Imperial Cities, Morocco Tour from Marrakech – 6 days

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Morocco tour from Marrakech – 6 days – overview:

Morocco boasts a rich history and a fascinating variety of cultures, peoples, and lifestyles. To allow you to delve into this captivating country in depth, we offer you the following tour full of promise. This journey spans the four Imperial cities — Marrakech, Fes, Meknes, and Rabat — as well as the famous Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga.

In the south, numerous kasbahs showcase the region’s highly practical building construction. Notable examples include Kasbah Telouet, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ksar Aït ben Haddou, and the beautifully restored Kasbah Amredhil.

The South Moroccan landscape is also characterised by its innumerable oases, which are vital to life in the Ounila Valley, Skoura Oasis, the Valley of the Roses, the famous canyons of the Dades and Toudgha Valleys, and the Ziz Valley.

In the Erg Chebbi desert, you will enjoy a camel ride to watch a spectacular sunset. There is no more romantic place to have dinner than under a starlit sky, followed by a night in a luxurious tent.
A full day’s sightseeing tour of Fes reveals life in both ancient and modern Moroccan settings, including the ancient medina, the Royal Palace, madrassas, and leather tanneries.

Further visits to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the massive gates of Meknes, and the capital city of Rabat (featuring the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the Hassan Tower, and the mediaeval fortified necropolis of Chellah) will showcase the country’s diversity. In Casablanca, you can marvel at the splendour of the Hassan II Mosque and explore the city’s modern streets.

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6-day Morocco Tour from Marrakech – itinerary:

1st day: Marrakech – Dades Gorges

Morning departure at 8.30 from your hotel or riad in Marrakech to cross the High Atlas Mountains. After the Tizi n’Tichka pass, you leave the main road and take a side road to the Telouet Kasbah, which belonged to the Lords of the Atlas, the Glaoui family. 

None of the three main buildings making up the Kasbah can be entered as their ruinous state does not permit it. The one area of the Kasbah that had been opened to visitors is now closed due to the damage caused by the earthquake that struck Morocco in September 2023. Nevertheless, it is still worth visiting the exterior with a local guide to discover its rich history.

From here, you drive along the beautiful and awe-inspiring Ounila Valley, full of bends in the roads, surprises at the hues of the rock and soil, Berber villages and gardens, as well as smaller Kasbahs.  Almost at the end of the road, you reach Aït ben Haddou, where you stop for a tasty lunch. This is the most famous Kasbah in Morocco and is one of Morocco’s nine UNESCO World Heritage sites, which you can visit after lunch.

The road passes Ouarzazate and continues to the Skoura Oasis, where olives, almonds, lucerne, barley and fruit trees such as apple, apricots, figs and pomegranates are grown. Here numerous ancient kasbahs, some sadly in ruins, stand amongst the palm trees, but you will visit a very famous kasbah, Kasbah Amredhil, which used to be depicted on the old 50-dirham banknote.  It has been beautifully restored so is intact and well worth a visit. 

From here, the route goes through Kela’a M’gouna, the Valley of Roses, with a stop to see cosmetic articles locally made from the valley’s abundant roses. 

You stop in the Dades Valley in a guest house there.

2nd day: Dades Gorges – Merzouga

After breakfast, a one-hour drive takes you to the majestic Toudgha Gorges, the Toudgha Valley. The scenic highlight, the Toudgha Gorges, was created by the regionally most important and eponymous river, the Oued Toudgha, on its journey into the last mountain ranges of the High Atlas. Here, you can take a walk through the massive canyon.

Between Tinjdad and Erfoud, you can stop to go down into “Khettara”, a fascinating underground water channel deep below the earth, always cool and preventing the evaporation of water. 

Via the oasis of Tafilalet, which is famous for its annual date festival, and the small town of Rissani, the original home of the current Moroccan dynasty, you will reach your destination for the day, Merzouga. Here the sand dunes alongside the road indicate the beginning of the mighty Sahara Desert.

At the edge of the desert, you will be met by camels to ride to the camp for the night. On arrival, you will be welcomed with a glass of tea and biscuits, before you climb to the top of the nearest dunes to admire the slow setting of the sun.

Your tent in the camp has a private bathroom, king-sized beds, beautiful Moroccan furnishings and lamps tastefully arranged to enhance your enjoyment of the silence and beauty of the dunes.

3rd day: Merzouga – Fes

By getting up early, you can experience a breathtaking desert sunrise, with the interplay of colours and shadows creating an amazing spectacle. You will have time to roam the dunes and enjoy the serene ambiance of this magical place.

After breakfast, departure for Rissani and Erfoud, where there will be a stop to see how locally found fossils are worked into furniture and artefacts. It is a source of wonder to witness the sheer numbers and beauty of these fossils but feel assured, there is no obligation to buy any.

From there the road leads north to Er Rachidia and the Ziz Valley, remarkable for the extent of its palm trees and the volume of dates produced each year. Lunch is in Midelt, 1508m, called “the apple capital”, and set in the Middle Atlas at the foot of the Ayachi Mountain. The town serves as the commercial agricultural centre for the surrounding area, and is also one of Morocco’s principle cities for the mining of several minerals, such as fluorite, vanadinite, quartz and cerussite.

We cross the Tizi-n-Talremt pass, known as the “she-camel” pass and reach Azrou, where you can see Barbary apes in the cedar forests looking out for titbits. We reach Fes at the end of the afternoon.

4th day: Fes Sightseeing Tour 

After meeting your licensed local guide, enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour of Fes, the oldest of Morocco’s four “Imperial Cities.” You will visit the following places, according to time and your preferences:

The University of Al Quaraouiyine: Begin your exploration at the prestigious University of Al Quaraouiyine, renowned as one of the world’s oldest continuously operating educational institutions. Established in the 9th century, it holds a unique place in history as a hub of learning.

Bou Inania Medersa: Next, visit the Bou Inania Medersa, a religious school celebrated for its stunning mosaics, exquisite stucco work, and detailed architecture. Admire the beauty of Islamic artistry in this historic setting.

The Royal Palace: Although not open to the public, the exterior of the Royal Palace is a masterpiece of Moroccan architecture. Pause here to appreciate the intricately designed portal, capturing the essence of Moroccan royalty.

The Medina: Venture into Fes’ UNESCO-listed medina, where you will be immersed in its labyrinthine streets that have preserved their mediaeval charm. Encounter bustling souks, ancient mosques, and historic landmarks, offering a glimpse into the city’s vibrant past.

Leather Tanneries: Fes is renowned for its centuries-old leather production. At the tanneries, witness the traditional techniques employed in crafting leather goods, gaining insights into the city’s time-honoured craftsmanship.

Local Market: Be captivated by the vibrant markets of Fes, teeming with life and offering a wide array of products. Shop for souvenirs, textiles, spices, ceramics, wooden crafts, silver jewellery, and leather goods, experiencing the diversity of Moroccan culture and artistry.

Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts: Conclude your tour at the Nejjarine Museum, housed in a beautifully restored caravanserai. Discover a wealth of wooden arts and crafts integral to Moroccan culture. The museum’s exhibits provide an in-depth look at the intricate craftsmanship that defined Fes for generations.

Your sightseeing tour ends as your guide accompanies you back to your riad.

5th day: Fes, Meknes – Rabat

After breakfast in your traditional riad, we drive over the beautiful valleys and the hills. During our journey, we will visit Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with expansive Roman ruins and stunning views. This 42-hectare ancient city at the foot of Jebel Zerhoun exemplifies Roman urban development and Romanization. Hiring a knowledgeable local guide is highly recommended to fully appreciate the site’s historical significance.

Following that, we head south to Meknes, one of Morocco’s historic Imperial Cities known for its Islamic architecture. You will explore its ancient medina, where narrow streets are lined with bustling souks and hidden treasures. Admire the impressive Bab Mansour gate, one of the grandest and most well-preserved gates in Morocco, featuring intricate zellij tilework and massive wooden doors. You can also visit the Heri es-Souani, the royal granaries and stables built by Sultan Moulay Ismail, showcasing the engineering prowess of the era.

Having arrived in Rabat, you will visit the Hassan Tower, a symbol of the city and one of the kingdom’s most famous sites. It was intended to be the largest mosque in the Muslim world by Almohad Sultan Yacoub Al Mansour in the 12th century. Standing 44 metres tall, the minaret shares architectural similarities with the Koutoubia in Marrakech and the Giralda in Seville. You can also visit the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, built in homage to the king, who passed away in 1961 at the same location. His son and successor, Hassan II, who died in 1999, is also entombed here. 

You will spend the night in a beautiful riad.

6th day: Rabat, Casablanca – Marrakech:

After breakfast, you can visit the Chellah, an ancient necropolis and complex of Roman and mediaeval ruins at the mouth of the Bou Regreg River. Next, you can explore the Oudayya Kasbah, a twelfth-century fortified citadel built by the Almohads, reflecting the city’s military history. 

Later on, we take the motorway to Casablanca, where a visit is scheduled to the spectacular Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Africa decorated with beautiful tiling of the utmost craftsmanship. You may need to queue for tickets for a while there. The guided tours leave every hour and take about an hour.

After lunch, we will continue to explore more of Casablanca, including the picturesque corniche, before heading to Marrakech. Enjoy the beautiful views of the Moroccan countryside and its ever-changing scenery along the way. Upon arrival in Marrakech, your driver will escort you to your hotel, marking the end of your adventure in Morocco.

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