Welcome to an express tour that will include the imperial cities and the Sahara Desert. The imperial cities are the four historical capitals of Morocco that include Fez which is the first capital that was founded by the first Islamic ruler “Idris I”. The second one is Marrakech founded in 1071 by Almoravid and Almohad dynasties. Meknes came in third place, it was founded between the 17th and 18th centuries by Alaouite Sultan Ismail Ibn Sharif. The fourth one is Rabat, it was founded by the Almohad caliph Yaqub al-Mansur and was set as an Imperial city by the Alaouite sultan Muhammad ibn Abdallah.
Itinerary
Day 1: Casablanca | Rabat
Once you arrive at the airport of Casablanca, you will be welcomed by your guide and your bus driver. Afterward, you will have a short visit to the remarkable places in the city such as the Hassan II mosque. Then, the road to Rabat (classified the 4th among the imperial cities) where you will spend your night at the hotel.
Day 2: Rabat | Volubilis | Meknes | Fez
After breakfast, you will have a visit to several historical attractions in Rabat starting with “Oudaias Kasbah” which is a small neighborhood inside fortress walls that belong to the 11th century. Then visit Hassan Tower, Mausoleum Mohamed V, and wander through Rabat’s old medina.
After that, drive to Volubilis which is near Meknes. There you will explore the ruins of Volubilis that belong to the Roman Era. They were qualified by UNESCO as well preserved examples of a large colonial town of the Roman empire.
You will also have a short drive to Meknes (one of the imperial cities). Sultan Moulay Ismail founded it in the 17th century. It is famous for its longest walls, Bab Mansour, Kara Prison, and much more.
Arrival in Fes in the Evening where you will spend the night in your Hotel/Riad
Day 3: Fez Medina is classified as the first among the imperial cities in Morocco
After your breakfast at the hotel/Riad. you will have a tour and you will explore different places in this UNESCO world heritage site.
Your tour in Fez will include the following:
Fez El- Bali
Idriss the 1st founded The first walled medina in the 8th century. Today it is the largest pedestrian area in the world, where life has hardly changed since the Middle Ages. Here are the famous leather dyers and bazaars, beautiful madrasahs, and hundreds of mosques. This place preserves traditional culture and local crafts such as painted ceramics, carpet weaving, zellige mosaics, woodcarving, forging, and embossing.
Fez El- Jadid
It means the New Fez. It is a quarter founded in 1276 and it contains the historic Mallah, the Jewish quarter, the royal palace, and the Muslim neighborhood.
The madrasa
Another old school with great Moorish style architecture with mosaics, carved wooden doors, and carved stone walls.
Bab Boujloud
Is the gate to Medina, through which most people enter the Medina of Fez and its main shopping street, Talaa Kebira.
Najarian
The museum is located near the Henna market in a restored traditional building. You can have a beautiful view of the Medina from the rooftops.
Mellah
The Jewish quarter (Mellah) appeared in Fes back in the 14th century, and once about 300 thousand Jews lived here. Now there are no more than a hundred still living here. The architecture is markedly different from the rest of the old town, such as open wooden balconies and their unique home design
Tanneries
One of the places that must be seen in the city. Leather dressing according to medieval technologies is a unique process that can only be seen here. Be prepared for the fact that this colorful sight can be a test for the sense of smell due to the raw skin.
Overnight will be in Fez
Day 4: Fez | Merzouga
In the morning, we will continue our trip to Merzouga which is approximately a 7h20 drive from Fez. In our Journey, we will pass by amazing cities and villages such as Ifran and Azrou which are known for their mountains, and cedar forests inhabited by monkeys. We will have a lunch stop at Midelt then continue our journey to enter the presaharan zone passing first by Errachidia then Erfoud where you will take 4×4 cars for the transfer to Merzouga dunes.
You will get impressed by the huge beautiful dunes, you will also enjoy the sunrise and sunset. Moreover, it is an opportunity to ride camels and experience Desert camps. Hotels are available as well.
Day 5: Merzouga | Dades | Kalaat M’gouna | Ouarzazzat
After your breakfast in the camp, the next destination will be Ouarzazate (Moroccan Hollywood). On our way, we will visit Dades Gorges where you will enjoy spectacular views. Then continue to Kalaat M’houna for lunch but first, you will stop by Roses Valley. In this place, you will have an idea of how the roses are harvested, and how oil and other cosmetic products are extracted from them.
Overnight will be in your Hotel at Ouarzazate.
Day 6: Ouarzazzat | Ait Ben Haddou | Marrakech
In the morning, you will have a tour inside this famous city that the tourists admire. You will visit Cinema Museum, and Atlas film studio which is an opportunity to know about different cultures since many movies and series were filmed there such as Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and so on.
Afterward, transfer to the famous Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou which is considered one of the UNESCO world heritage. It is the most attractive for tourists around the world due to its old history, location, architecture, and the panoramic view that offers.
We continue to Marrakech through Tezin Tichka. An amazing road where you will enjoy a wonderful landscape from the top. You can also ask the driver to stop to take photos.
Overnight will be Marrakech.
Day 7: Marrakech Medina
After Breakfast, you will meet your tour guide to explore different places in the red city that were founded 1000 years ago. It is one of the most exotic and vibrant cities in Morocco. Marrakech is also classified the 2nd among the imperial cities
Your tour will include the following:
Medin & the Square of Djamaa El Fenna:
The medina is the historical core of Marrakesh, it is surrounded by an ancient fortress wall made of reddish clay bricks. This color prevails in many old buildings, that is why Marrakech is called the Red City. In the medina, there are colorful city markets. At the heart of the area lies the vast Djemaa el Fna, the largest square on the African continent. Life on it does not stop day or night. Troupes of wandering artists, jugglers, and magicians perform here, and souvenirs are sold. With the onset of the evening coolness, all this crowded space is filled with mobile trays with barbecues, where delicious treats are prepared until the morning.
Saadian Tombs:
They are a late 16th-century burial complex in which the Saadian monarchs and their families are buried. For a long time, the complex was considered lost and was discovered by the French only at the beginning of the 20th century.
El Bahia Palace:
That was built for the Grand Vizier of Marrakesh. The best craftsmen from the city of Fes worked on the decoration. The finest woodcarving and ceramic tile patterns are the most admired.
The Majorelle garden:
Majorelle Garden is a Moorish-style villa in Marrakech, surrounded by a park with exotic plants. Yves Saint Laurent acquired it in 1981. On the territory of the garden, are the Berber Museum, the Museum of Islamic Art of Marrakesh, a collection of paintings by Jacques Majorelle, and the Museum of Yves Saint Laurent. Approximately 700,000 tourists visit the garden Every year.
The Souk:
In Marrakech, several old bazaars are specializing in the sale of spices, handicrafts, agricultural products, and various souvenirs. The most colorful of them have been located in the medina, the ancient core of the city, for centuries.
The Mellah:
It is known as Hay Essalam, it is a Jewish quarter in Marrakesh, famous for its spice market. It is considered the second oldest of its kind in the country.
The Secret garden
is a palace complex with two gardens (one traditional Islamic and one exotic) in the medina of Marrakech.
Day 8: Casablanca | Airport Transfer
Transfer to Casablanca for your return flight
Our Articles
Read: Best Times To Travel To Morocco
Read: Best Things to Do In Marrakech, The Red City
Read: Top Rated Marrakesh Attractions & Best Things To See In Marrakesh
Price:
The cost of the tour is calculated after we receive your application. We need to know how many people in the trip as well as if there is any other instructions from your side concerning the tour.
Our tours are tailor-made, we organize them based on your choice. Some services are included in our cost but some other are not covered.
If you want to change something, please mention it in your application by filling the booking form.
What is included:
✅ Accommodation in Riad or Hotel. Breakfast is included.
✅ Pick up from the airport and transfers in a comfortable air conditioned car according to the program.
✅ Private driver.Licensed tour guide.
✅ Dinner is included in some cities based on your itinerary.
✅ Mineral water (1 bottle/person per day).
✅ Entrance fee for some monuments.
✅ Airport transfer.
✅ Our support throughout your journey in Morocco.
What is not included:
❌ Flight or ferry ticket.
❌ Cancellation insurance.
❌ Lunch and some dinners.
❌ Personal expenses.
❌ Entrance fees to some monuments.
❌ Tips for the guide and driver.
To confirm the exact cost of the tour, please contact us and give us your instructions concerning the tour, and we will send you the full program plus the total costs. The cost of the tour with accommodation in hotels of another category and in the New Year period (from December 20 to January 6) is calculated on request.
Terms of payment for the tour:
We need 30% deposit for confirmation (We can have an agreement concerning the deposit when you contact us)
Payment methods:
You can pay online using your card, we will send an invoice to your email to submit your payment (an additional fee of 3% is charged) We accept bank transfer from a foreign currencies accounts (in Euros or US dollars, AUD, CAD, GBP...) You can pay cash by individual agreement
Terms of cancellation of the tour booking:
In case of cancellation of the tour at the initiative of our tour company. The paid amount (full amount or deposit will be returned to your account).
In case of cancellation of the tour at the initiative of the client, We will refund a 10% of the deposit.
We can offer you another service to reschedule your tour to another date of your choice.