Imperial Cities and Deserts

12 days tour starts and finishes in Casablanca. This tour will take you to discover the five imperial cities of Morocco and the countryside. Live Moroccan diversity culture and enjoy the landscapes of the country

Highlights

visit the jewel of the atlantic ocean called Essaouira

Experience camel riding over the impressive dunes of Erg Chebbi

Enjoy the landscapes of the midlle and high Atlas mountains

Explore the most sightseeing of the imperial cities; Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Fes and Marrakech

Tour details

Day 01: Casablanca.

Arrive at Casablanca Airport where you will be welcomed by your driver guide who will accompany you to your accommodation.

Day 02: Casablanca – Rabat.

After breakfast drive to visit one of the best highlights of Casablanca: The Hassan II mosque. Then departure to the imperial city of Rabat; administrative capital of the Kingdom. Visit Mechouar (ramparts and walls surrounding the Royal Palace), the Oudayas Kasbah and the magnificent Mausoleum of Mohammed V and Hassan II. Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 03: Rabat – Volubilis – Fes.

Departure in the morning towards Meknes. Visit of the Medina, also surrounded by ramparts. visit the Jewish quarter and the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Accommodation at the hotel/riad in Fes.

Day 04: Fes – Fes.

The whole day dedicated to visit the city of Fes, the oldest imperial city in Morocco founded in the eight century by Moulay Idriss II. You will visit the Medina, Medersas Attarine, Ennajarine Fountain, Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss and Karawiyin Mosque, as well as the new medina in Fez Jdid. Check-in at the hotel/riad in the evening.

Day 05: Fes – Azrou – Midelt – Erfoud – Merzouga Dunes.

At Fes we drive on the road through the Middle Atlas mountains and the cedar forests well known all over the world. Cedar was already used by Phoenicians and Romans to build seaworthy boats and ships and make woodcrafts and essences.

We pass through Ifran, a Moroccan Swiss-style town and Azrou, typical Zayan Middle Atlas Berber village. We will then cross the valley of Ziz and Ziz gorges on the way to the Oriental Sahara Town of Erfoud. From Erfoud we will take a rocky desert trail to Merzouga. Overnight at hotel near the dunes.

Day 06: Merzouga – Erg Chebbi – Merzouga.

The day is dedicated to discover the oriental Sahara desert. We will drive into the desert on a 4×4, visit the nomads, oasis and the dunes of Erg Chebbi. We go to the village of the dark skinned people Khamlia to enjoy original and folk music of the Gnawa people. From there back to the Hotel. Camel riding at sunset and overnight stay in Berber tent in the heart of the dunes. A day full of adventure and culture.

Day 07: Merzouga – Todra gorges – Ouarzazate.

Early morning wake up for camel riding and admiring the spectacular sunrise. Return to the hotel for refreshing and breakfast. We will cross the town of Rissani and Tafilalet, the heart of the Alaouite Dynasty, on the way to the stunning Todra Gorges overlooking the valley from the hillside. We pass through the nice town of Boumalne Dades.

We continue through the deep Rose Valley, known for it’s cultivation of roses. Admire the different colored mountains and palm groves, sweet corn and fig cultivations, as well as numerous Kasbah ruins of all shapes, also known as the Road of the Thousand Kasbahs. Arrival to Ouarzazate in the evening. Overnight at riad.

Day 08: Ouarzazate – High Atlas – Marrakech.

From Ouarzazate driving to Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, Mother of all Kasbahs. Enchanting Berber architectural structure about 800 years old. On the top of the Kasbah hill admire the great view towards the ancient caravan roads to Marrakech and the faraway peaks of the High Atlas mountain chain. Visit of the Kasbah ruins that still reveal the ancient culture of the Kasbah inhabitants.

We will continue atop the mountains on a dirt road for about 8 km, which further on joins with the main road to Marrakech. Passing through a valley of almond trees, the Berber Shluh of Amerzgan, Agouim and Ighrem, we will reach the Tizi N’Tichka pass (2260 m a.s.l.) and have lunch at the Berber village of Tadart. Arrival to Marrakech in the evening.

Day 09: Marrakech guided tour.

After breakfast, the group will enjoy a guided tour of Marrakech, the southern pearl of Morocco. You will discover the Bahia and Badi Palaces, Saadian Tombs, Menara basin and many other hidden treasures. Lunch will be at one of the finest traditional restaurants in Marrakech.

After lunch, tour to the magnificent Koutoubia Mosque and the famous market square Djemaa el Fna, well worth a visit, as one of the center attractions of Marrakech, which comes alive at night with local storytellers, snake enchanters, entertainers... and mouth-watering barbecues.

Day 10: Marrakech - Essaouira.

After breakfast heading to Essaouira; known as Mogador or the jewel of the Atlantic. After one hour of driving you will stop for short break in Sidi lmkhtar. Continue the road for about 1/2 hour to get the second stop to take a picture for some goats climbing the trees of the Argan.

Arrive Essaouira then visit the fishing port with it’s ramparts, the old Medina known as Skala and the museum of Sidi Mohammed Ben Abd Llah. Walking in the Souk (market) and experience different crafts manufactured in the town. Enjoy the fresh seafood in a local restaurant near of the port or in the beach. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Essaouira – Essaouira.

Free day in Essaouira. Over night at hotel.

Day 12: Essaouira – Casablanca airport.

End of the tour.