Description
Itinerary & description
Highlights of the 10-day Imperial Cities & Desert Tour
Visit the Grand Mosque Hassan II in Casablanca
Explore the Hassan Tower and the Kasbah of oudays in Rabat
Visit Meknes with its ramparts and the famous Bab Mansour Gate
Discover the Roman ruins of Volubilis
Visit the oldest and most authentic city of Morocco Fes
Camel ride in the dunes of the desert of Merzouga
Unforgettable night under the starry sky in a camp
Visit to the famous Todra and Dades Gorges
Visit of the world kasbah Ait Ben Haddou
Cross the High Atlas Mountains
Visit the pearl of the south Marrakech
ITINERARY: 10 days imperial cities and desert tour
1 day : Arrival in Casablanca – Rabat
Arrival at Mohamed 5 airport in Casablanca and pick up by one of the Shiny Morocco Staff. We start our 10-Day Imperial Cities & Desert Tour by going to the city center. Visit the Hassan II mosque, the largest temple in Morocco and the third largest in the Islamic world after the mosque of Mecca. Then drive to the capital of the country Rabat. We discover this imperial city, we will see the most historical monuments of this city such as the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the Hassan Tower and the Kasbah of Oudayas.
Night in a charming riad.
2nd day : Rabat – Meknes – Volubilis – Fes
After breakfast, we will go to the city of Meknes. It is one of the four imperial cities of Morocco, along with Fez, Rabat and Marrakech. Meknes is a city in Morocco that takes its name from the Berber tribe that came from present-day Tunisia in the 10th century and founded it under the name of Meknassa. This city is closely related to the peculiar sultan Moulay Ismail, second leader of the Alaoui dynasty. He named it the capital during his rule, which lasted 55 years. Meknes became a monumental city like Rabat or Marrakech. Meknes, called the ‘Moroccan Versailles’, is an imperial city with a large number of historical monuments. It has more than 40 km of imposing defensive walls and many mosques. The Bab el Mansour gate, this wonderful gate adorned with green ceramic, the most famous monument and one of the entrances to the imperial city of Meknes.barns and stables of Moulay Ismail, Jail of the Christians. After Meknes about 30 kilometers is the Roman city, the Ruins of Volubilis. After the visit we continue our route to the city of Fes.
Accommodation in a charming riad
3 day : Fes – Fes
One day discovery of the city of Fes, cultural capital and the oldest of the Imperial Cities of the country, which was for centuries the cultural and religious center of the western Islamic world, and was declared by UNESCO World Heritage Site, its labyrinthine streets structured by guilds of potters, dyers … and the bustle of its people will transport you back centuries, as it is a medieval city that endures over time, 1200 years after its founding the monuments that we can visit: Medersas (Koranic schools): Bouanania, Attarin. Souks, Fes El-Jedid, the Karaouine Mosque, and the rest of the afternoon free.
Accommodation in a charming Riad
4 day : Fes – Ifran – Azrou – Midelt – Errachidia – Merzouga
In the morning, after breakfast, departure in our vehicle to Merzouga. On the way, we pass through the city of Ifrane, the small Moroccan Switzerland, known for its similarity. Cross the Cedar Forest and continue through the valley of the Ziz. A large palm grove that will take you to the city of Arfoud famous for the fossils that are extracted from the rocks. Then to our destination, the desert dunes in Merzouga, fine sand.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
5 day : Merzouga – Rissani – Arfoud – Todra Gorges – Dades Gorges
After a pleasant camel trek, with the sunset and sunrise at the top of the dunes, starting a new day. By desert road we will go to the small town of Rissani where we visit the soco. One of the most typical and ancient markets in the area. Then departure towards the Todra Gorges, a very special place for mountaineers, climbers and trekking enthusiasts. We follow the route that leads us to where the great canyon of Dades where we spend the night.
6 day : Dades Gorges – Kelaa M’gouna – Skoura -Ouarzazate
After breakfast, we visit the Dades Gorges with the possibility of a short hike. We continue our journey through Boumalne Dades and the Valley of the Roses and the palm grove of Skoura, until we reach Ouarzazate, city of cinema. With its magnificent landscapes, its exceptional light and its ideal climatic conditions, Ouarzazate has soon seduced the world of cinema. Ouarzazate is home to three major film studios. Created in 1983, the Atlas Studios are worth a visit. Open to the public, they offer a grandiose spectacle: giant pharaohs guard their doors. Here you can see the sets of sensational films, decoration workshops and discover the backstage of the film industry. Another curiosity, the Cinematographic Museum was established in a former Italian studio of the 90s, once inside the visitor is immersed in Ancient Greece, in the Middle East of yesteryear or in an unwelcoming prison. Brimming with authenticity, all these decorations are made in plaster.
Dinner and overnight in a Riad
7 day : Ouarzazate – Marrakech
After breakfast visit of the Kasbah Taourirt in the center of Ouarzazate. We continue to the other famous Kasbah of Ait ben Haddou, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987, a fortified enclosure within a walled town that you will surely recognize, as this citadel has been the setting for such famous films as Gladiator, Sahara, Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra, among many others. You will continue your journey towards Marrakech crossing the High Atlas from a pass of 2260 high altitude arriving in Marrakech in the afternoon.
8 Day : Marrakech – Marrakech
In the early hours of the day, we leave accompanied with an official guide of the city for a visit of the most important historical monuments of Marrakech. We will see the Jemaa El Fna Square, the old medina, the minaret of the Koutoubia, the Bahia Palace, Majorelle Gardens, the famous Koranic school ben youssef. Rest of the afternoon free
9 day : Marrakech – Casablanca
Arrival in Casablanca around lunch time. Free afternoon in Casablanca.
10 day : Casablanca – airport
At the time of your choice we will transfer you to the airport and end of our 10-Day Imperial Cities & Desert Tour
We can customize your trip according to your budget and interest, we also have group discounts.
