Imperial Morocco

12-Day Escorted Tour

There’s a mystique and romance to Morocco that captures your heart and your imagination while, at the same time, the energy of its people and the intensity of daily life invigorate your senses and this enlightened tour shows you just that.

Tour highlights

• Visiting the Imperial cities of Morocco – Rabat, Meknes, Fez and Marrakech
• Travelling into the dramatic Atlas Mountains and exploring the spectacular gorges
• Standing on the edge of the Sahara Desert and gazing across the silent dunes
• Breathing in the exotic fragrances of the Marrakech Medina
• Seeing the dramatic contrasts in scenery, from snow-capped peaks to barren sand dunes, on the same journey
• Dining under brilliantly glimmering stars and gaining a feel for nomadic life
• Haggling for bargains in the noisy, bustling, colourful, aromatic and exhilarating souks

Extend Your Holiday

Your Imperial Morocco tour takes you from Roman ruins to desert plains to mountain heights to bustling towns. There’s a lot to do, and a lot to take in. Before you head home, you might like to simply stop for a couple of days, and give yourself chance to contemplate all you’ve seen before life sweeps you onwards again. On a tour extension to Essaouira, you can relax, take time out, enjoy the sunshine and soak up the culture on the coast and in the charming old town.

Tour itinerary

Day 1 Depart Heathrow
Once you’ve checked in, head to the executive lounge to meet your Tour Manager and relax over complimentary drinks and snacks before your flight to the busy sea port of Casablanca. Once you’ve settled into your hotel, you’ll meet up with your fellow travellers in the evening for a welcome dinner.
Meals: In-flight, Dinner.
Hotel: Kenzi Towers.

Day 2 Casablanca to Rabat
Just the word ‘Casablanca’ has an air of mystery and romance, thanks to the film classic. On your morning tour, you’ll visit the Mohamed V Plaza, the United Nations Plaza, Notre Dame de Lourdes Cathedral and the Corniche. You’ll also go on a board walk tour and see inside the fabulou sHassan II Mosque, which was built on the sea front and has an impressive minaret. You’ll then head out of Casablanca, towards the capital, Rabat, where you’ll be taken for lunch before your sightseeing tour continues. The places of interest you’ll see include the Mohamed V Mausoleum, the Hassan Tower, the Oudayas ruins and the Royal Palace, where you can admire the impressive façade, with its intricate mosaics on the palace gate. You’ll have dinner with your travelling companions again this evening, to share your experiences so far.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Hotel: Sofitel Jardins des Roses.

Day 3 Rabat to Fez
After breakfast this morning, you’ll travel to the Imperial city of Meknes to see the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum, The Bab El Mansour Door and the Kasbah. You'll also visit Volubilis, the best preserved Roman ruins in Morocco, which sit in the westernmost reaches of the Roman Empire. Built on the site of a previous Carthaginian settlement, which itself overlay an earlier Neolithic site, Volubilis has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch, you’ll continue on to Fez, where the old walled city is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Hotel: Sofitel Jardins des Roses.

Day 4 Fez
On your morning tour of Fez, you’ll really get a feel for this atmospheric town as you see the Royal Palace façade and visit the Jewish neighbourhood, known as Mellah, and the Bab Jeloud door, which is one of the city gates. You’ll then head to the old quarter, known as Medina; a large traffic free area which is a fascinating place to explore. You can admire the Medersa Bouanania, a 14th century Korannic school, and the outside of the Moulay Idriss Mausoleum. You’ll also experience the aromatic bustle of the spice and leather markets. In the afternoon, you’re free to explore Fez at your own pace, and soak up the atmosphere. Then, this evening, you’re invited to a special dinner in a 17th century Arabian Palace. You’ll be served typical Fez cuisine, including ‘Pastilla’, among other delicacies, and you’ll also watch performances by local folk music groups.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Hotel: Palais Jamai.

Day 5 Fez to Erfoud
Today you’ll embark on an astonishing drive of contrasts, heading southwards through the Mid Atlas and High Atlas ranges, passing cedar forests and palm tree valleys then continuing into desert landscapes. You may see snow at the Col du Zad, at an altitude of over 2,100 metres. You’ll stop to take in the wonderful views over the Ziz river valley, then travel on as the landscape changes into desert sand dunes with copper tones and palm tree forests as you approach the city of Erfoud. During the journey, watch out for barbary apes and camels strolling along the desert plains. After your long journey, relax in your hotel in Erfoud, one of the gateways to the Sahara, and join your Tour Manager and fellow travellers for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Hotel: Kasbah Xaluca.

Day 6 Erfoud
A desert adventure awaits today. We’ve planned an exhilarating four-wheel drive trip to the Erg Chebbi sand dunes; an area which has been used for some stages of the Paris–Dakar rally. This is the highest and the biggest sand dune range in the whole of Morocco and reveals the silent and beautiful landscapes of the Sahara. On your tour, you’ll also visit the village of Merzouga and the surrounding oases nearby. In the evening, you’ll watch the sun set over the golden dunes, lighting the desert with a remarkable glow. If the sky is clear, which it is 350 days of the year, you’ll see the most incredible display of stars glittering in the inky depths of the night sky. In this inspirational setting, you’ll take your seat in a spacious Nomad tent for an authentic desert dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Hotel: Kasbah Xaluca.

Day 7 Erfoud to Ouarzazate
Travelling on routes used for centuries by nomads and North African traders, you’ll head along the south of the Atlas mountain range today, viewing the strikingly beautiful mountain and desert landscapes. You’ll see the Todra Gorge, which is very narrow in places, and pass Kasbahs (old fortified villages) as well as small farms and palmeries which are dotted along the valley. Later in the day, you’ll arrive in the town of Ouarzazate, sitting on the edge of the desert, which was a major garrison town under French rule.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Hotel: Le Berbere Palace.

Day 8 Ouarzazate
This morning’s short tour of old Ouarzazate takes in various sights including the Taourirt Kasbah and the old Medina. You’ll also visit the cinematographic centre; Ouarzazate has become a key location for the film industry due to the quality of the light and the climate. Many desert epics have been filmed here, including Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. For the rest of the day, you’re free to relax in this quiet and scenic town.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Le Berbere Palace.

Day 9 Ouarzazate to Marrakech
Heading back into the mountains again, you’ll stop en route at the impressive Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, which is one of the best examples of a Berber fortified village in a scenic location. You’ll continue into the High Atlas mountains and travel over the dramatic Tiz’n Tichka pass, stopping to take in the mountain views before you descend down the other side towards the city of Marrakech, where you’ll arrive later in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Hotel: Royal Mirage Deluxe.

Day 10 Marrakech
You’ll venture into Marrakech today on a guided morning tour. This enigmatic city is filled with mysticism and charm. It’s a wonderful combination of Moroccan colour and French influences, with other cultures added into the mix as people from all over the world, throughout history, have flocked here to live or to explore. You’ll visit the Menara Gardens; authentic Marrakech greenhouses where families and couples gather to enjoy summer sunsets and cool evenings. At the end of the avenue you’ll find the Koutoubia Minaret, which was designed by the same architect who built the famous Giralda tower in Seville Cathedral. This tower can be seen from anywhere in Marrakech and is used to summon people to prayer. The tour then moves on to the old quarter. You’ll drive through the Jewish quarter, stopping at the Bahia Palace where you can visit a noble house dating back to the last century. This building housed four wives and a hundred or so concubines. You’ll stop for lunch in a restaurant in Djemaa el-∅ Square. Then, in the afternoon, prepare for one of Marrakech’s most iconic and most intense experiences; the souks and bazaars in the Medina. As you wander the maze-like streets, through the various neighbourhoods that divide the city, you’ll see the different trades, arts and crafts practised by craftsmen and women, including potters, spice vendors, leather tanners and woodworkers. You’ll be expected to haggle for any purchases you want to make, which can be great fun. After the thrilling hustle and bustle of the Medina, you have some free time to roam the famous Djemaa el-Fna Square. Expect the unexpected; you may see snake charmers, monkey trainers, psychics and the dentist!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Hotel: Royal Mirage Deluxe.

Day 11 Marrakech
To round off your non-stop adventure, you have a free day in Marrakech to absorb the culture, relax in the hotel, or head back to the Medina to haggle for some more souvenirs. Tonight, you’ll join your Tour Manager and travelling companions for a special farewell dinner, where you can relive your highlights and share experiences.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Hotel: Royal Mirage Deluxe.

Day 12 Arrive Heathrow
After breakfast, you’ll transfer to the airport for your flight home; but you may not be quite the same person you were when you left.
Meals: Breakfast, In-flight.

Any questions? Chat to your Personal Travel Advisor on 0161 491 7616