Departure Tour From Casablanca ...
7 Days Imperial Cities Tour To Rabat, Meknes, Fez And Marrakech From Casablanca
7 Days imperial cities tour to rabat, meknes, fez and marrakech from casablanca
Introduction
Tour of 7 days to imperial cities from Casablanca in which you can discover the so-called Imperial Cities of Morocco. If you are one of those who enjoy monuments and architectural details, this tour is made for you. Discover all the corners and secrets of these monumental cities. You will visit Rabat, Fez, Marrakech and Meknes as well as the city of Casablanca where you can visit the Mosque of Hassan II, famous for being one of the highest temples in the world. You will also visit the ancient Roman city of Volubilis, famous for being one of the best preserved Roman ruins in North Africa. Enjoy this tour loaded with history, culture and traditions, ...
At the meantime, you'll benefit from the expertise of our local Trip Leader who will share valuable knowledge and deep insight of the Moroccans’ lives. Moreover, you will get the chance to step on the hills of the mighty Sahara that has so decisively shaped Moroccan culture to its roots. You will also camp under its starry skies in tented camp, and even explore its tides by camel tours.
Highlights
- Explore the 4 imperial cities of morocco : Rabat, Meknes, Fes and Marrakech
- Discover the culture and traditions of morocco
- Explore the old medina and its colorful markets
- Discover the beautiful world heritage Kasbahs architecture
- Voulibilis and its Roman ruins, an important cultural heritage in the imperial cities
- Oasis and the immensity of the desert in the southern area where its kasbahs stand out
- Explore the red city and its colorful souks.
Itinerary of the tour
Day 1 : Casablanca Arrival, transfer to Rabat
Meet your guide at Casablanca Airport then drive to Rabat, a political capital of Morocco. Meals: D
Day 2 : Rabat - Meknes - Volubilis - Fes ( Home hosted dinner).
After breakfast, you meet your local guide and start the tour of Rabat, Morocco’s political capital; you will learn Rabat’s history and enjoy its beautiful domes, minarets, wide avenues and green spaces. Your guide will escort you on a walk around the picturesque Almohad northern walls of the Oudaïa Kasbah. The kasbah was built by Moulay Ismaïl from 1672-1727 to protect the city and is enclosed by ramparts dating from the Almohad period. Visit Bab Oudaïa, a monumental gate and example of Almohad. You will visit Hassan Tower in Rabat, Then, drive to Meknes, once the heart of the Moroccan Sultanate, lying amidst the landscapes of the Oued Boufekrane river valley. The Sultan loved Meknes, and he would have liked never to leave it once wrote a chronicler to the tyrannical Sultan Moulay Ismail. Ismail (1672- 1727) was a tireless builder, and his greatest efforts were reserved for his capital at Meknes, which at its peak, with over 20 grand gateways and 50 palaces, must have been a sight to inspire any who looked upon it. From here you head next for the nearby ancient site of Volubilis - the capital of the Roman province of Mauritania Tingitana. The detailed mosaics here are still intact and the site gives a good idea of the layout of provincial settlements. The afternoon then sees you taking the road northeast, travelling via Nzala des Beni Ammar to the country's cultural capital, Fes. Probably the oldest of the imperial cities. Tonight, you will be invited by a local family for a home hosted meal. You will enjoy the specialty of Fes. Meals: B, D
Day 3: Fez city tour / Meeting locals
Take a guided tour of Fes. Will drive first to see the main entrance of a huge Royal palace, then take a short walk through the Jews quarter known as Mellah to admire its beautiful architecture. After that you drive to enjoy one of the most panoramic view overlooking the 9th century Medina of Fes. You might visit a ceramic factory where you can learn traditional handmade pottery being made. Afterwards, you take a walking tour inside the Medina which is alive with craftsmen, Markets, Tanneries and Mosques. Look out for the Medersa Bou Inania, one of the city's most beautiful buildings, which has recently been restored and is now open to tourists. Visiting the communal oven-baking bread as a community. After looking around, we return back to the hotel and relaxing a bit. Meals: B
Day 4: Fez - Midelt –/visit a nomad family-Erfoud- Merzouga
Today you drive across the range of Middle Atlas Mountains before you stop for café and facilities in the beautiful town of Ifrane. After that, drive through the beautiful plateau of Middel Atlas where the berbers graze their animals. On the way you might stop to enjoy a fresh mint tea with the berber semi-nomadic family. You will interact with the family and learn from them. After that, you continue your journey through tizi N’talghmt camel pass and continuing via the gorge of ziz to Errachidia. Afterwards, drive south to get to one of the biggest palm groves in Morocco known as Tafilalt oasis. stop to enjoy a great view over this beautiful oasis. You will finally descend into Erfoud, a small trading village that is the gateway to the vast Sahara Desert and then Merzouga where you will ride camel for a new adventure to reach the desert camp in the dunes of Erg chebbi, you will stop for a sunset over the Merzouga dunes. Then continue to the camp where the tents are located. You will have dinner at the camp and enjoy a music played by our camp team. Meals: B, D
Day 5: Merzouga Area / Explorative journey: Visit the nomads and Gnaoua village, Overland to Skoura.
Wake up early in the morning to enjoy a sunrise before breakfast. As the sun rises the color of the dunes changes and creates a great picture opportunity. Enjoy the breakfast outside the campsite. Then, set off in 4x4 vehicles to visit a local nomad family who lives in this part of Morocco. You will interact with the family members and learn the desert life from them too. After that, you'll head to Khamlia, a remote desert village. This region is known for the ritual songs of its Gnawa musicians, and you'll get the chance to hear their melodic chants during a live performance. we drive to Erfoud. Enjoy the countryside, visit some remote villages on your way to Ouarzazate, discover how the berbers live in the Atlas Mountains by visiting one local family, explore the beautiful gorges of Todra and Dades. Todra gorge rise vertically to leave just a narrow pass through which our cars and the river struggle for right of way. In the morning Berber women drive their goats through the barrow gorge to the better grazing land higher up and we have an opportunity to follow their daily ritual and admire the stunning views. After lunch, you set off on the fabled ‘Road of 1,000 Kasbahs’. You enjoy the Mgoun valley known as the rose’s valley before you get to Skoura. Meals: B, D
Day 6 : Skoura - Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech/food tasting trail.
After breakfast, you continue your journey to Ait Benhaddou. Perched on a hilltop and almost unchanged since the 11th century. Ait Benhaddou is one of Morocco's most iconic sites. Its grant kasbah is one of the most beautiful in Morocco and the fortified village is a fine example of clay architecture. Take a walk to the top hill of this beautiful village from where you can enjoy the scenery. This village has been classified by the UNISCO as the world heritage site. In addition, many films have been filmed there including: Lawrence of Arabia, Game of Thrones and Gladiator. After lunch, you will drive through the winding roads of the Atlas, bound for Marrakech, an ancient, exotic city wrapped in European modernity. There’s no rush as the scenery through the High Atlas Mountain passes is magnificent, and there will surely be calls for several photo stops along the way. On arrival in Marrakech you will check in to your hotel. This evening, you head for a food testing. You will test some Moroccan donuts with some tea, some nuts, olives, roasted lamp, you end your testing food at the main and great square of Jemaa el Fna one of the largest public spaces in the world and unique to Marrakech. Meals: B, D
Day 7: Marrakech Sightseeing/ End of the trip.
After breakfast you start your tour with the local guide by visiting the old Medina in which there are many interesting historical sites to visit. Koutoubia mosque 12th century that represents the glory and depth history of the city. You will discover the royal necropolis of the Saadians 17th century, the beautiful Bahia palace 19th century and the famous souks of Marrakech. You will be amazed of how many different stalls, colors, smells and goods in the souks. It is nice to have a cup of mint-tea in one of the terraces in order to end up your journey in the red city, offering a great view over the magical square Jama Elfana that you always will remember!!! Meals: B, L.
Good to Know
Included
- 6 nights' Accommodation in selected Hotels and Riads
- Professional English-speaking Guide/Driver
- Comfortable vehicle with A/C
- Bottled mineral water during the tour
- Entrance fees
- All taxes and road tolls
- Airport pick up and drop off
- Official art historian guides fees in : Rabat, Meknes, Fes and Marrakech
Not included
- Tips and gratuities
- Drinks
- Travel insurance