Imperial Cities of Morocco from Casablanca 9 Days, Private tour

The magic and mystique of Morocco come to life over nine fascinating days exploring the impressive imperial cities of North Africa’s last kingdom. Visit the awe-inspiring cities of Marrakech, Fez, Meknes, Rabat, Beni Mellal and Casablanca. Discover the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Volubilis and experience the rustic charms of the Atlas Mountains’ market towns. Accommodation is in choice hotels on a half-or full-board basis, with plenty of opportunities to savour the best in traditional Moroccan cuisine, including a spectacular dinner show in a historical palace in the Marrakech Medina.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Casablanca: Enjoy a tour of this cosmopolitan city and admire the magnificent Hassan II Mosque.

Rabat: Discover the capital’s many attractions, including the Royal Palace, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the Hassan Tower and the Oudayas Gardens.

Meknes: Behold the ancient city gates of Bab Mansour and Bab El-Khemis. 

Fez: See the magnificent Moulay Idriss Zaouia, enjoy lunch in the Medina, explore the historic Jewish quarter and take in the panoramic views from the Royal Palace and fortifications.

Marrakech: Admire the famous Koutoubia Mosque, the beautiful Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and wander through the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa market.

Day 1: ARRIVAL CASABLANCA

Once you have collected your luggage, you’ll find the driver/agent waiting for you in the Arrivals hall with your name on aboard. Please do not leave the pick-up area without having met the driver/agent first. Then transfer to your hotel, where you will check-in and have dinner.

Overnight in Casablanca

Day 2: CASABLANCA – RABAT (97km – 1.5hr)

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the economic capital of Morocco on a guided panoramic tour featuring the central market, the charming Habous district, the Royal Palace, Mohamed V square, the residential area of Anfa and the exterior of the majestic Hassan II mosque located by the sea and the Corniche, the coastal walkway of Casablanca. After lunch, scenic drives take us to Rabat, where we enjoy an afternoon at leisure. In the evening, dinner will be served. 

Overnight in Rabat.

Day 3: RABAT – CHEFCHAOUN (250km – 4hrs)

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel. The ‘Fortified Place’, the literal meaning of Rabat is the capital city of Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Bouregreg river. Its wide boulevards are filled with out of the ordinary historical monuments, some dating back as far as the 7th century. Here, enjoy a guided panoramic tour of the Royal Palace (Mechouar), the Kasbah of Oudayas, Mausoleum Mohamed V and the Hassan Tower. Continue to the Blue Pearl of Morocco “Chefchaoun”. Dinner served at the hotel. 

Overnight in Chefchaoun.

Day 4: CHEFCHAOUN – FEZ (220km – 3.5hrs)

After breakfast, visit the medina and the winding alleys of this charming blue and white village, reminiscent of the small Andalusian villages of southern Spain. Visit a place of Uta Hammam & Ras el maa, the wash houses. Road to Fez.

Overnight in Fez.

Day 5: FEZ

An exhilarating day in the religious capital of Morocco awaits. Cradle of a thousand-year-old monarchy, Fez shares her memories of 12 centuries of history and shows us the refinement of Hispano-Moorish culture. After a visit to the Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site, we continue to the Bou Inania or Attarine Madrasa (depending on availability), the Nejjarine fountain, while seeing the exteriors of the Royal Palace and the Bab Boujeloud gate. Following a visit to a tannery in the heart of the bustling souk, we enjoy lunch at the beautiful Palace restaurant (included). We continue our exploration with a visit to the pottery district to discover the art of Moroccan ceramics and tile-work. Dinner served at the hotel. 

Overnight in Fez.

Day 6: FEZ – MEKNES – BENI MELLAL (350km – 4.5hrs)

Breakfast at the hotel. We cannot visit Meknes without going to the old medina to see its big doors which are decorated with architectural motifs and handmade craftsmanship, such as Bab Mansour which marks the main entrance of the imperial palace built for Moulay Ismaïl, and which link past to the present as local people said. Place El hedim is the heart of the city and the big square in front of Bab Mansour. Discovering in guided tour Granaries of Moulay Ismail with its system of under floors water channels which kept the temperatures cool and air circulating, is one of the places not to miss in Meknes. Continues to Beni Mellal. Road journey provides an enormous range of landscapes and allows for enticing photo stops as we drive along the foothill of the Atlas Mountains. Pass the mountain town of Ifrane (1,650m altitude), the Berber villages of Azrou and Khenifra. Once you arrive at the hotel, you breathe fresh and pure air in this area. Dinner served at the hotel. 

Overnight in Beni Mellal.

Day 7: BENI MALLAL – MARRAKECH (220km – 3hrs)

Enjoy in the wild nature admiring one of the most spectacular wonders of Morocco, standing at a height of more than 100 meters, is the Cascades of Ouzoud, when you have the opportunity to take some superb photographs - you even have the chance to see apes – this is one not to miss.

Overnight in Marrakech.

Day 8: MARRAKECH

Originating from the Amazigh (Berber) words, ‘amur kush,’ Marrakesh means ‘Land of God.’ One of the Imperial cities of Morocco, its location and contrasting landscape make it an enviable destination in Morocco. Our exploration is vast and includes a visit to the Menara Garden, one of the oldest gardens in Marrakesh with an immense olive grove dotted with palm and cypress trees, the Gardens of Majorelle. Next, we visit the Mellah (Jewish Quarter), the Bahia palace, one of Marrakech’s most imposing buildings. A visit to Marrakesh would not be complete without seeing the famous Koutoubia Mosque (exterior). Following lunch (included), we explore the souks and the famous Jemaa el-Fna Square. We end the day with a fantastic Moroccan dinner show in Medina.

Overnight in Marrakech.

Day 9: DEPARTURE MARRAKECH

Check out after breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Marrakech airport.

Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting religious or official buildings in Morocco. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.