Moroccan Imperial Cities & Desert Highlights in 7 Nights & 8 Days

Full description

Day 1: Casablanca Mohammed V Airport – Casablanca : Upon your arrival at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and transferred to your accommodation in Casablanca. After check-in, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 2: Casablanca – Rabat – Meknes – Fez : Morning: After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of Casablanca, the “White City” and Morocco’s economic lung. Explore a blend of modern and traditional architecture, featuring the magnificent Hassan II Mosque (home to one of the world’s tallest minarets), the modern Moorish-style Habbous Quarter, Mohammed V Square, and the oceanfront Corniche Boulevard. Next, depart for Rabat, the administrative capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2012. Discover the Kasbah of the Udayas, the historic Chellah, the Hassan Tower, and the Mohammed V Mausoleum.Afternoon: Following lunch at leisure in Rabat, continue to Meknes, the “Versailles of Morocco” and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Marvel at its 40 kilometers of monumental ramparts, the iconic Bab El Mansour gate, El Hedim Square, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismaïl, and the royal granaries and stables of Heri es-Souani. Learn about the city’s rich agricultural, leatherwork, and winemaking traditions. In the late afternoon, drive to Fez and check into your hotel.

Day 3: Fez Imperial Tour : After breakfast, dedicate the day to exploring Fez, the spiritual capital of Morocco. Focus on the ancient Fez el-Bali Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site with over 9,000 winding alleys dating back 1,200 years. Key visits include the historic Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University (founded in 859 AD), the stunning Bou Inania and Al-Attarine Madrasas, the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss, and the Sidi Ahmed al-Tijani Mausoleum. Observe local craftsmen and weavers, and witness the traditional methods at the famous Chouara Tannery. Lunch will be at leisure inside the Medina, offering a chance to sample a traditional sweet-and-savory pastilla.

Day 4: Fez – Sefrou – Midelt – Errachidia – Merzouga : Morning: Depart early on a spectacular 460 km journey across the Atlas Mountains (approx. 7.5 to 8 hours of driving). Pass Sefrou, famous for its Cherry Festival, and Ifrane, known as “Little Switzerland” for its alpine architecture. Stop in the cedar forests of Azrou to spot native Barbary macaque monkeys, then cross the high desert plains to Midelt, celebrated for its apple orchards.Afternoon: Head south via Errachidia (an ancestral home of the Alaouite Dynasty) and admire the panoramic oasis views along the Ziz Valley. Pass through Erfoud, the fossil capital, before arriving at the majestic dunes of Merzouga. Mount your dromedary and trek into the heart of the Erg Chebbi dunes to witness a stunning Saharan sunset.Evening: Arrive at your desert camp. Enjoy a traditional dinner and stay overnight in comfortable tents beneath a brilliant, star-filled sky.

Day 5: Merzouga – Erfoud – Dades Gorges : Morning: Wake up early to witness a breathtaking desert sunrise over the dunes, then return to camp for breakfast. Depart toward the High Atlas region, driving past the expansive agricultural palm groves of Goulmima.Afternoon: Arrive in Boumalne Dades at the gateway to the high Dades Valley. Marvel at the dramatic, ochre-and-red tinted cliffs and the unique natural rock formations known as the “monkey fingers.” This deep canyon area, a meeting point for local Berber populations (Ait Sedrat and Ait Atta), is highly renowned for its spectacular scenery, orchards, and historic kasbahs.

Day 6: Dades Gorges – Kelaat M’Gouna – Skoura – Ouarzazate – Marrakech : Morning: Drive through Kelaat M’Gouna in the Valley of the Roses, famous for its Damask rose water production and its annual Rose Festival in May. Pass the palm groves of Skoura and continue to Ouarzazate, Morocco’s cinematic capital (“Hollywood of Morocco”).Afternoon: Visit two iconic fortresses: the grand Kasbah Taourirt and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, a beautifully preserved red-earth fortified village that served as the backdrop for Gladiator, The Mummy, and Lawrence of Arabia. Afterward, embark on a scenic drive across the High Atlas Mountains via the winding Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260m), showcasing snowy peaks, green oases, and magical mud-brick citadels. Arrive in Marrakech by evening.

Day 7: Marrakech City Tour : Discover the treasures of the “Ochre City.” Begin at the iconic Koutoubia Mosque, then explore the Saadian Tombs and their beautiful twelve-column chamber. Walk through the old Jewish quarter (Mellah) to visit the Dar Si Said Museum, an elegant riad displaying traditional Moroccan housing and arts. Marvel at the grand patios and tiled rooms of the Bahia Palace.Afternoon: Dive into the vibrant Medina. Visit the Ben Youssef Madrasa, once the largest theological college in North Africa. Wind your way through the labyrinths of the artisans’ souks, and finish the tour at the legendary Jemaa El-Fnaa Square. This open-air theater is recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Day 8: Marrakech – Casablanca Mohammed V Airport : Breakfast at the hotel. Depending on your flight schedule, you will be transferred to Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport for your departure flight.