Download holiday itineraries from www. mountainkingdoms. com e: info@ mountainkingdoms. com 64 Grade: Gentle F or those looking to discover Morocco at a relaxed pace and in comfort, this is the ideal holiday. Our travels begin in the exotic walled city of Marrakesh where Berber merchants still ply their trade in the medieval-style alleyways and squares of the old medina. Crossing into the Atlas Mountains, over the Tzi n'Tichka pass, we explore valleys little visited by tourists, from our luxury camp - complete with comfortable beds and handmade carpets. Continuing south we'll visit the impressive Ksar of Ait Benhaddou, walk amongst palm trees and oases on the edge of the desert and visit the Saadian city of Taroudant. We return to the mountains to enjoy walks in the dramatic High Atlas, before arriving at the coast to relax in the atmospheric whitewashed port of Essaouira. L eaving Marrakesh we head into the heart of the High Atlas to begin our traverse of the Toubkal Massif. We trek from the east through isolated valleys, crossing high passes and camping in open pastures or by rushing streams. From the busy little village of Amsouzerte we trek on via the turquoise waters of Lac d'Ifni to cross the Tizi n'Ouanoumss pass at 3,664m/ 12,010ft. Fit and acclimatised, it's now a straightforward climb to the summit of Toubkal, which rewards us with views over the High and Middle Atlas and occasionally the Sahara beyond. Over two more trekking days we complete our traverse westward, enjoying a traditional Meshui feast and perhaps a hammam ( steam bath) before leaving the trail and heading back to enjoy the sights and sounds of Marrakesh. W e begin in the colourful, lively city of Marrakesh, where the narrow streets, alive with street vendors, artisans and workers, have an almost Arabian Nights feel. A short drive west then brings us to the altogether more relaxed town of Essaouira, where the Atlantic Ocean batters the sea walls and provides a rich harvest for locals and seagulls alike. Heading south we explore some of the lesser known southern areas of Morocco including the walled city of Taroudant, and towns of Tata, Ouarzazate and Agdz. We're now on ' The Road of a Thousand Kasbahs' and will see many of these impressive fortifications as we drive on into the desert beyond Zagora. After travelling north via Fez and the Rif mountains our journey ends overlooking the Mediterranean, in the bohemian city of Tangiers. Gentle Trekking, Riads & Kasbahs The scenic highlights of the south - with great walks and characterful accommodation throughout. Berber Trails to Mount Toubkal 4,167m/ 13,750ft A unique trek, avoiding the busiest trails, to North Africa's highest peak - Jebel Toubkal. Morocco, Sahara - Road of the Kasbahs A two- week expedition in the traditional style of the early overland trips across Africa. Ait Benhaddou, Steve Harbert £ 755 £ 795 £ 1,065 £ tbc Land Only Land Only Flight Included Flight Included Thu 03 Jun - Sun 13 Jun Thu 09 Sep - Sun 19 Sep Thu 26 May 11 - Sun 05 Jun 11 On Trek: 9 days Local Leader Accommodation: Camping: 8 Riads/ Kasbahs: 3 Optional: Single Room / Tent £ 105 Insurance: £ 48 1 Fly Marrakesh 2- 7 Drive Seti Fatma, trek 8 Mt Toubkal ascent 9- 11 Trek Ouirgane, drive Marrakesh, fly London Trekking Peak | Duration: 11 Days Guaranteed to run for a minimum of 2 clients £ 1,550 £ tbc £ 1,795 £ tbc Land Only Land Only Flight Included Flight Included Sat 06 Mar - Sun 21 Mar Sat 05 Mar 11 - Sun 20 Mar 11 Sat 09 Oct - Sun 24 Oct Day Walks: 7 days Local Leader Accommodation: Hotels: 3 Luxury Camping: 2 Riads/ Kasbahs: 10 Optional: Single Room £ 495 Insurance: £ 48 1- 2 Fly Marrakesh, sightseeing 3- 5 Atlas walks, Ait Benhaddou sightseeing 6- 9 Walks around Agdz and Taroudant 10- 12 Drive Ouirgane, High Atlas walks 13- 14 Drive Essaouira, at leisure 15- 16 Drive Marrakesh, fly London Trek | Duration: 16 Days Guaranteed to run for a minimum of 2 clients £ 1,095 £ tbc £ 1,345 £ tbc Land Only Land Only Flight Included Flight Included Sun 03 Jan - Sat 16 Jan Sun 28 Feb - Sat 13 Mar Sun 02 Jan 11 - Sat 15 Jan 11 Sun 27 Feb 11 - Sat 12 Mar 11 Days Driving: 10 days Local Leader Accommodation: Hotels: 10 Camping: 3 Optional: Single Room £ 225 Insurance: £ 48 1- 2 Fly Marrakesh, at leisure 3- 6 Drive Essaouira, Taroudant, Tata & Ourazazate 7- 9 Drive Agdz and Zagora 10- 12 Drive Erfoud & Fez, sightseeing 13- 14 Drive Tangiers, sightseeing, fly London Drive | Duration: 14 Days Guaranteed to run for a minimum of 4 clients Grade: Vigorous The Kingdom of Morocco How can somewhere so close to Western Europe be so different? From the moment you awake to the sound of the call to prayer, the history, art, culture, religion and way of life here in the Kingdom of Morocco beguiles you. More holiday options. Please contact us for Tailor Made holidays in Morocco. Trekking Peak Other Trekking Peaks - see pages 31, 39, 47, Vehicles: Modern Land Cruisers63, 67

65 telephone: 0845 330 8579 ( local call rate, UK only) international telephone: + 44 1453 844 400 www. mountainkingdoms. com Grade: Moderate I n Cairo we'll explore the Pyramids of Giza and see Tutankhamun's golden funerary mask, in the labyrinthine Egyptian Museum. Crossing the Suez Canal we drive deep into the mountains, to the home of the Jabaliyya Bedouin tribe. Here, with our Bedouin guide, we begin a six- day mountain trek via rocky paths, hidden pools and deep- cut canyons, camping each night in a Bedouin ' garden'. We'll climb Egypt's highest peak, Jebel Katerine 2,642m/ 8,807ft, and enjoy an atmospheric sunrise from the summit of nearby Mount Sinai 2,285m/ 7,616ft. We visit historic St Katherine's Monastery, to see the ' burning bush', before concluding our adventure on the Red Sea coast, a fantastic spot for snorkelling, diving or just lying back and savouring a memorable trip. F rom the capital city of Amman we head south to one of Jordan's best kept secrets, the beautiful Dana Nature Reserve. As we trek to the desert sands of Wadi Araba, we'll see evidence of past Nabatean settlements as well the tented homes still favoured by many Bedouin. We leave the desert to climb through rugged mountains to reach the ancient city of Petra. Here we'll explore the many rock hewn temples and dwellings, see famous monuments such as ' The Monastery' and walk along the twisting narrow siq ( gorge) that finally reveals the stunning façade of ' The Treasury'. Continuing southwards we spend our penultimate night in our own tented Bedouin camp, in the moonlike landscape of Wadi Rum. U nlike glitzy Dubai and austere Saudi Arabia, Oman is an altogether more laid back and hospitable country with wonderful opportunities for trekking. For millennia Oman has been at the cross roads of the Gulf region - everywhere you see the remnants of the country's hectic and warlike past, hilltops are crowned by dramatic forts and watchtowers, while in the towns lively souks still trade in goods from across the region. There are surprisingly impressive mountains here, rising in places to over 3,000m, great sand deserts and gorges which cut spectacular slashes across the countryside. Ancient villages cling to cliff sides or nestle at the bottom of remote wadis, often kept unexpectedly lush by ancient irrigation systems. There is lots of variety in this stunning trip. Egypt & the Summits of Sinai A taste of Ancient Egypt combined with a great mountain trek to Mount Sinai. Bedouin Paths to Petra & Wadi Rum, Jordan An unforgettable desert and mountain trek to the ' rose red' city of Petra. Mountains & Deserts of Arabia - Trekking in Oman One of the jewels of Arabia with exotic bazaars, spectacular mountain treks and ancient villages. On trek Bhaida, Jordan, Steve HarbertCamel trek Wahiba Sands, Oman, Ann Sainsbury £ 895 £ tbc £ 1,225 £ tbc Land Only Land Only Flight Included Flight Included Thu 11 Mar - Sun 21 Mar Thu 10 Mar 11 - Sun 20 Mar 11 Thu 07 Oct - Sun 17 Oct On Trek: 6 days Local Leader Accommodation: Hotels: 5 Lodges: 1 Camping: 4 Optional: Single Room £ 30 Single Tent £ 50 on trek Insurance: £ 48 1- 2 Fly Cairo, sightseeing 3 Cross Suez canal, drive Katreen 4- 9 Mountain trekking 10 Drive Dahab, at leisure 11 Drive Sharm el- Sheikh, fly London Trek | Duration: 11 Days Guaranteed to run for a minimum of 4 clients £ 1,595 £ 1,835 £ tbc £ 1,855 £ 2,085 £ 2,295 £ tbc £ 2,395 Land Only Land Only Land Only Land Only Flight Included Flight Included Flight Included Flight Included Thu 15 Apr - Sun 25 Apr Sun 14 Mar - Thu 25 Mar Thu 14 Oct - Sun 24 Oct Thu 14 Apr 11 - Sun 24 Apr 11 Sun 14 Nov - Thu 25 Nov Sun 13 Mar 11 - Thu 24 Mar 11 On Trek: 7 days Local Leader Accommodation: Hotels: 3 Camping: 6 Lodges/ Guesthouses: 1 Optional: Single Room / Tent £ 145 Insurance: £ 48 1- 2 Fly Amman, Madaba sightseeing 3- 8 Trek Dana to Petra 9 Visit Petra and drive Wadi Rum 10 Trek Wadi Rum, visit Kerak, drive Amman 11 Fly London On Trek: 5 days Local Leader Accommodation: Hotels: 3 Camping: 6 Optional: Single Room / Tent £ 125 Insurance: £ 95 1- 4 Fly Muscat, sightseeing & walk 5 Walk to Wadi Bani Khaled 6- 8 Wahiba Sands trek, visit Nizwa fort 9- 10 Jabal Shams 11- 12 Muscat and fly London Trek | Duration: 11 Days Trek | Duration: 12 Days Guaranteed to run for a minimum of 4 clients Guaranteed to run for a minimum of 6 clients The Middle East Egypt, Oman and Jordan are all full of ancient wonders and dramatic mountain and desert landscapes that provide sweeping vistas by day and starlit skies by night. See page 60 for map. More holiday options. Contact us to extend your trip to visit Luxor or for a few days diving on the Red Sea coast. Grade: Moderate Grade: Moderate