8 days tour: Imperial cities & the Desert

Depending on your time of arrival, we will visit the HassanII mosque- the second largest mosque in the world.
Next, our Imperial cities&the Desert tour takes you to Rabat the kingdom’s capital; we will visit Kasbah des Oudayas 12thcentury Kasbah and its Andalusian gardens, later on the Merenid necropolis of Chellah.

If you didn’t get to explore the sights of Rabat yesterday, you can do so this morning before you travel onward to Meknes; an imperial city built by the sultan Moulay Ismail who set the capital of Morocco to Meknes.
Places of interest in Meknes include; Heri es Souani, where Moulay Ismail stabled his 12000 horses; his tomb, which he had built during his reign to ensure it would equal the glory of his imperial city; and the Bab Mansour, said to be one of the Morocco’s most fabulous gates. The next stop is the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the most important and extensive remains of a Roman city in Morocco, and one of the most distant of the Empire’s domain, thanks to the powerful Berber tribes who showed themselves to be more than a match for the conquering legionnaires. Once one of the most important regions producing grain to feed the voracious Roman appetite, and wild animals to keep the crowds entertained as they tried to devour gladiators in the arena, this prosperous provincial city was home to some 200,000 residents at the height of its glory. The importance of the city is reflected in the Capitoline temple, the Basilica, said to be one of the most beautiful in Africa in its day, and its 1,300 square meter Forum, with sumptuous mosaics still to be seen in some of the most luxurious homes.
We move on to Moulay Idriss, which, from a distance, looks like a sitting camel. The oldest town in Morocco, it was founded by Moulay Idriss I in 789, having fled Mecca because of religious and tribal conflicts. It was here that the Idrisid dynasty was founded, and the town has the only round minaret in Morocco. You will reach Fez the historic center of arts and sciences in Morocco late afternoon.

Fez is a jewel box of exotic delights on our private Morocco tour. To unravel the intricacies of the nine thousand streets and alleyways of the UNESCO- protected Fez Medina. Your private English-speaking guide will collect you from your Riad just after breakfast, visiting the numerous oldest Islamic schools; Bou Inania and El Attarine, the tanneries and the various craft souks, the Mellah/Jewish Quarter, Nejjarine square, and don’t forget the impressive mosque of El Kayraouine.

Our Custom Morocco tour leaves Fez early morning to takes you to the first stop is Ifrane, a colonial alpine resort built in 1929 by the French, quite popular during the snow season. Later we reach Azrou, the landscape is totally different; lakes, Cedar forests and home of several troupes of apes and the 800 – year old Gouraud’s cedar.
A few hours later, our journey arrives in Erfoud, visit the ancient Jewish district and the Musee des Oasis. We will reach Merzouga late afternoon, we will stop at a local Kasbah where you can drop your luggage, have a tea and preparing yourself for a memorable night under the stars, ride the camel to reach the camp and enjoying the view of the sunset, eaten by candlelight accommodation on a private tent, or maybe you choose to sleep while watching the twinkling stars.

Try to not miss the sunrise, after breakfast our route takes us first to Rissani that used to serve as a caravan trading post, gold and slave auctions were taking place here as late as 1800’s.
Later on, we will reach the spectacular Todgha Gorges; lie only 15 km from Tinghir, famous with its clear river emerging from it, its huge walls. We are back in the Atlas Mountains as we pass through Tinghir, an important center of the Berber nomad tribes, the decaying Ksours and 19th century adobe mosque. The Dades Gorges knowing with the monkey fingers rock formations and great trekking. We can have the night in Dades or continue few kilometers and spend the night in the palm grove of Skoura.

After breakfast, we suggest to have a guided walking tour in the palm grove of Skoura known “Valley of Kasbahs”; date palms, terraces of olive, pomegranate, almond and fruit trees, with grain and vegetable crops planted in between.

Our Private Morocco tour continues to reach Ouarzazate, the Hollywood of Africa, where the Atlas studios are reputed to be one of the largest movie studios in the world.

Half hour later you will arrive to Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, the UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best-preserved Kasbah’s in the entire Atlas region, the Kasbah has been the backdrop to many historical films, “Lawrence of Arabia”, “Gladiator” and “Game of Thrones”.

Then we turn the road to visit the Telouet Kasabh, the former Pasha’s palace, Pacha Glaoui had managed to overshadow the sultan by controlling most of nowadays Morocco and decided to build a palace in the middle of nowhere, where his family had originated from. Shortly after Telouet, the trip joins the main road and after innumerous twists, over Tiz N Tichka pass, we descend the High Atlas and reach the plain, ahead to the magical red city Marrakech.

After breakfast, your professional English-speaking guide will collect you to start your adventure to discover the secrets of the Marrakech Medina. Marrakech is the capital of the Moroccan south, an oasis town in hues of red, ochre and pink, rising up out of the dusty plains to the north of the Atlas Mountains. The ancient center, a UNESCO Heritage Site, is said to be the second largest medieval complex in the world, after Cairo. The Medina (old town) of Marrakech is a beguiling labyrinth of alleyways, souks (markets) and workshops where little has changed since the Middle Ages. Marrakech has a selection of monuments and museums, such as the ancient El Bahia and Badi palaces, Saadiens tombs, museums of Marrakech and Dar Si Said, and an impressive 12th century rampart surrounding the medina, the real draw of the place is its colorful, lively and exotic atmosphere.
Marrakech is a heaven for the global shopper; the red city has the finesse of the craft and the influence of the young artisans and foreign artists.
Walking around the souks and the small streets “Derbs” you can smell the perfume of the past and the walls tell you the city’s stories during centuries.
Don’t miss the evening on the famous Jamaa El Fna square; open air stalls for street food, musicians, acrobats, snake charmers, story tellers. Try to catch one of the story tellers in action and have a nice Moroccan tea on one of old and highest square terraces “cafe de France” or “cafe Glacier”.

On that day, you can enjoy Marrakech gardens; Agdal gardens built by the Almohad dynasty of the 12th century. Menara Gardens with its pavilion overlooking the waters.
Anima garden, Le Jardin Secret located in one of the most authentic and rich districts of Marrakech. Majorelle Gardens create by Yves Saint Laurent in 1920’s and last year they have inaugurated the fascinating Yves Saint Laurent Museum worth to visit.

Or perhaps you would like to enjoy a cooking class with the visit of the local market, and discover the Farnatichi, “Mechoui” lamb, the preserved olives and vegetables.

You can also be spoiled by offering yourself a nice Moroccan Hammam and scrub with the olive soap, or if you are a fancy trekking, Imlil is a Berber village 1h30 drive from Marrakech and you can enjoy a few hours or full day trekking with our local Berber guide. End of your Imperial cities& the Desert tour.