11 day imperial cities Tour From Casablanca
Duration: 11 Days/10 Nights Distance: 1877 km
Start: Casablanca End: Casablanca
Type: Private Tour
Highlights at a Glance
- Start your journey in Casablanca, home to the impressive Hassan II Mosque
- Visit Rabat: Mausoleum of Mohammed V & the Kasbah of the Udayas
- Stroll the enchanting blue streets of Chefchaouen, the “Blue Pearl”
- UNESCO world heritage site of Volubilis
- Meknes, A brief excursion around the city
- Explore the medieval medina of Fez (UNESCO World Heritage & world’s first university)
- Admire the landscapes of the Ziz Valley, the Cedar Forest with Barbary macaques & alpine Ifrane
- Sunset camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes & overnight in a luxury desert camp
- Experience authentic Berber nomad life and live Gnawa music in Khamlia
- Walk through the stunning Todra Gorges and palm groves
- Explore Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa” & Atlas Film Studios
- Visit UNESCO site Aït Ben Haddou, famous film location (Gladiator, Game of Thrones)
- Visit Taroudant and its impressive ramparts and bustling medina
- Explore the coast city of Essaouira
- Discover the vibrant medina of Marrakech: Koutoubia Mosque, Saadian Tombs & Bahia Palace
- Scenic drive through the High Atlas Mountains
Tour Program
Day1: Arrival in Casablanca and transfer to your Hotel
Distance: 30km Time on the road: 40min
Upon your arrival at Casablanca Airport (CMN), our professional driver/guide will be waiting for you with a sign displaying your name. You will receive a warm welcome to Morocco before being transferred to your hotel in Casablanca. Take the rest of the day to relax and recover from your flight in preparation for the journey ahead.
Overnight stay in Casablanca.
Day 2 : Casablanca – Marrakech for visiting with a local guide
Distance: 260km Time on the road: 3h
We will drive towards Marrakech, Your 11-day Morocco tour begins with a guided exploration of Marrakech. In the morning, your local guide will meet you at your hotel and take you through the vibrant medina of Marrakech.
You will visit the iconic Koutoubia Mosque, famous for its impressive minaret, the Saadian Tombs from the 16th century adorned with intricate mosaic tiles, and the elegant Bahia Palace, a 19th-century masterpiece of Moroccan architecture. A lunch break will be arranged during the tour.
Afterwards, you will have the chance to discover the fascinating souks of Marrakech and wander through the narrow alleyways leading to the bustling Djemaa El-Fna Square.
In the afternoon, enjoy some free time at leisure. As evening falls, immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere of Jemaa El-Fna, where snake charmers, musicians, acrobats, dancers, storytellers, and entertainers bring the square to life.
Overnight stay in your hotel in Marrakech.
Day 3 : Marrakech – High Atlas Mountains – Aït Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Valley
Distance: 323km Time on the road: 5h 30min
Your tour begins with a pick-up by your local guide from your Riad. From there, we head toward the Dades Valley, our destination for the first night.
Our adventure begins with a scenic drive through the Tizi n’Tichka Pass in the High Atlas Mountains. This winding mountain road offers breathtaking views of dramatic landscapes and traditional Berber villages. We’ll make our first stop at the highest point of the pass—an altitude of 2,260 meters—where you can take in the panoramic views and capture unforgettable photos.
Our first major stop is the famous Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its beautiful Kasbahs and fortified architecture. This iconic Ksar has been featured in many films and series, including Game of Thrones, Lawrence of Arabia, and Gladiator. Your guide will lead you on a short walk across the river and up through the narrow alleys to the top of the hill for a stunning view of the Ounila Valley.
After lunch in the village, we continue to Ouarzazate, often called the “Hollywood of Africa” due to its film studios and cinematic landscapes. We then pass through Kalaat M’Gouna, known as the “City of Roses,” famous for its annual Rose Festival held each April.
The day ends in the Dades Valley, where you’ll enjoy dinner and a peaceful night at your Riad.
Day 4 : Dades Valley – Todra Gorges – Merzouga (Desert)
After enjoying a traditional Moroccan breakfast at your Riad in Dades, we begin our journey to one of Morocco’s most iconic destinations – Merzouga and the Sahara Desert.
We’ll travel along the famous Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, passing through the scenic Berber villages of the Dades Valley toward Tineghir. This area is known for its lush palm groves stretching over 15 kilometers, leading to the dramatic Todra Gorges, towering nearly 300 meters high. Here, you’ll have time to take a short walk through the canyon, surrounded by breathtaking rock formations and traditional Berber life.
After the visit, we continue our drive, with the option to stop for lunch in either Tinjdad or Touroug, depending on your preference and your hunger.
In the afternoon, we arrive at the Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga, the gateway to the Sahara Desert. Your camels will be waiting to take you on a magical ride across the golden dunes at sunset—a truly unforgettable desert experience. Meanwhile, your luggage will be transported to the camp in a 4×4 vehicle.
Upon arrival at your luxury desert camp, the staff will welcome you and show you to your private tent, where you can enjoy a shower and relax. In the evening, enjoy a delicious traditional Moroccan dinner followed by Berber music and drumming under the stars—a perfect end to an unforgettable day in the Moroccan Sahara.
Day 5 : Merzouga Erg Chebbi Sightseeing
Distance: 50 km You will drive off road
After breakfast, your journey continues around the spectacular Erg Chebbi dunes, one of Morocco’s most breathtaking desert landscapes. Here you will find the country’s highest sand dune, rising over 250 meters, once part of the legendary Paris-Dakar rally route that stretches towards the Algerian border.
We will follow a path that leads to a traditional nomad camp, where you will have the chance to discover the lifestyle and customs of desert nomads. After spending some time with them, we will stop at a scenic viewpoint offering a panoramic view of the entire Erg Chebbi desert.
The tour continues to the village of Khamlia, famous for its vibrant Gnawa music. Enjoy a cup of mint tea while listening to a live performance of these spiritual desert rhythms.
Afterwards, return for lunch at a local restaurant before heading to your hotel near the dunes. The afternoon is yours to relax, take a refreshing swim, or simply enjoy the tranquility of the Sahara. Dinner and overnight stay at your desert hotel.
Day 6 : Merzouga – Ziz valley – Middle Atlas Mountains – Cedar Forest – Ifrane – Fez
Distance: 463km Time on the road: 7h 30min
Begin your day with an unforgettable sunrise over the golden sand dunes of the Sahara. After breakfast, the journey to Fez takes you through some of Morocco’s most beautiful landscapes. Pause at the breathtaking Ziz Valley for photos, continue across the dramatic Atlas Mountains, and stroll through the peaceful Cedar Forest, home to the famous Barbary macaque monkeys. On the way, discover Ifrane, often called the “Switzerland of Africa” for its alpine charm. Arrive in Fez in the evening and settle into your hotel.
Day 7 : Fez Guided Tour
Distance: 10 minutes and you will walk in The Medina with local guide
After breakfast, you will spend the entire day exploring Fez, Morocco’s spiritual and cultural capital. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fez is the country’s oldest imperial city and home to the world’s first university, founded in the 9th century. With its remarkably well-preserved medieval architecture, Fez feels like a living museum, where time stands still between the Middle Ages and the present day.
As you wander through the labyrinth of 9,000 narrow streets in the Fez Medina, you will encounter lively markets filled with fresh produce, fragrant spices, and traditional Moroccan sweets flavored with cinnamon and honey. Donkeys and mules remain the main means of transportation, adding to the authentic atmosphere. The rhythmic hammering of metalworkers crafting pots and utensils, combined with the echoing call to prayer, creates a timeless soundscape that has endured for centuries.
Your guided tour will also take you through the bustling souks of Fez, where master artisans still practice age-old crafts: handwoven silk and Berber carpets, leather goods, gold and silver jewelry, and more.
After an enriching day discovering the treasures of Fez Medina, your driver will return you to your hotel for the evening.
Day 8 : Fez – Meknes – Chefchaouen
Distance: 189km Time on the road: 3h 45min
Today your Morocco tour continues towards Meknes, one of Morocco’s four imperial cities and the former capital of Sultan Moulay Ismail. Here, you will visit the magnificent Bab Mansour Gate, one of the finest examples of Moroccan architecture, and explore El Hedim Square, a lively plaza often compared to Marrakech’s Djemaa El-Fna. After you will leave to Chefchaouen, famously known as the “Blue Pearl of Morocco” and often called the “Pearl of the North.” Considered one of the most picturesque towns in northern Morocco, Chefchaouen is renowned for its enchanting shades of blue and white that cover the city’s streets and houses.
The drive takes you through the scenic Rif Mountains, offering stunning landscapes along the way. Upon arrival in Chefchaouen, you will have free time to explore at your own pace. Stroll through the charming medina, visit the historic Kasbah, relax at Outa el Hammam Square, or discover local culture at the Chaouen Art Museum. Don’t miss a walk through the narrow blue-painted alleys, perfect for memorable photos.
In the afternoon, you can hike up to the Spanish Mosque, where you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view over the entire blue city, especially magical at sunset.
Overnight stay in Chefchaouen.
Day 9 : Chefchaouen – Rabat
Distance: 250km Time on the road: 4h 15 min
After breakfast, your Morocco tour continues with a scenic drive from Chefchaouen to Rabat, the country’s political and administrative capital.
In Rabat, you will visit the magnificent Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the resting place of King Mohammed V and his sons, King Hassan II and Prince Moulay Abdellah. This masterpiece of Moroccan architecture is one of the city’s most important landmarks. You will also explore the historic Kasbah of the Udayas (Oudayas), a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its Andalusian-style gardens, narrow blue-and-white streets, and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. After your guided visit in Rabat, you will check into your Riad.
Day 10 : Rabat – Casablanca
Distance: 90km Time on the road: 1h 30min
Your Morocco tour journey today will direct us back to Casablanca, we will visit the Cornish of Ein Diab, we will have lunch in restaurant in the coast side, after we pick you up to your Hotel to get some rest and relax to be ready for your flight back home in the other day.
Day 11 : Transfer to the airport
Distance: 30km Time on the road: 40min
Depending on your departure schedule, our driver/guide will transport you to the international airport after breakfast, marking the regrettable conclusion of our unforgettable journey.
Accommodations
| Category 1 | |
|---|---|
| Casablanca | Hotel Kenzi Basma |
| Marrakech | Riad El Walida |
| Dades | Hotel Babylon Dades Gorges |
| Desert Night 1 | Sahara Desert Luxury Camp |
| Desert Night 2 | Riad Dar Hassan |
| Fez | Riad Tahra |
| Chefchaouen | Riad Hicham |
| Rabat | Riad Dar Alia |
| Category 2 | |
|---|---|
| Casablanca | Hotel Odyssee Center |
| Marrakech | Riad Nesma |
| Dades | Riad Dades Paradise |
| Desert Night 1 | Caravanserai Luxury Desert Camp |
| Desert Night 2 | Riad Chebbi |
| Fez | Palais Houyam |
| Chefchaouen | Dar Echchaouen |
| Rabat | Riad Al Bahi |
| Category 3 | |
|---|---|
| Casablanca | Casablanca Mariott Hotel |
| Marrakech | La Maison Arabe |
| Dades | Eden Boutique Hotel |
| Desert Night 1 | Desert Luxury Camp |
| Desert Night 2 | Desert Luxury Camp |
| Fez | Palais Faraj |
| Chefchaouen | Lina Ryad & Spa |
| Rabat | Rabat Mariott Hotel |
*In case the listed hotel is fully booked, we will provide a similar option of the same category and inform you accordingly.
What’s included in our Imperial Morocco tour
- Included:
- Pick up and drop off from to the airport
- Transport in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional English-speaking driver/guide (or request other preferred language)
- Accommodation in carefully selected hotels and traditional riads
- Breakfasts throughout the tour
- Dinners in the desert and Dades gorge
- Camel ride experience in the Sahara Desert
- Overnight stay in a Merzouga desert camp
- Sandboarding
- Local guides in Marrakech and Fez
- Not Included:
- Lunches and beverages
- Personal expenses and optional activities
* Final price depends on the accommodation category selected and the group size
- Map for the tour
- Book This Tour now!
