Imperial Cities Luxury Tour – 9 Days

Sunset at the Hassan II Mosque

Welcome to Morocco

Your adventure starts when you land in Casablanca at the afternoon. Your driver will pick up you at the airport. Then, your tour begins with a visit the huge Hassan II Mosque. This is home to the world’s tallest minaret. This iconic landmark is not only a showcase of Moroccan architecture, but also the only mosque in Morrocco that is open to the public. Step inside to experience the incredible craftsmanship and detail, as well as the divine vibes.

Relax at your five-star hotel for the remainder of the evening. You will be responsible for your dinner tonight, but your driver will provide recommendations and help you find the best restaurants in Morocco.

Driving time approximately 2 hours

Blue-hued Chefchaouen

Today you’ll be heading to Chefchaouen. This tiny city is full of blue delights. Walls, doors, windows and stairways are all decorated with pastel sky blues. Chefchaouen, located in the heart Rif Mountains is known for its « old Morocco » sense.

You’ll pass the magnificent Hassan Tower Monument on your way. This is one of the most impressive buildings in the Almohad Dynasty. The curious landmark of Hassan Tower, the Hassan Tower was once a minaret for a mosque built in 12th century. It was a complex construction project that was abandoned. The red sandstone tower stands at 145 feet (44m) and contains about 200 columns. After exploring the ruins, visit the Mausoleum Of Mohamed V, to get a taste of the intricate tilework and mosaics that can be found throughout the country.

Your driver will make recommendations and you can eat on your own. You can then explore the blue-painted Oudaya neighborhood, perched high above the Atlantic Ocean. This neighborhood’s picturesque charm is a great starting point for your journey.

You’ll travel from Rabat to the Rif Mountains and the Blue City in Chefchaouen. You can either check-in at your luxurious riad or go exploring this quiet town at your own pace. Outa el-Hammam is a great place to look out over the city.

To get a glimpse of the local lifestyle, you can walk up the narrow alleyways away from tourist areas. You can shop here for handcrafted wool garments and woven blankets as well as cedarwood furniture and other artisanal work of Northern Morocco. Enjoy a Maqlouba (upside down) coffee while you watch the women wash their clothes in the nearby spring. You can eat at any of the wonderful restaurants in town.

Driving time approximately 5 hours

View over the Tanneries Chouara in Fes

After breakfast, your tour guide will meet with you to begin your day in the Fes Medina. This UNESCO-protected medina is filled with narrow alleyways and roads that are donkey-width. Fes’s native-born guide will tell you stories and take you to hidden corners of the medina. You will also be able to see the beauty of Fes’s palaces and madrasas. You will get to know Fes like a local. Ask your guide for suggestions on lunch. Many luxurious restaurants are hidden behind plain doors.

Fes is the center of Moroccan arts and crafts. You will be able to meet artisans and learn more about their history and the importance of their trades. To see traditional craft methods in action, you will visit tanneries or mosaic workshops.

The day will end with a Moroccan hammam. The history and traditions of the hammam will be explained to you. You will also enjoy a relaxing experience in one of Fes’s most sought-after spa experiences. Many hammams offer a range of services, including baths and massages. They also have extensive treatment menus that use local products such as argan oil.

Jamaa el Fna Square

This morning, you’ll leave Fes and return through the most famous Imperial Cities in the kingdom, Rabat or Casablanca. Your driver will recommend the best places to stop for lunch. Enjoy the view from your perch at the seaside with delicious Atlantic fish, cooked with Moroccan flair.

It’s back to the road after lunch. You’ll travel across the plains towards Marrakech, which is known as the Red City because of the red-hued clay that was used to build its buildings. You can check into your riad, or you can enjoy the rest of the afternoon at an even slower pace.

The main square Jemaa El Fna comes alive in the evening with performers, snake charmers and food stalls, as well as musicians, performers and other entertainers. You can either take part in the street vendor’s delights or you can enjoy the spectacle from the comfort of your own table. Marrakech, Morocco’s culinary capital, will treat you with amazing flavors. Enjoy!

Driving time approximately 6 hours

Create your tour

Marrakech, Koutoubia Mosque

Meet your private guide and take a tour of Marrakech’s beautiful old city after breakfast. You will find lively souks along with maze-like alleyways as you explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Displays of Djellabas and brightly colored Babouches, intricately-pierced lamps, conical mounds full of exotic spices, as well as the bustling medina atmosphere, will be sure to dazzle you. Your knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide will share the history and tales of the Medina and Souk neighborhoods in the Red City. Your guide will have great suggestions for where to eat lunch.

You’ll continue your private tour in the afternoon, visiting places such as the Bahia, El Badii Palaces and the Saadian Tombs. The Majorelle Gardens is another landmark garden, built by Jacques Majorelle over forty years and later occupied by Yves Saint Laurent. You can stroll through tranquil water gardens covering two-and-a-half acres, visit Morocco’s only museum devoted entirely to Berber culture and art, or explore Yves Saint Laurent’s gallery within this urban oasis.

Marrakech from the air

Marrakesh is located where the High Atlas Mountains meet a vast plain. You can’t get a better view of these strikingly different landscapes than by taking a hot-air balloon ride above Marrakesh at dawn. This morning, you will get up early to drive to the mountains and then board your hot-air balloon. You will be able see the sun rise over the highest mountains of North Africa from high above, and the city below. You will then be treated to a Berber Breakfast and your return to Marrakesh.

The rest of the day is yours. The Majorelle Gardens may be worth a visit. The famous garden retreat was created by Jacques Majorelle, a French painter. It was later occupied by Yves Saint Laurent. You can stroll through the tranquil water gardens of Morocco, or visit the museum that is exclusively dedicated to Berber culture and art. Yves Saint Laurent’s gallery is also within this urban oasis.

Tonight, you are the one cooking dinner.

The Agafay Desert sand dunes

You will be able to spend the morning free in Marrakech after breakfast. Take a last lunch in Marrakech, and then you will be able to escape the city hustle for a night in a luxury tent in the desert.

You will travel from Marrakech towards the Agafay desert, at the foot the mountains. This desert is more rock-heavy than the Sahara but you will be charmed by the romance and drama of the scenery and the vibes. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon on camelback or 4×4 riding around the desert, before taking a candle-lit dinner in a luxuriously appointed luxury tent.

Before you go to bed, make sure to gaze at the stars. You will find beautiful views in remote locations!

Driving time: About an hour

El Jadida

Today you’ll leave early to reach Casablanca by the coast route. Along the way, you will also visit two fortified Portuguese cities. You will visit the stunningly beautiful Portuguese cistern as your first stop. You can also visit the Church of the Assumption and walk the ramparts.

Next, Azemour is next. This has inspired many Moroccan artists over time, some of which have chosen to reside here. Despite its proximity to Casablanca’s cosmopolitan art scene, life here is still very traditional. The crumbling 16th-century medina, wedged between the Oud Er-Rbia (Mother of Spring River), and the ocean provides plenty of artistic inspiration.

Take advantage of the Atlantic’s bounty while you travel and enjoy a traditional fish meal. You can have your driver take you to the authentic fish markets in the area. These unassuming food stalls offer the best grilled and fried seafood. You can buy fish at the market, and then have it cooked by the grillmasters for a small charge. Many of these food stalls also offer fish for purchase.

After arriving in Casablanca, check in to your hotel. Next, explore Casablanca’s most popular neighborhoods. You can start your exploration in Maarif where you will find the French-style eponymous marketplace. Ain Diab is a prime beachfront neighborhood that boasts the Morocco Mall and miles upon miles of walking trails. People love to watch the waterfront (or Corniche) when the whole city is out on the promenade just before sunset.

Driving time approximately 5 hours

Farewell Casablanca

It is time to say farewell to beautiful Morocco. You may be able, depending on your departure time, to visit Casablanca last-minute or have tea in one of the traditional cafés. You’ll fly to Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport when it’s time.