Medinas & Kasbahs Morocco Imperial cities and Desert tour | 10 Days, 9 Nights

After breakfast, we start our morning tour of Rabat, one of the imperial cities of Morocco, and the actual capital hosting the permanent palace of the actual King of Morocco Mohammed VI. We visit the Oudaya Kasbah, and the Andalusian Gardens before we continue to Hassan Tower with its sister mausoleum of the late King Mohammed V. After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue to Fes in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at your Fes Riad.

Today we will explore the oldest Medina and the spiritual capital of Morocco. Considered the Athens of Africa for its wealth of culture, religious and educational institutions. We begin with a walk in the UNESCO world heritage Medina with its 14th century Coranic schools, artisans quarters, Alkaraouine University with its Mosque, then finish our walking tour of Fes at the potters district.
After a break at one of the local restaurants for lunch,we carry on in the afternoon with a tour of the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter with its 17th century Synagogue, then to the Royal Palace gates for some photos. Dinner tonight will be served at one of the Moroccan restaurants in Fes.
Overnight at your Riad.

After breakfast, we drive west to the Imperial city of Meknes. Driving across the plain you will see vast acreages of vineyards producing good quality wine,Time permitting, we will visit Les Celliers de Meknes producing some of the best quality of Moroccan red and white wine. Moulay Ismail build the city of Meknes and made it the capital Morocco during his reign around 1700. Visit his mausoleum and the Rouah Gate, the stables made for over 12,000 horses. From here, continue to Place Elhdim and the central pedestrian square in the Medina. Our visit of Meknes will end at the Mellah, where we will meet the caretaker of the Old Jewish Synagogue for an introduction to what was and what remains of Jewish Life. After lunch our journey takes you 30 km north to the hillside settlement of Moulay Idriss. The town is one of the country’s most important spiritual sites and a place of pilgrimage as it is the site of the tomb of Moulay Idriss, a prominent saint in the late 8th century and a great grandson of the prophet Mohammed.
Leaving Moulay Idriss for the short 4 km drive to the World Heritage Site of Volubilis, there are a number of vantage points to take photographs of the town. Volubilis is the site of the largest and best preserved Roman ruins in Morocco, particularly noted for its superb mosaic floors; it has fabulous views of the Rif Mountain foothills, particularly at sunset. A guided tour of the Volubilis site. Return back to Fes late in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at your Fes Riad.

Today, we will cross the frtile Saiss Plains towards the Middle Atlas Mountains with its cedar forests and rich vegetation. Upon arrival at Midelt, a small Berber town in the heart of the Middle Atlas, we stop for lunch before we continue our drive crossing Ziz Valley with its sky scrapping palm trees and fortified villages before we reach Erfoud, where we will switch into 4X4s to cross the rocks desert and oases to Erg chebbi. From here, We will ride our camels to our luxury desert camp while admiring a dramatic color changing sunset over the sand dunes. Just before it gets dark, we reach our luxury desert camp. Where we will be welcomed by the local nomads who will serve us a delicious Moroccan dinner under the stars while they entertain us with their drums all night.

Optional early wake up for sunrise watch. After breakfast, we will drive our 4X4 to Erfoud, where we will meet our driver and continue inland past one beautiful scene after another to the town of Tnghir, where we will walk in the oasis of Todgha on the riverside terraces lush with date palm trees to the spectacular gorges of Todgha. After lunch in the oasis, we continue via the 1001 Kasbahs road to Dades Valley. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Today, we will follow the caravans road past fortified villages with elaborately decorated facades to Kalaa Mgouna, famous for growing Damascus Roses. Visit a ladies perfumery cooperative if your trip coincides with the harvesting season ( from April to June ). From here, we continue to Skoura oasis, where we will visit the typical Kasbah museum of Amridil, where we will learn about the Berbers life style, Kasbah architecture, and traditional irrigation systems our ancestors managed to establish to drive water to their oases. We arrive Ouarzazate, known as the gate of the Sahara, where we will stop for lunch before we continue to the world heritage village of Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, often uses as a set to film famous Hollywood epics or as a backdrop for famous fashion shoots. After some time at leisure in the village, we continue to Marrakech crossing the High Atlas Mountains past Berber villages with fortified walls and stone houses with earthen roofs. We will pass Tizi Ntichka pass ( 7415 feet ) where life has remained as it was centuries ago. We arrive Marrakech late in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at your riad.

Once a capital of Southern Morocco, Marrakech is an alluring oasis with a temperate climate, distinct charm and fascinating sights. Your day long tour includes La Koutoubia Mosque , the Bahioa Palace, the Saadian tombs, Marrakech museum and Ben Youssef Medersa. After lunch in the Medina, visit the colourful Souks in the afternoon watching craftsmen working on some beautiful art objects, Finish your tour of Marrakech Medina in Jamaa Elfna Square, an open space theatre and restaurant busy with its story tellers, musicians, snake charmers , fire eaters, and food carts. Dinner and overnight at your Marrakech riad.

After breakfast, ride your horse drawn carrigae and drive through the French quarter of Gueliz to Majorelle Gardens. No visit to Marrakech is complete without a stop at the amazing Majorelle Gardens with its Berber arts museum. Rest of the day at leisure. We can suggest an oriental Spa treatment for you if you wish. A farewell dinner will be served at Dar Yacout, considered a culinary institute, and the best Moroccan restaurant. Overnight at your Marrakech riad.

Spend the daya t leisure before your departure to Marrakech or Casablanca airport.