11 days tour from Casablanca to imperial cities desert tour

Day 1: Arrival in Casablanca

Upon arrival at Mohammed V airport in Casablanca, you will be greeted by our team and taken on a brief tour of the city. If time permits, we suggest visiting the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, which is the second largest mosque in the world and can accommodate up to 25,000 worshippers. The mosque is situated on a promontory overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. You will have free time for lunch and then we will explore the city, including the beautiful Cornish of Casablanca. You will spend the night in a hotel.

Day 2: Casablanca – Rabat – Chefchaouen

After breakfast, we will drive along the coastline to Rabat, which is the current capital of Morocco and one of the imperial cities. You will visit the highlights of the city, including the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Kasbah of Oudaya. You will have free time for lunch before we head north through Ouazzane to reach the Blue City of Chefchaouen. The city is located in the Rif Mountains and is famous for its blue-painted buildings and alleyways. You will spend the night in a hotel.

Day 3: Chefchaouen – Roman Ruins of Volubilis – Meknes – Fes

After breakfast, you will have free time to wander the beautiful alleyways of Chefchaouen. Then we will drive to visit the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is well preserved. The ruins feature many beautiful mosaics, ancient pillars, and archways. After exploring the ruins, we will drive 30 km to visit Meknes, which is considered the Ismail capital and one of the imperial cities. Here we will visit Bab Al-Mansour, Sahrij Souani basin, the Royal stables, the granary, and the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum. Finally, we will head to Fes and you will spend the night in a Riad.

Day 4: Fes Guided Sightseeing Tour

Today, we will explore the Highlights of Fes with a local guide. Fes is one of the imperial cities and the cultural and religious center of Morocco.

We will start by visiting the Royal Palace gate, followed by the well-preserved medieval Medina, which is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Our first stop within the Medina is the Blue gate or Bab Boujloud, the entrance to the old Medina. The Medina is a maze of alleyways and streets, and we will visit several key sites including the Medrasa Bouanania, the Najjarine fountain, and the Tanneries. Finally, we will visit the Quaraouin mosque and university, which is the oldest university in the world. After that, we will leave the Medina to visit the Jewish quarter, also known as “the Mellah”. Our last stop will be an ancient fortress for a panoramic view of the Medina and the city of Fes. Finally, we will return to your Riad.

Day 5: Fes – Ifrane – Cedar Forest- Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga Sahara

After an early breakfast, we will begin our ascent across the Middle Atlas Mountains. The majority of the day will be spent winding our way through beautiful lush forests, jagged rock faces, and Berber villages as we cross the Atlas Mountains and begin to descend towards the Sahara desert. We will stop for lunch in the town of Midelt, which is famous for its fossils and rocks. We will continue on mountain roads overlooking the wide flowing Oued Ziz, passing through kasbahs and palm groves as we head towards the adobe-colored city of Er-Rachidia and then Erfoud, which is famous for its date festival and fossils. From there, our trip continues to the dunes of Merzouga where we will have dinner and spend the night in a hotel.

Day 6: Explore Merzouga Region – Nomads – Khamlia – Merzouga Lake – Erg Chebbi – Palm Grove

After breakfast, we will explore the region of Merzouga, which has many incredible sites, including sand dunes, a wild lake, mines, fossil areas, and fabulous oases that are ideal places for outdoor activities. Our first stop is an off-road drive to visit an ancient eyeliner mine. Then we will visit the nomads in their handmade woven tent and learn how they live while drinking a Berber tea. Our next destination is the Khamlia village, where we will enjoy Gnaoua music and dancing performances. The inhabitants of Khamlia originate from sub-Saharan countries like Mali, Sudan, and Niger. We will have free time for lunch in a restaurant before taking a stroll in a palm trees grove. We will then switch to camels and cross the sandy desert, making a stop on top of a high dune to enjoy the sunset. Finally, we will continue to the desert camp, which is a combination of traditional nomadic tents and luxury hotel accommodations. Here, we can enjoy Berber drums music while dancing around the campfire under the vast open sky of stars. We will have dinner and spend the night in the camp, an unforgettable experience.

Day 7: Merzouga Sahara – Rissani – Erfoud – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley

If you wake up early enough, you can witness the breathtaking sunrise over the dunes, with their colors and shadows creating a stunning sight. After breakfast, you will return on camelback or 4×4 and head back to Rissani and Erfoud. From Erfoud, you will set out behind the High Atlas Mountains towards the Todra Gorges for lunch. In the afternoon, you can take a walk up in the towering Todra Gorges, where the sheer cliffs are as high as 985 feet. The picturesque river valleys make for a beautiful journey towards the southeast of Morocco. You will then continue your journey towards the impressive Dades Gorges, passing by the strange rock creation of Tamnalt Hills. You will spend the night in a hotel right in the heart of Dades Gorges, surrounded by the red and mauve rocks.

Day 8: Dades Valley – Roses Valley – Skoura Palm Groves – Ouarzazate Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah- Telouet – High Atlas Mountains – Marrakech

On the last day of your trip, you will continue to Kalaa Magouna to visit the Rose Valley, where a Rose Festival is held annually in May. The locals offer their rose products, including perfumes, rose water, oil, and cosmetic products. You will then drive through the palm groves of Skoura to reach Ouarzazate, where you can visit the studios where famous movies were shot. Next, you will visit the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified village recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Kasbah has appeared in many movies, including Gladiator, Alexander, The Mummy, and TV series like Game Of Thrones. You will then continue to Marrakech by driving through the Tizi-N-Tichka pass and the High Atlas Mountains. Stops will be made for lunch and to take pictures at interesting spots. Finally, you will reach Marrakech, and then you will be driven to the airport or your accommodation.

Day 9: Guided Tour of Marrakesh

After a warm breakfast, you will explore the highlights of Marrakesh with a local guide. The city is considered one of the four imperial cities in Morocco. The visit includes the Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, the Ben Youssef Quranic mosque, and a stroll in the largest traditional souk in Morocco. You will have free time for lunch near the Jemaa El-Fna square. Later on, you will visit the Koutoubia mosque, the largest in Marrakesh, and the Majorelle garden. Finally, you will be transferred to your accommodation. Feel free to wander in Jemaa El-Fna on your own.

Day 10: Marrakech – Essaouira

After breakfast, you will drive west to Essaouira city. On the way, you will make stops to see the Argan trees and goats and for panoramic views. You will reach Essaouira city, formerly known as Mogador, one of the important coastal cities in Morocco. The city is famous for its diversity of seafood, beautiful beach, and surfing sport. You will visit the fishing port, the ancient ramparts with cannons, and the old Medina. Finally, you will be transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay in Essaouira.

Day 11: Essaouira – Casablanca

On the final day of your 11-day Morocco discovery tour, we will leave Essaouira and make our way to Casablanca, driving along the picturesque coastline. We will stop along the way to take in the panoramic views before finally arriving at Casablanca airport.