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.

An early breakfast and start is needed today as we prepare for our journey across the western High Atlas Mountains. After leaving Marrakech we head southeast across the Haouz Plain and pass traditional Berber villages before crossing the spectacular Tizi n'Tichka (2260m). Linking Marrakech and Ouarzazate, this spectacular road takes you though some of the High Atlas Mountains most beautiful scenery with constantly changing colours along the way. As the highest road pass in North Africa, the pass is the official gateway to the Sahara Desert and was constructed along an old caravan trail by the French military in 1936. Snaking its way through the mountains the name Tizi n Tichka translates to the Pasture Pass. After Ouarzazate we enter the Dades Valley, known as the Valley of A Thousand Kasbahs and wonderful fortified villages line our route. Our drive continues through the valley until reaching the village of Tagdilt. Here we overnight in a simple village house which is a perfect introduction to the local culture and traditions. Tomorrow we have the added bonus of walking directly from our accommodation.

After waking up we'll enjoy breakfast before meeting our trek crew. Our bags will be loaded up before we set off walking directly from our accommodation. We'll leave the tiny settlement of Tagdilt by way of a small oasis dotted with fields of barley and slopes of fig trees. Our trail snakes through an incredible valley before we start ascending onto the volcanic sides of the Sahro. This dramatic area is full of deep gorges and red rocky peaks and hopefully along the way we'll pass a number of Ait Atta nomadic camps. The Ait Atta is a large Berber tribe that speaks Central Atlas Tamazight and like the majority of Morocco's indigenous people prefer the name Amazigh meaning free people, rather than Berber originating from Barbarian. The Ait Atta nomads live in south east of Morocco and although they are from Saharan descent, the area of the Jebel Sahro massif is their original home. They are mainly spread out in a range of valleys and live a nomadic lifestyle. Today we should get to see local shepherds grazing their flock which gives us the perfect excuse for an introduction and rest before heading over the Tizi Ouzarzam Pass (2300m). After descending we reach our camp and prepare for the first night of camping. Dinner will be prepared by our camp crew and in these remote areas away from light pollution we should be treated to a magnificent star filled sky.

Today we start by enjoying breakfast as we prepare for a holiday highlight - the ascent of Mount Kouaouch (2600m). As one of the most prominent peaks in the region, Kouaouch is an important part of the Sahro region. Annual rainfall is minimal in this area and ranges between 100m and 300m, therefore the end result is an incredible lunar landscape in places. As one of the driest regions in the Atlas Mountain Range, the word Sahro means drought in the Tamazight language. On reaching the highest point of our journey, the summit of Mount Kouacouch we are rewarded with incredible views, which includes one of the most beautiful mountains in Africa, the snow-capped peak of Mgoun. With its dramatic ridge and majestic summit, Mount Mgoun is majestic as it dominates the horizon. To the south is the magnificent Sahara Desert stretching out into the distance. After enjoying the views and taking the all-important summit photos of the surrounding deep valleys and stunning formations, we'll descend to our campsite near the rocks of Tassigdelt, known as the Camel's Hump.

After our summit attempt yesterday, we can enjoy a day of total contrasts as we head up onto the high plateaus of the Tadaout 'n Tablah. This incredible region is famed for its amazing rock formations and high grazing areas of the semi-nomadic Ait Atta Berbers. This Berber tribe have been in Morocco longer than the Arabs and the arrival of Islam in the 7th Century. During the 15th and 19th Century they were the leading Berber tribe, originating from the mountains of South Morocco. In the 16th Century they became a strong political force in the Jebel Sahro and up to now are still traditionally nomadic. This incredible landscape is part of their lifestyle and as we walk we are sure to meet them whilst surrounded by remarkable formations, including the Organ Pipe, Elephants Head and Camels Head. However one of the most impressive formations in the Jebel Sahro is Bab n'Ali known as Ali's Gate. We'll have the opportunity to stand at the base of these 60m monoliths in an area that is reminiscent of Monument Valley in the American south west! Tonight we camp close to Ali's Gate.

Today we head deeper into this region of quirky rock formations and monoliths so it's easy to forget you are actually in North Africa and think you are in the southwest of America! Dirt roads are still used as trade routes with the neighbouring Sahara Desert and as we head to the foothills on the opposite side of the Jebel Sahro, we'll walk through a number of small villages, hamlets and farms in the Hanedour Valley. The small local farms in this area have carefully irrigated plots of land, which grow wheat, clover, carrots, tomatoes, chillies and orchards of almond trees. After a wonderful final day of walking we'll set up camp and prepare for our last night under canvas before heading back to Marrakech tomorrow.

After an early breakfast we start our transfer back to Marrakech as we head towards snow-capped Atlas peaks. We'll cross the Draa River and drive through an area of striking rock formations before arriving in Ouarzazate. Popular with movie-makers, Lawrence of Arabia, Prince of Persia and Gladiator have all been filmed here. We'll drive over the Tizi n'Tichka Pass before arriving in Marrakech late afternoon. After checking in at the group hotel there will be some time to explore at leisure in this legendary city. Maybe check out the remarkable central square of the Djemaa-el-Fna where at around 4 pm it becomes the focus of activities for local people and tourists. We'll then regroup for our final dinner in a local restaurant to round off a fantastic week.

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. We also can help you organise a Moroccan extension in the coastal gem of Essaouira or the magnificent Sahara Desert.