Imperial Cities & Desert Grand Tour – 10 Days

Sunset over Casablanca’s Hassan II Mosque

Welcome to Morocco’s West Coast! Casablanca is your home! Casablanca, the largest city of Morocco, is a modern and thriving city with a lot of French influence. Visit the Hassan II Mosque to see its stunning architecture. The Hassan II Mosque, which sits on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, can accommodate 25,000 worshippers and has additional space for 80,000 in its enclosed courtyard. Hassan II mosque is the only one in Morocco where non-Muslims can enter. Admire the intricate marble work, wood- and stone carvings, and gilded cedar ceilings.

Visit Parc de la Ligue Arabe, and the Casablanca Cathedral (no more in use), for a fine example mid-19th-century Mauresque architecture that combines European art deco with Moorish style. Before visiting the Hobous or new medina, visit the Old . This is the oldest part of the city that predates the French protectorate. Hobous was built by the French in the 1930s. It is a great spot to find vegetable and olive markets as well as to admire more Mauresque buildings. You can take a walk along the Boulevard de la Corniche. This is often called the « Miami of Morocco. »

Enjoy a day exploring the picturesque streets of Chefchaouen

Continue north towards the capital and imperial city of Rabat. This bustling city has a rich history. You can explore the medieval fortification of Chellah Negropoli and its Roman and Islamic ruins. The Kasbah des Oudaias is a grand entrance that leads to Rabat’s historic city center. You can then peacefully wander the blue-washed streets. The Andalusian Garden is a 20th-century landmark. Next, visit the Hassan Tower. This minaret was part of an incomplete mosque and Mausoleum for Mohamed V. It was a 12th century project that was abandoned soon after completion.

Continue northward, and you’ll see the landscape shift from flat plains to rolling hills to the rocky terrain at the Rif Mountain. Chefchaouen, also known as the « Blue City », is a collection of narrow streets and blue-washed houses. Enjoy the friendly atmosphere and relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy a relaxing time on the north hillside’s medina, and then visit the kasbah (old Fortification). To enjoy a final view of Chefchaouen, head to the abandoned Spanish Mosque as the sun sets behind them.

The Mausoleum of Moulay Itsmail

Before you leave for the Roman city Volubilis, get up early and take unobstructed photographs. Volubilis, a UNESCO-protected site, is home to Morocco’s best preserved Roman ruins. Explore the sprawling complex and see the columns of old buildings, large merchant houses, temples, and colorful mosaics, such as the Labors of Hercules.

Continue south towards Meknes, your second imperial capital. You can spend some time exploring Ville Imperiale and the medina. Make sure you visit the magnificent Bab al-Mansour Gate and the Mausoleum Of Moulay Ismail.

Continue eastward towards Fes. For a great view of the medieval city, make a short climb up a hill before you venture into the medina. At dusk, the best time to visit these tombs is. As the city lights start to glow, the calls to worship can be heard throughout the valley. For a different vantage point, you can find your way to Mellah, an old Jewish quarter and cemetery, in Fes el Jdid. For a warm meal, return to your riad

Chouara Tannery stone pots with dye, pigeon droppings, and limestone

Fes is the oldest imperial city in Morocco and one of the most fascinating and interesting to explore. It has also been the subject of little colonial development, adding to its medieval appeal. Fes is the largest medina in the Arab World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It consists of three main points: Fes el Bali, (old Fes and where you will spend most time), Fes el Jdid, (‘new Fes’), and the French-influenced Villa Nouvelle. Your guide will help you navigate the medina and provide information about Fes’ history and culture.

Begin your tour at Fes el Bali by entering the Bab Boujeloud gate, which will lead you to Talaa Kebira. As you travel through the Spanish- and Tunisian-influenced architecture, discover the souks (markets) and shops. The tanneries are one of the most fascinating sights in Medina. Chouara Tannery makes no exception.

To get a better view of the stone pots that were filled with dye and the men at work in the 11th century, climb up to the roof of a nearby leather shop. Follow the guide to Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque (859 CE). You may get a glimpse inside the Library if you are lucky.

Create your tour

Trekking in the Sahara, Morocco near Merzouga

As you travel south towards your final destination, Merzouga, you’ll cover a lot of ground. You will ascend the Middle Atlas mountains via fragrant cedar forests and the Col du Zad pass. You can rest your legs at the « Apple City », Midelt, which is well-known for its fruit trees. Also, eat lunch near the Moulouya River. Continue on to the Ziz Valley through the Tizi N’Talremt Pass, stopping to admire the numerous fortified Ksars merchants who built them to stockpile their valuable goods (gold, salt and spices).

To learn more about the fossils in the area, visit Erfoud. You can find dunes that are over 600 feet high at the sea of sand in Erg Chebbi. Meet your camel in Merzouga and board it to take you to your accommodation, a Bedouin-style tent. You can race to the top of a nearby dunes to see the sunset over the desert before returning to your campsite for dinner and a campfire.

Rissani’s « donkey parking lot »

Get up early to catch the sun rising before you go sandboarding. ATV tours and the Erg Chebbi (sand dunes) tour are also options. You can also opt to relax poolside in Merzouga.

You can leave the dunes behind to discover the traditional Saharan village Khemliya, which is home to its inhabitants originally from Mali. Enjoy traditional music, dancing and drumming before you take a stroll around the village and its sand-farmed plots. To explore the nearby live animal auction, and ‘donkey parking’, you can visit Rissani from there. Continue on to Tinerhir, and take in the vast expanse of greenery and the surrounding community of buildings. Pause at the Todra Gorge, descend to the riverbank, and unwind in the invigorating Todra River. Continue to Boumalen Dades .

Ait Benhaddou shines in the setting sun

Continue your journey west along the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs. Many of these are in disrepair because they were made of pise Clay (rammed earth). Continue your journey through Boumalne Ddes until you reach the plots bordered with manicured rose bushes in Kela’a M’gouna. Roses are used in cosmetics to make rose oil and rose water.

Continue on to the desert hub, Ouarzazate. Take a tour of the movie studios to discover which movies were shot in the desert. A visit to the Museum du Cinema is a must for movie buffs.

Today’s final destination is the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, a fortified pise community that lies in a valley close to the Atlas Mountains. Ait Benhaddou, the most well-known kasbah of Morocco and a protected UNESCO location, was an important point along the trans-Saharan route that connected the southern desert with Marrakech and Ouarzazate.

For a panoramic view of the surrounding Ksours (individual kasbahs), and Ouarzazate Valley , climb up to the Granary. You can wander the narrow passageways and alleyways, and pay a small fee to get into one or two old kasbahs.

View of Taddert & the High Atlas Mountains

Continue northwest and ascend the High Atlas mountain ranges, passing through the Tizi n’Tichka pass. To enjoy the view and the highest peak, Mount Toubkal located at 13,671ft (4,167m), stop near the top. To see an argan oil cooperative, visit Tendert and learn how the nuts are extracted to make the oil for the beauty and health industries. Continue to descend the north side to see the dramatic changes in the climate and scenery. It goes from dry and barren to humid, green and lush.

After arriving in Marrakech, check into your hotel before heading out to Marrakech’s main square Jemaa El-Fna. In the evening, the square is alive with musicians, artists, and performers. Begin to navigate the many stalls, then start to find your way around the square. The souks are to one side, the Koutoubia Mosque, Gardens to the other, and the kasbah with the Saadian Tombs and Bahia Palace and El Badi Palace to the south. Enjoy a delicious meal at a more tranquil cafe close to the square and enjoy the spectacular spectacle.

Sunset over Africa’s busiest square, Jemaa el Fna

Marrakech, unlike Fes, has Berber roots rather than Arab and is a major economic centre. It was founded in the 11th century and is known as the « Red City » because of the natural red pigment in its buildings and walls. Meet your guide to discover hidden gems in the medina, such as souks and shops that sell their wares.

You can find your way to the Koutoubia Mosque – Marrakech’s tallest minaret, standing at 253 feet (77m) Next, you can visit the 16th century Ben Youssef Islamic school to marvel at the exceptional Moroccan craftsmanship: arabesques and Islamic calligraphy as well as colorful geometric tilework.

For a respite from the heat, visit the Majorelle Gardens located in Ville Nouvelle. Next, visit the Saadian Tombs. They were only discovered in 1930s. You can visit the 19th century Bahia Palace and marvel at the intricate woodwork as well as the painted ceilings.

You can visit the El Badi Palace with its sunken gardens before you head to Marrakech’s Mellah. You will notice large open spaces as you travel back to Jemaa el-Fna. These fondouks and caravanserai were once places for traders and travelers along ancient trade routes.

Closeup of the magnificent Hassan II Mosque

Get up early to do any souvenir and gift shopping, before you find the 12th-century Almoravid Koubba. The Koubba, Almoravid’s only remaining monument, was rediscovered in 1948. Next, visit the Marrakech museum. The museum is located in the 19th century Moorish Dar Mnebbi Palace and houses a variety of traditional and modern artifacts, as well as artifacts from Islamic, Berber and Moroccan Jewish cultures. You might also want to visit the Museum of Moroccan Arts (also known as the Dar Si Said Museum), which is well-known for its extensive woodwork collection.

Start the return trip to Casablanca after lunch (about 3.5 hours). Before you board your flight to your next destination, stop by Rick’s Cafe for a quick drink.