A journey that crosses Morocco from north to south, full of cultural visits and replete with natural landscapes of wild beauty. This is the tour from Tangier to the desert and the most important Imperial Cities, lasting 8 days. And all this, in private format , that is, without sharing a group with anyone else, as happens on group trips. Take note of everything included in this package, stage by stage.
‘Imperial City’ is a term used in Morocco to refer to the cities that have been capitals of the kingdom at some point in its history. And on this 8-day tour we visit all of them (except Rabat): Marrakech, Fez and Meknes. The first two are almost mandatory stops on most tours of the country, given their fame and monumental wealth. Meknes, on the other hand, is a pleasant surprise, very close to Fez. All of them, by the way, are declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
But also, on this tour we include other cities and small towns that, without being imperial, their beauty and uniqueness are not diminished. This is the case of Chaouen, Rissani, Ait Ben Haddou or Tetouan . These last two also have UNESCO recognition, and the other two are charming towns, each at a different end of the country, surrounded by an opposite environment: Chaouen, in the Rif mountains, and Rissani, in the middle of the desert. And if that weren’t enough for culture lovers, we also include a visit to Volubilis , a Roman site.
In all the destinations mentioned in the previous section, human beings have created masterpieces for their art and architecture. On the other hand, on this tour you will also discover other masterpieces, in this case the result of the forces of nature , where the footprint of man is barely visible. And all this awaits you to be admired, photographed and respected, because only in this way can you contribute to its conservation.
An example of this are the dunes of Erg Chebbi, whose golden sand undulations are shaped by the wind every day. Only the footprints of the dromedaries and the haima camp indicate that there are signs of life here. In the valleys located between the Atlas and the Sahara there are also virgin landscapes of enormous beauty, such as palm groves and rocky canyons, the latter formed by the erosion of small rivers. And in the mountainous environment, images of enormous beauty are also created, tinged with green or even the white of snow at certain times of the year: the peaks of the High Atlas , the Ifrane National Park in the Middle Atlas , the Mediterranean mountains of the Rif …
With Tangier as the starting point and Marrakech as the ending point , this tour has a program of 8 days and 7 nights, with a private vehicle that will allow us to optimize the times and make the necessary stops to admire the most outstanding of each section. This is a summary:
On this 8-day tour, you will set foot on Moroccan soil through its main northern city: Tangier, in the Strait of Gibraltar. Our driver will be ready to pick you up at your place of arrival, whether it is the airport or the port that serve the city.
Once on board, the route has its first stop shortly after, in Tetouan : known as White Dove for the color of the medina’s houses, arranged on top of a hill, the Ensanche is also of interest, an urban project from the times of the Spanish Protectorate (early 20th century), when this city was the capital of that political entity.
After the brief walk through Tetouan, we will return to our vehicle to change cities… and color: now, the green of the mountains of the Rif will give way to the blue of Chaouen. This is how most of the houses in the medina are painted in this beautiful place, which extends at the foot of two mountains (hence its name, in Arabic). Its nerve center is the Plaza de Uta-el Hammam, equipped with a kasbah. And near here, in the medina, will be located the riad where you will spend your first night.
The second day of this tour is one of the richest in terms of culture, history and monuments. After leaving Chaouen, we will travel by road to Fez, but on the way we will make two important stops.
The first, in Volubilis: it is the most important archaeological site in the country. It was a Roman city, capital of the province of Mauritania Tingitana, and also the first capital of the new Islamic kingdom, after the Arab conquest. Spectacular monuments are preserved, such as the Arch of Caracalla and the columns of the Temple of Jupiter, as well as Roman mosaics.
The second stop is Meknes, a small city that, nevertheless, has a large medina, full of history. It is very closely linked to Moulay Ismail, a powerful sultan who established his capital here at the end of the 17th century. For this reason, his mausoleum and the remains of his royal palace are located here, although the most symbolic monument is perhaps its Bab el Mansur gate.
Volubilis and Meknes are, therefore, the best possible appetizers for what is considered the ‘cultural capital’ of Morocco: Fez. During the afternoon we will arrive there, but for the moment we will leave you at the riad for check-in for tonight and the next. The (little) rest of the time of the day will be free, which can be used for a first walk through the medina.
The third day of this tour can be divided into two parts: morning and afternoon, with two different proposals for each moment. We will dedicate the morning to visiting the medina with an official guide , as it is the best way to discover its history and monuments, which are many.
Our ‘cicerone’ will be in charge of organizing the walking tour, choosing the most characteristic corners of the historic center depending on their location and availability (some buildings close once a week, for improvement work or are reserved for Muslims). Whether inside or outside, some key places are the mosques of the Andalusians and Karaouine , the madrasa of Bou Inania , the Idrisi mausoleum , the golden gates of the Royal Palace, the Jewish Mellah or the tanneries of Chouwara .
As you can see, there are many places and, for sure, there will not be time to see them in the morning. Therefore, the proposal for the afternoon is to visit what could not be seen in the morning, as the time is free. Another recommended option is to let yourself be conquered by the Fasi crafts , which are the most prestigious in the country: ceramic articles, leather products or cabinetmaking pieces are some of the many proposals to acquire in the souks of the center, before returning to the hotel to sleep in the riad.
The time comes, on the fourth day, to head south and change the city for the mountains and the desert, abandoning the hustle and bustle and embracing the sounds (and silences) of nature. A change that will be progressive, but unstoppable.
A few kilometers after leaving Fez, the road will begin its ascent through the Middle Atlas. At 1,700 meters of altitude we will pass through Ifrane , a small city known as the ‘Switzerland of Morocco’ for its buildings that look alpine, a sign that it snows here in winter, attracting tourists at that time of year.
Shortly after, in the Ifrane National Park, we will surely see monkeys. Specifically, Barbary macaques, one of the iconic animals of the country, which has its largest colony here. In any case, the balance is fragile, as it is an endangered species that has found refuge in this reserve full of cedars.
Later, the road begins its descent along the southern slope of the Middle Atlas, parallel to the Ziz river. Its valley will take us almost to the desert, although its water course is dying little by little, already converted into a wadi (dry river) in Erfoud. We will pass through this city fleetingly, but just enough to understand that its main hallmark is fossils and minerals.
In Merzouga , the road ends for us, but that does not mean that the route stops today: there is still a last section, perhaps the most spectacular, as it is done by dromedary through the dunes of Erg Chebbi. The final goal will be the haima camp, where they will wait for us with a welcome tea, a bonfire and a typical desert dinner. And to sleep, all the comfort that fits in a traditional Berber tent.
Without pollution and without constructions that obstruct the view, the sunrise acquires a special beauty here, which we encourage you to discover if you get up very early. It will be a magical and inspiring way to start the day, then have breakfast and return to Merzouga.
Showers and refreshed (in a contracted hotel or in the camp, depending on the contracted package), we will return to the asphalt. A few kilometers later, we will make a first stop in Rissani to briefly see its medina, well preserved. If we are lucky enough to have a market, we will also see scenes from another time, such as its donkey parking lot at the doors of the mobile market.
After that, it is time to increase the cruising speed and reach other more distant, but equally interesting places. Mainly, the Todra Gorges, a spectacular canyon through which its humble river flows. He, by erosion for millennia, is responsible for the unlikely appearance of its vertical and high walls, a paradise for climbers.
Back in the car, the Dades Valley will open before us: it forms one of the sections of the Route of the Thousand Kasbahs, so it will not be surprising to see Berber fortresses made of adobe from time to time, isolated or surrounded by their corresponding town, such as Tinghir. In one of these towns we will stop the route for today to have dinner and sleep in a charming riad.
On the sixth day we leave the Dades Valley, the Route of the Thousand Kasbahs and the ‘mythical south’ that opens beyond the High Atlas. But on this ‘retreat’ path, there will be much to see. For example, the Valley of the Roses , which takes its name from the numerous rose bushes planted here for their cosmetic and industrial use.
Another place marked on the map is Ouarzazate , specifically its kasbah of Taourirt , residence and fortress of Thami El Glaoui, who held the title of Lord of the Atlas and dominated this territory with the permission of the authorities of the French Protectorate.
But the kasbah of Taourirt will only be an appetizer of what comes next: the spectacular fortified town of Ait Ben Haddou. Wrapped by a crenellated wall, under the remains of a kasbah in ruins, there is a compact and charming farmhouse, where the people who served the desert caravans lived. Although most of the families have moved today to the new area, this town keeps alive the memory of yesteryear. In addition, they often choose it as a filming set for movies and series.
Ait Ben Haddou will be the last thing we see south of the Atlas on this tour. The next thing will be to ascend to the port of Tizi n’Tichka and, after the pertinent photos to immortalize the panoramic views of the mountains, continue downhill to Marrakech . We will take you to the riad to check-in and enjoy the last bars of the day, already freely, before the night rest in the rooms.
This tour ends in Marrakech, but it would be a shame to do it without the attention that the city deserves. Therefore, an official guide will do as in Fez: he will accompany you through the most characteristic corners of the medina, explaining its importance and history. And there is much to tell, as this city was the capital of the kingdom at various times between the 11th and 17th centuries.
The dynasties that most embellished the city were the Almoravids, the Almohads and the Saadis, with monuments such as mosques, mausoleums, madrasas and royal palaces. The ‘candidate’ places to be part of the walking tour are many, and our guide will decide them depending on the day, time and other details to assess.
Some of the places to consider are the Koutoubia Mosque, the Jemaa el-Fna square or the Bahia Palace, but there are many more if we add those that you can visit on your own, such as the Marrakech Museum, the Yves Saint-Laurent Museum or the Majorelle Garden. Without a doubt, you will have to choose what to see and what to discard, as it is also recommended to get carried away by the medina and buy some crafts… not without first haggling, as the canons command.
After an intense day with a guided tour and free walk, you will return to the riad in the medina to rest, for the seventh and last time on this tour.
Breakfast, check-out, and private transfer to the airport. These are the main moments of this eighth and final day of the tour. But if your flight leaves in the afternoon, the morning can be dedicated to a new walk through the medina or other interesting neighborhoods, such as Gueliz. For our part, we will be punctual at the agreed time to take you to Menara Airport and say goodbye at the terminal, emphasizing our gratitude for choosing us for such a special trip.
Transportation, accommodation, and meals are the cornerstones of our service. On this tour, what’s included in the travel package is everything you can check below:
On this tour, there are also services that are excluded, allowing travelers the freedom to decide in each case:
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