Imperial Cities and Desert: A 10-Day Tour

• Arrival at Casablanca airport. Welcome by our multilingual driver (French, English, Spanish) and departure for the interior and exterior visit of the Hassan II Mosque. After the visit, lunch and departure for the panoramic tour of the economic capital: United Nations Square, Mohammed V Boulevard, the Anfa residential district and the Ain Diab Corniche. Then continuation to Rabat. Dinner and accommodation.
• *Note: For the interior visit of the Hassan II Mosque, you will be joined to a group.

Breakfast and departure for the historical guided tour of the administrative capital, Rabat. Walking tour on the esplanade of the Royal Palace named Dar el-Makhzen, adorned with majestic historic gates. Then, guided visit of the Hassan Tower and the prestigious Mausoleum of Mohammed V. This marble monument represents traditional Moroccan style and is considered one of the most beautiful mausoleums in the world. Discovery of the Mechouar ramparts, the Kasbah garden and the Kasbah of the Udayas, built in the 12th century by the Almohad dynasty (whose great gate was constructed by Sultan Yacoub el-Mansour). Lunch break, then continuation to the spiritual capital of Morocco and the oldest imperial city, Fes. Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast and departure to discover Fes. You will begin with a historical guided visit of Fes El-Jdid and a walk on the esplanade of the Royal Palace to admire its mysterious golden gates. Then continue with the historical guided walking tour starting from the medina, which is the largest medina (old town) in the world. “Fes El Bali” is the oldest district of Fes, founded between 789 and 808 by the Idrisid dynasty. Continuation to discover the Medersa El Attarine, built in 1323 by the Marinid Sultan Abu Said, whose decoration is of extreme refinement, reflecting the authentic architecture of oriental civilization. You will also have an exterior view of the ancient Al Quaraouiyine Mosque and University; it is one of the many sites of the medina of Fes and certainly the most beautiful. Passage by Nejjarine Square and its mosaic-adorned fountain, the commercial sectors and the bustling local markets, where you will see artisans and merchants, as well as the Chouara tanneries, established since the Middle Ages; it is one of the most spectacular places in the medina. Lunch, then departure for the visit of a world-renowned artisanal ceramic factory in Fes, followed by continuation to a superb panoramic view at Borj Nord, offering a breathtaking view over the old city. Dinner and accommodation.

• Breakfast and departure toward the impressive Roman ruins of Volubilis. It contains mainly Roman remains at the foot of Jebel Zerhoun. Then admire the magnificent panorama of the holy city of Moulay Idriss. Lunch in Meknes, welcome to the “Ismaili capital of Morocco.” A historical guided walking tour of El Hedim Square, its souk and food market. Photo stop at Bab Lakhmis gate, the richly decorated great gate of the 17th century, then Bab el-Mansour gate, which is the most remarkable gate of the city of Meknes and is ranked among the four most beautiful gates in the world and the most important in North Africa. The granaries and stables of Moulay Ismail at Heri Es-Souani*, built by Moulay Ismail in the 18th century, the Agdal Basin and the visit of the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. Return to Fes. Dinner and accommodation.
• *Subject to completion of restoration work.

Breakfast and departure toward Merzouga, the Sahara, via Ifrane, nicknamed the “Little Moroccan Switzerland.” A short stop to discover this town, located at high altitude and surrounded by a cedar forest, one of the most beautiful places in the Atlas. An encounter with Barbary macaques is likely. Lunch in the town of Midelt and continuation toward Erfoud, crossing the Tizi n'Talghomt Pass at an altitude of 1,907 m and the Ziz Gorges, the most spectacular road of the day. Photo stop for the Ziz Valley, considered among the largest date palm valleys in Morocco. Continuation toward the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. Upon arrival, time to relax; you may admire the sunset across the dunes. Dinner in a luxury bivouac and a typically lively evening in a desert atmosphere at the luxury camp await you; an extraordinary and memorable desert experience.

After taking time to admire the magnificent sunrise, breakfast, then departure for a 4x4 excursion around the dunes of Erg Chebbi, some peaks rising up to 150 m high. Then continue to the village of Khamlia, an opportunity to enjoy a beautiful experience of a Gnaoua music performance. Afterwards, visit the village of Merzouga and the oasis of Hassi Labied with its irrigation system. Return for lunch at the lodge and free time to enjoy the beauty of the desert at your accommodation located directly at the foot of the sand dunes (access to the swimming pool, climbing the dunes, a relaxing moment in this paradisiacal setting). In the afternoon, it is time to meet the camel handlers for a camel ride through the dunes to admire a magnificent sunset, a pause on the dunes and a return by camel to your accommodation for dinner.

Breakfast and departure toward the small town of Dades via Tinjdad. Continuation toward Tinghir for a walking tour to discover the Todra Gorges; these magnificent gorges, with high limestone cliffs carved by the Todra River over millennia, can reach 300 m in height. Stop for lunch, then continuation toward the Dades Valley passing through the large palm grove of Tinghir. Then you will follow the Dades Valley along a magnificent road, discovering surprising rock formations such as the “monkey fingers” or “monkey feet,” with variations of colors and natural landscapes. A stop is planned for a superb panoramic view over part of the Dades Gorges (Tissadrine), nicknamed the “serpent road.” Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast and departure through the Roses Valley via the town of Skoura and Ouarzazate. Photo stop in front of the Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate, nicknamed the “Moroccan Hollywood.” Then continuation toward the Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou. Lunch and departure for the interesting visit of the Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It appears as a group of earthen buildings surrounded by walls, a type of traditional pre-Saharan habitat. Some of its houses resemble small castles with their high towers; the oldest constructions date back to the 12th century. Then departure toward Marrakech crossing the Ounila Valley, through magnificent landscapes with its beautiful villages built in rammed earth. Continuation to Marrakech crossing the Tizi n'Tichka Pass through magnificent panoramas, located at 2,260 m altitude. Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast and departure for the guided visit of the Majorelle Garden. It is one of the most beautiful gardens in Marrakech; it includes more than 300 plant species from five continents, enhanced by the magical contrast between Majorelle blue, yellow and its vegetal artwork. Then discovery of the ramparts of Marrakech that formed a wall to protect the city. The Bahia Palace, dating from the 19th century, reveals the love of a grand vizier for his favorite. Lunch in the medina, then continuation for the historical guided walking tour of the medina of Marrakech (listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site). Its souks are filled with enchanting scents and vivid colors. Then visit of the Ben Youssef Medersa, the Quranic school reflecting Saadian architecture, after discovering Jemaa El-Fna Square, the liveliest district of Marrakech. It is the social heart of the medina with its snake charmers, acrobats, musicians and water sellers; it ranks among the most famous squares in the world. A very interesting visit to a local herbalist will allow you to discover the world of spices. Our tour ends with the Koutoubia Mosque and its sublime minaret rising 77 meters high. Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast and departure to the airport according to your flight schedule.