10-Day Private Cultural Tour of the Imperial Cities of Morocco

Day 1: Marrakech - Essaouira

1. Essaouira
   3h
   Be picked up in Marrakech and start your big adventure! Enjoy the drive through the breathtaking Moroccan countryside with its shattered villages, olive groves and wild Argantrees.
   We can stop in a local co-operative run by women who extract the Argan oil from the trees and discover how it is processed into cooking oil and cosmetics. You can taste and buy the products if you like.
2. Essaouira Beach
   12h
   After arriving in Essaouira, you can explore the charming city with its portuguese character by foot. Visit the busy harbour and watch the fishermen unloading their catch of the day, take pictures of the pittoresque fishing boats and enjoy fresh fish and seafood at its best.
   In the former portuguese medina you can find beautifully shattered white-and-blue houses where local artists are selling their crafts and singing Bob Marley-songs. Visit the historic ramparts and imagine life in the 16th century on the fortress with its beautiful view of the shoreline. Free time in Essaouira - no meals included

Day 2: Essaouira - Safi - Oualidia - El Jadida - Casablanca

1. Safi
   2h
   Today, we start after breakfast and we will make stops along the route to enjoy the coast and see the long beaches and the small cities of this part of Morocco.
2. El Jadida
   3h
   We will continue to Oualidia via the coastal road with its superb views and then to El Jadida, famous for its citadel and the cistern, reminders of the Portuguese occupation of the 16th Century.
3. Casablanca
   12h
   In the evening, we’ll finally arrive to Casablanca, a modern city and home of industries and finance business as well as art galleries and fashion designers. Visit the spectacular Mosque of Hassan II situated directly at the ocean for sunset. A must see for every visitor of Casablanca!

Day 3: Casablanca - Rabat - Volubilis - Meknes - Fes

1. Rabat
   3h
   Today after breakfast, we continue to Rabat. Rabat is the capital of Morocco, where we visit the magnificent mausoleum of Mohammed V and Hassan II and enjoy the view of the Tour Hassan and its gardens to the old town of Rabat and the neighbouring city Salé across the river.
   
   Visit the Kasbah Oudaya, the Medina of Rabat. Explore the small streets and look at the colorful fishing boats along the river side.
2. Volubilis
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   Explore Volubilis: This UNESCO World Heritage Site are the largest Roman Ruins in North Africa and very well preserved. Volubilis lies in a stratetic position about 33 km north of Meknes and is famous for its mosaics. The best time for a visit is in springtime, when the wild flowers are in full bloom amongst the old stones. The roman city is over 2'000 years old and was destroyed at least at a big earthquake 1755. You can explore this fascinating site by your own or with a local guide (not included). There is also a museum on site.
3. 2h
   After the visit of Volubilis, we continue to Meknes: this imperial city is famous for its luxurious palaces and beautiful mosques as well as one of the most important souks of Morocco. See the beautiful gate of Bab el-Mansour at the Place el Hedim, maybe the most beautiful of all the gates of the imperial cities.
4. Fez
   Pass by
   After the visit, we continue our trip to Fes where we'll stay for the next 2 nights.

Day 4: Full day city tour of Fes

1. Fez
   7h
   Today at 10:00 am after your breakfast your local city guide will pick you up and you'll spend the whole day exploring the impressive city of Fez with its huge Medina «Fes el-Bali» together.
2. Bab Boujloud
   10m
   We start the day at Bab Boujloud, one of the gates which lead into the Medina.
3. 30m · Admission ticket not included
   In the morning we will visit some of the beautiful ancient buildings like the Medersas of Bou Inania and El-Attarine (Koran schools for religious studies) and the University and Mosque of Karaouine.
4. Museo Nejjarine
   30m · Admission ticket not included
   Visit the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts and discover traditional tools, carpets, furniture and musical instruments in a beautifully restaurated caravanserai.
5. Chouara Tannery
   30m
   After lunchbreak in one of the hunderts of restaurants in the medina (not included), we continue our tour to the famous tanneries, where the leather is processed still the same as hunderts of years ago. You can observe the workers from a lookout and they will be glad to explain you the different workings steps if you are willing to bargain for a bag or new belt afterwards. But be aware of the bad smelling of the furs and coloring goods!
6. Royal Palace of Fez
   20m
   Outside the medina lies the Royal Palace with its large plaza lined with palm trees.
7. Fez
   1h
   Last but not least we will drive up a hill to the cementary Bab Fettouh, where we'll enjoy the panoramic view over the white sea of houses of the Medina. Individual dinner in the medina and overnight in Fes.

Day 5: Fes - Ifrane - Azrou - Middle Atlas - Midelt

1. Ifrane
   45m
   We start our journey in the morning and head for the Middle Atlas Mountains. Stop for a coffee in Ifrane, also known as «Switzerland of Morocco» with its chalet like houses.
2. Azrou
   45m
   From here we are heading south through several typical villages and you will have the opportunity to spot nomad families living in their tents along the road.
3. Zaida
   1h
   After lunch in Zaida, we continue our drive and enjoy panoramic views passing the mountain villages.
4. 12h
   Today, we'll spend the night in the mountain village Midelt in a Hotel.

Day 6: Midelt - Errachidia - Ziz Valley - Erfoud - Merzouga

1. 1h
   After breakfast we continue our drive and enjoy panoramic views crossing the Tizi N' Talghoumt pass.
2. Erfoud
   2h
   Enjoy a fantastic view of the valley of the River Ziz lined with thousands of date palms. Here, we'll meet your local guide for a walking tour around the biggest Date Palm Oasis in the valley of Ziz.
3. Khamlia
   1h
   We'll continue with a visit to the village of Khamlia. Here, you'll enjoy the inhabitants' music and dance, and have the opportunity to try their instruments and learn to play some desert music of your own!
4. Erg Chebbi Dunes
   2h
   Afterwards, take a 4x4 down a gravel road to the Lake of Merzouga (also named Lake Tamezguida), which appears seasonally from November to May during the rainy season in Middle Atlas. This is the best spot to see desert birds, and sometimes even flamingos!
   
   After Exploring the area of Merzouga Desert it is time for the camel ride! Meet your camel driver and head to the desert on top of your friendly camel. After arriving at the Sahara Desert Camp, you can climb the high dunes and enjoy the incredible views while the sun sinks below the horizon.
5. Erg Chebbi
   12h
   Settle in your private tent and drink some mint tea before the traditional dinner is served. You can spend the night watching for shooting stars or dance around the camp fire to the beat of the desert drums.

Day 7: Merzouga - Rissani - Erfoud - Todra Gorges - Dades Gorges

1. Erg Chebbi
   1h
   Wake up by the first strays of light to watch the sunrise over the Sahara before you enjoy your typical breakfast. We return on the camel's back or 4x4 to the desert lodge.
2. Rissani
   1h
   In Rissani we will have the opportunity to visit the local market with the «donkey parking» and have a look at some fossils outside the city.
3. Todra Gorge
   30m
   After lunch break, we will follow the road along the river to reach the gorges of Todra, where you can take a short but spectacular hike between the up to 300 m high rock walls.
4. Dades Gorges
   12h
   Before arriving at our Riad for the night in the Dades valley, we head to Boumalne Dades where you can make some nice pictures of the special rock formations which look like monkey hands.

Day 8: Dades Gorges - Saghro Mountains - Nkob - Draa Valley - Zagora

1. 1h
   Today, you will leave the Dades valley and take a secluded way through the Saghro-Mountains, a region secluded from the "big tourism". You can explore beautiful landscapes and maybe even visit a Nomad family to have some tea and see how they live with their kettle.
2. Nkob
   1h
   Have lunch in Nkob, overlooking the impressive Draa Valley with its huge palm groves.
3. Zagora
   12h
   After, we’ll continue our way through the Draa valley in direction of the "desert capitol" Zagora, where we'll spend the night.

Day 9: Zagora - Tamegroute - Agdz - Anti Atlas - Ouarzazate

1. 2h
   We’ll have enough time to visit Zagora and its surroundings like the Jewish quarter in Amzerou and have a look at the huge palm groves.
2. 1h
   Along the way, we stop at a Saadian town of the 16th century which is called Tamegroute. There, we are able to visit an old coran library and a subterranean Kasbah together with a local guide.
   Tamegroute is also famous for its pottery shops.
3. Agdz
   1h
   We'll continue with the drive to the village Agdz, which means “resting place” and which is located on the old caravan route from Marrakech to Timbuktu. Check out the beautiful view over the date palm groves to the characteristic mountain Jbel Kissane.
4. Anti-Atlas Mountains
   30m
   In the afternoon, we'll pass over the vast but impressive Anti Atlas Mountains to your Riad in Ouarzazate, where we'll stay overnight.

Day 10: Ouarzazate - Oasis Fint - Ait ben Haddou - Telouet - High Atlas - Marrakech

1. Ouarzazate
   1h
   Today we will see a lot of different landscapes on our way back to Marrakech. Admire the views of the Valley of a thousand Kasbahs and the famous movie city in Morocco and the berber Village along the road.
   
   The old town of Ouarzazate is named Taourirt. You'll have some time there to explore the narrow pedestrian streets on your own and visit the palace with its countless rooms which seem like a labyrinth.
2. Atlas Film Studio
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Continue to the Atlas Corporation film studios, where you can discover the diverse sets and listen to the anecdotes of the multiple movies and actors. Several famous movies like Gladiator, Babel, Prince of Persia, and recently The Physician have been shot in those studios. Guided tour of the movie studios in a group - about 60 min duration
3. Ksar Of Ait-Ben-Haddou
   1h · Admission ticket included
   A little outside of Ouarzazate lies Aït Ben Haddou, the fortified clay city with its numerous ksars and kasbahs, where several famous movies such as Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven and Prince of Persia have been shot. This photogenic city is also listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore it together with a local guide.
4. Telouet Kasbah
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Continue through the breathtaking landscape to Telouet. This fortress was occupied by Thami el Glaoui before he was expelled by independence efforts. One section has unfortunately disintegrated into red sand, but you can still visit the beautiful rooms with mosaic tiles and wood carvings.
5. Marrakech
   4m
   After the visit of Telouet, we pass the High Atlas mountains over the Tizi n’Tichka pass with scenic views along the road and many opportunities to take photos. End of your tour with drop off at your accommodation in Marrakech or at the meeting point.

Pickup details

Please wait in the reception area of your accommodation in Marrakech.
Pick up at Marrakech Airport (arrivals) also possible.
Pick ups at AirBnB's/private residences not possible - in this case, your meeting point will be in front of the Cafe de France at Jemaa el Fna-square. Please send us a What's app message after booking to arrange pick up.

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels