Welcome to Marrakech. Depending on your arrival time and accommodation, there are two ways to start your Marrakech adventure. If you arrive early and feel like getting an immediate feel for the city's atmosphere, head out into the streets on your own and let your instincts guide you. However, if you prefer a plan, use the key points described in Day 8, which form a logical loop through the best of the medina.

Visiting the Moroccan "Hollywood" around Ouarzazate is a fascinating trip into the history of world cinema. The real star is Ksar Aït-Ben-Haddou, a UNESCO-listed fortified clay village whose iconic silhouettes you know from Gladiator or Game of Thrones. At Atlas Studios, you can literally walk between worlds, from Egyptian temples to medieval fortresses, and watch how plaster sets against the backdrop of a rugged landscape turn into reality. It was here, in the endless red scenery, that Ridley Scott's blockbuster Kingdom of Heaven came to life, and looking at the horizon, you can almost feel the atmosphere of the crusades. It is a place where the line between cinematic illusion and the raw beauty of Morocco finally blurs.

In the Dades Gorge, you'll be amazed by unique rock formations known as Monkey Fingers, where erosion has shaped red sandstone into smooth, rounded towers resembling fingers. In contrast, the Gorges du Todra is majestically monumental; at its narrowest point, the limestone walls are up to 300 meters high and only 10 meters apart. While Dades fascinates with its playful geometry, Todra takes your breath away with its vertical depth and the turquoise river flowing through the canyon floor.

Head out before 9 AM, and the journey from Todra Gorge towards Merzouga will take you through the fascinating transformation of the Moroccan landscape. You'll leave the Atlas walls behind and head into endless wastelands and rocky plains. Passing through the small town of Alnif, famous for its fossils, you'll continue to historic Rissani, once a key stop for caravans, which still retains the vibe of an authentic market for spices and crafts today. Once you pass Rissani, the magical silhouette of the orange Erg Chebbi dunes will appear on the horizon, signaling your arrival in Merzouga, the gateway to the real Sahara. This route is a visual transition from mountains to sand, during which you'll experience the raw beauty of the pre-desert regions and feel the approaching peace of desert solitude.

You can spend a day in the Sahara relaxing at the camp or (which I highly recommend) taking a packed half-day jeep tour. It will take you to visit local nomads, a fossil site, and the village of Khamlia for traditional Gnawa music. If there is enough water, you might even spot flamingos at the lake in Merzouga. The day then culminates in an iconic camel ride along the dune ridges during sunset. This program offers the ultimate experience and insight into desert culture all in one day.

I won't lie to you, the trip from Merzouga to Imlil is a long one. This day is mostly for driving. However, the scenery is incredibly diverse, taking you from sand dunes across arid plains right into the heart of the High Atlas. To make the journey more pleasant, a perfect stop about halfway is Ouarzazate, where you can visit the Cinema Museum. At this museum, you can take a break from driving for a while and walk among authentic sets, historical costumes, and film equipment used in the filming of famous blockbusters. It's a peaceful place with a unique atmosphere, offering a welcome pause in the pleasant shade of the buildings before you start climbing the serpentines into the mountains towards Imlil. This short relaxation amidst film history will give you energy for the final part of the journey to the foothills of Toubkal.

A roughly 12km hike into the heart of the High Atlas awaits you, designed as a round trip (6 km there and 6 km back). Along the way, you'll tackle an elevation gain of 550 meters, which at a relaxed pace with breaks for photos or tea will take about 4.5 hours of walking in total. It's the perfect route for those who want to soak in the raw beauty of the Moroccan mountains and the atmosphere of the Sidi Chamharouch pilgrimage site without needing an extreme athletic performance. You don't need any special physical fitness for this hike.

Note: A guide is mandatory in Toubkal National Park; book one at your accommodation or at the information center, approximate price 600MAD. You can also hire a mule to carry your backpacks. The price for a mule is about half the cost of a guide.

Marrakesh, nicknamed the "Red City," is the beating heart of Morocco, where the thousand-year history of the medieval medina meets the unbridled energy of the Orient. The city's landmark is the Jemaa el-Fna square, which turns into a magical theater full of street performers and the scent of traditional dishes after sunset, all while the majestic Koutoubia Mosque minaret watches over it. As you wander through the labyrinth of endless markets (souks), you'll discover incredible handicrafts and spices, which you can immediately swap for a quiet oasis in the azure blue Majorelle Garden. Marrakesh is a city of fascinating contrasts, where the luxury of modern districts mingles with authentic life in narrow alleys, and every sit-down with mint tea on a rooftop terrace offers an unforgettable view of the peaks of the nearby High Atlas mountains.

You'll return the car at the airport and head home. Depending on your flight time, you can walk around the city and see the sights you didn't manage to visit the previous day.