjoy a guided tour to help us get our bearings and soak up the atmosphere of this amazing city. Our guide take us to the Bahia Palace and Saadian tombs and ends in Djemma el Fna, where the town becomes a maze of bustling bazaars, palaces and mosques. It is also worth seeing at night, when this renowned landmark comes to life, with food stalls, snake charmers, juice sellers and acrobats. Bin Louidane to Marrakech: 120mi (190km), 3hr 30min drive Stay: Moroccan House (or similar) (B).

The tour ends after breakfast and we begin our return journeys home. If you'd like the adventure to continue, speak to your sales representative about booking additional nights in the Red City (B).