Morocco · UNESCO Heritage Sites

15-Day Morocco Imperial Cities Tour with Sahara and Marrakesh

15 Days Round trip from Casablanca Easy pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Wander the sky-blue streets of romantic Chefchaouen
02 Tour and taste local wines while learning the history of Moroccan winemaking
03 Fly across the landscapes of Marrakesh via a hot air balloon
04 Ride camels through the shifting dunes of the Sahara

Beginning and ending in Casablanca, this 15-day tour takes you through Morocco's most storied and spectacular cities, from Rabat and the blue streets of Chefchaouen to the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis and the imperial grandeur of Fes. Continue through the Middle Atlas and Sahara to Merzouga and Ouarzazate, then wind down in Marrakesh with a medina tour, a traditional hammam, and a hot air balloon ride over the desert. Along the way, enjoy distinctive cultural experiences including Moroccan breadmaking, a Fes medina food tour, a winery visit in the Guerrouane region, and a camel ride through the shifting dunes of Erg Chebbi.

Take in the endless views as you ride a camel across the desert right before sunset.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 15 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Casablanca, El Jadida, Fez, Marrakech, Meknes, Midelt, Rabat, Ouarzazate, Toubkal, Chefchaouen, Merzouga, Tizi n'Tichka, Ziz Valley, Erg Chebbi, Azrou, Dadès Gorges, Moulay Idriss, Volubilis

Languages English, French, German, Italian

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrive in Casablanca, Hassan II Mosque Tour

Greetings from Morocco! Your driver will pick you up at the Casablanca airport and drive you 45 minutes to your lodging. Visit the enormous Hassan II Mosque, one of Casablanca's most well-known attractions, after you've checked in and had some time to gather your thoughts. The largest mosque in Morocco has a prayer room that can hold up to 25,000 people and is home to a museum, a Koranic school, a library, and other amenities. The only mosque in Morocco whose interior is accessible to non-Muslims, it not only displays some of the best examples of Moroccan architecture.
You'll have time later to explore Casablanca at your own pace. The city's medina is where you can go shopping and eat, or you can go to Mohamed V Square, a spacious plaza with French Colonial architecture, palm trees, and tranquil gardens to stroll through. Arab League Park is close by if you'd like to go for a longer stroll. There are many green areas and walking paths throughout this 30-acre (12 ha) park. Before you continue your adventures tomorrow, unwind at your hotel this evening.

Day 02

Transfer to Rabat, Hassan Tower, Salé & the Oudaya

You keep travelling until you reach Rabat. Early in the morning, your driver will pick you up and drive you the 53 miles (86 km) into the city. Morocco's royal family resides in Rabat, the country's capital. The Hassan Tower monument, one of the most magnificent constructions of the Almohad Dynasty, will be your first stop after arriving. The tower, which is close to the current Mausoleum of Mohamed V, is the minaret of an incomplete 12th-century mosque. The 145-foot (44-m) red sandstone tower and about 200 columns are all that is left of the former mosque.
You will travel to the nearby city of Salé this afternoon for a tour of the historic madrassa of Abu al-Hasan, a school that was constructed in the 14th century by Sultan Abu al-Hasan. You can stroll through the student rooms and hallways to see stunning examples of Moroccan architecture. The third-largest mosque in Morocco, the Great Mosque of Salé, is right next door to the madrassa.
You should also spend some time exploring Rabat's blue-painted Oudaya Kasbah, which is perched above the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the city's dividing Bab Antare and Bab Mellah walls and regions. From the ramparts, you can enjoy a beautiful sunset. Take advantage of the vibrant culinary scene by dining on traditional Moroccan cuisine or visiting the Embassy Quarter for French or Italian cuisine for dinner.

Day 03

Transfer to Chefchaouen, Explore the Blue City

It will take your driver about four hours to get you from Rabat to Chefchaouen. The flat plains and lush hills of this scenic drive eventually give way to the rough terrain of the Rif Mountains. You'll quickly understand why Chefchaouen is frequently referred to as the "Blue City" as it is a visual delight and is well-known for its romantic, old-world vibes. Doorknobs, windows, stairways, and archways all feature their signature colour, which ranges from soft pastels to deep azure.
This afternoon, you are free to stroll around the town at your own pace.
Visit the main square, Outa el-Hammam, which is the ideal place to observe daily life. To find the town's normal life, take the narrow, winding alleys away from the tourist areas. This area is a great place to find handcrafted wool clothing, blankets, cedarwood furniture, and other Moroccan artisanal goods. Order a maqlouba (coffee served upside down) while you observe the neighbourhood women fetching water and doing laundry at the nearby spring. Rest and unwind tonight at your hotel.

Day 04

Transfer to Fes via Volubilis, Moulay Idriss & Meknes

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Chefchaouen; if you feel motivated to rise early, visit the Spanish mosque, which is perched on the town's ridge and will reward you with a spectacular sunrise. Alternately, take it easy with a leisurely breakfast before exploring the medina. Later, after making a few stops, your driver will take you to the imperial city of Fes.
Your first stop should be Volubilis, which is home to the best-preserved Roman ruins in all of Morocco and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander the vast complex and discover the many well-preserved mosaics, temples, and large merchant homes with apparent heating systems. The next stop is Moulay Idriss, which appears to be a sitting camel from a distance. The city of Moulay Idriss served as Morocco's first Islamic capital and has continued to hold cultural significance. Check out this one-of-a-kind round minaret, which is unique to Morocco.
Meknes is your last stop before you arrive in Fes. You can see gardens, palaces, the imposing Bab al-Mansour gate, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and the Royal Stables as your driver guides you through the Ville Impériale (New City) neighbourhood. Be on the lookout for Roman columns concealed in unexpected places because many of these palaces were built using materials taken from Volubilis. One of Morocco's four imperial cities and the destination of your royal road trip is Fes.
You can spend a little time exploring the city on your own before having dinner at a nearby restaurant after checking into your opulent riad (a traditional townhouse built around an inner courtyard) in the old medina.

Day 05

Explore the Imperial City of Fes

Take a tour of the Fes Medina to kick off your day. There are numerous arms-width alleyways and donkey-width roads throughout this UNESCO-protected site. Discover some of the hidden tales and explore the medina's hidden nooks, which will take you to some local-only locations and show you the splendour of Fes' madrasas and palaces.
The Blue Gate (Bab Boujloud), a three-arched Moorish gate that serves as the main entrance to the old town, is where you'll start your journey before entering the bustling souks. You can find unique handmade items like colourful rugs, jewellery, leather goods, and of course, enormous towers of spices here.
The oldest and most established Moroccan imperial city is Fes, which offers a diverse array of fascinating attractions. You can meet artisans to learn about the significance of their trades and their history in the city, which is home to artists and other craftspeople. Visit Chouara Tannery to see their selection of leather dyes and discover their ages-old methods.
You can also visit the 14th-century madrassas of Bou Inania and Al Attarine, which feature stunning Marinid and Moroccan architecture.
Visit the Royal Palace and the Jewish neighbourhood of Mellah, as well as the Borj Nord Museum, which houses a collection of armour and weapons.

Day 06

Guerrouane Region Winery Tour

Today, leave the city and head to the distinctive Guerrouane agricultural region of Morocco, which is located just outside of Fes. With a winery tour and private tasting, you can spend the day learning about the region's crops, history, traditions, and flavours. Since the Roman era, Moroccans have grown and refined wine grapes for mass production. Jewish communities in the area are said to have started the winemaking tradition, which was later developed by French settlers. Red blends, rosés, vin gris, and the regional brandy Mahia are the main focus of vintners (water of life).
Morocco's agricultural heartland is Guerrouane, where favourable weather conditions—good soil, rain, and sun—produce excellent conditions for orchard fruits like apricots, plums, and oranges as well as the prized grapes of the area. Coteaux de l'Atlas 1er Cru, Morocco's sole AOC wine, is produced in this undiscovered gem.
You'll have an entertaining and educational vineyard tour followed by an afternoon tasting that includes flights of different local wines.
After that, you'll spend the night in Fes. You can unwind while enjoying your favourite bottle of the day's wine discovery in the courtyard of your riad.

Day 07

Baking Class & Fes Medina Food Tour

By taking a breadmaking class and guided food tour, you can delve deeply into Fes' culinary tradition. Visit a neighbourhood baker first thing in the morning to learn how to make five different types of traditional bread. Anyone who wants to be able to recreate the delicious breakfast bread served in Morocco when they get home to their own kitchen will love this activity! You will prepare the dough, it will be baked in one of the community bread ovens, and you can eat some warm, crusty bread to reward yourself for your hard work.
You'll go on a guided tour of all the best restaurants in the Fes medina later tonight. You can try foods from different vendors, such as dates, cheeses, olives, and mint tea. Your tour guide will impart knowledge on the origins of some regional specialities and the role that food plays in Moroccan culture. The tour ends with a traditional Moroccan meal at a nearby restaurant.

Day 08

Transfer to Merzouga: Middle Atlas Mountains & Sahara

After breakfast, you set out on your road trip through the Sahara's dunes. The journey passes through the town of Azrou, which is home to the magnificent Cèdre Gouraud Forest, and the Middle Atlas mountains. Watch for groups of Barbary macaque monkeys relaxing close to the road in old cedar trees.
Take a break for lunch in Midelt, which is referred to as the "Apple City" of Morocco due to its abundant orchards, and proceed through the Ziz Valley, a crucial section of the historic Saharan Trade Route. You can see the ksars in the neighbourhood, which were fortified homes built by traders to guard the gold, salt, and spices that travelled through this area, through the window. The valley is crossed, and the scene changes to Saharan dunes. Due to their constant movement, these wind-blown sand formations frequently encroach upon roads and structures.
You'll soon be able to see Erg Chebbi's enormous sand dunes. With some dunes rising over 650 feet, this enormous sand sea is 13 square miles (35 square kilometres) in size (200 m). You will journey across the Sahara from the outpost of Merzouga to a luxurious camp tucked away at the base of the Erg Chebbi sand dunes for an unforgettable experience. In your luxurious glamping tent, where you'll be treated like royalty, unwind completely.
Take in the endless views as you ride a camel across the desert right before sunset. You'll be serenaded by live music while eating dinner prepared by local Berber tribesmen tonight.

Day 09

Transfer to Ouarzazate, Fossil Workshops

Retrace your steps across the desert to Merzouga, where your driver will meet you and drive you to Ouarzazate, your next stop. You travel through desolate, remote areas that border the Sahara on your journey. Desert plains, tall mountains, and plateaus can all be seen in the views, which are vast and extensive. You'll see forests of umbrella-shaped acacias, trees that have evolved specifically to survive in this harsh environment, as you travel along the road.
Visit the town of Alnif, which is a must-see destination for fossil hunters from all over the world due to its abundance of historic trilobite fossils. Visit the museum to learn about fossils and participate in a workshop to learn how to prepare a trilobite. To work on your own trilobite, you might even want to go fossil hunting first!
Later, proceed to the Dadès Gorge and valley before concluding your day in Ouarzazate, a city known for its contribution to the Moroccan film industry. Visit a nearby film studio or the Musée du Cinema. Learn about the regionally produced movies and television programs, including "Black Hawk Down" and "Game of Thrones." However, Ouarzazate is more than just a filming location, so be sure to take into account a guided tour at At Benhaddou, the most well-known kasbah in Morocco, as well as a trip to the Mellah (Jewish quarter).

Day 10

Transfer to Marrakesh

Today, you'll drive through Tizi n'Tichka pass, along dry desert slopes, and over the mountains separating Ouarzazate from Marrakesh. See the expansive views of the mountain range and the plains of Marrakesh below near the top of the pass. Watch out for Mount Toubkal, the tallest mountain in North Africa, to your west.
You'll notice a significant change in the weather and scenery as you make your way down the High Atlas slopes, one that features deep valleys and an abundance of almond and walnut orchards before bringing you into the bustle of energetic Marrakesh.
After checking in at your hotel, you can take the afternoon more slowly before visiting Jemaa el-Fna, Marrakesh's central square, in the early evening. You can browse the many food stalls or unwind at one of the many nearby cafés as the square comes to life with musicians, performers, snake charmers, and exciting games.

Day 11

Marrakesh Medina & City Tour

Meet your private tour guide, who will lead you through Marrakesh's old city. You will encounter bustling souks and confusing alleys as you explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Displays of djellabas, colourful babouches, intricately pierced lanterns, conical mounds of exotic spices, and the intense commotion of medina life are sure to mesmerize you. Your tour guide will enlighten you along the way about the past and legends of the Red City's medina, souk, and Mellah neighbourhoods.
The afternoon portion of your tour includes more stops at the Saadian Tombs and the palaces of Bahia and El Badii. Jacques Majorelle, a French painter, also created the Majorelle Gardens, which renowned fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent later called home. Within the confines of this urban oasis, stroll through tranquil water gardens, visit Morocco's only museum devoted exclusively to Berber art and culture, and peruse Yves Saint Laurent's gallery.
Return to Jemaa el-Fna Square this evening for dinner and live entertainment.

Day 12

Sunrise Yoga & Afternoon Hammam

Spend today relaxing and taking care of yourself. Start your day with a private yoga session at sunrise, led by a local yogi who will adapt the poses to your level of experience. After that, you can enjoy breakfast at your hotel and possibly spend some time lounging by the pool before spending the afternoon in the opulence of a real Moroccan hammam.
Learn about the hammam's customs, which were derived from ancient Roman bath rituals, and unwind with one of Marrakesh's most popular spa treatments. An initial steam session is followed by a soak and a traditional eucalyptus scrub in a hammam. With locally sourced products like argan oil, you can customize your services to include massages, baths, or selections from a wide range of treatment menus.
After that, return to your riad to spend the rest of the day in comfort, or if you're feeling adventurous, venture into the city for a sumptuous dinner at one of Marrakesh's world-class restaurants.

Day 13

Hot Air Balloon Experience

Enjoy a thrilling hot air balloon ride to take in the breathtaking views of the Marrakesh desert. The early wake-up call is worthwhile because you'll get to see the desert's sunrise while it's still dark outside and the air is still fresh. With a stunning mountain backdrop, your balloon will carry you over dry hills, quaint villages, and patches of greenery.
You'll eat breakfast and a Moroccan pastry in your balloon after sunrise while still in the air. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience Marrakech from a unique perspective.
You are free to continue your independent exploration of the city this afternoon. Return to the markets for more shopping, or, for a more sedate option, visit Le Jardin Secret, a collection of palaces and gardens tucked away right in the middle of the medina. The complex has two gardens—the Islamic Garden and the Exotic Garden—that are connected by a winding path. The variety of plants here, including those from South Africa, Madagascar, and Latin America, will make you feel as though you've been transported to the Garden of Eden. Before returning to the bustling medina, relax in these tranquil surroundings.

Day 14

Transfer to Casablanca via Ancient Portuguese Cities

Returning to Casablanca via the coast, two former Portuguese fortified cities are stopped along the way. You will tour the eerily lovely Portuguese cistern at El Jadida, which is your first stop.
Then, you'll travel to Azemour, a Moroccan city that has long served as a source of inspiration for artists, some of whom have chosen to make this their home. Despite its proximity to Casablanca's modern art market, life here is still traditional. There is no shortage of artistic inspiration in the decaying 16th-century medina wedged between the Oud Er-Rbia (Mother of Spring River) and the sea.
Your driver can take you to a local fish market for lunch where you can eat some of the freshest grilled and fried seafood available. Here, it's customary to purchase your own fish from the market and have it cooked by the grill masters for a small fee. Many of these food stands also allow you to order fish directly.
Make the most of your final night in Morocco by touring some of the hippest neighbourhoods in Casablanca after you arrive and check into your hotel. Start in Maarif, the location of the eponymous market with a French influence, and Ain Diab, a prestigious beachfront neighbourhood with the Morocco Mall and miles of walking trails. When the entire city congregates on the promenade just before sunset, the waterfront, or Corniche, is a great place to people-watch. Enjoy your final Moroccan meal at a nearby eatery or café.

Day 15

Depart Casablanca

It's time to bid Morocco, the magical country, adieu. You will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the Casablanca airport by your personal driver. Have a pleasant and safe flight back home or to your next location.