You depart from London for the flight to Marrakech. Transfer to your hotel; situated within easy reach of the the main square (Djemma El Fna) in the old part of Marrakech. The square provides a multitude of entertainment, ranging from snake-charmers, fortune-tellers, magicians, water-sellers, acrobats, sword-swallowers, story tellers and artists to a variety of extremely talented Moroccan and ‘world’ musicians.

This morning you’ll start the morning on a tour by horse-drawn carriage (calesh) and then explore this vibrant old city, taking in some of its palaces, the beautifully preserved Ben Youssef Koranic school and of course, the souk (bazaar) – a mass of tiny alleyways full of shops, stalls and tiny workshops where local craftsmen make and sell their wares.

It’s easy to get lost in this winding maze, but don’t worry, that’s part of the fun; just wander at your own pace and eventually you’ll emerge back at the main square. The afternoon is left free so you can carry on shopping and souvenir hunting if you want, but our advice is to head back to the hotel to relax, have a swim or take a 'siesta'.

Then, at around sunset, head back to the Djemma El Fna as it starts to come to life. Having a drink in one of the many rooftop cafés overlooking the square is a good way to watch the entertainment. Alternatively, you may wish to visit the Saadien Tombs – one of the few remaining landmarks of an important era in the fascinating history of Morocco. There are countless other things to do – including experiencing a traditional hammam (steam bath and massage).

After breakfast you’ll leave the hustle and bustle of Marrakech behind and head into the tranquil villages of the mighty Atlas, a drive of about 2 hours. The road ends at Imlil (1740 metres) and from here you’ll join our mules and walk (the children can ride if they prefer) to your base in the village of Aremd (1900 metres).

The walk is relatively easy and takes about an hour and a half at a slow pace. On arrival, you’ll check into your simple guesthouse and have a picnic lunch. Then, in the afternoon, there will be time to explore the village. Try to slow down to the pace of village life; there’s nothing particularly to do – it’s all about ‘just being there’, observing a very different and simple way of life and perhaps having a chance encounter with a local family. The village itself is set below Mount Toubkal, which forms a panoramic back-drop. Rooms at the guest house are normally four beds to each room with shared bathroom facilities.

After breakfast, your mountain guide will arrange a walk from Aremd to help you acclimatise and get used to local conditions. Mules will accompany you to carry supplies and small children if required.

Following the main track (you are beyond the roads now) up the valley, you walk for a couple of hours to reach the holy shrine of Sidi Chamharouch, a Muslim place of worship and famous mountain shrine, located amidst babbling brooks and powerful mountain rivers fed by melting snow. There are a number of small shops here to service both the local Muslim pilgrims as well as the tourists on their way to and from Mount Toubkal. Some tourist guidebooks refer to this place as the 'robbers den', not because you can expect to be robbed, but you can guarantee that the local Berbers will try to sell you all sorts of souvenirs as well as soft drinks.

After a long, leisurely lunch at a picnic spot by the river, you will return to Aremd. In the afternoon it may be possible to visit a local school so please bring pencils, rubbers, sharpeners, text books etc if you’d like to contribute to local education.

Having acclimatised, you’ll now begin your two-day walk through a remote and spectacular valley. Mules carry baggage (and children where required) and a team of muleteers and cooks accompany us for the next few days. You will start by descending back towards Imlil, and after passing below the village of Tagadirt join a track which takes you across a pass and into the Imenane valley.

You have a choice of following the large sweeping zigzags of the dirt road, or the shorter, slightly steeper and rougher, but well-graded, mule tracks. Climbing above the last village of Tamatert, you enter a conifer plantation, eventually arriving at the col of Tizi-n-Tamatert (2279 metres). It’s a challenging walk, but there’s plenty of shade and we’re in no hurry. It’s satisfying to reach to the top of the pass and from here there a magnificent views of the upper Imenane valley and the mountains of Oukaimeden (3262 metres), Angour (3614 metres) and Iguenouane (3882 metres).

After stopping at a grassy spot for lunch, the afternoon is easier and follows a broad track which contours gently around the mountain slopes. We’ll continue to the village of Tacheddirt, the highest in the valley, and enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding hills.

The children will have their favourite mule by now and it is downhill all the way today as you follow the winding Imenane Valley along good mule tracks and little-used tracks. You’ll pass small traditional villages with their terraced gardens and orchards carved out of the rocky backdrop. Your picnic lunch will normally be taken next to a welcome spring. There is plenty of birdlife and wildflowers to spot. You’ll arrive at Imsker, which time seems to have passed by. This afternoon you are free to explore.

Today you’ll be picked up from the end of the road near Imsker and driven to the coast to Essaouira, a former pirates' lair, but now an active fishing port and attractive resort, built around the beautiful old walled town. It’s not a terribly interesting drive, so bring along reading material and games for the children. But remember to watch out for tree-climbing goats!

The region is almost sub-tropical, with sheltered valleys where bananas are cultivated intensively. Much of the higher ground is given over to argan trees, and it is here that you're likely to spot the improbable sight of a tree full of goats - the goats climb into the trees to eat whatever they can. Fortunately, argan trees are largely resistant to this kind of assault.

On arrival in Essaouira, vehicles cannot enter the narrow alley of the medina, where our hotel is situated, so your luggage is transported to your riad by a local barrow-man. This riad, built around a tranquil central courtyard, is well-situated in the heart of the town.

After the travelling it's great to have a free day, so your time here is flexible so you can relax and unwind in the balmy  Atlantic climate. The fishing port of Essaouira has expanded over the last few decades to become one of Morocco's premier resorts. It has wide sandy beaches, where you can hire camels, go for long walks or even go kite-surfing.

It's an easy place to while away the last day of your tour. The town itself is a delight - its pleasantly uncomplicated layout makes it a pleasure to wander, and lots of fixed price shops seem to have a way of winkling out whatever cash you have to spend on the regional speciality: finely carved articles of thuya wood. Needless to say, Essaouira is also a great place to eat fish and there are restaurants a-plenty to try out, or you can eat at a stall on the quayside!

Enjoy the morning on the beach, and then this afternoon you’ll be driven to your hotel in Marrakech, allowing time for final souvenir shopping, and a look at the activities in the Djemma El Fna.

This morning you are transferred to Marrakech Airport for your return flight to the UK. There will be time for some last minute souvenir shopping at the airport.