Fly from the UK to Marrakech and transfer to your Riad or hotel. Relax in its salubrious surroundings for two nights allowing a full day to enjoy the delights of this intoxicating and colourful city. Riads offer a haven of tranquillity from the hustle and bustle of the inevitable narrow alleyways and market places outside and combine architectural treasures, culture and an insight into traditional Moroccan life impossible to find in even the most luxurious of hotels.

You may like to arrange for a tour of the old city, taking in some of the palaces, the old Koranic school and the markets, and travelling part of the way by 'caleche' (horse and carriage) – payable locally. A 'siesta' is often taken in the early afternoon and later the hotel staff can direct you to take a look at the activities in the atmospheric main square, the Djemma El Fna,

After breakfast you will transfer to the ‘ski resort’ of Oukaimeden, a 90 minute drive along a good tarmac road. Oukaimeden is situated at about 2700 metres, and here you will find flat, green valleys in which to stroll. In the afternoon you will start your acclimatisation with an ascent up to the pass of Tizi n’ou Attar at 3100 metres, from where there are superb views down the upper Ourika valley. However, if there has been a lot of snow during the winter the scene could be very different and in the winter months you may even have the opportunity to try a bit of downhill skiing in Morocco’s ‘premiere’ ski resort! Tonight’s accommodation is definitely the best in the area! (3-4 hours walking.

Using mules to carry the baggage you will ascend gently to the pass of Tizi n’ou Addi (2960 metres) after which the trail descends to the village of Tachedirt in the upper Imenane valley. This descent is spectacular, following a small mule trail which drops quite steeply to Tachedirt. Again, depending on snow conditions, there is an opportunity to ascend Oukaimeden peak (3262 metres) on the way to the pass. Unless you have chosen to walk via the summit of Oukaimeden, you will arrive in Tachedirt for lunch, allowing the whole afternoon for relaxation or an afternoon walk up towards the Tizi n Tachedirt, returning to the ‘auberge’ for the evening. [4 or 7 hours walking]

From here an old mine road leads up to the pass of Tizi n Tamatert, where there are spectacular views into the Mizane valley and the road-head at Imlil. You descend to Imlil on a good mule track, and then climb up to the imposing Kasbah de Toubkal. On arrival at your destination the sight of the impressive Kasbah de Toubkal will be a welcome sight. This is an extraordinary venture, the product of an imaginative Berber and European partnership, transforming the home of a feudal ruler into an unprecedented haven using traditional methods. It is not a hotel in the traditional sense, more ‘an extension of the hospitality’ that stems from the home of the Berbers who run it. Condé Nast named it ‘the country’s first and foremost mountain retreat …with the best rooftop views in North Africa’. Two nights here allow you to experience this sanctuary and its hamman fully. If you would like a walk in the afternoon you could visit the village of Aremd up above the Kasbah, and the old pastures of Tidli further up the valley. [4 hours walking].

As the hub of all trekking in this area, Imlil has seen immense improvements over the last fifteen years due to revenue from tourism and project work. It remains however a delightful village in a beautiful location. You will have the opportunity for a good day walk to the holy shrine at Sidi Chamharouch, en route to Mt Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa.

Following the main track up the valley to Aremd, you walk for a couple of hours to reach the shrine. As this is a Muslim place of worship, you must respect the local custom and not attempt to enter the shrine. There are, however, 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 guide books 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 'junk' souvenirs as well as soft drinks at inflated prices!

After a picnic lunch by the river, you will return to Imlil by the same route. [4 – 5 hours walking]

From the Kasbah you will trek to Id Idissa on a five hour walk which takes you over the Tizi Mzic and down into the spectacular valley of Azzaden and the Kasbah’s sister establishment, the Toubkal Lodge. This is newly built allowing trekkers to stay in complete comfort surrounded by traditional wooden ceilings and carved doors. As with the Kasbah, many local villagers were involved during the building, it complements the environment of the surrounding villages and a percentage of the proceeds go to the local association to aid community projects. [5 – 6 hours walking].

A downhill walk leads you through the nature reserve protecting the local Barbary sheep to Wirgane and the delightfully named ‘Le Sanglier qui Fume’ or ‘The Smoking Boar’, complete with gardens and a swimming pool. Here you can relax at the end of your last day’s walking amidst the greenery of the lower valleys and your cosy, friendly accommodation at 1,000 metres. [5 – 6 hours walking].

After breakfast you leave the mountains behind for a spectacular drive to the Atlantic Coast and the resort of Essaouira. The journey takes you past Marrakech (it is usually possible to collect any luggage you may have left in Marrakech before you continue on to the coast providing this has been pre-arranged) and the plains of North Africa. You may stop to delight at the antics of the famous Argan goats, that feed off the high branches of the Argan trees on the roadside, almost knowing that they are being photographed.

You arrive in Essaouira in the early afternoon at the superb three star Hotel Riad Al Medina, a tranquil setting in the heart of this special place. You will be staying half board at the hotel with the food and setting just perfect being just ten minutes walk away from a never-ending beach.
Please note that if the Riad al Medina is not available a riad of similar standard will be reserved for you.

A day in Essaouira to ‘do your own thing’, more shopping and exploring, or to relax by a nearby swimming pool. Essaouira is on the Atlantic coast, and it is like a French town in Morocco; it has a café culture, it is sunny and warm off the beach but on the sea front you can see from where the town derives its nickname of ‘windy city’. Improvised open-air restaurants serve the freshest sardines in the entire country (“if not the world” say the fish mongers).

Strolling within the city walls, with periodic glimpses of bronze cannons reminding you of its troubled past, you can shop in peace amongst the jewellery bazaar, spice and grain market and the alleys where the famous inlay artists live and create. Silver smiths and carvers of ebony and lemon wood allow you to mingle and inspect their wares and are known to smile when you choose not to buy. In the evening you may choose to listen to the famous Gnoua musicians in one of the welcoming truly cosmopolitan Kasbahs.

You will transfer back to Marrakech either after breakfast of after lunch.  There will be time to enjoy the evening activities that take place in the Djemma El Fna. Acrobats, storytellers, fire-eaters and snake charmers entertain locals and tourists alike.

Transfer to Marrakech airport.