Imperial City Tour

Visit Morocco’s most famous imperial cities and sights: Rabat, Meknes, Volubilis, Fes and Marrakech.

This tour provides an excellent mixture of culture, history and impressive landscapes. Immerse yourself in bustling old medina markets with overwhelming colors and flavors, and spend an unforgettable night in the desert under millions of stars in typical Moroccan fashion.

Itinerary: Casablanca – Rabat  – Fes – Erg Chebbi – Ait Benhaddou – Marrakech

Duration: 7 days / 6 nights

Pick Up:  in Casablanca

Drop Off: in Marrakech (optional transfer back to Casablanca)

Day 1: Casablanca – Rabat

Your Imperial City Tour starts in Casablanca. Pick up from the airport and transfer to Rabat. Spend your evening on your own exploring the medina or have a relaxed walk along the seaside promenade for dinner. Overnight with breakfast.

Day 2: Rabat – Meknes – Volubilis – Fes

Rabat is the capital of Morocco and one of four imperial cities. It is home to many royal and authentic sites including the fortified Kasbah of the Oudaia, the Hassan Tower and the ancient Merinid necropolis of Chellah. Start with a morning tour to explore Rabat’s main sights. Later we continue to Meknes, another imperial city of Morocco and known as “the City of A Hundred Minarets”. Stop at the famous “Great Gate” of Bab el-Mansour and visit the local market. You can also visit the remnants of the granaries in Meknes and enjoy a lunch break. In the afternoon, we go straight to Fes or take a short loop for a visit of the ancient ruins of the Roman city Volubilis. This sight is preserved by the UNESCO since 1997. Move on to your riad in Fes, where you spend the evening on your own and overnight with breakfast.

Day 3: Fes / Medina

Start your morning without rush and visit Morocco’s oldest imperial city. Enjoy a private city walking tour through the old medina of Fes. You will explore the narrow streets lined with fresh fruits, mounds of spices, intricately woven Berber carpets and various leather products. The King’s Palace, the tannery and potters are just few sights to experience. You will stop for lunch break at a traditional restaurant in the heart of the medina. After lunch, complete your tour and return to your riad. Explore Fes on your own for dinner or relax at the roof terrace in the evening. Overnight with breakfast.

Day 4: Fes – Azrou – Midelt – Merzouga – Erg Chebbi desert

After breakfast, cross enchanting landscapes of the Middle Atlas Mountains. Stop en route on interesting places such as the cedar forests by Azrou and in Midelt, a small town famous for its fossils and rocks. Arrive in the late afternoon in Merzouga at the golden dunes of the Erg Chebbi desert. Your camel guide awaits you to carry you to your desert camp. Enjoy the sunset on one of the high sand dunes. Overnight in nomad tents with dinner, traditional Berber music around a campfire and a night full of stars.

Day 5: Erg Chebbi desert – Merzouga – Todra Gorge – Ait Benhaddou

Wake up early to catch the colorful sunrise over the golden dunes of the Erg Chebbi desert, an experience you will never forget. Start your camel trek back to Merzouga, where you enjoy your breakfast and a shower. Move on to visit the impressive Todra Gorge, the highest cliffs of the High Atlas Mountains. Continue to Ait Benhaddou along “the Road of One Thousand Kasbahs” passing the Rose Valley and the Skoura Oasis. Ait Benhaddou is a famous location of movies like “Gladiator” and “The Games of Thrones”. Take your time to visit the kasbah that is built on a hilltop. It is perhaps the most impressive and well-preserved fortress city in Morocco. Overnight in the old town with dinner and breakfast.
 

Day 6: Ait Benhaddou – Marrakech

Continue in the early morning to Marrakech through the High Atlas Mountains and the Tizi n-Tichka pass (2260m), the highest road pass in Morocco. Marrakech is well-known for its bustling markets and palm-lined streets. It is almost surrounded by the Atlas Mountains rising in the distance. After lunch break, explore the souks and alleyways of the old medina. You can go for a guided half-day orientation walk and visit the 16th century ruins of the El Badi Palace. In the evening, return to the famous main square Jemaa el Fna and experience its bustling atmosphere. Overnight in your riad with breakfast.

Day 7: Marrakech

Your trip ends today. Check-out time is usually around noon but you are free to leave at any time. Pick up at your riad and transfer to the airport.

Additional days can be added if you wish to spend more time in Marrakech or at another place from your itinerary.

Included:        

• Airport pick up & drop off services
• Private transport in a comfortable Toyota land cruiser or Mercedes Van
• Private English speaking guide and experienced driver
• Accommodation with breakfast
• Guided city tour through the old medina of Fes
• Overnight stay in the campsite of Erg Chebbi desert with dinner
• Camel trekking (to the campsite and back), sand boarding (optional)