15-Day Morocco Imperial City Tour and The Sahara Desert from Casablanca

Welcome to Morocco! 

Arrive at Med V International Airport in Casablanca “CMN” where you will meet your Driver / Guide. 

Your driver/guide will provide a brief overview of your Tour. You will start your Journey from the city of Casablanca “the business center and the economic capital of Morocco” where you will visit the biggest mosque of Hassan II and explore its art deco architecture built by Hassan II which shows a wonderful sample of Moorish influence in Morocco. Casablanca is the largest city in the country with 7.5 Million in its population; the City is linked to the 1942 Movie Casablanca, with modern architecture and white buildings with distinct French art deco influences. 

We will also take a smooth walk by the seaside and visit the main square of Med V and the Cathedral of Sacred Coeur, which blends Moroccan and European influences. 

Overnight in a Hotel B.B 

After your breakfast at the Hotel, we will leave for Rabat “The Main Capital and the Administrative City in Morocco”. The drive will be through the highway which takes less than 2 Hours. 

In Rabat, we will visit the Unfinished Mosque Tower of Hassan dating back to the 12th Century under the Almohad Dynasty. You will also visit the Mausoleum of Mohamed V, built by Hassan II and dedicated to his father Mohamed V to honor him as the father of the independence, later on, you will visit the 12th Century Kasbah of Oudaya with its beautiful Andalusian Garden including a fantastic view over the Atlantic Coast and Bouregrag River. 

Check-in and overnight in a Riad with Dinner and Breakfast in the heart of the Medina. D.B&B 

Today and after your breakfast at the Riad, we will leave for the Blue City of Chefchaouen, a picturesque town nestled in the Rif Mountains, you will enjoy a walking tour through the rambling medina where streets, doors, and buildings are painted in brilliant bright blues, this city has a powerful charm that you really can feel in its main square Uta Hammam in the cobblestone Medina. Sit on the terrace of a café and take in the view of the grand mosque whose octagonal minaret is inspired by that of the Torre de Oro in Seville. This Andalusian architecture can be found in the kasbah and its gardens, at the center of the medina, its walls, and its 11 crenelated towers, of which one used to be a dungeon, house an interesting ethnographic museum. The colorful souks are decorated with their traditionally dressed inhabitants boasting their straw hats 

Today, and after your breakfast in the Riad, you will have a beautiful explorative journey towards one of the wonderful mountain villages called “Akshour” Located roughly 30 kilometers away from Chefchaouen, the town of Akchour serves as a gateway to the region's mountainous nooks. Standing out amongst the area's glut of natural wonders, God's Bridge as its name suggests is a spectacular naturally formed arch, spanning astride a verdant valley. 

There where you will spend a day immersed in Morocco’s nature as you embark on a hiking tour to God’s Bridge. 

head to Talassemtane National Park to begin your hike through the lush landscapes. Trek through the Farda Canyon until you reach the natural bridge, passing natural pools and waterfalls along the way. Enjoy plenty of time to observe God’s Bridge before heading back to Chefchaouen. 

Today we will leave for Fez “The Spiritual and Cultural Capital of Morocco” via the Roman Empire of Volubilis for a guided visit of the impressive Roman Ruins a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997 this Archeological site dates back to 3rd Century B.C located at the foothills of the Mid-Atlas Mountains near the town of Moulay Idris Zerhoun. 

Volubilis covers an area of 42 hectares and showcases urban development at the frontiers of the Roman Empire, it has produced many art materials such as Mosaics, Marble, and bronze sculpture. 

This site is also considered important to various civilizations like the Libyco-Berber, Mauritanian, Roman, Christian, and Arabo-Islamic. It is a testimony to their history, beliefs, and artistic works. 

Later on, we’ll continue driving towards Meknes “The Ismaili Capital” built by Sultan Moulay Ismail where we will have lunch and explore some parts of its Medina; starting with the impressive 18th Century Bab Mansour, the ornamental gate to the imperial City of Meknes, we’ll visit also the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail and the Massive Heri Souani which was his personal stable and granary for his 12,000 horses. 

After visiting the city of Meknes, we will leave towards Fez. 

Check-in and overnight dinner in a Riad in the heart of the Medina 

After your breakfast in your Riad, you will start an explorative journey of the cultural capital of Morocco, walking in its alleys and small streets. Our visit starts at the Royal Palace, the Jewish headquarters, the first Mellah ever built in Morocco. We will ensure that you visit all sites with cultural and historical interest including the famous Al Quaraouine University, the oldest in the region, and the Tanneries. After lunch, you will visit the ceramic School factory and have a panoramic view over the whole Medina of Fes. 

After breakfast in your Riad, you will leave Fes traveling towards Merzouga via Midlet and the Ziz Valley. Today you will travel via the village of Ifrane, a beautiful mountains village, referred to as “the Switzerland of Morocco”, you will also stop at the cedar forest in the middle Atlas Mountains. During this journey, you’ll experience glimpses of the Middle Atlas and Higher Atlas Mountains. Stopping at Azrou, a Berber village in the middle of the famous cedar forest – the largest in Morocco – where you may well sight Barbary apes. After some time within the forest, your journey continues to Midelt along the magnificent hills and mountains of the Atlas. You will be traveling through the fascinating Tizi N’ talghamt pass and the Ziz Gorge, taking in views of the High Atlas plateau, you’ll notice how the scenery changes to reveal hints of the desert as you approach the city of Errachidia, here you will have lunch and enjoy the Berber hospitality, afterward, you will travel along the luxuriant Ziz Valley, stopping for panoramic views along the way to Erfoud and Rissani. Arrive in Merzouga in the afternoon. You’ll be welcomed with a glass of mint tea before you check in to your Riad.

Today, after your breakfast you will have the opportunity to explore the desert area; our journey starts by visiting Arfoud “a small town known for fossils” with an optional visit to fossil workshops, after that we will visit the Exotic Souk of Rissani, a traditional town that was the origin of the ruling family in Morocco and the meeting place of the Caravans trading as far as Timbuctoo in Mali, here you will see men hooded and women veiled. You can also choose to visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif “the Founder of the Alaouite Dynasty. Later on, we will continue exploring the area by visiting a typical village of Khamlia where you will have the opportunity to experience the local music and life of the Gnawa people, originally slaves brought to Morocco from Mali, Mauritania, Guinea, and Ghana. The village of Khamlia is known also for a sample delicious pie called the Berber Pizza that you may try for lunch. 

our final stop will be at the camel place, a meeting point where we are going to ride camels over the sands as the sun begins to set, and as you reach the magnificent Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes, witness them turning a wonderful red hue. 

You will spend an overnight in the Nomadic Luxury Tent and enjoy the company of a band playing Berber music under the stars in the heart of the Sahara Desert. 

Wake up early to enjoy a picturesque sunrise before enjoying breakfast. Ride back to the town of Merzouga where you will meet your driver and head towards Ziz Oasis where you will able to see the ancient irrigation system. The tour goes further to Todra Gorges where you will enjoy a walk between the cliffs and river in this beautiful valley with date palms, ending with a spectacular Gorge, mainly used for rock climbing and picnics. After lunch, we will make our way to Dades Valley with its astonishing rock formation, created by erosion over millions of years. 

overnight dinner in a Riad overlooking the Dades Valley.

After breakfast in the Riad, you will travel through the Dades Valley towards Kalaa M'gouna and Ouarzazate. The route through Dades Valley is the way of the thousand kasbahs – providing numerous opportunities to take some of your best photographic shots of the trip. then you will enjoy the fertile Rose Valley and the rock formations along the way. We’ll stop at Kalaat M’gouna, "the rose city", to purchase the rosewater, which will make your linen smell good a long time after your trip is over.  Continue to Skoura and the bird’s valley; visit the Kasbah Ameridil, a well-preserved kasbah in this area built in the 19th Century, continue to Ait Ben Haddou through Ouarzazate, “the Hollywood of Africa”, whose geography and beautiful landscapes has attracted many world-class movie producers.  Here you may choose to visit the studios, containing props used in movies, you may have already seen, such as The Mummy, Gladiator, and The Last Temptation of Christ… etc.

After that, we will begin to cross the High Atlas Mountains with many panoramic views and attractive Berber villages to reach the beautiful Red City of Marrakech. 

Overnight in a Riad inside the Medina. 

After breakfast, you will be escorted by a local tour guide to explore the city of Marrakech. You will visit the main historical monuments including the gorgeous Bahia Palace built in the 19th century, the Saadian tombs a 16th-century Royal necropolis, the Koranic School of Ben Youssef, and the Koutoubia mosque built in the 12th century. You will also visit the famous Souks; a great place for shopping where you can buy presents for your family, friends or yourselves. Relax in the Majorelle Gardens, a peaceful space in the New Town with exotic botanical plants brought from all over the world. You will finish your tour in the main square of Jamaa Lefna with its storytellers, snake charmers, musicians, acrobats, and open-air food stalls. You will also have free time to enjoy a soft drink in one of the cafes where you can get amazing panoramic views across the square. The rest of the day is at leisure with overnight at the Riad. 

Today after a luxury breakfast in the Riad, we will leave for Ourika Valley. you will escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, of the crowded medina and souks for a while. a day trip to Ourika Valley is an opportunity to approach the beautiful nature of the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and to know the so different region that surrounds the city of Marrakech. Finally, the road crosses the valley of Ourika through a multitude of traditional Berber villages where you can appreciate the way of living of its inhabitants 

Part of the refreshing route runs along the Ourika River, which is born here in the High Atlas. You will reach the small town of Setti-Fatma where we will have a mountain local guide and go trekking to some of the beautiful Ourika Valley waterfalls. The first ones are easily accessible and the following ones are more difficult to reach. This usually takes 2 hours of walking. 

After trekking in the valley to the Ourika waterfalls, the Ourika Valley day trip is also a good opportunity to taste the delicious Moroccan rural food. Feel the fresh water on your feet and have lunch or tea in the terraces and restaurants with tables in the river. Of course, you’ll always find a table by the river if you only want to enjoy the view and the relaxing sound of the water. 

In the Afternoon we’ll return to Marrakech.

After breakfast, we’ll head to Essaouira 3 hours away from Marrakech, You will have the opportunity to see the Argan trees, important to the region both economically and ecologically. You may also see local goats perched in the trees feeding on the fruit and leaves. At the women's Co-operative of Argan Oil, there will be an opportunity to learn about the wide-ranging applications of the oil from cosmetics to medicines. After several stops to take photographs, you will continue your travel to Essaouira. 

Today, you will start your day exploring the ancient Medina of Essaouira, You’ll visit the Skala Fortress, the port, and the souks and see Thuya wood carved by artisans, walking through the alleys of the medina and past the hundreds of handicrafts. Essaouira is a melting pot of locals and foreigners who came and stayed and have created a laid-back, atmospheric, and intriguing resort. Windsurfers love Essaouira, clean waters and it’s the Atlantic Trade winds that have ensured the large-scale operators stay out and the character stays in. 

After a memorable journey around Morocco; your 15-Day-Morcco Imperial City Tour will finish at your departure point. We will make sure to drop you off 3 hours at the airport before your flight time departure. 

If you’re leaving from Casablanca Airport; we will transfer you from Essaouira City early in the morning as we can switch or change anything from the Itinerary based on your needs after we confirm the entire Trip.