Your holiday starts at the hotel in Marrakech. On arrival at Marrakech Airport you'll be met by a KE representative who will assist with the short transfer to the group hotel. Depending on your arrival time and after settling in you may like to explore Marrakech which is fantastic place and great for wandering through. Most people head for the central square of Djemaa-el-Fna beneath the stunning minaret of Koutoubia Mosque. Here you can enjoy a bird's eye view with a refreshing mint tea at one of the cafes overlooking the square. If you would prefer to arrive a day or two earlier, please contact the KE office who can book you extra nights at the group hotel or we can offer you a choice of riad overnights if you would like a traditional Moroccan experience. In the evening there will be a briefing from the leader over dinner, which is generally taken in the hotel for ease and late arrival of a number of flights.

After breakfast we leave Marrakech and set off to drive to the start point of our trekking adventure. As we leave the city we'll have the high peaks of the Atlas Mountains ahead of us and once we reach the town of Ait-Ourir we leave the main road and head south into the foothills of the mountains. Our route follows the picturesque Zat Valley as we pass roadside stalls selling rugs, pottery and honey. Once we reach the village of Oukaimeden (2000m) we'll meet our trek crew and once everything is loaded up we start trekking. Along the way we'll see rock carvings and stop at various viewpoints which include our first sighting of Toubkal. After lunch on the trail we start to make our way up our first pass as we follow a mule track that gradually ascends to the top of 2900m. After taking in the views we descend to the village of Tacheddirte (2314m), which is the highest village in the Atlas Mountains. From here we ascend up to our campsite which lies west of the village.

This morning we leave camp and follow a route which takes us up towards the Tizi n Tacchedirt Pass. On the summit we can enjoy the views and we may meet local shepherds selling soft drinks and snacks. As we descend down into the valley we'll pass traditional shepherd settlements scattered around large boulders which offer protection from the weather. Early afternoon we'll arrive at the village of Labessene which is where we camp. Here we are next to a small gite with a shower that can be used to 3 euro and running water to use for washing. We are surrounded by traditional rural terraces with women tending the fields and get a real feel of mountain life. In the afternoon the village comes alive as the children come out to play and the women finish their work in the fields and head home.

Today we start by descending from Labessene into the valley below before joining a track that heads through Timichchi, Timguit, Tiourdom and Anfli. A mixture of hamlets and villages, as we trek through here we'll see mostly women and children as the men go off to work in mountain towns or Marrakech. After Anfli we join a jeep track which offers great views down to the valley of Setti Fatma. We reach camp early afternoon and after lunch we'll walk to the waterfall above Setti Fatma. Although popular with locals, this is a great tourist attraction as it sees very few international tourists. Lining the river we'll see food stalls and ice cream sellers and on reaching Setti Fatma itself there are a number of places that provide chairs and tables in the river which is a great place to enjoy a drink whilst dangling your feet in the water. Tonight during dinner we'll have a briefing on the tomorrow which is a longer day and requires an early start.

Directly from our camping site we follow mule tracks through a beautiful valley and pass the lesser known villages of Tamatert and Amenzel. This whole area is like stepping back in time and a wonderful region to show the rich forests that still exist in areas of Morocco. The trail takes today takes us towards the foot of the Tizi n'Boukchoud Pass. Akchoud, meaning wood in Berber language is the perfect name for this region as we hike through areas of juniper. Here at higher altitude juniper dominate the landscape with the main species being Juniperus thurifera. This species is commonly known as Spanish juniper and native to the mountains of the western Mediterranean region including southern France, Corsica, Spain, Morocco and northern Algeria. Reaching between 6-20 m tall, this wonderfully fragrant shrub has a spicy scent and blue-black berries. Tonight we set up camp at 2500m, and our location at the base of the pass we'll cross tomorrow is fantastic.

A superb morning which sees us finish breakfast, leave camp and start to make our way up the Tizi n' Boukcoud Pass (2976m). This fantastic mountain pass is covered in resident juniper and various scrub trees, whilst from the top we are rewarded with superb views of the north east ridges of the Toubkal range. After enjoying the views and a well-earned rest, we'll start our descent and find a suitable place to stop for lunch. In the afternoon we enter the gorge of the Tifnoute River and pass a number of azibs or sheep-folds. Close to the azibs of Adouz we set up camp at the foot of Adrar n' Derm. This lesser known peak is our first 4000m trekking summit and the highlight of tomorrow.

An early start is needed for the trek to the summit and traverse of Adrar n' Dern. The route along the ridge is beautiful and as we start to reach the high point of this little climbed peak we'll have fantastic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. What makes today so unique is the feeling of remoteness in an area that rarely sees tourists or other trekking groups. The route up the mountain feels wild and we'll have views over Mount Toubkal and the volcanic landscape of Jebel Sirwa. After enjoying the summit and taking in the panorama we'll follow a ridge southwest and make our way down to the head of the Tinzart Valley. Tonight we camp in a meadow below the Tizi Ourai. (Please note that the mule team will take an easier and lower level trail today so anyone who does not wish to ascend the peak can walk with the mule crew).

After yesterday's mountain day, today we can enjoy a later breakfast and shorter day of mostly downhill. After leaving camp we have a brief 30min gradual ascent to the col of Tizi n'Ourai. From here we can enjoy a wonderful panorama which includes splendid views of Mount Toubkal and the distant Anti Atlas. Also knonw as the Lesser Atlas or Little Atlas, the Anti Atlas is one of the least visited regions in Morocco. Part of the Atlas Mountain range it extends for 500km from the Atlantic Ocean to the Sahara Desert. A desolate world of rocky outcrops and lunar landscapes where contrasts are extreme, the villages of the Anti Atlas are limited to a few houses surrounded by palm trees. From the top of the col we'll gradually descend on a mule trail which passes high above several small villages. After arriving at the valley floor we'll make our way to the Berber village of Amsouzart (1740m) where tonight we stay in a simple gite in the village.

Leaving Amzouzart we start with a gradual climb through this green and pleasant valley. As we head above the village of Ait Igrane the path ascends via a series of zig-zags and we'll pass dramatic boulders before being rewarded with our first breath taking view of Lake Ifni - Lac d'Ifni. As the largest lake in this central part of the Atlas Mountains, this charming lake lies nestled at the bottom of a valley framed by the towering peaks of Toubkal and Ouanoukrim. We follow a path which traverses high above the north side of the lake and once we reach the western end we'll rest and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon we follow the upper valley of the spectacular Assif a Moursaine which steadily climbs through the mouth of a gorge. Tonight we camp on simple tent platforms which are located on a stream confluence at approximately 2700m.

Today we leave camp and take a trail which continues through the gorge before ascending to one of the most spectacular pass crossings in the Atlas - the Tizi n'Ouanoums (3650m). The climb to the top takes approximately 3 to 4 hours but the reward at the top for the hard work is we'll be spectacularly stood between the two highest peaks in the High Atlas Mountains - Toubkal and Ouanoukrim. The ascent of Ouanoukrim, which at 4089m is the 2nd highest peak in Morocco, is optional and for anyone who attempts it, the result is a fantastic view of Mount Toubkal which sits directly opposite. The mountain has two summits, Timzguida and Ras Ouanoukrim which are officially the second and third highest peaks of the High Atlas range. The route up to the summit of Ouanoukrim includes a few scrambling sections which are non-technical but do require a hands on approach. However anyone who doesn't want to summit can descend from the pass to the meadows with the mule team. After enjoying one of the most spectacular views of Toubkal we'll descend and make our way towards the refuge (3207m).

Today is a highlight of the holiday as we set off to stand on the highest point in North Africa. After an early breakfast and pre-dawn start, we depart wearing head torches on a trail which ascends from above the hut. The trail snakes its way up as we criss-cross between boulders and arrive at two peaks. Once here we reach a high basin which is usually home to a few patches of old snow. Continuing up the views are more impressive and we finally reach a superb ridge-line which takes us directly to the famed metal tripod which marks the summit of Toubkal. Away to the north-east lies the Anti-Atlas, whilst the magnificent Sahara Desert sweeps to the south. Standing on the top we are surrounded by breath-taking views of the High Atlas and we'll have plenty of time for the all-important summit photos and most importantly, enjoying the sense of achievement on reaching the highest peak in North Africa. Our descent takes a couple of hours and we'll arrive back at our camp in time for lunch.

This morning we make an ascent to the pass known as Tizi Tadat ('pass of the finger'). The climb is quite steep with some short scrambling sections. From this col at 3800 metres, we get a superb view of yesterday’s route on Toubkal. For those who wish there is now the opportunity to bag our fourth 4000er of the trip. To reach the summit of Bouguinoussen (4025m) we climb from the col along a rocky ridge. The route up to this summit is the most technical of the trek and does involve more scrambling than the previous peaks and the leader will go through the route and summit attempt, which is optional. We return by the same route, a round trip of approximately 2 hours. From the col of the Tizi Tadat we descend first to the Tazarat refuge and then follow the assif Melloul down to our last camp at Tamsoulte (2100m).

The final trekking day of this adventure takes us across the magnificent Tizi Mzik Pass which is covered in juniper and offers a magnificent view across to the summit of Ouanoukrim and over the beautiful valley of Imlil. The small town of Imlil lies at 1800m and is nestled in the Imlil Valley. It and is one of the most popular places to start a trek into the Atlas Mountains and due to its close proximity to Toubkal, 90% of trekkers pass through Imlil on their way to climb Toubkal. Before the start of mountain tourism, the Imlil Valley was known for its harvest of walnuts, apples and cherries. While these are still important to the local economy, the boost from tourism outnumbers farming. The trial we are following descends all the way to the village of Ait Souka. Described as the pink village of the Berbers, Ait Souka almost clings to the mountainside and tonight we stay in a gite in the village. For those looking for a spot of relaxation it is possible to use the hamman (steam room).

This morning we'll enjoy a short walk down to the village of Imlil, where we meet our transport for the drive back to Marrakech. After checking in at the group hotel there the afternoon is free for exploring independently. The atmospheric alleys of the souks are perfect for buying last minute souvenirs. Despite the reputation of getting lost in them, souks are fantastic for wandering and in Marrakech all lanes lead to the main square which makes them extremely popular with both locals and tourists. In the evening we'll meet up for dinner in a local restaurant and round off a fantastic holiday.

Your holiday ends after breakfast. Depending on your flight time you may wish to enjoy a final stroll around Marrakech before your transfer to the airport. The city has a number of highlights including Jardin Majorelle which was owned by fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent from the 1960s to his death in 2008. Ville Nouvelle is a cobalt-blue exterior which is surrounded by a delightful garden full of rare desert flora plus fuchsia bougainvillea and deep green palms. The result is an explosion of colour nestled in the city. The Bahia Palace is a wonderful palace set in gardens and well worth a visit. Built in the late 19th century, this beautiful building was reputed to be the greatest palace of its time. With a name meaning brilliance, the palace was built by craftsmen from Fez. If you wish to extend your time in Marrakech then please don't hesitate to contact the KE office. We can assist you in booking extra nights in the group hotel or in a recommended riad. KE can also organise a Moroccan extension for you, in the coastal gem of Essaouira or the magnificent Sahara Desert.