23rd Dec. Seasons Greetings and welcome to Morocco! Arrival transfer from Marrakech airport to our centrally located hotel. Be sure to arrive in time for your pre-departure meeting at 6:00pm. Overnight - Marrakech (B, D)

Marrakech - Gorge du Dades. Leaving Marrakech, we drive through the Gorges du Dades, an awesome valley which extends from the High Atlas to the Jebel Saghrou range in the south. Berbers built many kasbahs in the vicinity of gorges for defence purposes. These many kasbahs combined with the stunning natural setting make this a beautiful region through which to travel. Overnight - Gorge du Dades (B, L, D)

Gorge du Dades - Todra Gorge. Happy Christmas! The morning is spent at Gorge du Dades where you can choose to go on a guided walk or simply relax. The afternoon takes us to Todra Gorge, witness it’s incredible changing colours as the sun slowly moves from east to west. If you're feeling adventurous there is the option to go rock climbing or in summer months go horse riding (bookable and payable locally). Overnight - Todra Gorge (B, L, D)

Todra Gorge - Erg Chebbi. Crossing the Jebel Sarhro, we head down to Erg Chebbi sand dunes, which signify the commencement of the mighty Sahara Desert. Transferring to camels, we trek into the desert to a berber camp, enjoying local food and a night camping out under the Saharan stars. Overnight - Berber Camp (B, L, D)

Erg Chebbi - Ouarzazate. Leaving the desert, we travel through the verdant Draa valley, along the route of 1000 Kasbahs, a beautiful landscape. We continue on to Ouarzazate, which African traders once used on their journeys up to Europe. Ouarzazate has a large film studio where films such as Alexander the Great, The Last Temptation of Christ and The Living Daylights have been produced. Overnight - Ouarzazate (B, L, D)

Ouarzazate - Aït Benhaddou - Marrakech. In the morning we can opt to go quad biking or visit the film studio that produced Lawrence of Arabia (payable locally). We then head to Aït Benhaddou, a ‘fortified city’, situated along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. It is situated on a hill along the Ouarzazate River and boasts some beautiful examples of kasbahs, some of which remain inhabited. Granted UNESCO World Heritage listing, the site had been the setting for many films including Gladiator. Late afternoon we journey back to Marrakech. Overnight - Marrakech (B, L, D)

This morning enjoy a guided tour of Marrakech. Glowing red, like a welcoming campfire, against the snowcapped High Atlas Mountains, the very name Marrakech conjures up images of an exotic, distant city, of magic carpets and snake charmers and of frankincense and myrrh brought in by camel trains. Set within the rose-coloured walls of the medina lies a reality that is not that far removed from an exotic film set – a tangle of winding streets that open onto verdant gardens and dark alleyways that lead to bustling souks. The focal point is the central square, the Djemâa-el- Fna, an extraordinary gathering and market place. Full of colour, spicy aromas and traders it is best seen in the evening when overflowing with food stalls, dancers, acrobats, fortune tellers, musicians and henna artists. Towering over all this is the Koutoubia mosque, the tallest building in the city, and a reminder of the importance of Islam to the lives of the city’s residents.This afternoon if free for you to spend at leisure, perhaps picking up some last minute souvenirs! Make sure you test out your bartering skills. Overnight - Marrakech (B, L, D)

30th Dec. The trip ends after breakfast.

If you would like to extend your trip and spend New Year's Eve in Marrakech, take a look at our Rock the Kasbah tour. (B)