Upon your arrival or pick up you at your hotel in Casablanca. We will visit the Hassan II Mosque, the landmark of Casablanca which is the only mosque open for non-Muslim. The Hassan II Mosque will be the first introduction of Moorish influences in Morocco. It is built by the king Hassan II between 1987 – 1993. Over 25 thousand worshipers can pray inside and 80 thousand worshipers pray outside in the big square of the mosque. We travel to another Imperial City Rabat visit some historical site like Chellah lovely spot in Rabat where you see a breathtaking combination of Roman and Merinid remains. You have the unfinished mosque Tower Hassan and the piece of art mausoleum Mohamed 5th to visit. After the tour of Rabat, we move to the next city Meknes. It was built by the Sultan Moulay Ismael in the 18th century, famous of beautiful gates, mosques, and madrasas. Overnight in Meknes
After a lovely breakfast we going with a local guide to start exploring the other 18th Imperial City Meknes, 40km ramparts around the medina and has a tremendous gate of Bab Mansour (1732), the granary Sahrij Swani, grain and water storage and used as a barn for 12000 horses. Meknes has a big production of olive oil and olives and you will see an amazing verity of olives in the local market of square Lahdime. Only 30 km from Meknes we discover Volubilis. The archaeological roman site well-preserved listed in UNESCO (1997), remains of astonishing mosaics, hundreds of Latin inscriptions and artistic materials… After our enjoyable walk in Volubilis, we carry on to Fes driving in open fields of barley, wheat, and olive trees. Overnight in Fes.
This morning at 09:00 am you meet our local guide of Fes, you are going to explore the old medieval Medina of Fes and the 1st imperial city, a real labyrinthine of more than 9000 alleyways and deserves to be the intellectual and cultural capital of the kingdom. Mingled with fasi people in these streets full of articles, colours and donkeys carrying goods. You will see a lot of handcrafted items, Fes is number 1 in crafts, like old days using the same materials. The tanneries, famous in Fes, is one the highlights of the tour, watching locals working on skins of goat, lamb, camel and cow, in small pits. You also will indulge yourselves with some special dishes of Fes cuisine. You will enjoy a panoramic view over the southern tower of Fes and visit the cooperative of pottery where they make tiles and Moroccan mosaic. Or maybe you go for an optional entertainment dinner show with belly dancers to end up your tour of Fes, Overnight Fez.
We are going to leave the medieval Fes and heading to another part of Morocco. Crossing the Middle Atlas Mountains. We stop for a short break in Ifran or the small Switzerland where is the first ski resort in Morocco. We will be surrounded by amazing sceneries and landscapes of mountains and plains. A special species of native monkeys living in cedar woods, over 30 members of one family called Maggot monkeys in Azrou. We will have the lunch break in Midelt, it celebrates the festival of apples every year. There is a big contrast of landscapes especially before we arrive Errachidia main city named after a prince Moulay Rachid around 1971. Then we drive through Ziz Valley to get us to Arfoud, the gate of the Sahara or where we celebrate the festival of date, and to Merzouga where you’ll stay at a wonderful hotel near the dunes line with DB.
We will enjoy a relaxing day in the Sahara with a possibility to go around the dunes of Erg Chebbi on the camel or on 4X4, there is a gnaoua musical group to see, celebrating African rhythms in the desert. Possibility to order the Touareg pie called “Madfona” cooked in the sand. We visit the mausoleum of Moulay Ali chief the founder of the current dynasty in the oasis of Rissani. Going back to Merzouga to watch the sunset on the top of sand dunes some of them reaching up to 150 m high. 1 hour camel ride for beautiful sunset and Overnight in a luxury desert camp at Erg Chebbi Merzouga with DB.
After your breakfast, we leave Merzouga and head towards the old system of irrigation that is still used in the oasis of Eljerf. A break on the way in Tinjidad. We will have lunch in the Valley of Toudra. It is considered as one of the oldest valleys in Morocco for caravan trading and silver jewelry. A beautiful valley of 15 km of date palms ends up with a spectacular Gorges, mainly used for rock climbing and picnics. We embark on Dades Valley which has an astonishing rock formation made by million years of erosion. Enjoying a short walk in the amazing Dades Gorges and the wavy road of Tisidrine. Overnight in Dades Gorges at amazing hotel with DB.
Next morning we drive through Elkelaa Mgouna or Rose Valley, the only place in Morocco where we harvest Damascus rose in which we extract some products like rose water and rose oil best for skin treatment and anti-wrinkles. We cross Skoura oasis which has thousands of palm groves and has astonishing mud-Kasbahs (Berber forts) still standing after hundred years. Overnight in Ouarzazate at hotel with DB.
This morning it is going to be devoted to exploring Ouarzazate the cinematographic city of Morocco. There are plenty places to visit Ouarzazate city gate of the desert. Taourirte Kasbah which is a real image of Berber architecture made out of clay and straw. The most powerful man of the south of Morocco Thami Pasha used to live in this magnificent building which is ornamented with towers and Berber signs. the studio of cinema contains a number of movie sets like Kundum, Mission Cleopatra…Not far, there is Fint Oasis a lovely place to roam and maybe visit a local house and enjoy a cup of min-tea. Overnight in Ouarzazate hotel with DB.
We head towards Ait Ben Haddou, an authentic Berber village where we go for a walk to visit this ancient village. An old village where a list of movie credits was made starting with the first movies “Lawrence of Arabia”, ”Jesus of Nazareth”, ”Gladiator” and the list is still going on. It is also listed in UNESCO as a site of the world and national culture in 1987. Then we head to the great Telouet Kasbah stronghold fort, built by the lord of the Atlas Mountains Thami Pasha and was trading center of caravans to Timbuktu in Mali. We travel to the north of the High Atlas Mountains via Tizi-n-Tichka (2260m). A spectacular road of red mountains and Berber villages to Marrakech Overnight at traditional Riad with B.
After breakfast you are going to start your trip with a guided tour of Marrakech full day. You are going with the local guide. Visiting Bahia Palace; built by Bahmad Grand visir of Marrakech with its incredible mosaics and stucco and hear some interesting stories about 4 wives and the 24 concubines. The extraordinary architecture of Saadian Tomb, royal necropolis of the 17th century. Spending some great time in the famous souks of Marrakech, you going to like different smells, colors, items and how big are the souks of Marrakech. Jack Majorelle garden, a peaceful spot in the Ville Nouvelle, contains botanic and exotic plants brought from all over the world, with dominating indigo blue to paint the wall. You will finish your tour at the square Jamaa Elfana. A bustling place where there are snake charmers, monkeys, food stalls and musicians, the most animated square in Marrakech, Overnight at Riad with B.
With Marrakech Best Travel, Our 11th day of Morocco Imperial cities and desert tour will be a relaxing day. You will have a relaxing day in the red city. Free day. Time for Hammam and massage to get your energy back or Cooking class optional. Overnight in Marrakech at Riad with B.
A journey that will take you to visit Essaouira a beautiful city of Morocco. It is just 170 km from Marrakech. A city on the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean where there is the forest of the Agran Trees (Goat Trees). At the province of Essaouira you will visit one of the cooperatives of women where they are extracting the ‘’Moroccan oil’’ known for its cosmetic benefits. You will explore the 18th century small Medina and take a nice walk along the beach of the city. The sounds of seagulls will replace the noises of Marrakech also a stress less city where you will see different arts: painting and sculpture, Overnight in Essaouira at Riad with B.
It is time to explore the charming city of ex-Mogador or Essaouira in your own!! you can do horse ride or camel ride or even quad biking. If you like surfing that is a good place to try board or kite surfing, Overnight with B.
After a lovely time in Essaouira, we are driving you back to Marrakech or Casablanca city or airport and will be the end of the tour of Authentic Morocco imperial cities & desert tour. And we hope you enjoyed your vacation with us.
