Morocco Imperial Cities and Desert-11 Days

Upon arrival at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel in the city. Take time to check in and relax after your journey.

Depending on your arrival time, you may opt for an afternoon visit to the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world, built partly over the Atlantic Ocean and renowned for its intricate mosaics and grand architecture. Alternatively, you can take a leisurely stroll through the old medina and Mohammed V Square, where French colonial architecture blends with Moroccan style.

Overnight stay in Casablanca.

After breakfast, depart for Fez, Morocco’s spiritual and cultural capital. On the way, stop in Rabat, the nation’s capital and royal residence, where you’ll have lunch and some free time to explore this elegant coastal city. Stroll its boulevards, admire its historic landmarks, or simply enjoy the relaxed seaside atmosphere.

In the afternoon, continue your journey inland toward Fez, arriving in the evening. Check into your hotel or riad for dinner and an overnight stay.

After breakfast, you will begin your guided tour of the medina, one of the world’s largest walled-in cities. You will explore the narrow streets lined with fresh fruits, mounds of spices, intricately woven Berber carpets and many other art objects of Morocco. A visit to the King’s Palace, the tanneries, and potters are just a few places you will experience. For lunch, you will eat in a traditional restaurant in the heart of the medina. After lunch, you will complete the tour and return to your hotel/riad for the evening.After breakfast, set out on a guided tour of Fez, home to one of the world’s largest and most vibrant medieval medinas. Wander through its maze of narrow streets, where market stalls overflow with fresh produce, fragrant spices, handcrafted leather goods, and beautifully woven Berber carpets.

Your exploration includes highlights such as the Royal Palace, the famous tanneries where leather is dyed using centuries-old methods, and traditional pottery workshops that showcase Morocco’s enduring craftsmanship.

For lunch, enjoy a meal at a traditional Moroccan restaurant in the heart of the medina, surrounded by authentic atmosphere. In the afternoon, continue your tour with more historic sites and hidden corners before returning to your hotel or riad for an evening at leisure.

After an early breakfast, begin your journey across the Middle Atlas Mountains, spending the day winding through lush cedar forests, dramatic rock faces, and remote Berber villages. Stop in Midelt, a town famous for its fossils and apples, where you’ll enjoy lunch surrounded by impressive mountain scenery.

Continue along the mountain roads, descending toward the Ziz Valley, where endless palm groves and ancient kasbahs dot the landscape. Pass through the adobe-colored city of Errachidia before reaching Erfoud, renowned for its annual date festival and fossil workshops. From here, continue on to Rissani, once a vital caravan hub and the birthplace of Morocco’s ruling Alaouite dynasty.

By late afternoon, arrive in Merzouga, where the mighty Erg Chebbi dunes rise to heights of up to 250 meters. Take a walk into the dunes to witness a breathtaking Sahara sunset from the summit. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner, music around the fire, and an unforgettable overnight stay in a nomad tent beneath a dazzling canopy of desert stars.

After breakfast, embark on a three-hour camel trek across the sweeping Erg Chebbi dunes and into the rocky desert beyond. The journey offers breathtaking views of the Sahara’s ever-changing landscapes. Midday, stop among the dunes to rest and enjoy a freshly prepared lunch in the silence of the desert.

In the afternoon, continue with a two-hour camel ride deeper into the sands until reaching the towering dunes of Erg Chebbi, some rising as high as 250 meters. From the summit, watch the sunset transform the desert into shades of gold and crimson—a sight you’ll never forget.

Dinner will be served at your desert bivouac, followed by an evening of traditional music around the fire. Spend the night in a nomad tent at the foot of the dunes, under a magnificent canopy of stars.

After breakfast, return by camel to meet your 4×4 and begin the journey back through Rissani and Erfoud, famous for its fossils and annual date festival. From here, travel behind the High Atlas Mountains toward the spectacular Todra Gorges, where you’ll stop for lunch.

In the afternoon, take a walk in the Todra Gorge, a dramatic canyon with sheer limestone cliffs rising up to 300 meters (985 feet). The lush river valley and palm groves provide a striking contrast to the towering rock walls, making this one of Morocco’s most stunning natural sites.

Continue your journey into the Dades Valley, passing the unusual rock formations of the Tamnalt Hills, often referred to as the “monkey fingers.” End the day in the heart of the Dades Gorges, surrounded by dramatic red and mauve rock landscapes.

Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in the Dades Valley.

After breakfast in the Dades Gorge, continue your journey along the scenic “Route of a Thousand Kasbahs”, passing through lush valleys, rose fields, and ancient fortified villages. Drive toward Kelaat M’gouna, famous for its rose cultivation and annual rose festival, and then on to Skoura, home to beautiful palm groves and centuries-old kasbahs.

By midday, arrive in Ouarzazate, often called the “Hollywood of Africa,” known for its Atlas Film Studios where many international movies and series have been filmed. Take some time to explore the city before continuing your adventure.

In the afternoon, visit the spectacular Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Morocco’s most iconic ksars, with its mud-brick towers and fortified walls. This ancient stronghold has been featured in numerous films and TV series, including Gladiator and Game of Thrones.

Dinner and overnight stay in a traditional hotel overlooking Ait Benhaddou.

After breakfast, set out to explore the legendary Kasbah of Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Morocco’s most famous ksar. Known as the backdrop for countless Hollywood blockbusters such as Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia, its earthen clay architecture and fortified walls transport you back in time to the days of caravan traders crossing the desert.

From here, follow the picturesque Ounila Valley, dotted with small Berber villages, orchards, and crumbling kasbahs, until reaching the Kasbah of Telouet. Once the residence of the powerful Glaoui family, this kasbah served as the seat of the last Pasha of Marrakech, El Glaoui. Its remote location in the heart of the High Atlas Mountains and its unique mix of ruined walls and finely decorated rooms make it a fascinating stop.

In the afternoon, continue the drive over the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 m), the highest mountain pass in North Africa. The winding road offers breathtaking panoramic views of the snow-capped Atlas peaks and green valleys below.

By late afternoon, arrive in Marrakech, the vibrant “Red City.” Settle into your riad in the heart of the medina, where dinner will be served. Overnight stay in Marrakech

After breakfast, set out on a full-day guided exploration of Marrakech, often called the “Southern Pearl of Morocco.” Begin your journey with a visit to the Bahia Palace, a masterpiece of Moroccan architecture adorned with exquisite tilework, tranquil courtyards, and lush gardens. Continue to the Saadian Tombs, where the delicate stucco decoration and intricate mosaics reveal the grandeur of the Saadian dynasty.

From here, immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Majorelle Garden, designed by the French painter Jacques Majorelle and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent. Its cobalt blue structures, exotic plants, and serene water features provide a refreshing contrast to the bustling city outside. Along the way, your guide will also lead you to some of Marrakech’s hidden gems — traditional medersa schools, artisan workshops, and secret corners of the medina that many visitors overlook.

After lunch in a traditional Moroccan restaurant, the tour continues to the Koutoubia Mosque, Marrakech’s most famous landmark with its impressive 77-meter-high minaret visible across the city. Finally, head to the world-renowned Djemaa el-Fna Square, a lively hub where snake charmers, storytellers, musicians, and street performers bring the square to life. The market stalls fill the air with the aromas of spices, grilled meats, and traditional sweets, creating an unforgettable sensory experience.

As the evening sets in, return to your riad for dinner and an overnight stay in the heart of Marrakech’s medina.

After breakfast, depart from Marrakech and head west towards the Atlantic coast, arriving at the charming seaside town of Essaouira, often referred to as Morocco’s “white and blue jewel.” This coastal gem, formerly known as Mogador, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its captivating blend of Moorish, Portuguese, and French architecture.

Upon arrival, stroll through the old medina, where narrow alleyways are lined with art galleries, artisan workshops, and colorful souks. Discover Essaouira’s historic ramparts, the Skala de la Ville, where cannons still guard the Atlantic and offer sweeping ocean views. Visit the harbor, bustling with fishing boats, and enjoy the fresh sea breeze as you watch fishermen bring in the day’s catch.

The town is also famous for its Gnaoua culture, with rhythms and traditions brought centuries ago from sub-Saharan Africa. Its laid-back atmosphere makes it the perfect place to wander, shop for handicrafts such as thuya woodwork or silver jewelry, or simply soak up the coastal charm. For those who wish, take time to relax on the golden beach or savor freshly grilled seafood by the ocean.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant or within the peaceful ambiance of your riad. Overnight stay in Essaouira’s medina, surrounded by the soothing sound of the Atlantic waves.

After breakfast at your riad, enjoy a relaxed morning in Essaouira with time for a final stroll through the medina or along the beach. Later, you will depart for Casablanca by private transfer, traveling along the scenic Atlantic coast and through charming towns and countryside landscapes.

Upon arrival in Casablanca, you will be taken directly to Mohammed V International Airport in time for your flight departure.

This transfer marks the conclusion of your Moroccan adventure