8-Day Tour from Marrakech to Imperial Cities via Desert

Day 1: Exploring Marrakech

Start your journey with a guided tour of Marrakech, beginning with the lively Jemma el Fna square, where you’ll witness street performers, food stalls, and vibrant local life. Visit the Koutoubia Mosque, the largest mosque in Marrakech, followed by a stroll through the labyrinthine souks filled with colorful crafts, spices, and textiles. Explore the Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs, rich in history and stunning architecture. The tour also includes visits to Gueliz, the modern part of the city, the tranquil Menara Gardens with its olive groves, and the famous Majorelle Garden, known for its striking blue buildings and diverse plant collection.

Day 2: Marrakech – Tizi n Tichka Pass – Ouarzazate – Dades Gorge

Depart from Marrakech and drive through the breathtaking Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n Tichka pass, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. Stop at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, an ancient fortified village famous for its role in numerous films and TV series like Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Continue to Ouarzazate, where you’ll visit the Atlas Film Studios and explore the historic Taourirt Kasbah. Journey through the Valley of Roses, known for its annual Rose Festival and fragrant fields, before arriving at Dades Gorge, where you’ll stay overnight in a charming hotel or riad.

Day 3: Dades Gorge – Todra Gorge – Rissani – Merzouga Desert

Begin the day with a visit to the stunning Todra Gorge, a towering canyon with sheer rock walls that attract hikers and climbers from around the world. Travel through the scenic Ziz Valley, known for its lush palm groves and ancient ksour (fortified villages), to reach Erfoud, a town famous for its fossils. Here, you’ll visit a local workshop where you can see intricate fossil-based art and decor. Afterward, continue to Rissani, a town with a lively traditional souk, and then head to Merzouga. In Merzouga, experience a camel trek into the Sahara Desert, where you’ll spend the night in a Berber desert camp, enjoying a traditional dinner under the stars and listening to local music around the campfire.

Day 4: Merzouga Desert

Spend the day exploring the vast Merzouga Desert. You can opt for another camel trek or a thrilling 4×4 tour across the dunes. Visit the village of Khamlia, home to the Gnawa people, where you can enjoy their traditional music and learn about their unique culture. In the evening, climb the dunes to watch the mesmerizing sunset over the Sahara, a truly unforgettable experience. You’ll spend another night in the desert, either at a local riad or back at the desert camp, enjoying the peace and beauty of the desert landscape.

Day 5: Merzouga – Midelt – Fes

After an early morning wake-up to witness the spectacular sunrise over the dunes, ride your camel back to the hotel for breakfast and a refreshing shower. Begin your journey towards Fes, passing through Rissani and Erfoud once more. Stop in Midelt, a town nestled in the middle of the Atlas Mountains, for lunch. Along the way, you’ll also visit the cedar forests of Azrou, where you can see Barbary macaque monkeys in their natural habitat. Continue your journey through Ifrane, a town known for its alpine-style architecture and often referred to as the “Switzerland of Morocco.” Arrive in Fes by evening for an overnight stay in a traditional riad.

Day 6: Fes Guided Tour

Explore the cultural and spiritual heart of Morocco with a guided tour of Fes, starting with the Royal Palace and its stunning golden gates. Visit the Jewish quarter (Mellah) and see the oldest continuously functioning university in the world, Al Qaraouine University. Wander through the bustling tanneries, where leather is still dyed using traditional methods, and explore the medieval medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you’ll find narrow streets lined with shops, mosques, and historic buildings. Visit the Mulay Idriss mausoleum, the oldest and most revered religious site in the city. After a full day of sightseeing, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before retiring to your riad.

Day 7: Fes – Rabat – Casablanca

Leave Fes in the morning and drive towards Rabat, the capital city of Morocco. In Rabat, visit key attractions such as the Royal Palace, Hassan Tower, an incomplete minaret of a grand mosque that was never finished, and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, a masterpiece of modern Alaouite dynasty architecture. After exploring Rabat, continue to Casablanca, Morocco’s largest city and economic hub, for an overnight stay.

Day 8: Casablanca – Marrakech

Start the day with a visit to Casablanca’s most famous landmark, the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world, with its stunning architecture and location overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. After exploring the mosque and other notable sites in Casablanca, such as the Corniche and the Habous Quarter, enjoy lunch in the city. In the afternoon, drive back to Marrakech, where your tour concludes. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some time to explore Marrakech before heading to the airport for your departure.

The price of this tour varies depending on the number of travelers. Please fill out the booking form or contact us for pricing details.