Treasures of Morocco - Premium Adventure

The adventure begins in the port city of Casablanca. Depending on flight arrival times, your expert leader will meet the whole group for a welcome briefing either this evening or tomorrow morning. There will be information about this meeting at the reception desk. Stay: Idou Anfa Hotel (or similar).

This morning, before leaving Casablanca, we visit the Hassan II Mosque, which has a soaring 655ft (200m) minaret and a sliding ceiling to enable the sea breeze to cool the building. We have a guided tour of the Mosque and the stunning ablutions hall with a local specialist. Please note knees and upper arms must be covered. We then begin our journey to Fez, stopping en route at Unesco-listed Volubilis, the largest and best-kept Roman ruins in Morocco. There are the remains of the forum, basilica and capitol. There are also well preserved mosaic floors of the wealthy town houses that graced this Roman city.

After Volubilis we travel on to the attractive whitewashed holy city of Moulay Idriss to stretch our legs and have a traditional lunch. The town is built around the tomb of Moulay Idriss Morocco's first Islamic leader. We will take a walking tour to see parts of the town. Our final destination is the world-renowned city of Fez, where our accommodation for the night is a traditional Riad. We enjoy a welcome dinner here, a chance for us to try tasty local fare and get to know one another. Total drive time: Seven hours Stay: Riad Dilar/Riad Salam (or similar) (B/D).

Fez is the intellectual and religious centre of Morocco. Founded more than 1,000 years ago, it is the oldest of the Imperial cities in the kingdom with many mosques and madrasas (theological colleges). It was declared a World Heritage site in 1981. This morning, we join our local guide to explore the bustling narrow laneways, visiting different sections of the souq, including those selling leather, brass and copper. We also stop at the tanneries and pottery workshops to see traditional local crafts in action.

Outside the medina, we visit the Jewish District (Mellah) and the exterior of the Royal Palace. We drive to a panoramic viewpoint for great photos of the city below. After the tour, return to the riad to rest or head to Hotel Saharai, where you can gaze over Fez medina with a cocktail as the sun sets. Your tour leader can help organise your visit (paid locally). Stay: Riad Dilar/Riad Salam (or similar) (B).

We start early for a full day of travelling to the Sahara with a journey through superb scenery and plenty of stops along the way. Our journey takes us over the Middle Atlas, through the picturesque Ziz Valley to the Hamada, a flat, stony desert gradually approaching the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. The journey is undoubtedly worth it, and we're rewarded with a night at the feature accommodation at Riad Madu or Riad Chebbi. Relax by the pool and enjoy watching the sun set over the desert. Total drive time: Nine hours Stay: Riad Madu or Riad Chebbi (five-star) (B/D).

Enjoy a leisurely start to the day (with perhaps another dip in the pool).

Later this morning, we travel by 4×4 to Khamlia village for a wonderful cultural experience watching a Gnawa music show and eating a traditional lunch of Medfouna, a surprising take on pizza. The unique instruments used in Gnawa music create a distinctive sound. It is a unique blend of African, Arab and Amazigh influences.

This afternoon, we transfer to our luxury desert camp and then undertake a genuine Saharan experience – a camel trek through the dunes to watch the desert take on a rose colour at sunset (it is also possible to walk). After dinner cooked by our local chefs, we sit around the campfire and gaze at the stars. Stay: Merzouga Desert Camp (or similar) (B/L/D).

Leaving the desert, we head towards the little town of Skoura. En route, we pass through the Todra Gorge, sheer cliffs rising dramatically on either side of the road. We take a short walk through this gorge so you can appreciate its majesty and take photos.

Following the 1,000 Kasbahs Road for approximately two hours, we see several of these imposing buildings along the way in the palm groves. We stay in an original Kasbah lodge during our two nights in Skoura. Located in the heart of the Skoura Palm grove this lodge is decorated in traditional Moroccan style and all rooms have air conditioning. Total drive time: Seven hours with three stops Stay: Kasbah Ben Damiette (or similar) (B/D).

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and then join the leader on a guided walk through the palm groves of sleepy Skoura. Dotted around the palm, fig, birch and tamarisk trees are some of the most beautiful kasbahs in southern Morocco, the largest of which is the Amerhidil Kasbah, once owned by the Glaoui family. We take a guided tour through the restored interior with a local guide. During our walk we stop for a picnic lunch. Stay: Kasbah Ben Damiette (or similar) (B/L).

Leaving Skoura, we rejoin the main road and drive west along the 1,000 Kasbahs Road via the desert city of Ouarzazate and onto the well-preserved ksar (fortified village) of Ait Benhaddou. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most spectacular in the Atlas, and a location for several Hollywood films including Gladiator (2000). After admiring this vast site from the riverbed, we take a walk through the winding village streets. Once a bustling village today the ksar is home to around 10 families. From here we continue our drive through the High Atlas Mountains, crossing Tizi n'Tichka Pass at 7, 415ft (2,260m) above sea level. The drive to the village of Imlil is a winding one with a variety of scenery to enjoy. Total drive time: Eight hours with stops Stay: Riad Jnane Imlil (or similar) (B/D).

Imlil village is the starting point for trekkers climbing Mount Toubkal, the tallest mountain in North Africa. A two-hour hike (which has a steep 655ft/200m ascent) takes us to the small Amazigh village of Armed set into a hillside. Along the way, we see many fruit trees including cherries, apricots and quince. We follow a small irrigation channel where we are likely to meet villagers and their mules. Stopping at the edge of a waterfall, we take a break with a fresh orange juice. From here, we carry on uphill to the village where we enjoy a home-cooked lunch in a local guesthouse. For those who do not want to walk, mules are available (35 dirhams each way, payable locally).

After lunch, we do a little more hiking around the village then return to Imlil (a one-hour hike) for your traditional hammam experience. A standard treatment with soap and scrubber is included but it is customary to give a 20-dirham (US$2) tip. The restaurant at our riad has panoramic views of Imlil and the mountains. Stay: Riad Jnane Imlil (or similar) (B/L/D).

This morning, we travel over the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech. Along the way, we stop at a women's argan oil cooperative where we see a demonstration of how this multi-use oil is produced. There is also an opportunity to purchase a range of products which make for an unique gift from Morocco. Onwards our journey takes us to the flat arid plains of Marrakech. Here we have a guided tour, visiting the Bahia Palace and the Saadian tombs.

The tour ends in the central square of Djemaa el Fna, where the town becomes a maze of bustling bazaars, palaces and mosques. The square comes alive every evening with food stalls, juice-sellers and acrobats entertaining both the locals and the visitor. Our final accommodation on this tour are boutique hotels located in the modern town area of Gueliz. Total drive time: 1hr 30min Stay: Stars or Bab or 2 Ciels Hotel (four-star) (B/D).

Start with a trip to the local market to purchase ingredients before embarking on a cookery class of recipes to impress your friends when you get home. Enjoy the fruits of your labour for lunch.

This afternoon, take free time to see more of Marrakech. You might wish to visit the largest mosque in the city, Koutoubia, or venture through the souqs and old streets of the medina. After bartering for souvenirs, you may have time for a short visit to the Koranic School and Museum of Marrakech. After this, you can unwind by taking a 30-minute ride on a calèche (a horse-drawn carriage) to the Jardin Majorelle. These tranquil gardens are decorated throughout in indigo blue and were once owned by Yves St Laurent. Your expert leader can help plan your free time.

This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner together, in which we can discuss the adventures we've had and, perhaps, plan the next. Stay: Stars or Bab or 2 Ciels Hotel (four-star) (B/L/D).

We've scaled dunes on camelback, eaten lunch with an Amazigh family and toured the greatest cities in Morocco. But after breakfast, this tour draws to a close. Speak to your sales representative if you'd like to extend your stay in Marrakech and explore the city further (B).