9 Days Tour from Casablanca – Imperial Cities & Desert

9 Days Tour from Casablanca - Imperial Cities & Desert: 

We have prepared a great way to be able to meet Morocco, the best time to enjoy the desert and beautiful landscapes and Berber villages, discover their ancestral traditions, and enjoy the hospitality of its people.

If this program does not fit the time you have you can, contact us and adapt the path to your interests, please indicate the days that you prefer and we will offer an alternative to adapt this trip for you.

DAY1: CASABLANCA - RABAT

We meet you in the airport and begin our Morocco tour, imperial cities and to the desert. We travel to Casablanca, where you have the opportunity to visit the impressive Hassan II Mosque that stands on the Atlantic skyline of the country's economic capital. The mosque is located on the Corniche and was built in 1989. It is the second largest temple, after Meca, in the world, and tallest in Morocco. Attention, it is the only mosque (with Tinmel) in Morocco where non-Muslims are allowed to enter. Its beauty is highly appreciated by all visitors.

After we will drive to Rabat, administrative capital of Morocco, it is known as “the city of the gardens". It is famous for the monuments that reflect its Islamic and French colonial legacy. The iconic 12th century Hsan tower minaret dominates the ruins of a mosque next to the Mohamed V Mausoleum. It is worth exploring the Medina of Rabat, smaller and quieter than other cities, and the kasbah of the Oudayas. And, if there is time, visit the Chellah, an ancient Roman site where a jazz festival is held annually.

DAY2: RABAT - MEKNES - VOLUBILIS - FES

It is worth to enter in Meknes, the quietest and least known of the 4 imperial cities. You can visit the mausoleum of Moulay Ismaïl. We will see the beautiful door Bab Mansour of 1732, the largest in Morocco and North Africa, which gives entrance to the medina. And we'll walk through the square in front of it, that will remind you Marrakech. If there is still time we will visit the old barns of Meknes.

Visiting the beautiful Roman ruins of Volubilis, a Unesco heritage city, is a must. This is the most impressive and well-preserved archaeological site in Morocco. There are still vestiges of houses with beautiful mosaics in the city. There are also other spectacular areas such as the thermal baths of Gallien, the forum and the capitol. On the top of the hill, the basilica and the imposing Arch of Caracalla, remain as a gateway to Mediterranean fields. If you like photography you will enjoy the light on the columns and roman ruins.

After the visit we will drive directly to Fes.

DAY3:  FES (CITY TOUR)

We dedicate this third day of our Morocco's Imperial Cities and Desert Tour, visiting the enigmatic and religious Fes. It is the cultural capital and the oldest city of the Imperial cities of Morocco, founded by Idris I (789) and his son Moulay Idris II (810). From the hand of a local guide, Fes city tour takes you to a tale time, while we visit Fes-el-Bali, its chaotic medieval medina, the largest in the world. In the visit, it is essential to approach their medersas (koranic schools) Attarine and Bou Inania, the fountain of Nejjarine, the mausoleum of Moulay Idriss and the Al-Karaouine Mosque, the oldest university in the world. All this walking through the souks of artisans of metal, wood, carpets, ceramics and all kinds of crafts. Raffling wagons pulled by donkeys full of merchandise. We will also have the opportunity to visit Chouara, old tanneries or skin tanners where articles of clothing and bags are made.

Our tour continues in the 7 golden doors of the Royal Palace. Beside it, we find the Jewish quarter, first Mellah ever built in Morocco, during the sixteenth century. Also after lunch, we will visit a tile and ceramic cooperative. From there, with the car we will go up to the fortress to observe the wonderful panoramic view of Fes. If it is the hour of mournful prayer, it will accompany your visit resonating spirituality from the hundreds of mosques in the city.

DAY4: FES - AZROU - MIDELT - MERZOUGA DESERT

We leave for a few days imperial cities and travel to the desert in this Morocco Classic tour. In the morning we leave Fes and head through this agricultural region of Morocco, towards the Middle Atlas to pass through Ifrane known as Little Switzerland. We stop in the great cedar forest to see barbary macaques in the middle of nature. From this green and lush haven of peace in the vicinity of Azrou, we will cross the middle Atlas along the road that goes to the south.

Our route will continue through Midelt and through the awesome Ziz Valley, where life takes place under the extension of palm trees and among a multitude of kasbahs. We will make some stops as always to enjoy panoramic views and maybe even see some kasbah more closely.

The great green palm grove along the course of the river will accompany us a stretch on our trip to Erfoud, the desert gate. Afterwards, we can visit amazing quarries of fossils that are there. And that is, where there is sand now, once there was water. We will finally arrive at the foot of Erg Chebbi wonderful dunes. A welcome mint tea will be waiting for us and we will enjoy the sunset in the desert of Merzouga. Reach the camp with a ride with dromedaries is an option we recommend. If you can, stop another night on this excursion from Marrakech to Fes through the desert, to really enjoy it.

That first night in the desert is worth staying in a haimas camp. The original ones are tents made with dromedary hair in the traditional way of the berbers nomads. Our tents are equipped with every detail. After relaxing with a good shower, we will enjoy dinner in the tented camp near the dunes in the style of a thousand and one nights. Stars illuminate in the darkness of the desert sky, that seem to shine more than anywhere else.

DAY5:  MERZOUGA DESERT

Before breakfast, possibility of walk to the top of the dunes to admire the sunrise. With the light of dawn and as the sun rises the desert sand takes on a spectacular reddish color.

With the 4x4 we will travel part of the tracks of the old rally Paris-Dakar. We will pass through Khamlia, a small town of about three hundred inhabitants of a Sha and Berber ethnic group. Originally from black Africa, they moved to the Sahara where they began to settle together with Berber nomads. Its people, as in the whole south, are warm friendly and calm. And because of their culture, music is an important part of them. We will make a stop to enjoy your hospitality, and your traditional Gnawa music.

In the afternoon free time or an extra option quads ride.

DAY6: MERZOUGA DESERT - TODRA GORGES - DADES GORGES

We will follow our tour to imperial cities leaving the desert. We will pass by Rissani, the former capital of Morocco, whose market was famous for the sale of donkeys. If there is time and it is a day of market it is very worth visiting it.

Landscape from this day will change completely again. The route continues towards Tinghir to deviate a bit towards the famous Todra Gorges. Another awesome place, made of vertical rock walls over 100 meters high, product of erosion overtime, that we will travel along its base by the river of clear water. We will enjoy a walk at the foot of these impressive walls, in a small stop along the way.

DAY7: DADES GORGES- AIT BEN HADDOU/OUARZAZATE - MARRAKECH

We will also travel through the Valley of Roses, famous for beauty products that are extracted from these flowers. On the thousand kasbahs’ route, we will cross Dades Gorges. It is a narrow valley with an spectacular zigzagging landscape and enormous architectural value, because there are some ksar and numerous kasbahs, although some in ruins. It is really a must stop where the traveler falls in love with.

We will continue in Ouarzazate direction passing by the huge cinema studios where scenes from the first film in the saga of Star Wars, and many others, were recorded. The desert, oasis, kasbahs and snowy mountains of the Atlas are an unbeatable setting for shooting movies.

Then we will arrive at the mythical fortified city, or Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou. It also has a World Heritage Site status declared by UNESCO. Its adobe houses full of ornaments are confined within a strong wall reinforced by defense turrets. This spectacular kasbah built on a hill, rises above the desert landscape of Anti Atlas. It is undoubtedly one of the most emblematic places in Morocco. It is the largest Kasbah in Morocco, built by T-hami El Glaoui, one of the last Berber chieftains during the beginning of the XXth Century, and it used to be one of his stops during his long travel from the Sahara to Marrakech. Recently has been scenario of Game of Thrones and several films.

Our route begins crossing the High Atlas by Tizi n'Tichka mountain pass, the highest road pass in North Africa, at 2260 meters high. Atlas is a great mountain range that offers extraordinary mountainous landscapes dotted with small berber villages. We will make as many stops you want to admire and photograph them.

And we will travel to the door of the Atlas opens its splendor in Marrakech, a unique city, epicenter of tourism and crafts. Overflowing its light, the fiery red of its buildings and the refreshing green of its palm trees and gardens. The city vibrates, eclectic, exultant, combining old and modern Moroccan exoticism. Living it is an experience that will shine in a special way on your trip.

DAY8: MARRAKECH (CITY TOUR)

We recommend to visit the great city of Marrakech with a local guide. You will discover its long history through the famous Koutoubia, the Bahia Palace, Saadian tombs, Majorelle gardens and Menara gardens.

The beauty of the ancient city will fascinate you. The music of Jemaa El Fna Square, and the bustle in the impressive souk, the largest in Morocco, will transport you to other times. The adventure of getting lost in the Medina streets until you return to the square. This is undoubtedly a magical place, where it is worth spending hours. Do have a tea or eat in one of its terraces,. You will come back to it again and again.During the morning it is full of orange juice stands, jugglers and enchanted snakes. At night, smoke from traditional Moroccan food stands is mixed among musicians, dancers and storytellers who gather in this square declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

You will find modern nightclubs and fun of dancing, as in the story of a thousand and one nights, specially in the modern district of Gueliz. But not only there. Charme, comfort and glamour of its most exquisite hotels, riads and finest restaurants, art museums... make Marrakech the most welcoming and charm. And possibly the most attractive city in all of Morocco.

DAY9:  MARRAKECH - CASABLANCA

Depending on the flight departure time, free time to see what the first day could not be seen. Return to Djemmaa el-Fna square or enter in the souk to make last purchases.

Transfer to the airport and end of the imperial cities and the desert Morocco tour 9 days.

Air-conditioned comfortable 4×4 car or luxury minivan
-Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation
-English-speaking driver
-Stop for Pictures or breaks
-Sunset camel ride for an hour to an hour and a half
-Vegetarian and Vegan Lunch options are available

-Drinks
-Tips
-Extras

-Alcoholic beverages

-Extra activities (available as add-ons)