Volcanic Jbel Saghro

Day 1 - Marrakech to N'Kob. Transfer from Marrakech via the Tichka Pass, Ouarzazate and Draa Valley to N'Kob. Overnight at the fabulous Kasbah Baha Baha overlooking the palmeraie of N'Kob.

Day 2 - N'Kob to Tifdoussine. A five to six hour hike up the valley, passing palmeraies and henna trees to Hamdour. From here the route takes you to the upper slopes of "The Mountain of the Moon" (Tine Ouaiyour - 2129m), a monolithic mesa dominating this dramatically wind-blasted area, for an overnight camp.

Day 3 - Tifdoussine to Igli. A six hour hike, first along a dry gulley to the hamlet of Amguis then up on to a ridge to reach a rock strewn plateau facing the rock pinnacles of "Bab n'Ali". Further on is the tiny hamlet of Boilouz and some summer pastures (aazibs) then another indistinct trail to the cultivated fields of the village of Igli set amongst more cliffs.

Day 4 - Igli - Jbel Saghro Summit - Imi n'Ouarg. The trek today starts up through rocky promontories and across a flat stretch of pampas to traverse the Tizi n’Ouarg and reach the Kouaoutch Plateau for a well earned picnic. From here hike through junipers, acacia and rosemary to the summit of Jbel Saghro (2592m), rising starkly from the Plateau. The lunar landscape is dotted with rock towers, such as the "Isk n'Ifsane" (the Tiara of the Pond), "Isk n'Alla" (My Sister’s Head-dress) and "Isk n'Eferdj" (the Horns of Plenty). A short descent to the overnight campsite at Imi n'Ouarg.

Day 5 - Imi n'Ouarg to Tagdilt to Marrakech. A short hike today through the Tizi n’Emrharne and down through stands of juniper trees and a dry river bed towards the north-east passing the black felt tents of the nomadic herders. A faint piste leads to the village of Tagdilt where you re-join your driver for a transfer along the stunning Dades Valley road to Ouarzazate and then back over the High Atlas to Marrakech.

Day 1 - Marrakech to Valley of the Roses. Transfer from Marrakech to Dades Valley via Tichka Pass, Ouarzazate and Skoura (picnic lunch). A further drive off the main route, along the Valley of the Roses to Ait Youl.

Day 2 - Ait Youl to Ano N'Igdad to Ano n'Elmersse. A six hour hike across the Ouaouchene Plateau, a semi-desert region of strangely shaped, colourfull cliffs and sand-blasted hills; then through the Tizi n'Elmersse to the desolate plateau of the same name.

Day 3 - Ano n'Elmersse to Tajalajt. A six hour hike up the stony and wild slopes to traverse the Tizi n’Tagmout, past the copper mines and the Berber hamlet of Assaka n’Aït Ouazzine with its fields of corn and barley and fig and almond trees. After lunch hike up a dry river bed, on through the remote hamlets of Akerkour, Berqiq and Tigniza, through pastureland and the occasional rock hut of the nomadic shepherds up to the village of Tajalajt.

Day 4 - Tajalajt to Igli. A seven hour trek up the Tassghdelte n’Ssi El Haj Plateau to the isolated hamlet of Tifdoussine and continue through Tizi Ighzoun to the remote hamlet of Ighzoun. From hike up the Assif n’Anoums to traverse the Tizi Tagourt and continue across the Plateau to meet up with a strange eroded rock formation in the shape of a camel’s head. and down to the tilled fields of the hamlet of Igli. Overnight camp near the well of the little palmeraie and almond trees belonging to the fiercely-independent, semi nomadic Aït Atta Berber tribe.

Day 5 - Igli - Jbel Saghro Summit - Imi n'Ouarg. The trek today starts up through rocky
promontories and across a flat stretch of pampas to traverse the Tizi n’Ouarg and reach the Kouaoutch Plateau for a well earned picnic. From here hike through junipers, acacia and rosemary to the summit of Jbel Sarhro (2592m), rising starkly from the Plateau. The lunar landscape is dotted with rock towers, such as the "Isk n’Ifsane" (the Tiara of the Pond), "Isk n’Alla" (My Sister’s Head-dress) and "Isk n’Eferdj" (the Horns of Plenty). A short descent to the overnight campsite at Imi n'Ouarg.

Day 6 - Imi n'Ouarg to Tagdilt. A six hour hike today up through the Tizi Bou Ichlif and Tizi n’Emrharne and down through stands of juniper trees and a dry river bed towards the north-east passing the black felt tents of the nomadic herders. A faint piste leads to the village of Tagdilt for your overnight stay in a Berber gite d'etap.

Day 7 - Tagdilt to Marrakech. After breakfast join your transfer along the stunning Dades Valley road to Ouarzazate and then back over the High Atlas to Marrakech.