Imperial City from Marrakech

Duration
8 days
Location
Morocco Imperial Cities
Group Size
Up to 12 people
Transport
Private Vehicle
Difficulty
Hard
Best Season
All year round
This 8-day journey begins and ends in Marrakech, with the option to extend your holiday in the Atlas Mountains for a longer, more immersive experience. Explore the stark beauty and cultural richness of the Anti-Atlas Mountains, a region defined by rocky outcrops, lunar landscapes, and dramatic contrasts. While much of the terrain is dry and barren, water still collects in hidden places, forming clear natural basins. In these remote areas, you’ll find tiny villages, often no more than a few houses surrounded by palm trees, standing in quiet defiance of the harsh environment. This is a cultural journey unlike any other, where you’ll discover the depth of Moroccan artistic heritage, from architecture and textiles to religious practices and local traditions. Morocco is a warm and welcoming country, and its people are proud of their ancient culture, shaped by centuries of adaptation to a demanding landscape. You’ll experience the authentic lifestyle of rural communities, visit timeless villages, and witness a way of life that has remained largely unchanged over generations. From the layout of mud-brick houses to the colours of traditional dress, every detail tells a story of resilience, creativity, and identity. Ideal for travellers seeking meaningful cultural encounters and breathtaking landscapes, this 8-day trip invites you to step into the soul of southern Morocco.

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrival to Marrakech

    We are with our guide and driver who includes the transfer. A half day excursion to the stunning Ourika Valley to see traditional Berber villages is available for those arriving early today, otherwise, a free day (half day) in the city of Marrakech. The night in Marrakech.

  • Day 2: Marrakech – Casablanca – Rabat

    Our first stop is Casablanca where we have a guided tour around the impressive Hassan II Mosque. After lunch, we head to Rabat, where we will visit the mausoleum of Mohammed V and Kasbah des Oudaias. The night in Rabat.

  • Day 3: Rabat, Meknes, Volubilis – Fes

    Today, we stop at Volubilis, Morocco’s largest and best-preserved Roman ruins. We visit near Meknes, the third Imperial city. From here it is a short drive to Fez, the oldest of the imperial cities. The night in Fes.

  • Day 4: Fes City Tour

    We spend today in the vibrant atmosphere of Fes on a full day tour with a local guide. We will visit the Medersa Bou Inania, the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss, and the Andalusian and the Quaraoiyin mosques. We visit the Nejjarine Museum Square with its fountain of the 18th century. Fes medina is a maze of more than 9000 small narrow cobbled streets, and is a world apart from modern Fes. The night in Fes.

  • Day 5: Fes – Ifrane – Midelt – zigzag path to Exit Gorges – Erfoud – Rissani – Merzouga (camel ride in the Erg Chebbi desert).

    Heading southeast, we stop in Ifrane, the Lion City, before continuing through the Middle Atlas mountains and cedar forests of Midelt. After a lunch stop, we continue to Errachidia, pausing at a panoramic view of the gorges and oasis. We arrive at the desert edge to relax by the sand dunes. Lunch is included in the guest house, followed by free time to explore the dunes or take a camel ride. In the evening, we enjoy dinner around a campfire and sleep in tents for a true wilderness experience. One night in the desert.

  • Day 6: Merzouga – Gorges Todra – Dades Valley and Ravine

    We return to meet our driver, leaving the wilderness behind. Traveling through vast rural areas, we see the impressive landscape change once again. Local conditions permitting, we visit the impressive Todra Gorge before continuing to Dades Gorge. The night in Dades Gorges.

  • Day 7: Dades Gorge – Rose Valley – Skoura – Ait Benhaddou – Atlas Mountains – Marrakech

    After breakfast, we enjoy the green landscapes en route to Ouarzazate, the gateway to the Sahara and known for its Hollywood ties. We drive along the Ounila River, known for its kasbahs, and visit the fortified city of Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Crossing the 2260m Tizi n’Tichka pass, we descend to the plains, arriving in Marrakech in the late afternoon. Time to freshen up and enjoy a final night together. One night in a hotel/riad in Marrakech.

  • Day 8: Marrakech – Transfer to the airport

    The tour ends after breakfast with a transfer to the airport. For those with later flights, there is an optional excursion to the Ourika Valley or the Atlas Trek (subject to flight schedules).

What's included

What's not included

From £1,298 / Person