Luxury Tour of Morocco’s Imperial Cities- 10 Days

Spend ten days touring the Imperial Cities of Morocco while relaxing in the lap of luxury. In addition to having a private driver take you around the country and give you insider tips, you’ll enjoy private guided tours, knowledgeable cooking classes, and incredible experiences like a night of desert glamping and a sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight. After each day of adventure and exploration, sink into comfort in five-star, richly appointed riads.   

Morocco Private Tour Highlights:

• Tour incredible Imperial Cities like Meknes, Fes, and Marrakech.
• Stay in luxury riads with deluxe amenities.
• Take a private, authentic Moroccan cooking class in Fes.
• Fly above Marrakech on a hot air balloon.
• Glamp for a night in the Agafay Desert.

The tour will begin from Casablanca – the largest city of morocco. If you arrive early, you can visit the Hassan II Mosque which is famous for its Minaret (the tallest in the globe), and head to Rabat for a sightseeing tour. If you arrive late, you may have to rest the night in the beautiful city of Casablanca and visit Rabat the next day.

If you didn’t get the opportunity to explore the intriguing marvels of Rabat on Day 1, you can do that in the morning before traveling towards Meknes, which is one of Morocco’s less explored treasures. Built by tens of thousands of slaves on the orders of the tyrannical ruler Moulay Ismail, Meknes is known to be the ‘Versailles of Morocco’. During your private guided tour, you’ll discover many attractions, the Heri es Souani, the place where Sultan Moulay Ismail tamed his 12,000 horses, along with his peaceful tomb that he had constructed during his reign to ensure it would add to the glory and grandeur of his Imperial city. You will also get a chance to see the Bab Mansour, which is said to be one of the country’s most remarkable gates!

Your next stopover will be Volubilis. One of the most secluded outposts of the Roman Empire, this city is the perfect place to explore the Roman ruins and its archaeological wonders. Once a flourishing provincial city, it only takes a bit of imagination to perceive the street bustling with toga-clad governors and scurrying peasants.

You will be spending the night in Fez, which is the historic center of Arts and Sciences in Morocco.

If you want to connect with the heart and soul of Morocco, Fez is the place to go! More than just a funky hat with a twirl,  Fez is a mysterious box of fun and exotic delights for those travelling on this incredible best of Best of Morocco. Vacation Unraveling the city’s charms in its nine thousand roads and alleyways would take more than just a lifetime, but luckily, your local tour guide will show you the city’s beautiful attractions – including the tanneries, the Fondouk Nejjarine, and the diverse craft souks – in just one day! Other attractions in this mesmerizing city include the Batha Museum, the King’s Palace, and Jewish Quarter, and the Pottery Complex.

You will finish the day by bathing in an authentic Moroccan hammam. You will learn about the traditions and history of the hammam, and you will enjoy a rejuvenating experience at one of Fes’s most highly sought-after Hammam & Spa experiences.

Morocco sits at the geographical and cultural crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Moroccan cuisine is famous for fusing diverse flavors into something unique, dynamic, and delicious. What better way to relax for a day than by taking a private traditional Moroccan cooking lesson from a master?
Take a leisurely morning with breakfast at your riad, some relaxation, and possibly a stroll around the neighborhood. You’ll then head to your five-hour cooking class, which begins with a visit to a nearby souk to shop for produce, just as the locals do. 
As you prepare a traditional four-course meal, complete with fragrant spices, vibrant saffron, and the ubiquitous preserved lemon, you’ll learn about traditional Moroccan cooking methods and will hopefully create amazing memories. At the end of class, sit down to enjoy your delicious dishes, which you can recreate once you’re home from your trip. 
Spend the rest of the day however you like — you could relax at your riad, or venture back out to explore more of Fes.

Travel from Fes to Bin Marrakech, with plenty of breaks along the way to appreciate the ever-changing Moroccan landscape. Visit an Amazigh family in the Khenifra region for a truly memorable experience and a priceless insight into their unique way of life. The family will demonstrate how to make the perfect brew of mint tea and will provide a home-cooked lunch using locally grown ingredients. Learn about their customs, traditions, and what life looks like in the Atlas Mountains.
After lunch, it’s back on the road; you’ll travel across the plains to Marrakech, nicknamed the Red City for the vermilion-hued clay used to construct its buildings. Check into your riad and, if you like, spend the rest of the afternoon at a slower pace.
In the early evening, the main square, Jemaa el Fna, comes alive with musicians, performers, snake charmers, games, food stalls, and more. Jump into the spectacle and taste the delights from street vendors or, if you want to enjoy from a distance, sit down at a cafe overlooking the square; that way, you can watch the show over a wonderful meal. Whichever dining option you choose, you’ll be treated with fantastic flavors, as Marrakech is regarded as Morocco’s culinary capital. Enjoy!

Your best of Morocco journey will continue with a guided tour today, to uncover the beautiful mysteries of the Marrakech Medina. Wandering on the narrow pathways of the city along with your expert guide, you will experience the centuries-old Marrakech as your guide tells you about the history of some of the city’s magnificent monuments (and their not-so-magnificent pasts). Tale-telling will surely be the highlight of this day.

After breakfast today, meet your local guide and set off on a morning tour of the old medina. Explore tranquil courtyards filled with the scent of orange blossom and the many salons and chambers that make up the Bahia Palace. Stop by the Koutoubia Mosque – the inside is for Muslims only, but the famous minaret is a sight to behold. Then, walk back through the streets of the old medina to Djemaa el-Fna. The food here is best experienced like a local, so be sure to bring your appetite as your local guide will take you on a tasting tour to try a range of seasonal delights, like freshly squeezed orange juice and fried Moroccan donuts. The rest of the day is free. Maybe visit Le Jardin Secret – a traditional medina garden with a magnificent courtyard – or head back into the medina and practice your haggling skills.

Seeing Marrakech and the surrounding countryside, including the snow-capped peaks of the High Atlas, from the air in total peace & quiet (apart from the gasps of your fellow passengers) on a hot-air balloon flight is at the top of most people’s “wish-list”.

Our package includes a one-hour flight with an experienced, licensed, and fully qualified pilot with a full ground crew and support vehicle. Also part of the excursion are private round-trip transfers from your hotel (or riad) in Marrakech to the launch site and return, plus a private tour of the villages en route from your landing, together with a visit to a Berber family home for a glass of tea and snack.

You will be picked up early in the morning, between 5:30 am and 6:30 am, according to the season, in a comfortable 4-wheel drive vehicle to the launch site chosen for that morning. Once there, the balloon is prepared for flight – and we hope you’ll take part in the fun – you board your gondola and, on the instruction of the pilot to his ground crew of “lâchez tout” – ‘cast off’ – the magic moment arrives as you rise vertically towards the Moroccan heavens. You will be followed by a chase vehicle, in constant radio communication with the pilot, and whose crew establishes the day’s most suitable landing site.

Once you establish a ‘kiss landing’, the 4-wheel drive is awaiting. After the crew has collapsed and stored the balloon, they will make a tour of some of the Berber villages you will have overflown, to stop and have a glass or two of mint tea, some Moroccan pastries or fresh bread dipped in olive oil, in the home of one of the Berber inhabitants. At around midday, you will be taken back to your hotel in Marrakech, armed with a Certificate to show your friends or family back home and a basketful of delightful memories

You’ll have the rest of the day to yourself to spend however you like. Take a private cooking class with one of the city’s culinary masters, do some self-guided exploring, or visit a market for some additional shopping.  Your private driver can escort you to any location you desire in the city, and your specialist can help arrange any other private tours or bespoke experiences that speak to you. 
Tonight, enjoy dinner back at your luxury riad or head out to one of the city’s great eateries.

After breakfast, you will have a free morning in Marrakech. Enjoy one last lunch in town, then escape from the hustle and bustle of city life for a night in a luxurious desert tent. 
You will travel from Marrakech to the Agafay desert at the foot of the mountains. Although this desert features more stone than the Sahara,  you’re sure to be swept away by the drama and romance of the vistas and vibes here. Spend your afternoon riding camels or taking 4×4 rides around the desert before enjoying a traditional candle-lit dinner in a beautifully appointed luxury tent.  
Be sure to look at the stars before going to sleep. There are some amazing views this far out in your remote location!

Today, you will leave early to head to Casablanca via the coastal route and will visit two old  Portuguese fortified cities along the way. Your first stop is El Jadida, where you will tour the Portuguese cistern. You can also stay to walk the ramparts and explore the Church of the Assumption.
Next is Azemour, which has inspired many Moroccan artists over the decades. Life here is still traditional despite its proximity to the cosmopolitan art market of Casablanca. You’ll find that the crumbling 16th-century medina squeezed between the Oued Oum Er-Rbia (Mother of Spring River) and the ocean provides plenty of artistic inspiration.
As you travel, take advantage of the Atlantic’s incredible bounty and savor a traditional fish lunch. Your driver can take you to the local authentic fish markets, where unassuming food stalls serve some of the freshest grilled and fried seafood you can find.
Once you arrive in Casablanca, check into your chic downtown hotel, then see how the locals live with an exploration of Casablanca’s trendier neighborhoods. Start your discovery in Maarif, home of the French-style eponymous market, and Ain Diab, a prime beachfront community that is home to the Morocco Mall and miles of walking paths. The waterfront, or Corniche, is a great place to people watch, especially when the entire city comes out to promenade right before sunset. 

Farewell Casablanca!
It’s time to say goodbye to Morocco. Depending on the time of your departure flight, you may be able to do some last-minute sightseeing in Casablanca or enjoy tea at one of the traditional cafés. When the time comes, you’ll head to Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport for your flight.