Morocco’s Imperial Cities and the Sahara Desert – 13 days

Morocco, welcome! Once your flight arrives at the airport in Casablanca you can pick up your bags and walk out to meet your driver. He will have a sign with your name. You will be taken into town by the driver, who will allow you to check in at your hotel.

Casablanca’s first settlement was the Berber Village Anfa. Sultan Mohammed Ben Abdallah established a Muslim community on this site at the end of 18th century. This was where Europeans could host their wool and grain commercial enterprises. You can learn more about Casablanca’s history, culture and economy by visiting a few famous sites, such as the United Nations Square and Mohamed V Square. After that, you will be able to admire the Royal Palace before moving on to the Hassan II Mosque.

Enjoy the rest of your evening.

Meet your driver in the morning at 8:30 AM. You will then travel to Meknes which is the imperial capital of Moulay Ismail. This Medina has a smaller population and is less crowded. Shopkeepers are also not as pushy. Most travelers just pass through the city, but those who take the time to explore this historic imperial city may discover more. Although the city is large, two areas of particular interest are the Ville Imperiale and the Medina.

After this visit, you will move on to Volubilis. This UNESCO World Heritage Site contains Morocco’s best preserved Roman ruins. It is a pleasant escape from the bustle of Meknes. The massive complex is open to the public. You will find large merchant houses with visible heating systems under, temples, as well as colorful mosaics in very good condition.

You will arrive at Fez in the afternoon. was established shortly after the Arabs arrived across North Africa. Fez is often called the spiritual capital of Morocco. It was once one the most important centers of scholarship in the entire world. It can be divided into three parts: Fez el–Bali is the heart of Medina, Fez el–Jdid is where the Jewish quarter and Royal Palace are found, and the Ville Nouvelle is the administrative area.

Enjoy the nightlife at night in Fez, and take some time to explore Fez. Enjoy the evening on your own to explore the area or to enjoy dinner.

Please note that the local guide services in Volubilis or Meknes are not included. You can request a guided tour in either city by contacting your driver directly. They will be able to help you find the right guide.

You may get an hour of peace to walk the streets painted in blue if you rise early. You can continue on to the Roman Ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses Morocco’s finest preserved Roman ruins. It is a pleasant break from the bustle and bustle in Meknes. Today, you can explore the vast complex and see large merchant houses with visible heating systems beneath, temples, as well as colorful mosaics in situ.

Optionally, you can make a stop in Meknes if you wish. This wealthy city is a great way to prepare for Fes. The medina here is smaller and less crowded, and the shopkeepers aren’t as pushy. The Ville Imperiale (Imperial City), and the medina are the main attractions in the large city.

Your day ends in Fes. To get a panoramic view of Fes and to help you orientate yourself, climb the hill to the Merenid Tombs. As the city lights begin to turn on, and the muezzin’s call to worship echoes through the valley, it is best to visit the tombs at dusk. You will return to the medina to find your accommodation in a traditional riad.

Fez el-Bali is the name of Fez’s medina. It is surrounded by high walls and a magical medieval city that is alive in all its narrow streets. Fez is Morocco’s cultural and spiritual capital. You will feel its vibrancy.

For a 6-hour tour through the old medina, Fez, your local guide will meet with you at 9 a.m. You will meet many artisans such as metal workers and dyers. Visit the tanneries to see leather being processed the same way it has for centuries. You will find grand mosques and madrasas, which are koranic schools. Discover the ancient traditions of Berber medicinemen.

After the tour ends, you can enjoy the remainder of the day at your own pace.

Duration: 6 Hours

Create your tour

Be ready to get up early this morning as there’s a long drive ahead. Begin your journey towards Merzouga. There are many stops along the way, including:

• Azrou This town is home to wild monkeys, cedar tree trails, and a few other things. However, it’s also a place where you can relax during your high-energy adventure.
• Ifrane This place is known as the « Switzerland of Morocco » because it reflects alpine architecture. You can visit stone statues and waterfalls, plus more cedar forests.
• Erfoud This town, which is stuffed with fossils dating back hundreds of thousands of years, is the gateway to the nomadic life in Morocco. It is also the entrance that opens up to the Sahara and the different way of life. For sweet treats, visit the souq at the southern end of the town to pick up some local dates.

You will find time to yourself in Erfoud. Take in the local cuisine and then relax for the evening. Tomorrow you’ll trek into the desert.

You’ll get a sunrise view of the sand dunes if you’re an early riser. You will then ride your camel back to Kasbah, where you’ll meet your driver. You will leave Rissani which is another market place with an impressive gate at its entrance and a small square in the center.

You’ll find the Oases & Palmeries just ahead. From there, you can enjoy a spectacular view of nearby towns, which cling to the banks of the green river oasis. These are home to green palm trees. Incredible buttes, mesas and plateaus surround the desert landscape.

Tinerhir is a bustling town that is heavily dependent on mining. You will find the 19th-century abandoned Medersa Ikelane under the canopy. The ruins of Ksar Asfalou can be found at the northern end of town. This was once the home of students of both Jewish- and Muslim heritage who used to study together.

You will be dropped at your Tinerhir lodging and met your guide for a scenic 3-hour hike through the palm groves and gorges of Todra.

After your tour, you’ll have some time to explore the city or just relax and take a rest.

Hike Duration 3 hours

The adventure continues in the morning towards Morocco’s special home for film, Ouarzazate. It is located in a valley near the Atlas Mountains. Tourists are the majority of the visitors to this town, who are on their way to the Sahara Desert. Tourists stop by to buy necessities. You should take the time to visit Ouarzazate’s attractions, which include past filming locations from many movies. To explore the whole town, you can take a quadbike adventure.

You’ll then continue your drive towards the Ait Benhaddou village, where you will find the UNESCO World Heritage Site K Asar of Ait Benhaddou. Enjoy a stunning sunset by walking up to the Kasbah!

The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy as you please. Before you leave for the evening, make sure to talk with your driver about your morning meeting.

Good morning! Good morning! Your driver will meet with you at the time agreed upon to get the day underway. You will drive back towards the Ksar Of Ait Ben Haddou and then through the scenic High Atlas Mountains. There you’ll pass through the highest pass, Tizi N’Tichka. You can stop here to see the Berber villages, and take stunning photos.

You will reach Marrakesh in the afternoon. This city is known for its vibrant souks and delicious food. It also has a famous hospitality. Marrakesh, also known as the «  Red City », is the exotic imperial capital of the south. It is fourth in size in Morocco, and it lies close to the foothills the snow-capped Atlas Mountains.

Check-in at your lodging upon arrival and enjoy a relaxing time. You can then explore Djemaa El-Fna. You will find acrobats and storytellers in the central square. There are also water sellers, dancers, musicians, and even musicians. The square becomes a large open-air restaurant in the evening with smoke rising from many food stalls. Take in a show by the locals and enjoy dinner. Then, take a stroll through the city to soak up the culture.

Meet your guide in the morning at 9 a.m. You will then embark on a 6-hour walking tour of the city. You will discover some of the most significant historical sites along with the old Marrakesh medinas and souks. The following sites will be visited:

• Bahia Palace This palace from the 19th century also has beautiful gardens.
• Saadian Tombs This magnificent site is made of Italian Carrara marble, honeycomb plasterwork and pure gold.
• Koutoubia Mosque: This mosque is the largest in the city and was constructed in the 12th Century.
• Djemaa El Fna Visit this square in daylight to see the locals seduce residents and visitors alike.

The tour includes two major districts: the city that requires transport and the old medina, which can be toured on foot as most of the medina remains closed to traffic.

After your tour, you can explore the area, taste local cuisine, or just relax for the remainder of the day.

Duration: 6 Hours

Today is your day off. You can find plenty of things to do in Marrakech, depending on your mood. You can:

• Visit the Majorelle Garden These stunning landscapes took forty years to create. The grounds were designed by Jacques Majorelle, a French painter. They now house more than 300 species of plants.
• Relax in a Hammam: Visit a local bathhouse to visit the sauna, receive a massage and then take a dip into a cold pool. Bring your towel!
• You must visit the tanning shops. Here you can see how dresses and bags are made. Get an inside view of the dyeing process by watching the workers.
• Shop at the souks: You can go shopping in the souks if you want to buy souvenirs. The medina hosts many souks that sell local products and crafts.

You can return to the Djemaa El Fna at the end of your day for more evening entertainment and a delicious meal.

You will leave Marrakesh at 10 AM with your driver and travel to Essaouira. This town is on the Atlantic Coast. It is surrounded by medieval-looking battlements, and faces a group of rocky offshore islands.

Check-in at your accommodation upon arrival and enjoy a relaxing time. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed medina of Essaouira has been listed. The medina is home to beautiful whitewashed colonnades and houses with blue shutters. Today, the small fishing port is still functional.

Shopping in Essaouira will be a lot easier than shopping in Marrakesh’s souks or medinas. To shop for furniture, paintings, or tiles, you can visit Galerie la Kasbah.

Take a stroll along the coast to end the day and stop for dinner with views. Next, stop by a local cafe to enjoy live entertainment from local musicians, fire-dancers, and magicians.

You will have more time in the morning to explore Essaouira’s medina. You can now purchase any goods that you are interested in.

You will return to Casablanca in the afternoon. You can talk with your driver about any stops that you wish to make along the route. You can also pass through El Jadida, which is home to the stunning Portuguese cistern and Church of Assumption. You can also stop at Azemour which is art-influenced, nestled between a crumbling madrasa and the ocean.

If you haven’t done enough sightseeing since your first visit to Casablanca, you can go back and do more. Enjoy a delicious farewell dinner at the restaurant of your choice.

Morocco will be your last goodbye today. Your driver will pick up you at the airport and drive you there 3 hours before your flight departure time. You will return home with your luggage and unforgettable memories of Moroccan culture and history.