15 DAYS TOUR FROM MARRAKESH TO IMPERIAL CITIES, DESERT & COAST

Marrakesh, Morocco

Overview

The 15-Days Tour from Marrakesh includes visits to Imperial Cities, the Desert, and the Coast: Discover Morocco by diving into its cultural richness and the splendor of its imperial cities. Travel along the coasts, explore the imperial cities, traverse the mountains, and experience the desert on an authentic tour of Morocco. The four cities of the imperial cities circuit, Marrakesh with its bustling Jemaa El Fna square, Fez with its magnificent Nejjarine Fountain, Meknes with its grand Bab El Mansour gate, and Rabat with its majestic Mohammed V Mausoleum, inscribe the entire history of Morocco on their walls. UNESCO has classified Volubilis and Casablanca, home to the impressive Hassan II Mosque, as World Heritage Sites.

The sound of artisans at work, the aroma of orange blossom, and the vibrant colors of carpets, scarves, and leather goods will awaken your senses as you stroll through the souks and labyrinthine markets of Marrakesh or Fez. The tour also includes the picturesque Atlas Mountains, dotted with small villages, and the expansive dunes of the Sahara Desert. This 15-days tour from Marrakesh to imperial cities, the desert, and the coast offers an immersive experience into Morocco's diverse culture and stunning landscapes, ensuring an unforgettable adventure.

Highlights :

Discover the authentic Berber culture and traditions
Explore the 4 imperial cities of Morocco: Marrakech , Rabat, Meknes and Fes
Explore the desert of Morocco and the great south
Visit of the World Heritage sites: Essaouira, El Jadida, Volubilis, Meknes, Fez, Marrakech, Ait Ben Haddou kasbah.
Spent an night in desert camp and ride camel over the big dunes of Merzouga
Go through the palm groves and explore the green valleys
Visit the blue pearl of Chefchaouen
Discover the secrets of Moroccan traditional cuisine during the tour
Explore the beautiful coasts and beaches of Morocco: Essaouira, El jadida, Casablanca and Tangier

Good to know:

Destination :Atlantic Coast , Desert , Essaouira , Imperial Cities and North , South

Departure Location : Marrakech

Return Location :Marrakech

Departure Time: Please arrive by 07:45 AM for a prompt departure at 08:00 AM.

Return Time: Approximately 7:00 PM.

TOUR ON THE MAP :

<div>

Included

Pick-up from Marrakesh or meet and greet at the airport
Well-maintained 4WD, van or bus for transportation including fuel
An experienced & multilingual driver
Overnight in desert camp dinner included
Local tour guides for exploring Fes & Marrakech
Camel trek experience for watching the sunset view.
Unique Experiences
All nights accommodation including breakfast

Excluded

Lunches & drinks on the way
Admission fee to sites if any
Extras

Tour Plan

DAY 1 Marrakech Arrival

Meet at the airport and transfer to your hotel.

DAY 2 Marrakech - Essaouira

After having breakfast in your hotel/Riad in Marrakech, your private driver will pick you up from your accommodation at 08:00 am for a rewarding Essaouira day trip from Marrakech. This day trip to Essaouira offers a great chance to escape the hassle and bustle of the Marrakech Medina while spending the day out unveiling the mystery of this unique coastal city.

You will drive through the town of Chichaoua before surprisingly getting into the Argan fields. The Argan tree is indigenous to Morocco and has gained a worldwide reputation because of its benefits to the skin and health in general. You may want to include a visit to a local women cooperative where you can learn about the process of turning Argan seeds into oil and other products including cosmetics, soaps, lotions and much more.

Once you arrive in Essaouira, you will spend the time meandering around the fortified Medina of Essaouira exploring its highlights including the traditional harbour, the bastions, the fish market, the Mellah (Jewish Quarter) and much more. After lunch, you may want to stretch your legs by the sandy beach of Essaouira that has been attraction to surfers and kite-surfers.

In the late afternoon, we will drive back to Marrakech, which we will reach at around 6pm.

DAY 3 Essaouira - Safi - El Jadida - Casablanca

After breakfast in your hotel, departure for Safi, a city known for ceramics. Visit of the city and continuation by the coastal road towards Oualidia and El Jadida, old portuguese city with its ramparts in front of the ocean. Stroll around the fortifications that offer magnificent views of the city, the port and the sea and visit the Portuguese cistern. Stop for lunch and continue to Casablanca.

DAY 4 Casablanca - Rabat (about 80 km)

Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco and the economic capital. During the visit of the city of Casablanca, we visit the main tourist sites: the Mohamed V square and Arab League park, a stop in front of the great mosque Hassan II (optional visit except public holidays, walk to the Cornish Rim where restaurants follow each other, hotels, shops and cafe terraces. Departure for Rabat, political and administrative capital, on the Atlantic coast. The city tour of Rabat includes: visit of Mechouar, entrance of the royal palace, Chellah (13th century merinid necropolis), Mohamed V mausoleum (white marble pavilion crowned with green tiles), Hassan tower (12th century) and kasbah of Oudayas (first royal residence) with Hispano-Moorish style gardens.

DAY 5 Rabat - Tangier (about 150 km)

After breakfast at your hotel in Rabat, cross the highway to visit Tangier, the crossroads of Europe and Africa, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. In Tangier, we will explore the old town and visit the old hill-top kasbah offering panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea, visiting Cape Spartel and the Hercules Caves.

DAY 6 Tangier - Tetouan - Chefchaouen

After breakfast in Tangier, we head to Chefchaouen, pearl of the north of the country and one of the best destinations in Morocco. The blue city founded in the late fifteenth century has become one of the best destinations for tourists from around the world. Once in the city, have time to explore the small town at your own pace, the Kasbah, Outa Lahmam square and take a walk in the blue streets of the city.

DAY 7 Chefchaouen - Meknes - Volubilis - Fes

Departure for Meknes and visit of the majestic Bob Mansour gate, discover the medina, the old stables, granaries and the Koranic school Bou Inania. In the afternoon, drive to Moulay Idriss, the small holy city, with the mausoleum of the very important national saint. Finally, visit the ruins of Volubilis, ancient Roman capital of the African province "Mauretania Tinguitana", famous for its mosaics very well preserved, its remains of oil mills and its baths. In the evening, arrival in Fez.

DAY 8 Fez guided city tour

After having breakfast in your Riad/hotel, you’ll spend the day exploring what Fes has to offer with an expert English speaking tour guide. Fes or Fez is the oldest Imperial Capital of Morocco that was founded by Moulay Idriss I in the 8th century. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the largest urban car-free districts in the world.

Enjoy the panoramic view of the Fes el-Bali (oldest Fes) atop the hill, then drive to the Royal Palace with its beautiful bronze gates. You’ll stretch your legs in the Mella (former Jewish Quarter) with the possibility to make a visit to the synagogue. From there, you’ll get into the oldest Fes with its tiny alleyways that reveal countless secrets (don’t worry, your tour guide will unveil them for you).

You’ll visit the tanneries where the leather is made using traditional methods. Learn about the Medersas & Koranic schools including Bou Inania, Quarawyyine (the oldest formal university in the Islamic World)…the tour includes a visit to the museums and Funduks…In the late afternoon, your private tour guide will escort you back to your Riad/hotel.

DAY 9 Fes - Ifran - Azrou - Midelt - Ziz gorges - Erfoud - Merzouga

We highly recommend starting our journey the earliest the better as you need to be in the Sahara desert of Merzouga before the sun sets. Our first stop after driving through the nearby plain is in the charmin town of Ifrane. It is often called the Switzerland version city of Morocco because of its Alpian architecture.

We will have a nice drive through the cedar forest of the Middle Atlas that hosts a colony of Barbary Macaques. After having lunch near Midelt, we will continue on the track crossing the spectacular High-Atlas Mountains, then include a short break for taking pictures in the panoramic palm valley of Ziz before arriving in the majestic sand dunefield of Erg Chebbi.

Go on a camel ride experience while enjoying the breathtaking view of the sunset before getting to the desert camp. Enjoy your dinner, then have a musical session performed by the staff members using drums and castanets. Include the day with a relaxing sleep in your ensuite tent.

DAY 10 Erfoud - Tazzarine - Nkob - Zagora (about 260 km)

Wake up early to enjoy the sunrise over the dunes and join the village of Merzouga, then go to Rissani to visit the largest markets and the oldest in Morocco. Then continue towards Zagora crossing Jebel Saghro, with its lunar landscapes of plateaus, peaks and canyons and the immensity of its spaces, to the stone and adobe villages of Tazzarine and N'Kob. Continue to Zagora, last stop of caravan before the desert, and discover the ksar of Tissergate with its maze of alleys.

DAY 11 Zagora - Draa valley - Agdez - Ouarzazate (about 160 km)

The Drâa Valley, from Zagora to Ouarzazate, is a succession of gorges and depressions with islands of greenery formed by oases. After crossing the village of Agdz, you will visit the Kasbah of Tamnougalte, an ancient fortified palace surrounded by walls, striking example of the traditional architecture of southern Morocco. Stop at the kasbah of Taourirt, former residence of the pasha of Marrakech. Overnight in Ouarzazate.

DAY 12 -1000 kasbah road and Todra Gorges Day trip from Ouarzazate

The 1,000-kasbah road runs from Skoura to the Dades Valley; it is dotted with sets of fortified earth with beautiful ocher colors. Departure for the large palm grove Skoura whose inhabitants of many villages live from agriculture. Arrival at Kelaa M'Gouna, known for its "Rose Festival" which takes place in May. Crossing the Dades towards Tinerhir before reaching the Todra Gorge, huge fault of 250 m high at the bottom of which flows a river with crystal clear waters. Back to Boumalne du Dades, then Ouarzazate for another night.

DAY 13 Ouarzazate - ait ben haddou Kasbah- Marrakesh (about 200 km)

After breakfast, we will drive to Ksar Haddou Ben, a fortified palace and a World Heritage Site where many international films have been shot (Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, Mom, throne games, ...) . Continuation to Marrakech crossing the High Atlas by the Tizi N'Tichka (2,260 m) and arriving in Marrakech. Top tourist spot, Marrakech is the third largest city in Morocco and the second largest imperial city after Fez. Overnight at the selected hotel or Riad.

DAY 14 Marrakech guided city tour

At 09:30 am, you will meet with your professional English speaking tour guide whose knowledge about the most hidden features of Marrakech is outstanding. You will first embark for an interesting sightseeing tour around the Ville Nouvelle of Marrakech that was built by the French when Morocco was under the French rule from 1912 to 1956. You will include a visit to the exotic and botanical gardens of Majorelle that was initially created by Jacques Majorelle and was bought and expanded by Saint Laurent. After that, you will head to the Menara Gardens with its olive grove, pavilion, and lagoon.

Begin your walking tour at the impressive mosque of La Koutoubia that was built in the 12^th century by the Almohads with its minaret dominating the horizons of the city. Continue on the track to the Saadian Tombs that was built by the Saadians in the 16^th century, then to the beautiful Palace of the Bahia before meandering around the vibrant and traditional Souks (Markets) of Marrakech to end your day tour at the Square of Jemaa El Fna (focal point of Marrakech) in the late afternoon.

DAY 15 Marrakech Departure

At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport for return flight.

Tour Images

10-DAYS MOROCCO DESERT TOUR FROM TANGIER

NOTE ! NOTE! If the itineraries that we offer does not match what you’re looking for contact us and we will prepare a trip that suits your own needs and requirements.