Morocco Imperial Cities Tour: 10 Days and 9 Nights, Round Trip from Casablanca
Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Fes, the Sahara and Marrakech in ten days
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Tour at a Glance
Duration
10 days and 9 nights
Tour Type
Private tour for your group only
Starts and Ends
Starts and ends in Casablanca
Overnight
Riads and hotels, with a night in the Sahara
Highlights
Casablanca, Rabat, Volubilis, Fes, the Sahara dunes, Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech
Price
On request. Contact us for a free quote
The Classic Journey Through Morocco
This Morocco imperial cities tour is our classic ten-day journey across the country, linking the imperial cities and the Sahara. You start in Casablanca with the Hassan II Mosque, pass through Rabat, Meknes and the Roman ruins of Volubilis to reach Fes, and spend a full day in its medina with a local guide.
You then cross the Middle Atlas and the Ziz Valley to the Sahara dunes of Merzouga for a camel trek, and return through the Todra Gorges, the Roses Valley, Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou to Marrakech, with a full day in the “Red City”, before finishing back in Casablanca.
Tour Highlights
- Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
- Rabat, the capital of Morocco
- Meknes and the Roman ruins of Volubilis
- Fes, the spiritual and cultural city of Morocco
- Ifrane and the cedar forest, home to Barbary macaques
- The Ziz Valley and the Sahara dunes at Merzouga
- Camel trekking at sunset and sunrise
- The Todra Gorges and the Roses Valley
- Ouarzazate, the Taourirt Kasbah and Ait Ben Haddou
- Marrakech: Jemaa El Fna, the medina and the Saadian Tombs
Day-by-Day Itinerary
This itinerary can be modified and designed according to your requirements and needs. Contact us to adapt it.
Day 1
Arrival in Casablanca
A member of our team welcomes you at the airport and takes you to your hotel.
Day 2
Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Volubilis and Fes
After breakfast you drive north to Rabat, the capital of Morocco, and on to Meknes, where you see Bab Mansour, one of the most impressive gates in the country. You continue to Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman site in Morocco, before arriving in Fes at the end of the day.
Stops on Day 2
- Casablanca
- Rabat
- Meknes
- Volubilis
- Fes
Day 3
Full Day in Fes
You spend the day exploring the medina of Fes, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a local guide. On a walking tour of its narrow lanes you visit the famous tanneries, the Al Quaraouiyine mosque and university, the madrasas and the Nejjarine fountain. In the afternoon you drive to the Jewish quarter (the Mellah) and the gates of the Royal Palace, visit a pottery or tile workshop and finish at a viewpoint with a panoramic view over the whole medina.
Day 4
Fes, Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt and Merzouga
You leave Fes after breakfast and travel south into the Middle Atlas. Your first stop is Ifrane, the alpine-style town known as the “Switzerland of Morocco”, followed by the cedar forest near Azrou, where you may see wild Barbary macaques. You continue through Midelt and Errachidia and along the green Ziz Valley, with its palm groves and Berber villages, as the scenery slowly turns to desert. You reach the Sahara dunes at the end of the day. In the evening you ride a camel into the dunes for the sunset and spend the night in a desert camp.
Stops on Day 4
- Fes
- Ifrane
- Azrou
- Midelt
- Errachidia
- Merzouga
Day 5
Merzouga, Rissani, Erfoud, Tinghir and Todra Gorges
After your camel trek and the sunset and sunrise on the dunes, you begin a new day. You pass through Rissani, the first imperial city of Morocco, and see its souks, then drive through Erfoud and Tinghir to the Todra Gorges.
Stops on Day 5
- Merzouga
- Rissani
- Erfoud
- Tinghir
- Todra Gorges
Day 6
Todra Gorge, Boumalne Dades, Kelaat M’Gouna and Ouarzazate
After breakfast you visit the Todra Gorges, with the option of a short walk. You continue through Boumalne Dades and its gorges, the Roses Valley and the palm groves of Skoura to reach Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Morocco”, in the afternoon.
Stops on Day 6
- Todra Gorge
- Boumalne Dades
- Kelaat M’Gouna
- Ouarzazate
Day 7
Ouarzazate and Marrakech
You start the day in Ouarzazate with the Taourirt Kasbah, the cinema studios and Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You then cross the High Atlas Mountains over the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 metres) and reach Marrakech.
Day 8
Full Day in Marrakech
You explore Marrakech with a local guide. The highlights include Jemaa El Fna square, the old medina and its souks, the Koutoubia minaret, the Bahia Palace, the Majorelle Gardens, the Saadian Tombs and the Ben Youssef Koranic school. The rest of the day is free to shop in the souks or relax.
Day 9
Marrakech and Casablanca
You drive back to Casablanca, arriving in time for lunch on the Corniche. In the second half of the day you visit the Hassan II Mosque before returning to the hotel.
Day 10
Departure from Casablanca
At a suitable time we transfer you to the airport. End of our services.
What Is Included
Included
- Private tour for your group only
- Driver-guide and private 4x4 or minivan transport with fuel
- Accommodation with breakfast and dinner (bed and breakfast in Fes and Marrakech)
- City tour guide in Fes and Marrakech
- Camel ride into the dunes
- Airport-hotel-airport transfers
Not Included
- Flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Museum and monument entrance fees
- Tips
- Anything not listed under “Included”
Contact us to confirm the details for your dates and group size.
What to Bring
- Warm layers, as desert nights can be cold in winter
- Sun protection, sunglasses and a scarf for the dunes
- Comfortable shoes and a small overnight bag
- Cash for lunches, drinks and tips
- A camera and a power bank
Is This Tour Right for You?
This tour suits travellers who want to see the imperial cities, the mountains and the Sahara on a single journey. It includes several long days on the road, balanced by two full days with local guides in Fes and Marrakech.
For a route that adds Chefchaouen, see our 11-day tour. For a longer journey with Essaouira, see the 13-day tour.
More Tours You May Like
Compare our other imperial cities tours.
Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, the Sahara, Marrakech and Essaouira in thirteen days.
Eleven days linking Morocco’s imperial cities, the Rif Mountains and the Sahara desert.
A round trip from Marrakech through the Sahara desert and Fes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which imperial cities does the tour visit?
The tour visits Rabat, Meknes, Fes and Marrakech, the four imperial cities of Morocco, with Casablanca at the start and end of the journey.
Does the tour include the Sahara?
Yes. On day 4 you travel to the Merzouga dunes, where you go camel trekking, and the next morning you continue through the Todra Gorges toward Ouarzazate.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts in Casablanca, where our team welcomes you at the airport, and ends in Casablanca with an airport transfer on day 10.
Is accommodation included?
Accommodation as described in the itinerary is arranged for you, with the meals listed in the included section. Contact us to confirm the details for your dates and group size.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Yes. The itinerary can be modified according to your requirements, and we can start from any airport, hotel, town or city in Morocco. Tell us what you need on our contact page.
When is the best time to go?
The tour runs all year. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable, summer is very hot in the desert and winter nights are cold, so bring warm clothes.
What should I bring?
warm layers, as desert nights can be cold in winter, sun protection, sunglasses and a scarf for the dunes, comfortable shoes and a small overnight bag, cash for lunches, drinks and tips and a camera. Read our tips in the Morocco FAQ.
How do I book or get a price?
Fill in the form at the bottom of this page or email travelstomorocco@gmail.com with your dates and the number of people, and we will reply with a free quote.
Plan Your Trip
Helpful pages before you book:
Ready to Discover the Imperial Cities?
Tell us your dates and group size, and we will send you a free quote for this trip.
Email: travelstomorocco@gmail.com | Phone: +212 6 62 38 50 95
Ask for Prices
Please fill in the form below or contact us directly by email at travelstomorocco@gmail.com, and we will answer you as soon as possible. Include your tour date and the number of people.