Tangier, Imperial Cities & Desert

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Tours

Starts From:

TANGIER

Tour Duration:

13 Days

From:

€6,500

Per Person

Tangier, Imperial Cities & Desert

Discover the Rich Tapestry of Imperial Morocco: From Cities to Deserts

Explore the imperial cities, the Atlas Mountains and the Berber villages, the desert landscapes, the medieval cities of Fez and Marrakech, sleep in a desert camp and ride a camel, visit the Kasbahs and mosques. A fascinating mix of culture and history, this guided cultural tour from Tangier covers most of the key cities of imperial Morocco, Meknes, Fez, Rabat and Marrakech, with additional time devoted to Tangier, Chefchaouen and Casablanca. As well as the Sahara desert in Merzouga with a camel ride and overnight camping in the desert, instead of colorful souks and craftsmen of Marrakech. The exceptional architecture of the Kasbahs in the south-east of Morocco, the delicious traditional cuisine, all these strengths will seduce you and fall in love with the country.

What's Great About this Tour

Visit the city of Tangier including: Cap Spartel and the Caves of Hercules

Visit the Roman ruins in Volubilis

Explore the blue city of Chefchaouen - the Pearl of the North

Discover the beautiful gates of Meknes and the royal stables

Day 1 - Tangier 

Tangier » » Chefchaouen

112 km - 1 hour 20 mins

Upon your arrival at the airport or port in Tangier, our team will welcome you and we’ll depart for Chefchaouen. Chefchaouen, known as the “Blue City,” is one of the most picturesque cities in Morocco. Enjoy exploring its charming streets and vibrant squares. Dinner and overnight stay at a Riad in Chefchaouen.

Day 2 - Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen » » Fez

197 km - 4 hours

After breakfast, you’ll have free time to further explore Chefchaouen and capture some last photos of this beautiful city. We’ll then depart for Meknes, crossing the Rif Mountains and enjoying the scenic landscapes along the way. Our first stop will be Volubilis, the ancient Roman ruins dating back to the 3rd century BC. Explore the archaeological site before continuing to Meknes, the fourth imperial city of Morocco. Visit the magnificent Bab El Mandour and Bab Lakhmiss gates, the royal stables of Hri Souani, and the mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. After the visit, we’ll drive to Fez, the oldest imperial city in Morocco. Check-in at the hotel in Fez for overnight stay.

Day 3 - Fez

Fez

City Tour

Enjoy a free day in Fez, the spiritual and cultural capital of Morocco. Fez is a city that offers a wealth of experiences, from its ancient medina to its historical monuments. Explore the narrow streets of the medina, visit the Saadian tombs, the Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia Mosque, and the madrasa Ben Youssef. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the famous mosaic factory and Zellij, which is characteristic of Fez’s craftsmanship. Overnight stay in Fez.

Day 4 - Fez

Fez  » Azrou » » Merzouga

463 km - 8 hours

After breakfast, we’ll embark on a scenic drive through the Middle and High Atlas Mountains, passing through picturesque landscapes, rivers, and palm groves. Along the way, we’ll stop at Ifrane, known as the “Switzerland of Morocco,” and the cedar forests of Azrou, home to a colony of Barbary monkeys. We’ll continue to Midelt, where we’ll have a lunch break. The journey then takes us through the Ziz Gorge and the Ziz Valley’s palm groves, gradually transitioning to desert landscapes. We’ll arrive in Merzouga in the late afternoon, where you’ll enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in a hotel at the foot of the dunes.

Day 5 - Merzouga Desert

Merzouga Desert

Desert Tour

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll embark on an off-road adventure along the tracks used in the Paris-Dakar Rally. We’ll visit the Merzouga oasis and the Tissadmine oasis, explore nomadic lands, and learn about the local customs and traditions. We’ll make a stop in the village of Khamlia, inhabited by a black population from Mali, where you can enjoy a tea accompanied by a percussion of castanet drums. Return to the hotel for lunch and free time before the camel ride through the desert. Experience the breathtaking sunset over the sand dunes and enjoy dinner and accommodation in a nomadic tent in the desert camp.

Day 6 - Merzouga

Merzouga » » Dades Valley

254 km - 4 hours

After breakfast, we’ll take a panoramic route around Erg Chebbi, the expanse of sand dunes where the highest dune in Morocco, reaching over 250 meters, is located. We’ll visit the oasis of Tissardmin and continue to a nomad camp, where we’ll learn about the life and customs of the nomadic people. We’ll make a stop at a panoramic point to admire Erg Chebbi as a whole. Our next stop is Khamlia, the original city of Mali, where you can relax with a tea and enjoy a small concert of Gnawa music. Return to the lodge for lunch and a camel ride to the foot of the Great Dune to witness the mesmerizing sunset. Overnight stay in a haima (traditional nomadic tent) in the heart of the desert under the spectacular blanket of stars.

Day 7 - Dades Valley

Dades Valley » » Ouarzazate

124 km - 2 hours

After breakfast, we’ll depart for Ouarzazate, known as the “Gateway to the Sahara.” On the way, we’ll pass through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs and the Valley of Roses, reaching the palm grove of Skoura, famous for its many kasbahs surrounded by palm trees. We’ll visit the Kasbah Taourirt, a historic earthen fortress in the village of the same name. Continuing our journey, we’ll arrive in Ouarzazate, where we’ll have a lunch break and visit the famous Ksar Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved fortified villages in Morocco. In the late afternoon, we’ll reach Marrakech. Check-in at a hotel or Riad for overnight stay.

Day 8 - Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate » » Marrakech

192 km - 5 hours

Breakfast and departure towards Marrakech. Along the way, we will visit the famous Ksar Ait Ben Haddou, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is undoubtedly the best-preserved fortified village in southern Morocco. We will arrive in Marrakech late afternoon. Accommodation at Riad. Dinner at your leisure.

Day 9 - Marrakech

Marrakech

City Tour

This day is dedicated to the visit of Marrakech. We will start by visiting the Saadian Tombs, where the founders of the Saadi dynasty are buried. Next, we will explore the Bahia Palace, which was the home of the former vizier. We will also visit the Koutoubia Mosque, built in the 12th century by the Almohad dynasty, with its splendid minaret. Our tour will continue to the Madrasa Ben Youssef, and we will finish the day at the bustling Djemaa el Fna square, which transforms into a lively souk in the morning and hosts a magical show in the evening. In the afternoon, we will leave the old medina to visit the magnificent Majorelle Gardens. Overnight stay at the hotel or Riad.

Day 10 - Marrakech

Marrakech » » Casablanca » Rabat

323 km - 4 hours 30 min

After breakfast, we will depart from Marrakech to Casablanca, the largest city and economic capital of Morocco. Upon arrival, we will visit the Hassan II Mosque, which was once the largest mosque in the world and attracts tourists from all over Morocco. After the mosque visit, we will drive along the Ain Diab Corniche and enjoy a seafood lunch at a restaurant overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Following lunch, we will continue our journey to Rabat, the political capital of Morocco and the third imperial city. In Rabat, we will visit the Kasbah Chellah (the royal tombs of the Merinid dynasty), the Hassan Tower, and the Mohammed V Mausoleum. Overnight stay at the hotel or Riad in Rabat.

Day 11 - Rabat

Rabat » » Tangier

325 km - 5 hours

After breakfast, we will continue exploring the city of Rabat. We will visit the Royal Palace and the Kasbah Oudayas. The Kasbah Oudayas was built in the 12th century by the Almoravids and later became a military camp and ribat overlooking the mouth of the Bouregreg River. We will have lunch in Rabat before departing for Assilah. The city of Assilah has a rich history, dating back to 1500 BCE when it was occupied by the Phoenicians. We will explore the city, known for its Idrisid dynasty influences and Portuguese fortifications. Afterwards, we will proceed to Tangier. Overnight stay at the hotel or guest house.

Day 12 - Tangier

Tangier

City Tour

During this guided tour of Tangier, you will discover the true essence of the city. We will start by walking along the Corniche, the central beach area, and then proceed to the eastern part of the city. From there, you can capture photographs of the harbor and, on a clear day, even catch a glimpse of the Spanish coast. We will then visit the legendary Caves of Hercules, which are said to have housed the famous hero. After exploring the caves, we will stroll through the Kasbah, a 15th-century fortress with a rich history and a vibrant meeting point for the city’s inhabitants. The Archaeological Museum in the Kasbah offers a contrasting experience with its exhibits.

Day 13 - Tangier

Tangier

Drop-off

After breakfast and according to your return flight schedule, we will provide transfer assistance to the airport for your departure. This marks the end of our tour.