Arrive early evening and transfer to our hotel in the centre of town. We will go out for dinner this evening.

Drive by minibus over the High Atlas. En route we will have lunch and plenty of time to take photos. On arrival in Kalaa des M’Gouna we will check into the charming Roses du M’Gouna.

After breakfast we will drive 5km to the village of Azro where we will meet the beautiful steeds that will accompany us for the rest of the week. We will saddle up and follow the River M’Gouna through a series of canyons before taking lunch in Boughrar. In the afternoon we will ride for another two hours, passing some of the most spectacular kasbahs in Morocco, before camping in Terouzat.

Today we will ride along the river floor, passing Berber women going about their washing, and through the hugely spectacular Gorge du M’Gouna. This is an epic canyon, where the red sandstone walls climb vertically hundreds of metres above us. When we emerge the other side we are into a new land of high plains and chimney columns that put one in mind of Arizona. After lunch among the almond groves, we will head out onto more open land, mountains rising on either side, where we will be able to let the horses gallop across the sand. Tonight we camp on a ridge above the plain, in the remote village of Atyoub.

We leave camp to ride across the plain with mountains rising on either side, passing shepherds and their flocks. After a couple of hours we cut into the hills to the north and find ourselves in one of the most extraordinary landscapes, as the arid mountain rock explodes in a riot of natural colours. Turning a corner we will find the picturesque village of Amin Ourdah beneath us with its crumbling Kasbah, terracotta houses and lush green fields. Here we will water the horses before taking lunch. This afternoon we ride on to Toundout and camp on the lush grass by the river.

As today is a Thursday we start this morning by riding through the market in Toundout before turning off into the wilds of the Atlas Mountains. Again, it is a spectacular landscape of high altitude desert and scattered villages. About midday we ride down into Igarnane and from here head along the valley floor until we reach a copse of spruce trees. We will have a picnic lunch sheltering from the late summer sun, before continuing on to the village of Ait Samout. Our last camp will be pitched and we will have a special meal and light a campfire.

After breakfast we will head out for the last time, now travelling south-east straight towards the heart of the Sahara Desert. On the morning ride there will be plenty of opportunities to give the horses their heads and let them run for home. In the late afternoon we will arrive at the village of Ait Benhaddou, where the spectacular Kasbah has been given UNESCO World Heritage status. It was also used as a location for Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator, which will provide a suitably dramatic end to the tour. Here we will camp out for the last time under the stars.

After an early breakfast we will say goodbye to our horses, guides, cooks and grooms, climb aboard the minibus and transfer back to Marrakech in time for lunch. Rabat may be Morocco's capital city and Casablanca its’ largest, but Marrakech is considered by many to be the cultural capital and is by far the most atmospheric. The main square of Djemaa el-Fna in Marrakech is the heart of the city. Plenty goes on here, from food stalls, to fortune-tellers and street performers. From the square, there are several entrances into the markets and the main souk, where the shopping is legendary, and there are plenty of cafés. For a great view of the square, stop for a drink at the Café Glacier. An optional city tour can be arranged if you wish, or you can simply relax by the hotel pool. Evening meal out at the Medina Restaurant.

Tour ends after breakfast and transfer to Marrakech airport.