Depart Marrakech meeting point and traverse the High Atlas Mountains en route to the desert.Travel overland on the highest road in Morocco at 2260 meters through the High Atlas range where Berber villages cling to mountain ledges. Observe snow-capped peaks and lush valleys where fruit and nuts tree grow abundantly. Many stops for photos, refreshments and toilet.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, Ait Ben Haddou is a beautifully preserved fortress located next to the river on the old caravan road. Hike to the top for panoramic views of the valley and a glimpse of tribal life of age old village inhabitants.

Home to Atlas Film Studios and dubbed the “Hollywood” of Africa. Films like Gladiator, Cleopatra, and Game of Thrones were filmed here. We will visit the Taourirt Kasbah built by the family who controlled access to the Atlas mountains in this region and later used by the French Legionnaire during French occupation 1912-1956.

Pass by the beautiful valley of roses where Damascus roses are cultivated and turned into beauty products, one of Morocco’s main exports. Harvest and the Festival of Roses each May make this a nice time to visit. We’ll make a quick coffee stop and visit to the distillery.

Stunning gorges carved into the mountain make this a great place for outdoor activities like climbing, trekking and camping. We will spend an overnight in hotel before continuing to the desert. You may wish to spend the evening walking through the gorge observing stars under the wide open sky.