In this 12 Days from Marrakech to imperial cities, desert and coast immerse yourself in the fairytale oriental world of a modern kingdom that has no equal. Morocco is separated from Europe only by the Strait of Gibraltar, yet this strange world of the Orient welcomes you with its vibrant life and historical evidence. Experience your own tale of 1001 nights on this tour! You will visit the famous cities of Casablanca, Fez, Rabat and Marrakech. The hinterland, with the Atlas Mountains, the desert, the Dades Gorge and the Atlantic coast, is also worth a visit. Let’s enjoy the the fascinating Royal cities of Morocco on this tour Marrakech to imperial cities, desert and coast.
Your guide will pick you up at the airport and bring you to your riad. Depending on your time of arrival you will have the day or afternoon on your own. Dinner and overnight in the riad.
Dinner, breakfast
Enjoy the rich breakfast in your hotel. You have time for your own exploration in Marrakech OR you can take part in the optional excursion into the valleys of the Atlas Mountains (additional cost: 68 € per person). On the drive into the Ourika Valley, you already have a wonderful view of the Atlas Mountains. Visit a family in the traditional Berber villages and learn about traditional life in the Atlas Mountains. You continue at 1,148 meters into the small Berber villages. There you can enjoy the fantastic view of the ancient irrigated terraces full of barley, corn and vegetables, which are surrounded by cherry and walnut trees. From a distance you have a spectacular view of the highest peak in North Africa, Mount Toubkal (4,165 meters). Back in Marrakech, enjoy another dinner together at the hotel.
Dinner, breakfast.
After breakfast you leave the first of the four imperial cities of Morocco and your tour continues to the Atlantic coast. In the Moroccan port city of El Jadida you will visit the former Portuguese fortifications from the 15th to 18th centuries. The Portuguese old town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.
You continue to Casablanca, the charm of which combines modern architecture with the architectural style influenced by French colonialism. You will visit the Hassan II mosque, which is the largest mosque in the world after Mecca. On a guided tour inside, you will see ornate decorations. In the evening you will reach Rabat, the capital of Morocco.
Dinner, breakfast Riad
In the morning your guide welcomes you for a walking tour in Rabat. You will visit the Berber fortress Kasbah des Oudaïas. When you enter the fortress, it unfolds its true beauty - narrow streets, wonderful views and a stunning atmosphere. You visit the residential area built in the Andalusian style and the "Andalusian Garden". From the fortress walls you have a wonderful view of the Atlantic. On a city tour you will see other sights of Rabat: the royal palace, the ruins of the Chellah, the mausoleum of the late kings Mohammed V and Hassan II and the famous Hassan tower.
You continue through the dreamy, green landscapes with gentle, olive-covered hills, before you reach the UNESCO-protected medina (old town) of Meknes through the largest city gate in Africa, the Bab el Mansour. Stroll through the souk and settle for afternoon tea.
In the evening, after Marrakech, Rabat and Meknes, you will reach the fourth royal city - Fez, where you will spend the night. Take your first walk and enjoy the special evening atmosphere. In the former Koran school Medersa Attarine, the richly decorated rooms and the inner courtyard are atmospherically illuminated.
Dinner, breakfast
Pearl of the Arab world, Fez is the spiritual, intellectual and cultural capital of Morocco. Day dedicated to the visit of this prestigious city. In the morning, Fez el Bali with the medina and its souks, Moulay Idriss zaouïa, Madrassah Bouanania, Nejjarine square with its beautiful fountain, the Nejjarine Museum of Arts and Crafts, Fassi craft workshops. Lunch then Fez el Jedid: mellah, entrance of the royal palace, complex of potters and walls of the tower; panorama of the city from the tombs of Mérinides (XIVe century). Night at the hotel or Riad in Fez.
Dinner, breakfast
Around 8:00am we drive to the Sahara desert via Ziz valley and Erfoud, the red oasis town with 300,000 date palms. We arrive to the sand desert of Merzouga. Change to the dromedaries and ride ( or walk) for 40 minutes to the tent camp. (On request, of course, in the jeep with which the luggage is brought to the camp. We have comfort tents for 2 people with electricity and a sink. Food by the campfire and sometimes a little music under the 360 degree starry sky. If guests prefer to stay in an Auberge its also possible, but we recommend the camp, which is also a highlight for those who are not experienced in camping.
Dinner, breakfast
Half a day after breakfast in the Sahara. Opportunity for a camel ride or just relax in the sand dunes. Then drive to Tinerhir, an oasis at an altitude of 1342 m, drive into the impressive Todra Gorge with its 300 m high rock walls. Continue to Boumalne. Dinner and overnight in a beautiful kasbah hotel.
After breakfast, short drive to the Dadès Gorge and continue to Ait Benhaddou, a ksar (village) built into the rocks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit and view from the Kasbah. Short drive (30 km) to Ouarzazate, a garrison town between the desert and the High Atlas. In Ouarzazate, the first construction phase of the 2 billion euro solar field has just been inaugurated. By 2020, Morocco will then be able to cover a very large part of its energy needs. In addition, thousands of jobs were created. Dinner and overnight in an upscale riad or kasbah hotel.
Breakfast. If desired, a short visit to a film studio. Continue to Taroudannt, also called little Marrakech. You can visit souks or take a carriage ride around the 10 km long city wall. Dinner and overnight in a riad in the old town.
Dinner, breakfast
Breakfast. Then drive via Agadir to the most beautiful city in Morocco: Essaouira. On the way you will visit a Berber women cooperative. There you will be warmly welcomed by the Berber women and given a tasting of the most valuable oil in the world, argan oil, which is only produced in Morocco. During your visit you will see how organic argan oil is produced in the traditional way and you are also welcome to lend a hand yourself. Essaouira has a beautiful old town, a beautiful harbor and is not that big. Many well-known artists and celebrities had and still have an apartment here. Dinner and overnight in a riad.
Dinner, breakfast
Breakfast. This day is a day of relaxation by the sea. Last chance to stroll in the small old town. Maybe you forgot a gift after all. Dinner and overnight like 10th day.
Dinner, breakfast
Breakfast and end of our 12 Days from Marrakech to imperial cities desert and coast.
Depending on your departure time,
Drive to Marrakech airport ( 3 hours) for the return flight. To be in airport 2 hours before flight.
This program of Marrakech to imperial cities desert and coast may suffer some variation at the discretion of the guide depending on the weather conditions, the physical / technical conditions of the participants or for any unforeseen event that may be detrimental to the safety of the group and the proper development of the program. You have to accept the guide's decisions on matters of organization, logistics and security. Any extra expenses for accommodation, meals, transportation and others as a consequence of this variation, will be borne by the participants.
You may also be interested in the following tour : 5 Day trip from Marrakech to Tangier via Rabat, Fes and Chefchaouen
