Imperial Cities and Desert – 8 Days

Arrival at Casablanca airport, where our guide will be waiting for you, promptly and properly identified.

We begin our exploration of this cosmopolitan city. Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco and also the country’s main industrial and commercial hub.

A highlight is the Hassan II Mosque, built on the sea and one of the few mosques in the world open to non-Muslim visitors. The mosque is monumental (the tallest in the world outside of Mecca), and guided tours will take you in detail through one of Morocco’s most iconic landmarks.

We then head to Rabat, where you’ll have the chance to enjoy its beautiful domes, minarets, wide avenues, and green spaces.

Rabat is a city that grew in the 14th and 15th centuries with the expulsion of the Andalusians from the Iberian Peninsula. It is surrounded by three walls corresponding to the most significant phases of its history: the Almohad wall, the Andalusian wall, and the Alaouite wall. Your guide will show you the city walls and the main sights, such as the Hassan Tower, located atop an impressive mosque, the opulent tomb of Mohammed V, and many others.

You can also visit the Mohammed VI Museum of Contemporary Art, which showcases the most iconic works of contemporary Moroccan visual artists.

We continue on to Fez, and along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to explore one of the most important imperial cities in Morocco.

Meknès

Sultan Moulay Ismail had the dream of making Meknès the most splendid city in North Africa, and he was a contemporary of Louis XIV of France, attempting to emulate French style and court life, even interacting with the French king. This connection to French royalty is part of his legacy, and he even proposed marriage to the French king’s daughter. For this reason, Meknès is often referred to as the “Versailles of the Maghreb.” Discover the city’s most iconic landmarks with the help of our guide.

In the Meknès region, just an hour away from Fez, wine is predominantly made from French grape varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah), with most of it being exported.

On the way to Fez, we will also visit an exceptionally well-preserved example of a large Roman colonial city. Volubilis marked the southern boundary of the Roman Empire and was the main administrative center in Africa outside of Egypt.

Finally, we reach Fez, where we will take a panoramic tour of the city, which has been featured in famous films, including one of the world’s most popular soap operas, the Brazilian “Clone.” The viewpoint is located near the Merinid Tombs, one of Morocco’s earliest dynasties.

Thus, this day is dedicated to visiting this mysterious city. Explore Fez with the support of a guide dedicated exclusively to this city, allowing you to discover its hidden corners, traditions, stories, and history in depth.

Once the capital of Morocco, Fez bears influences from the Fatimids, Andalusians, Arabs, Berbers, and even Jews. The city reached its peak in the 13th century, becoming a hub of knowledge, home to one of the oldest universities in the world, the University of Al Quaraouiyine, which, according to UNESCO, is capable of issuing diplomas.

The Medina of Fez is the most impressive of the historic medinas in North Africa, with its labyrinthine and secretive streets, where you’ll find the most traditional markets and tanneries, where leather is still worked using ancient techniques. A visit to the famous “Chouara” tannery is included.

You will visit the city’s most significant cultural and historical sites, as well as have the opportunity to explore various Quranic schools, where you can admire some of the finest examples of delicate Moroccan decoration.

We depart in the morning to visit the magical cedar forests of Azrou and Ifran, where you will be awestruck by the spectacular native nature. The atmosphere is calm, clear, and filled with the scents of the natural world.

During the journey, we will make a brief stop in Ifran, a village situated between the High Atlas and Middle Atlas mountains, offering an exceptional location to enjoy the lush landscape of the mountains. Along the way, it’s possible to spot monkeys and other typical animals of these cedar forests.

On the way to the Merzouga Desert, we will pass through Erfoud. Nearby, there are fossil excavations where you can find numerous trilobite fossils among other ancient species, leading to the conclusion that the Sahara Desert soil was once the bottom of an ocean. Here, you can also appreciate an exhibition of original fossils.

In the late afternoon, embark on a camel ride through the Erg Chebbi dunes for about an hour until you reach the Berber tent where you will spend the night. The colors of the sunset over the dunes are a photographer’s delight.

Once there, dinner will be served, followed by live traditional music around a campfire. This music, featuring drums and guitars, is captivating and irresistible. Then, the stunning and magical silence of the desert sets in, inviting deep introspection. The sky is clear and full of stars. This will undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience!

After breakfast and watching the stunning sunrise over the dunes, we will head towards the “Route of a Thousand Kasbahs.”

We will visit the Todra Gorges, where the cliffs rise to 300 meters in height, separated by just 15 meters. There will be time to enjoy a walk along the river, surrounded by the grandeur of this unique rocky landscape.

The Dades Valley is made up of arid mountains resembling the desert, a fertile valley where the sounds of birds echo, and numerous typical Kasbahs, ancient walled villages, making it a place of great geological interest.

Jbel Saghro is an even more barren mountain than the rest of the range, with a landscape that resembles the surface of the Moon.

During the winter, it is possible to spot snow on the mountain peaks.

The day ends at a charming hotel with a superb view of the Dades Valley.

Ouarzazate is known as the “Gateway to the Desert” due to its location between the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert. In addition to the stunning scenery, here you can visit the Kasbah Taouirt, an ancient fortress, the Pasha Glaoui Palace near the Medina, and the famous film studios where several historical movies were filmed, including the renowned Lawrence of Arabia.

We will continue our journey and make a stop in Ait Benhaddou, the most important location on the “Thousand Kasbahs” route, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is widely known for being the setting of many Hollywood films, such as The Mummy, Gladiator, and Game of Thrones.

Finally, we will arrive in Marrakech, known as the “Red City”, which stands out from other imperial cities for its more urban and modern character, mixed with surprises at every corner.

In Jemaa El Fna square, the heart of the Medina, you’ll see artists playing traditional instruments, a variety of products and performances, secluded gardens, colorful and aromatic markets, and food stalls offering natural juices.

During the day, a guide dedicated exclusively to the city of Marrakech will accompany you to make the most of what the city has to offer, explore its history, and experience the fantasy and surprise that Marrakech always provides.

The monuments to visit include several remarkable sites, such as:

Madrassa Ben Youssef: This 12th-century Islamic college in Marrakech was commissioned by Sultan Ali ibn Yusuf of Morocco. Today it is a museum that can be visited. The interiors are magnificent, decorated with intricate details, and the architecture is astounding.

Koutoubia Mosque: Undoubtedly the most famous and photographed monument in Marrakech. The Koutoubia Mosque was built in the 12th century and served as a model for Seville’s Giralda and Rabat’s Hassan Tower.

Bahia Palace: This beautiful 19th-century palace was built to be the best in Marrakech. The palace features a large garden, a central courtyard, and several rooms beautifully decorated with craftsmanship by artisans who came from the city of Fez to work here.

Saadian Tombs: Commissioned by Ahmad al-Mansur in the 16th century, these tombs house around 60 members of the Saadian Dynasty, originally from the Draa River Valley in the south of the country. Interestingly, the tombs were only rediscovered in 1917.

Majorelle Gardens: This is the only botanical garden in Marrakech. Designed by artist Jacques Majorelle, it has been owned by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé since 1980. You can enjoy a stunning garden filled with exotic flowers from various parts of the world.

Yves Saint Laurent Museum: The museum features a permanent collection as well as temporary exhibitions showcasing masterpieces from this famous designer. The building itself has charming modern architecture with traditional touches.

La Menara: This Marrakech garden is located 2 km from Jemaa el-Fna Square and is a favorite spot for the locals (Marrakchis) for a Sunday afternoon stroll. The gardens were originally built in the 12th century, but the present structure dates back to the 16th century.

The modern neighborhood of Gueliz: Known for its architecture, this district is very well integrated into the spirit of the city.

Palais Dar Bacha, or Musée de Confluences: A marvelous example of Arab architecture. It also has a special café where you can taste coffee from around the world in a charming environment.

At the end of the day, enjoy some free time and the mild late afternoon weather to explore the famous souks (traditional markets).