The country is a magic carpet ride of extremes, from the Sahara to the High Atlas Mountains; from Marrakech’s thronging Medinas to petal-strewn serenity in a Fez Riad. It is a place where cities are urban labyrinths and where runaway donkeys rule the souks.

September- April

Read Russ and Pat Johnson’s account of the trip to Morocco they took with Ibex Expeditions last year, which includes a video slide show of some of their most sensational photos from the journey.

The exotic gateway to the Africa continent is Morocco with its diversity of landscape -mountains, desert and coast and its curious mix of people.

The pulse of this country lies in its rich culture and diversity, reflected everywhere from its bustling streets and ancient medinas that lead to souks and Riads where songs of worship ring overhead to their long and fascinating heritage. Berbers, Arabs and Christians all live in this land.

From the dunes of the Sahara to the peaks of the High Atlas, Morocco is an all-encompassing wish list that has lyrical landscapes much like their richly coloured and patterned rugs. The ascent of Mt Toubkal in the Ourika Valley completes the adventure.

Mosques and Kasbahs dot its landscape closely connected to the environment. The Atlas, the Sahara and the port towns of Essaouira and Agadir are incomplete without a visit to its historic World Heritage sites of Fez, the largest living medieval Islamic city with its mysterious alleyways and leather tanneries. The Roman ruins of Volubilis are the best preserved archaeological site and a UNESCO world Heritage site.

The rose valley at Kalate Megouna and the Todra gorges and the Kasbah Ait ben Haddou- another World heritage site is not to be missed. Finally, Marrakech, the 9th century walled medina, Menara pool, Djemaa el-Fna famed square, Bahia palace are the final brilliance of Morocco.

The intoxicating beat of the Berber drum in Merzouga served with the traditional pouring of mint tea makes the Sahara experience unforgettable. The long legged camel shadows, and the colour of the soft sand underneath a crisp blue sky gives you a high higher than Mt. Toubkal!