Starting from Casablanca, the trip we propose here is full of monuments of great value and cities of great historical and artistic interest. The Imperial Cities are a quality tourist attractions, and all of them are present in this circuit: Rabat, Meknes, Fes, and Marrakech, whose historic medinas were declared World Heritage by Unesco. But they are not the only places on the route with this classification: the city of Ait Ben Haddou ksar and the Roman archaeological site of Volubilis also have this honor. And beyond this recognition, we will visit such majestic places as the Hassan II mosque in Casablanca or charming towns like Rissani and Chaouen.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ Night in luxury desert Camp
✔ Guided visits of both Fes and Marrakech with official guide
✔ Sand-Boarding
✔ Dinner
✔ Breakfast
✔ Camel Trekking
✔ Berber Party in the middle of the Desert
✖ Monuments fees
✖ Lunches & Drinks
Pickup Locations
1. Appart Hotel Oleandro
2. Al Walid Hotel
3. Movenpick Hotel Casablanca
4. Singapour Maroc
5. Maarif Home Casablanca
6. Hotel Metropole
7. Hotel Transatlantique
8. Hotel Central
9. Exe Casablanca
10. Hotel Suisse
11. Casablanca Suites & Spa
12. Gray Boutique Hotel Casablanca
13. Hotel Campanile Casablanca Centre Ville
14. Hotel Rania Belmadina
15. Hamilton Suites & Appart
16. BH Appart Hotel
17. Imperial Casablanca Hotel & Spa
18. Windsor Hotel City Center
19. Hotel Amouday
20. Onomo Hotel Casablanca Sidi Maarouf
Additional Info: Travelers can be picked up from any location they specify.
Itinerary
From Casablanca to Chefchaouen Via Rabat
1
Hassan II Mosque
If you’re traveling to Casablanca from another nation, our services will begin at the airport terminal of this city, where our driver will be waiting to pick you up in a private vehicle for the trip to the center. Additionally, if you are already in Casablanca, we will set up any other meeting locations that are convenient for you, such as the hotel.
Anyhow, the Hassan II Mosque, which is enormous and is situated on a man-made peninsula created by reclaiming land from the sea, should be the first place you go. With its nearly 200-meter-tall tower, it has the distinction of being one of the tallest mosques in the entire Islamic world.
And luckily, we will have the opportunity to visit it inside, since it is one of the few mosques that opens its doors to non-believers.
Duration: 60 minutes
2
Rabat
Following our visit to the mosque, we will travel an hour or so from Casablanca to Rabat. One of Morocco’s Imperial Cities, it serves as the nation’s capital. Its historic core has been designated a World Heritage Site because of notable structures including the Hassan Tower, an Almohad-style structure from the 12th century, and the Kasbah of the Oudayas, also from that era. Views over the city and the surrounding Salé, which is situated across the river Bu Regreg, are breathtaking from the latter fortification.
The visit to this interesting city is free, so you will have the opportunity to organize the tour to your liking and with our advice. Other interesting places that you can add are the Mausoleum of Mohamed V, the souk of the Medina, and the Mohamed VI Museum of Modern Art.
Duration: 30 minutes
3
Chefchaouen
We head north. Specifically, to the Rif Mountains, among which Chaouen is located. This town often called “the blue city”, lives on in the minds of those who visit it because its historic medina is dyed in this characteristic color.
During your stay in Chaouen, you can plan your day at your own pace, as it is free. Among the main suggestions are the kasbah (now the Ethnographic Museum) and the viewpoints with panoramic views of the medina and its surroundings. It will also be worthwhile to get lost in its charming alleys, decorated with flowers, full of craft stores, and dotted with galleries of local artists.
In the evening, you will rest in a riad in the medina and therefore not far from the main square of the city: the square of Uta el-Hammam, around which there are numerous charming local and shopping areas.
Duration: 30 minutes
From Chaouen to Fes & Guided visit
1
Fez
After enjoying breakfast at the riad in Chaouen, we’re set to continue this 7-day Morocco tour. A dedicated day to Fes is a must, and that’s precisely what we have planned for this second day. Departing from the Rif Mountains, we’ll reach Fes in the morning. Once the former capital of a kingdom that once exerted significant control over present-day Morocco, Fes holds the esteemed title of one of the country’s imperial cities. The Karaouine Mosque, home to a renowned and pioneering university, stands as an iconic landmark from the Middle Ages. Throughout the tour, a local guide will lead us through its medersas and bustling sections of the medina, including the tanners’ district. The guided exploration might also encompass a visit to the Mellah and the Royal Palace’s golden gates.
Duration: 2 hours
2
Medina of Fez
In the afternoon, you’ll have free time for cultural visits to monuments or indulging in shopping at the medina’s numerous handicraft stores, offering high-quality items. As evening approaches, you’ll be accommodated in a riad within the medina.
Duration: 2 hours
From Fes to Merzouga Desert via Ifrane and Monkey Forest
1
Ifrane
The third day is one of the longest: after breakfast at the riad in the center of Fes, we will head south on a road trip that will reach the heart of the desert. We will leave early, and shortly after starting the route, we will begin to climb the slopes of the Middle Atlas. Here is precisely Ifrane, known by all as ‘the Moroccan Switzerland’. The reason is none other than its surprising architecture, more typical of the Alps than of these latitudes, with gable roofs. However, its altitude (over 1,700 meters above sea level) and its location between mountains result in a humid climate, with abundant snowfall in the cold season and an environment where white predominates in winter and green the rest of the year. Green is also the predominant color in our next stop: Ifrane National Park, next to neighboring Azrou, full of cedars. Many know it as the Monkey Forest because it is home to a large population of Barbary macaques, an endangered species and the only primate naturally...
Duration: 30 minutes
2
After getting to know this unique habitat, we will continue the route through the Middle Atlas. The descent that we will start at this point will take us through the Ziz Valley, in whose lands survive palm groves and farmland, defying the aridity that prevails in the place.
Duration: 30 minutes
3
Erfoud
In this way, we will arrive at Erfoud, a small town but very famous in the world of paleontology, as important fossils have been discovered here, some of them of dinosaurs. And soon after, we will reach the southernmost town of the tour: Merzouga, located more than 650 km from Casablanca, where the trip began.
Duration: 60 minutes
4
Merzouga
In Merzouga we will just change means of transport: our vehicle will be parked and we will take a dromedary per person to advance through the magical sand dunes of Erg Chebbi, of an incomparable texture and color. After a quiet ride of a couple of hours, we will arrive at our tent camp, located in the desert. There they will be waiting for us with a Berber tea, as the local tradition dictates, and dinner will also be served. One of the tents, with the classic design used by the nomads of the desert, will be your accommodation, with all the comforts inside. Outside, on the other hand, there will be a spectacular sky full of stars, which shine with strength and cleanliness without equivalent in the rest of the world.
Duration: 60 minutes
Merzouga desert - Black nomad village
1
Musica De Gnawa, Khamlia
Just like the previous day, the fourth day offers the chance to wake up in an unparalleled setting, where the dawn’s hues assume unimaginable shades. Breakfast will be savored in this environment, shortly followed by our camel journey back to Merzouga. Once again, a rejuvenating shower is available (either at the camp or in a hotel, as arranged). Then we head to Khamilia. In this charming village, we’ll have a firsthand encounter with its residents, predominantly of African descent as descendants of former Sudanese slaves. Their way of life revolves around art and music, offering us the chance to immerse ourselves in a ‘Gnawa’ performance. This distinct percussion genre is characterized by its strong sub-Saharan rhythms and has been designated as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO due to its unique significance.
Duration: 2 hours
2
Mfis
Following this enriching cultural and ethnographic experience, a thrill of adventure awaits as we embark on a 4×4 journey along a route frequently traversed during the Paris-Dakar rally. Along the way, we’ll pass the Khol mines and the remnants of a Berber and French village. We’ll be treated to awe-inspiring panoramic vistas of the sea of sand that forms the Erg Chebbi dunes. Moreover, we’ll engage with a group of desert nomads who are transitioning to a more settled lifestyle while still preserving many of their age-old traditions. After sharing tea and conversations with these nomads, we’ll return to Merzouga, where the hotel will offer dinner and a peaceful night’s rest, ensuring we’re rejuvenated for the next day’s explorations.
Duration: 60 minutes
From Merzouga Desert to Ouarzazate via Todra Gorges and Dades Valley
1
Gargantas del Todra
After the rest and breakfast at the hotel, our path returns to the main road, which initially leads us to Rissani. This desert town delights with its historical medina, traditional market, and even a donkey parking area. Continuing on, we’ll venture into the Dades Valley, unveiling landscapes of immense beauty, including the Todra Gorges—a rocky canyon featuring natural walls towering around 200 meters, sculpted by erosion.
Duration: 2 hours
2
Valley of the Roses
Next, we’ll embark on the Road of the Thousand Kasbahs and the Valley of the Roses, where ancient Berber fortresses coexist harmoniously with palm groves. During the latter part of the day, we’ll have an opportunity to visit one such fortress: the Taourirt Kasbah, located on the outskirts of Ouarzazate. This kasbah once served as the residence for the ‘Pasha’ of Marrakech, and much of its original architecture and decorative elements remain intact.
Duration: 30 minutes
3
Taourirt Kasbah
If time permits, we might arrange a visit to the film studios. Ouarzazate is known as ‘Moroccan Hollywood,’ having hosted the filming of renowned blockbusters such as Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. Accommodation for the day will be provided in an Ouarzazate hotel, where dinner will also be served, ensuring a comfortable and fulfilling day’s end.
Duration: 60 minutes
From Ouarzazate to Marrakech across Ait Ben Haddou
1
Ait Ben Haddou
After breakfast at the Ouarzazate hotel, we head to the Ait Ben Haddou ksar, a fortified village renowned for its adobe architecture and UNESCO recognition. It’s a frequent filming location, including for Game of Thrones. Continuing to Marrakech, we stop at the Telouet Kasbah, which displays historical charm akin to the Taourirt Kasbah.
Duration: 30 minutes
2
High Atlas Mountains
Crossing the High Atlas through the Tizi n’Tichka pass reveals stunning mountain vistas and charming villages. Marrakech, the Red City, awaits with UNESCO-listed sites. The next day, delve into its offerings; for now, rest in a riad for the night.
Duration: 20 minutes
Guided tour & transfer to Marrakech Airport
1
Marrakech
7-day tour in Morocco draws to a close, your final day will begin with a satisfying breakfast in the medina. The morning will be dedicated to your preferences; if you have some time before your flight, you can explore the medina with an official guide who will join you on a journey through the attractions of this Imperial City. This guided tour will unravel the fascinating history of Marrakech, showcasing its impressive past as the capital since the 11th century with the Almoravids and, centuries later, with the Saadids. Additionally, you will immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of its streets and bustling souks.
Duration: 2 hours
2
Bahia Palace
Notable landmarks on the tour include the Koutoubia Mosque, the Bahia Palace, the Ben Youssef Medersa, and the lively Jemaa el-Fna square. or simply enjoy the atmosphere of the city. Alternatively, if your flight is scheduled, our driver will be ready to provide a timely transfer to the airport. At the terminal, we’ll bid you farewell with heartfelt appreciation, hoping to welcome you back in the future for more explorations of Morocco’s diverse and captivating tourist destinations beyond what you’ve already experienced on this tour. Safe travels, and until we meet again!
Duration: 60 minutes
Additional info
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• The remaining hours of the tour is for you to enjoy the attraction
