After exploring Marrakech with a local guide, we will begin a tour of Morocco’s imperial cities, desert, and coastal highlights.

The journey includes:

  • Essaouira, a charming Atlantic coastal town

  • El Jadida, a small historic port city

  • Casablanca

  • Rabat, including the Hassan Tower

  • Tangier and the Rif Mountains

  • Chefchaouen, the famous blue city

  • Meknes, including the Berber-Roman ruins at Volubilis and Bab Mansour

  • A full day exploring Fes, one of Morocco’s oldest imperial cities

  • Ifrane (Moroccan Switzerland) and Azrou

  • The Merzouga Desert, with camel trekking and overnight in a Berber tent in the heart of the dunes

  • Exploration of Erg Chebbi, nomadic villages, and Berber communities

  • On the way back to Fes, we will pass through Rissani, Todra Gorge, and the Dades Valley

  • Visits to Kasbah Taourirt and Ait Ben Haddou

  • Crossing the High Atlas Mountains back to Marrakech

Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech – Transfer to Hotel

Upon arrival at Marrakech, our driver will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to your hotel or riad. You will have the rest of the day to relax and start exploring the city, including the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa and the vibrant souks.

Day 2: Full Day Exploring Marrakech

Today, you can enjoy an optional private guided tour of the Marrakech medina with an official local guide. You will visit the famous Koutoubia Mosque, explore the vibrant medina and its bustling souks, and uncover some of Marrakech’s hidden gems, including:

  • Ali Ben Youssef Medersa

  • Saadian Tombs

  • Bahia Palace

  • Majorelle Gardens

Overnight stay at a riad in the Medina.

 Day 3:  Marrakech – Essaouira

   Depart from Marrakech for the charming seaside town of Essaouira. The relaxing drive takes you past argan oil cooperatives, giving a glimpse into local craftsmanship.

Essaouira, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed city, is a windswept fishing port with broad beaches and an ancient walled medina built into the cliffs. With its relaxed atmosphere, you can explore the medina, stroll along the ramparts or the beach, and visit the port to see the daily catch. Essaouira is also famous for the Gnaoua Music Festival, held each June.

Overnight stay in Essaouira.

Day 4: Essaouira – Jadida – Casablanca  – Rabat

After breakfast, depart from Essaouira and continue your journey along the Atlantic Coast. Pass through El Jadida, a historic small port city once controlled by the Portuguese and now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Stop in Casablanca to visit Mohammed V Square and the impressive Hassan II Mosque.

Continue to the imperial city of Rabat, where you will explore:

  • Mechouar

  • Mohammed V Mausoleum

  • Hassan Tower

  • Oudaya Kasbah, home to Moroccan artisan galleries and offering fabulous ocean views

Overnight stay at a hotel or riad in Rabat.

Day 5: Rabat – Tangier  – Rif Mountains – Chefchaouen (the blue City)

Depart from Tangier and travel through the lush green valleys of the Rif Mountains to reach the enchanting mountain village of Chefchaouen (called Shawen in Berber).

Chefchaouen is famous for its vivid blue-painted houses and narrow winding streets, making it a popular destination for both tourists and locals, especially during the hot summer months. Explore the medina and its bustling souks, where you can find unique local crafts such as woollen goods, intricate embroidery, and goat cheese, native to this region and not found elsewhere in Morocco.

Take time to relax in the town square, visit a local farm, or hike in the nearby natural parks to enjoy the serene mountain scenery.

Overnight stay in Chefchaouen.

6th Day:  Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes

After breakfast at your riad in Chefchaouen, our journey continues with a scenic drive from the high Rif Mountains through fertile agricultural hills to the Volubilis, an open-air museum and ancient Berber-Roman ruins. While not as grand as the Roman sites on the Mediterranean coast, Volubilis offers a relaxed and fascinating insight into Morocco’s rich history.

Next, we drive to Meknes, the fourth imperial city of Morocco and a 17th-century heritage site. We will stop for lunch and explore the historical medina, including the impressive Bab Mansour and the mausoleum of Moulay Ismail.

After visiting Meknes, we will continue directly to Fes, where you will spend the night at your hotel or riad.

 Day 7:  Full Day To Explore Fes

After breakfast, you will explore Fes, the historic imperial city, with a local guide. Fes has long been considered the “Mecca of the West” and the “Athens of Africa.” It is Morocco’s second-largest city, after Casablanca, with a population of approximately 1 million.

Fes is one of Morocco’s four imperial cities and a former capital. The city is divided into three distinct parts:

  • Fes el-Bali, the oldest section, surrounded by massive walls, with over 9,000 narrow streets and alleys. This part of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the University of Al-Karaouine, founded in AD 859 and still in operation today.

  • Fes Jdid, the “new Fes,” which includes the Mellah, the historic Jewish quarter.

  • Ville Nouvelle, the newest section, created during the French protectorate.

During your visit, you will discover the rich culture, architecture, and history that make Fes a living museum and one of the most important cultural centers in Morocco.

Day 8:  Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley  – Erfoud – Rissani – Merzouga

After breakfast, we depart from Fes and head toward the Todra Gorges, passing through Ifrane. Along the way, we will visit the Cedar Forest of Azrou, home to wild Barbary macaques, providing a great opportunity for photography and to enjoy Morocco’s natural wilderness.

Lunch will be served in the small Berber village of Zaida.

The journey continues through the Middle Atlas Mountains, enjoying scenic landscapes around Midelt, before arriving at the small town of Erfoud, where you will begin to experience the Saharan oasis region of Tafilalet.

We continue on to Merzouga, where you will spend the night in a hotel or riad.

 Day 9: Merzouga – Berber  Families – Black  Desert – Merzouga  (Camel Ride & Night in Sahara)

After breakfast at your hotel in Merzouga, we will begin an explorative journey of the area. We will visit the village of Khamlia, originally settled by Sudanese slaves, to experience their unique music and traditional lifestyle.

We may also visit a local Berber nomad household, where handcrafted goods are available at prices often lower than in the larger cities.

In the afternoon, you will embark on a camel trek, guided by an experienced camel handler, to explore the vast sand seas of Erg Chebbi.

Tonight, you will spend your first night in the desert, either under the stars or in a traditional Berber nomad tent. Dinner will be served in the tent, followed by an overnight stay under the magical desert sky.

Meals included: Dinner, Bed, and Breakfast

 Day 10:  Merzouga – Erfoud  – Touroug – Todra Gorges – Dades valley.

Wake up early to enjoy the magical sunrise over the dunes of the Sahara Desert, followed by breakfast in the desert. After these unforgettable moments, you will ride your camel back to the hotel.

We then depart toward Tineghir, passing through Erfoud and Tinejdad, with a break for lunch along the way.

In the afternoon, we continue to Todra Gorges, stopping for photos and to admire the stunning landscapes. At Todra Gorges, enjoy the spectacular canyon views and take a hike on foot to fully appreciate the natural beauty.

Later, we drive to Boumalne Dades, stopping for a panoramic view of the Dades Valley before continuing to your accommodation for the night.

Day 11:  Dades valley – Ouarzazate – High Atlas Mountains – Marrakech

After breakfast at your hotel, we depart for Ouarzazate, passing through Skoura. Along the way, we will stop for a panoramic view of the historic Kasbah Taourirt, followed by a photo stop near the Atlas Film Studios.

Next, we will visit the iconic Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a famous fortified village and UNESCO World Heritage Site, stopping for lunch at a local restaurant in the village.

In the afternoon, we drive over the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 meters), enjoying spectacular mountain landscapes along the way, before arriving in Marrakech for overnight stay.

12th Day:  Marrakech – Airport

After breakfast, you will be transferred from your hotel or riad to Marrakech airport for your departure, marking the end of your 12-day Morocco Imperial Cities & Desert tour.

What’s Included:

  • Private transport in air-conditioned vehicles (4×4, minibus, or bus, depending on group size)

  • Multilingual driver/guide

  • All fuel for the vehicles

  • 10 nights in hotels or riads

  • 1 night in a desert camp, including dinner and breakfast

  • Camel ride in the desert

  • Sandboarding on the dunes

What’s Not Included:

  • Drinks and lunches

  • Flight tickets

  • Entrance fees to monuments and museums

  • Accommodation in Marrakech

Note:
If you wish to modify any part of the tour, please contact us beforehand and we will be happy to make it happen.