MOROCCO 207 AFRICA Imaginative Facts Tour code: MPSC • Activities: 9 day desert trek. Trek grade - Moderate • Accommodation: 4 nights tourist class hotels and 10 nights camping • Transport: Bus, 4WD jeep, foot • Fully Escorted: By qualified trekking guide, cook and team of camel drivers • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Essaouira Extension' tour DAY 1: MARRAKECH- Arrival day. DAY 2: MARRAKECH- A free day to explore. ( B) DAY 3: MARRAKECH - OUM JRANE- First we cross the High Atlas by jeep and then head across the plains south of Jebel Saghro to the small village of Oum Jrane nestled amongst the dunes of the Sahara, where we meet our camel team. ( BD) DAY 4: TREK - OUM JRANE to MAADER BOUZIANE- Embark on our trek. The camels carry the equipment and we walk alongside them, adjusting to a swaying nomadic pace that eats up the miles. The terrain varies from rocky paths to sand dunes through to firmer terrain as we trek east across the Sahara. ( BLD) DAY 5: TREK - MAADER BOUZIANE to MAIDER EL KEBIR- Continue trekking through the moonlike landscape of the Maider el Kebir plain. ( BLD) DAY 6: TREK - MAIDER EL KEBIR to OASIS OF MHARESJ- We cross a plain that is strewn with fossils and camp tonight at a lovely oasis with palm trees and old ruins. ( BLD) DAY 7: REST DAY- A much needed day of rest and recovery! ( BLD) DAY 8: TREK - MHARESJ to OASIS OF BOURIKA- Continue trekking across a sandy riverbed and past the ruins of an ancient fort. Our camp tonight is at an oasis with palm and acacia trees. ( BLD) DAY 9: TREK - BOURIKA to AFFERDOU-A short day of trekking as we head for a huge ' table mountain'. ( BLD) DAY 10: TREK - AFFERDOU to RUINS OF EL ATROUS- We follow a path up a valley to a ridge dotted with ancient lead mines. ( BLD) DAY 11: TREK - EL ATROUSS to ZNAIGAE-Today we reach the great dunes of Erg Chebbi and see the Sahara in all its majesty. A sea of sand stretches as far as the eye can see and we rely more than ever on the knowledge of the guides for navigation. We climb the dunes for a stunning desert sunset. ( BLD) DAY 12: TREK - ZNAIGAE to TANAMOUSTE- This is our last day of trekking and we follow a striking path through black rocks and yellow sand. ( BLD) DAY 13: TODRA GORGE- Transfer by minibus to the spectacular Todra Gorge. Overnight hotel. ( B) DAY 14: TODRA to MARRAKECH- Travel along the ' Valley of 1000 Kasbahs', passing Ait Ben Haddou, a famous and picturesque collection of kasbahs. Our route takes us over the spectacular Tizi ' n Tichka pass in the High Atlas and ends in Marrakech. ( B) DAY 15: MARRAKECH- Tour ends. ( B) Note: The total trekking distance covered in the 9 day trek is approximately 175km. Trek the ancient caravan routes through the Sahara • Enjoy a 9- day camel- supported trekacross the sea of sand that is the Sahara • Camp at small palm- fringed oasesbeneath magnificently clear skies • Witness volcanic mountains, lunar landscapes and immense sand dunes • Journey to the spectacular Todra Gorge and along the ' Valley of 1000 Kasbahs' • Relish in the sights and sounds of exotic Marrakech Sahara Camel Trek Imaginative Facts Tour code: MTMM • Non- group Tour: For individuals only • Activities: Optional guided walks • Accommodation: 3 nights riad on twin share basis, 2 nights mountain spa retreat • Transport: Private transport • Escorted: Services of Imaginative Traveller representatives • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Essaouira Extension' tour DAY 1: MARRAKECH - HIGH ATLAS-Transfer to the spa retreat of La Roseraie in the High Atlas Mountains. La Roseraie is a retreat with lush gardens, a pool and a health centre in the mountainous High Atlas. DAY 2: HIGH ATLAS- Wake to stunning views of the Atlas Mountains. A day to explore the surrounding mountain paths and Berber villages. Guided walks available. ( B) DAY 3: HIGH ATLAS - MARRAKECH- In the afternoon you'll be transferred back to Marrakech to your riad in the medina. ( B) DAYS 4 & 5: MARRAKECH- Two full days to explore Marrakech, soak up the atmosphere of this exotic city and let your senses go wild with the sights, sounds and smells that make this one of the most exciting cities in Morocco. ( B) DAY 6: MARRAKECH- Your trip ends with a transfer to the airport for your flight home. ( B) Departs daily ex Marrakech airport. Combine a mountain spa retreat with a riad city break - in just 6 days! • Gain a fascinating insightinto both city and rural Berber life • Relaxin the mountains in the gardens of your spa retreat • Enjoy superb High Atlas scenery - from your hotel window or on walks • Visit Marrakech's many palaces and haggle for souvenirs in the souqs • Enjoy the exotic sights and soundsof the main square, the Djemaa el Fna Marrakech and Mountains Imaginative Facts Tour code: MTMS • Non- group Tour: For individuals only • Activities: Camel trek • Accommodation: 6 nights 3* hotels on twin share basis, 1 night tented desert camp • Transport: Private transport days 3- 7 • Fully Escorted: Services of Imaginative Traveller representatives • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Essaouira Extension' tour DAY 1: MARRAKECH- Transfer to hotel. DAY 2: MARRAKECH- The meandering alleyways of Marrakech's sprawling souq hide many an exotic curio and eager salesman. The Koutoubia mosque glows orange at sunset and the slowly stretching shadow of its minaret points like a finger toward the greatest outdoor restaurant on earth. The Djemaa el Fna is the perfect place to dine before thoughts turn toward tomorrow and the fort- palaces of Morocco's former lords. ( B) DAY 3: MARRAKECH - AIT BEN HADDOU-Drive across the High Atlas mountains to the kasbah complex of Ait Ben Haddou. ( BD) DAY 4: AIT BEN HADDOU - NKOB- Drive east through the desert and barren Saghro mountains to Nkob, a small village that is home to the Ait Atta tribe. ( B) DAY 5: NKOB - ERG CHEBBI- Beyond the startling green wadis, vast sand dunes soar, at their base, robed figures sit patiently by their humped transport. Drive south to the Saharan dunes of Erg Chebbi. In the afternoon ride camels to a Bedouin- style camp deep within the dunes. ( BD) DAY 6: ERG CHEBBI - TODRA GORGE - DADES VALLEY- Drive through green valleys to the stunning Todra Gorge before spending the night in the Dades Valley. ( B) DAY 7: DADES VALLEY - MARRAKECH-Drive back across the High Atlas and the Tizi ' n Tichka pass to Marrakech. ( B) DAY 8: MARRAKECH- Transfer to the airport for your flight home. ( B) Departs daily ex Marrakech airport. Enoy the contrasts of the romance of city and desert • Enjoy the exotic sights and soundsof Marrakech • Journey across the High Atlas Mountainsto the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou • Visit the spectacular Todra Gorge and Dades Valley • Ride camels to a Bedouin- style campdeep in the Sahara Desert • Witness stunning volcanic scenery surrounding the mountain village of Nkob Marrakech & the Sahara Single Supplement £ 80 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 4.11 * Price includes tour price of £ 675and local payment of € 150All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 790pp Land Only * Solo Traveller Supplement £ 250 ( compulsory if you are travelling alone) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 4.11 * Price varies according to date of departure - please contact us for further details. All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 449pp Land Only from * Solo Traveller Supplement from £ 525 ( compulsory if you are travelling alone) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 4.11 * Price varies according to date of departure - please contact us for further details. All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 649pp Land Only from * traveller traveller pioneer Tour duration 15 days Tour duration 6 days Tour duration 8 days Starts SatEnds Sat MarrakechMarrakech 2009 28- Feb- 0914- Mar- 09 21- Nov- 0905- Dec- 09 Starts SatEnds Sat MarrakechMarrakech 2010 13- Feb- 1027- Feb- 10 20- Nov- 1004- Dec- 10 Trek grade - Moderate Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

CHINA & FAREAST 208 china & far east China is immense - a thousand experiences waiting happen. Names like the Forbidden City, the Yangtse River, the Terracotta Warriors and Shanghai are well- known and synonymous with this great country. However we like to get under the skin of a place, not just get off the beaten track but create our own path of discovery. Thus you can cycle amongst Guilin's remarkable limestone scenery, climb holy mountains, volunteer at the Giant Panda Centre, take a jeep safari on the Tibetan Plateau, spot wild elephants and follow the ancient Silk Road. It is easy to see why one ancient name for China was ' all beneath the heavens'.