Day 1:Marrakech to Dadés Gorge Leave the city behind and set out across the rugged terrain of the High Atlas mountains, catching glimpses of river valleys and mountainside villages as you cross over the Tizi n'Tichka pass and drop down to Ouarzazate. Lunch at a local restaurant, then continue on to the Skoura oasis, where palm trees and silvery olive groves cluster around the ruins of ancient kasbahs. Spend the night in a typical guesthouse in Dadés Gorge.

Day 2:After breakfast, drive to Todgha Gorge, where you can stretch your legs with a hike through the canyon before continuing on. Pass the Berber villages of Tinejdad and Erfoud, spot the vast oasis of Tafilalt, which is famous for its dates. Arrive amid the golden dunes of Merzouga and trade your wheels for a ride on a camel. later, settle in at a comfortable nomadic camp for a drum performance, and a good night's sleep in a traditional tent.

Day 3:Get up early to watch the sunrise and breakfast over the windswept dunes, then back on road, passing by the pretty town of Tazzarine on your way into the Draa Valley. Have lunch in Nakob, visit the 16th-century kasbah of Tamnougalte, near Agdz. Arrive in Ouarzazate for the night.

Day 4:Start your day with a visit to Taourirt Kasbah, a historic site that's been partially restored by UNESCO. From there, drive to Ait-Ben-Haddou, a massive red ksar of 6 interconnected kasbahs that rises from the desert and has been featured in numerous Hollwood films.