Description
Imperial Cities & Sahara Desert Tour From Marrakech
Step into Morocco’s living history on this 6-Day Imperial Cities & Sahara Desert Tour—a journey that blends the grandeur of Morocco’s imperial capitals with the raw beauty of the Sahara Desert. Walk through ancient medinas in Marrakech, Rabat, Meknes, and Fes, marvel at UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Volubilis and Aït Ben Haddou, and ride a camel across the golden dunes of Merzouga before sleeping under a sky filled with stars in a Bedouin tent.
From the Atlantic coast to the towering High Atlas Mountains and the endless desert sands, this is Morocco in its most diverse and captivating form. Perfect for travelers seeking culture, history, and authentic desert adventure—all in one trip.
Tour Highlights
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Explore Morocco’s imperial cities: Marrakech, Rabat, Meknes, and Fes.
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Visit Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca—the world’s tallest minaret at 210 m.
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Walk the blue-and-white alleys of Oudaya Kasbah and the Roman-Islamic ruins of Chellah Necropolis in Rabat.
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Discover Volubilis, a perfectly preserved Roman city (UNESCO).
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Lose yourself in Fes Medina, the largest and oldest in the world.
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Ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes and stay overnight in a traditional Bedouin tent.
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See the dramatic cliffs of Todra Gorge and the landscapes of Dades Valley and Valley of Roses.
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Explore Ouarzazate, Morocco’s film capital, and Aït Ben Haddou (UNESCO).
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Cross the spectacular High Atlas Mountains back to Marrakech.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech → Casablanca → Rabat
Your driver picks you up at 08:00 am from your Marrakech hotel. The first stop is Casablanca, Morocco’s modern economic hub. Here you’ll visit the Hassan II Mosque, a masterpiece of Moroccan craftsmanship standing proudly on the Atlantic coastline. Its intricate zellij tilework and towering minaret dominate the skyline.
Continue along the coastal road to Rabat, the nation’s political capital. Explore the Oudaya Kasbah, with its maze of blue-and-white houses overlooking the river. Step back in time at Chellah Necropolis, where Roman ruins intertwine with Islamic architecture. Overnight stay in Rabat. (Half-board)
Day 2: Rabat → Meknes → Volubilis → Fes
After breakfast, drive through lush farmland to Meknes, the “Versailles of Morocco,” to see the grand Bab El Mansour gate—one of the most beautiful in North Africa. Continue to the sacred town of Moulay Idriss, an important pilgrimage site.
Your next stop is Volubilis, an archaeological gem and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk through ancient Roman streets, admire the mosaics, and imagine life here 2,000 years ago. Arrive in Fes by evening for an overnight stay.
Day 3: Full-Day Guided Tour of Fes
Spend the day exploring Fes el-Bali, Morocco’s spiritual and intellectual heart, with a local guide. Visit the University of Al Quaraouiyine, founded in 859 and recognized as the world’s oldest university. Explore Medersa Bou Inania, the bustling tanneries, and artisan workshops where age-old crafts are kept alive. Wander the souks, sample local delicacies, and soak in the atmosphere of this living medieval city. Overnight in Fes.
Day 4: Fes → Ifrane → Cedar Forest → Ziz Valley → Erfoud → Merzouga
Leave Fes behind and head toward the desert. Stop in Ifrane, known as “Morocco’s Switzerland” for its alpine architecture, then in Azrou to see the cedar forests and wild Barbary macaques.
Drive through Midelt and along the Ziz Valley, lined with fortified kasbahs and palm groves, before arriving in Merzouga. Here, your camel awaits for a sunset trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes. Spend the night in a traditional Bedouin tent, enjoy Moroccan cuisine, and listen to desert drumming under a sky full of stars.
Day 5: Merzouga → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley → Valley of Roses → Ouarzazate
Wake early for a sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast, travel to Todra Gorge, a dramatic canyon with towering 300 m cliffs. Continue through the fertile Dades Valley and Valley of Roses, famous for its rosewater production and spring festivals.
Arrive in Ouarzazate, Morocco’s “Hollywood,” known for its film studios and nearby kasbahs. Overnight stay in Ouarzazate.
Day 6: Ouarzazate → Aït Ben Haddou → High Atlas Mountains → Marrakech
Visit Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO-listed fortified ksar used as a filming location for Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and Lawrence of Arabia. Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass, enjoying panoramic views, before arriving back in Marrakech. Drop-off at your hotel marks the end of the tour.
What’s Included
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Private transport in air-conditioned vehicle
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Professional English-speaking driver/guide
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Accommodation in selected hotels/riads (Half-board)
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Camel trek in Merzouga
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Overnight in Bedouin desert camp
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Guided tour in Fes with local guide
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All transfers as per itinerary
What’s Not Included
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Lunches & drinks
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Entrance fees to monuments
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Personal expenses
Why This Tour?
This tour is perfect if you want Morocco’s highlights without rushing—you’ll get deep cultural immersion in the imperial cities plus an authentic Sahara adventure. The itinerary balances historical sightseeing, nature, and memorable experiences like camel trekking and desert camping.
