The Best of Morocco Tour: Imperial Cities- Hiking &  Desert Experience– 10 Days

Enjoy a fulfilling Morocco experience with our Best of Morocco Tour 10-day trip and get a chance to visit everything your heart desires, from imperial cities, mountains, and natural landscapes, to deserts. Our tour starts in Casablanca to ends in Marrakech, and along the way, you’ll get to see the medieval Medinas of Fes and Marrakech, the modern cities of Casablanca and Rabat, and go on a journey through the ancient caravan routes in the desert. Take a day off to hike the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains before reaching your final destination in Marrakech.

Highlights

• Wander the labyrinth of streets in medieval Fes and Marrakech.
• Bask in the sunset over the Blue City of Chefchaouen.
• Go on a desert adventure through the dunes, oases, hidden valleys, and ancient kasbahs.
• Find one-of-a-kind souvenirs in local artisan workshops and collectives for leather, ceramics, and fossils.
• Trek through the Atlas foothills and spend a night with a local family.

Day 1: Morning in Casablanca, Afternoon in Rabat

Welcome to Casablanca! As the commercial capital of Morocco, this wonderful city has much to offer, but if you have to choose one place to visit, make sure it’s the Hassan II Mosque. The mosque features the most imposing minaret in the world, standing at 690 feet (or 210 m), and it’s located in a beautiful place that looks over the ocean. If you find the outer area around the mosque extraordinary, you’ll be even more delighted by the sophisticated marble floor, the ornate ceilings, and the hand-carved stone and wood you’ll find inside, as this is one of the few mosques in the country where access is granted also to non-Muslims.

Head north to the current capital of Morocco, the imperial city of Rabat. Venture through the fortified Necropolis of Chellah and explore the Roman and Islamic remnants. The majestic door of the Kasbah des Oudaias will welcome you into the ancient city center of Rabat. If you’re tired of the noisy city life, you can take your time for a break in the 20th-century Andalusian Gardens, a safe haven from the crowd. Admire the Hassan Tower, a minaret of the mosque left unfinished, and the abandoned Mausoleum of Mohammed V from the 12th century. You can still take in the magnificent sight of the minaret and the hundreds of supporting columns of the mosque.  

Day 2: The Blue City of Chefchaouen

In the north of Morocco, sheltered by the Rif Mountains, you can find the incredible blue city of Chefchaouen. Before you lose yourself in the beauty of the Blue City, you might want to scavenge another secret pearl of the region by hiking for 2-3 hours to reach the Cascades d’Akchour (Waterfalls of Akchour), a special spot hidden by the rich vegetation and the clear-water pools nearby. After lunch, take your time to explore the beauty of Chefchaouen. The town arrived in our present day with little to no change since the 15th century. The relaxed atmosphere is partly due to the relaxing blue shades of the buildings in its ancient medina (old quarter). Here, you get to meet with the friendly locals and explore all the peculiar streets and alleyways as you walk up towards the hillside of the mountains.

Take a souvenir chance in the main square, Plaza Outa el-Hammam, that owes its name to the many public baths (hammams) once located in its vicinity. Grab a restorative meal in the local cafés and restaurants before going through the many traditional clothes shops in the area. Delve deep into the history of the city by visiting the Grand Mosque and the ancient kasbah (fortress) with its perfectly preserved prison cells, walk through the luscious gardens inside the fortification, and don’t forget to take the time for a visit to the local museum. If you’re feeling romantic, you’re just a short walk away (20 to 30 minutes) from the abandoned white Spanish Mosque, where you can enjoy the game of lights over Chefchaouen as the sun says goodbye behind the mountains.

Day 3: Roman ruins at Volubilis and imperial cities of Meknes and Fes

Wake up with the sun to get a chance for a few pictures of the picturesque empty streets before you leave for Fes. Before you get there, make a necessary stop at the UNESCO heritage site of Volubilis ruins, one of the last existing evidence of the Roman Empire’s farthest reach in Africa. As you walk through the merchant homes, bath houses, and temples, and you get to see the wonderful mosaics, you will get a sense of the daily life from ancient times. Moving forward, you’ll reach the imperial city of Meknes, where you absolutely can’t skip the visit to the Ville Impériale (Imperial City) and the medina. Drop by the Bab al-Mansour gate, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and the Royal Stables as well, for a complete experience of the city.

Going east, you’ll visit your third imperial city, Fes. The best way to explore the medina of Fes is to get lost in the labyrinth of alleyways and narrow streets. Before you get sucked into this maze of colorful places, drive up the hill and visit the Merenid Tombs in the north of the city, where you can enjoy a full view on the ancient Fes and the encompassing area. Once you come down to Earth, you will reach your riad (a traditional Moroccan house with an inner courtyard) where a finger-licking meal awaits you. You can unwind and rest for the upcoming day.

Day 4: Exploring the Medieval Medina and Imperial City of Fes

Out of the four Imperial Cities of Morocco, Fes is the most ancient and therefore the most intriguing and entertaining. Its Medina is over 1000 years old, and yet it has arrived in our days mostly untouched, and it’s the most complete in the Arab world. Fes is commonly considered Morocco’s cultural capital, and it’s divided into three sections: the two medina quarters of Fes el Bali and Fes el Jdid, and the Ville Nouvelle, which is relatively more modern and influenced by French colonialism. Your guide will lead you through these fascinating parts of the city as they tell you everything about the history and culture of Fes.

Your tour will start in Fes el Bali at the Bab Bou Jeloud gate, where you will enter the main street of Talâa Kebira. You’ll notice the Spanish and Tunisian influence on the buildings as you walk through the shops and souks (markets). Stop at the Chouara Tannery, the largest in the city, where you’ll get a chance to see the many dye-filled stone pots and the workers still employing centuries-old techniques. Soon after, take in the marvelous sight of the 14th-century intricate zellij tilework of Al Attarine Madrasa before proceeding to the Mellah (old Jewish quarter and cemetery) in Fes el Jdid. Time permitting, head over to the Ville Nouvelle and witness the stark contrast of its architecture.

Day 5: Middle Atlas: Erfoud, Merzouga and the Sahara

Early in the morning, you will leave Fes and head south towards Merzouga. Your journey to Merzouga will be exciting and eventful, as you will get to climb over the Col du Zad pass (7,146 feet or 2,178 m) and cross the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas mountains, where you will meet the lively Barbary Macaque monkeys. After having lunch in Midelt, known for its tasty apples, enjoy the tranquility of the nearby Moulouya River. Proceed through the Tizi n’Talremt pass and through the Ziz Valley, rich with secret oases and palm trees. As you explore the area, you will notice many ksars—fortified houses meant to protect precious goods such as gold, salt, and spices.

You will finally reach Erfoud, famous for its date harvest festival and fossil mining. Here you can get deeply into the Moroccan handicraft by meeting local artisans while you visit their collective to learn more about their art. You will then enter the immense stretch of golden dunes (13.5 square miles or 35 square km) of Erg Chebbi, a never-the-same landscape that changes following the wind. Once you reach Merzouga, you’re only a camel ride away from your luxurious desert camp. Before dinner, get the chance to climb up a nearby Sand Dune and take in the marvelous sight of the sunset. Afterwards, enjoy a delightful meal before relaxing in front of the campfire.

Day 6: Desert towns, Lush Oases, and Film-Worthy Landscapes

In the morning, you can have some thrilling fun on the Sahara dunes with a sandboard before heading over to Khemliya to get the real feeling of a traditional Saharan village (locals are originally from Mali). Heading west, you’ll find the market town of Rissani after passing through a striking gate. You might come across the local livestock auction or the famous “donkey parking lot”, which is a place you can’t miss! Ahead, the desert town of Tinghir awaits you as your last stop before you reach the 984 feet (300 m) deep Tondra Gorge. Here, you can take your time exploring the gorge and refresh yourself near the small Todra River.

Heading north, you will arrive at the so-called Valley of One Thousand Kasbahs. Many of them are currently uninhabitable, but some families still live there, and you might come across a few nomads herding their animals. West is Kela’a M’gouna, famous for the Festival des Roses, which takes its name from the wide farmland surrounded by stunning rose bushes. Further west is the popular location of Ouarzazate, an entryway to the Sahara desert made famous by the innumerable international movies and shows filmed there. You can join a studio tour here to learn more about Ouarzazate and its relevance in the movie industry.

Day 7: Aït Benhaddou Kasbah and Tizi n’Tichka Pass over the High Atlas to Marrakech

Aït Benhaddou is another little jewel in the crown of Morocco. Since 1987, this fortified village has been a UNESCO World Heritage site and has been featured in many famous movies. It’s a common belief that Aït Benhaddou used to be an important location along the trans-Saharan trade route between Marrakech, Ouarzazate, and the southern desert back in the 11th century. Walk the alleyways up to the Granary to be rewarded with the stunning view of the surrounding panorama. Afterwards, climb the High Atlas mountain chain and keep an eye out for Mount Toubkal, at its 13,671 feet (or 4,167 m), which is the highest peak of the range. You can get a great view over the whole chain from the top of the Tizi n’Tichka pass (7,415 feet or 2,260 m).

Coming down from the High Atlas, everything will start to look very different from the landscape you were used to. You finally reached the final imperial city, Marrakech, which will soon engulf you with all its buzz and ferment. Take your time settling at the hotel; the rest of the day is free. If you want to experience Marrakech in all its aliveness, head down to the main square of the city, Jemaa el-Fna, which in the evening will fill up with artists, stalls, and music that will keep you entertained. If you’d rather enjoy the view from a relaxing spot, the many cafés around the square are there to offer you a good cup of mint tea and a bite of delicious food.

Day 8: Marrakech: Exploring the Red City

The red sandstone walls and buildings will catch your eye first thing as you explore Marrakech, which is also called the “Red City” for this very reason. Once a commercial fulcrum for the Atlas mountain tribes, Marrakech is still a very intriguing imperial city. The city is situated north of the Atlas mountain foothills and boasts the presence of Africa’s most hectic square, Jemaa el-Fna. As you start your journey through Marrakech’s ancient medina, visit the Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens. The mosque itself isn’t accessible by non-muslims, but the surrounding area with its 12th-century foundations and the 253 feet (77 m) minaret is definitely worth a look. The fountains and pools of the nearby garden are also a pleasure to the eye.

The real charm of the city will unfold in front of your eyes as you explore the intricate paths of the souks, hidden between restaurants and shops. As you walk through Souk el Attarin, Souk Chouari, and Souk Smata, you’ll find a selection of the finest spices, woolen and babouche (traditional Moroccan slippers), and not to mention, you’ll get to see how cloth and yarn are dyed through traditional methods in Souk des Teinturiers. For an example of Moroccan Islamic architecture, visit the majestic Ben Youssef Madrasa, a Koranic school from the 16th century that will take your breath away with the fine details of its interior: carved cedar ceilings, sculpted plaster, and zellij tiling.

Day 9: Day Hike through the Atlas Foothills and Hillside Villages

About one hour away from Marrakech is the small town of Amizmiz, located at the feet of the High Atlas mountains. Take your time indulging in the humble market of the old town before trekking the narrow mule paths in the nearby hills with the help of your mountain guide. Explore the small Berber villages and get a glimpse of the daily life of local farmers and shepherds while also enjoying the landscapes.  It isn’t uncommon to see children come and go from school, given that all the villages around this area are very small and therefore there is usually one school located in between several nearby villages.

Visit a local family and share lunch with them as you get accustomed to their everyday life; you can even learn a few valuable lessons from them, like how to make homemade bread. In the afternoon, you can keep hiking as you please. Afterwards, you can return to Marrakech or stay for dinner at another local Berber family and spend the night at their home.

Day 10: Return to Marrakech

If you choose to stay in Amizmiz, greet your hosts goodbye after sharing a delicious breakfast, then continue exploring the surroundings and nearby towns before heading back to Marrakech.

If you have time before your flight, take this chance to explore the southern area of Jemaa el-Fna in Marrakech, the kasbah, and the Saadian Tombs, a product of 500 years of craftsmanship. Visit the 17th-century El Badi Palace with its sunken gardens and reach the mellah and the 19th-century Bahia Palace. Another interesting stop can be the Dar Di Said Museum (also known as the Museum of Moroccan Arts) with its displays of clothing, antiques, jewelry, and unique Hispano-Moorish decorations made of carved cedar wood.