Morocco Imperial Cities & Desert Tour From Marrakech
(117 Reviews)
Overview
Experience the ultimate Moroccan adventure with this 14-day private Morocco tour from Marrakech, designed to capture the essence of the country’s history, landscapes, and culture. Journey through Morocco’s Imperial Cities, Marrakech, Fes, Meknes, and Rabat, while also exploring the Blue City of Chefchaouen, the Atlantic coast of Essaouira, and the vast Sahara Desert.From camel trekking across Erg Chebbi dunes to exploring the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou and the Ouzoud Waterfalls, every moment blends adventure with comfort. Enjoy guided tours, luxury accommodations, and authentic cultural experiences across the Atlas Mountains, valleys, and oases.
Trip Highlights
- Discover Morocco’s Imperial Cities: Marrakech, Fes, Meknes, and Rabat
- Wander the blue streets of Chefchaouen and explore Essaouira’s coastal charm
- Visit the Hassan II Mosque and Ait Benhaddou Kasbah (UNESCO sites)
- Enjoy a camel trek at sunset and sunrise in the Sahara Desert
- Stay in a luxury desert camp under the stars of the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Experience Ouzoud Waterfalls, Atlas Mountains, and Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs
- Guided city tours in Marrakech and Fes with licensed local experts
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Marrakech (D)
Upon arrival at Marrakech Menara Airport, you’ll be greeted by your dedicated Deep South Travel representative, who will assist with your transfer to the hotel. As you drive through the lively streets of the Red City, you’ll feel the pulse of Morocco’s cultural capital — a mesmerizing mix of ancient tradition and modern charm. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a relaxing stroll through the vibrant Jemaa El-Fna Square, where storytellers, snake charmers, and sizzling food stalls fill the air with energy. Dinner and overnight at your 4★ hotel.
Day 2 – Exploring Marrakech (Half Day) | Visit the Monuments (B/D)
After breakfast, set out on a guided exploration of Marrakech’s most iconic monuments. Begin with a serene visit to the Majorelle Gardens, a botanical masterpiece designed by Jacques Majorelle and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent. Wander through cobalt-blue pathways lined with exotic plants before heading to the Koutoubia Mosque, whose 12th-century minaret dominates the skyline. Continue to the elegant Bahia Palace, a marvel of Andalusian-Moroccan architecture with mosaic courtyards and cedar ceilings. Learn about the city’s rich royal heritage from your expert guide before returning to your hotel. Spend your afternoon relaxing by the pool or indulging in a local hammam spa. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3 – Exploring Marrakech (Half Day) | Visit the Souks (B/D)
This morning, immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Marrakech’s souks — a labyrinth of narrow alleyways filled with artisans at work. Discover colorful displays of handwoven carpets, spices, silver jewelry, and pottery as your guide explains the traditional craftsmanship passed down through generations. Continue to the famous Jemaa El-Fna Square, where the sights, sounds, and aromas create a sensory feast. Enjoy mint tea at a rooftop café while watching the square transform from a daytime market into a nighttime festival. Spend your afternoon at leisure or opt for an optional cooking class to learn the secrets of Moroccan cuisine. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 4 – Marrakech → Essaouira → Marrakech (B/D)
After breakfast, depart for the coastal gem of Essaouira, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its relaxed atmosphere and charming blue-and-white medina. On the way, visit a local Argan oil cooperative to see how this “liquid gold” is produced by Berber women using age-old techniques. In Essaouira, stroll through the Skala de la Ville ramparts, visit local art galleries, and wander through spice-scented alleys. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a seaside restaurant, sampling freshly caught seafood. Later, walk along the breezy Atlantic beach, a haven for surfers and kiteboarders, before returning to Marrakech in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5 – Marrakech → Ouzoud Waterfalls → Marrakech (B/D)
Today’s excursion takes you deep into the Atlas Mountains to the breathtaking Ouzoud Waterfalls, Morocco’s highest cascades. The drive offers picturesque views of rural villages and olive groves. Upon arrival, follow scenic trails that lead to panoramic viewpoints overlooking the falls. Spot Barbary macaque monkeys in the lush canyon and enjoy a refreshing mist from the cascading waters. After lunch at a local riverside café, you’ll have time to relax or take a short boat ride near the base of the falls before returning to Marrakech in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6 – Marrakech → Casablanca (B/D)
After breakfast, drive north to Casablanca, Morocco’s largest city and commercial hub. Upon arrival, visit the majestic Hassan II Mosque, one of the world’s most impressive religious structures, dramatically perched over the Atlantic Ocean. Admire its intricate tilework and towering minaret before continuing to the Corniche of Ain Diab for a coastal stroll. Explore Casablanca’s modern boulevards, French colonial architecture, and the famous Rick’s Café, inspired by the classic film. Dinner and overnight at a 4★ hotel.
Day 7 – Casablanca → Rabat → Chefchaouen (B/D)
This morning, journey to Rabat, the elegant capital of Morocco and a UNESCO World Heritage city. Visit the Royal Palace, Hassan Tower, and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, a masterpiece of Moroccan craftsmanship. Stroll through the tranquil Kasbah of the Udayas, offering stunning views of the Bou Regreg River. After lunch, drive through the scenic Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen, Morocco’s famed Blue City. Upon arrival, enjoy a leisurely walk through its maze of blue-painted streets, discovering quaint shops and cozy cafés. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8 – Chefchaouen → Volubilis → Meknes → Fes (B/D)
After breakfast, leave the Rif Mountains behind and head toward Volubilis, Morocco’s best-preserved Roman archaeological site. Wander among the ancient columns, temples, and intricate mosaics that reveal the city’s glorious past. Continue to Meknes, once an imperial capital under Sultan Moulay Ismail, where you’ll visit the monumental Bab Mansour Gate, Lahdim Square, and Moulay Ismail’s Mausoleum. By late afternoon, arrive in Fes, the country’s oldest imperial city and spiritual center. Dinner and overnight stay in a charming riad within the old medina.
Day 9 – Exploring Fes Medina (Full Day) (B/D)
Spend a full day exploring Fes, a city that feels frozen in time. With your local guide, navigate the maze-like streets of the Fes el-Bali Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine Madrasas, marvel at the artistry of the Nejjarine Fountain, and see the Al Quaraouiyyine University, one of the oldest in the world. Witness traditional leather-making at the Chouara Tanneries, where colorful dye pits create a vivid spectacle. Pause for lunch in a historic riad before visiting artisans’ workshops and hidden caravanserais. Dinner and overnight stay in Fes.
Day 10 – Fes → Ifrane → Midelt → Erfoud → Merzouga (B/D)
After breakfast, embark on a scenic journey through the Middle Atlas Mountains. Stop in Ifrane, known as “the Switzerland of Morocco,” and continue through the cedar forests of Azrou, home to wild Barbary monkeys. Enjoy a traditional lunch in Midelt, a high-altitude town surrounded by dramatic mountain landscapes. The drive then descends through the lush Ziz Valley, dotted with palm groves and kasbahs, before reaching Merzouga, gateway to the Sahara Desert. As the sun begins to set, ride a camel across the towering Erg Chebbi dunes and watch the sky turn gold and crimson. Dinner and overnight in a luxurious desert camp under a canopy of stars.
Day 11 – Discovery of the Desert with 4WD – Nomadic Life (B/D)
Wake up early to witness a magnificent desert sunrise. After breakfast, embark on a 4×4 Sahara exploration tour to experience the rhythm of desert life. Visit Khamlia village, where you’ll be welcomed by the soulful rhythms of Gnawa musicians, descendants of sub-Saharan slaves. Continue to a Berber nomad family for mint tea and an authentic cultural exchange. Explore Lake Dayet Srij, home to migrating flamingos, and admire fossil beds near the ancient dunes. Spend the afternoon relaxing at your riad, perhaps enjoying a dip in the pool or a hammam. Dinner and overnight in Merzouga.
Day 12 – Merzouga → Todra Gorges → Ouarzazate (B/D)
After breakfast, travel westward toward the majestic Todra Gorges, a stunning canyon carved by the Todra River. Take a short walk through the gorge and marvel at cliffs that rise over 300 meters high. Continue along the Dades Valley, known as the “Valley of 1000 Kasbahs,” where traditional mud-brick fortresses dot the landscape. Pass through Kelaat M’Gouna, famous for its annual Rose Festival, and arrive in Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa.” Dinner and overnight in a 4★ hotel.
Day 13 – Ouarzazate → Ait Benhaddou → High Atlas → Marrakech (B/D)
After breakfast, visit Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage ksar that has appeared in numerous films, including Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Wander through its labyrinth of earthen houses and fortified walls before crossing the scenic High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 m). Stop at panoramic viewpoints to photograph Berber villages nestled among the red hills. Arrive back in Marrakech by late afternoon for your final evening in Morocco. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 14 – Marrakech → Airport (B)
After breakfast, enjoy some last-minute shopping or relaxation depending on your flight schedule. Transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport for departure assistance. End of your unforgettable 14-Day Morocco Imperial Cities and Sahara Desert Tour.
What's included
- Pick-up & drop-off from Marrakech Airport
- Private air-conditioned minibus
- English-speaking driver during the tour
- Official local guides in Marrakech & Fes
- Entrance fees to all monuments
- Day trips to Essaouira & Ouzoud
- 13 nights in 4★ hotels across major cities
- 1 night in a 5★ luxury desert camp (private tent with A/C & bathroom)
- 4x4 desert tour & nomad visit
- Breakfasts and dinners (half-board)
- Camel trekking (sunset & sunrise)
- Folklore show at desert camp
- Free time for photo stops & exploration
What’s Not Included
- Lunches
- Beverages and personal expenses
- Gratuities for driver and guides
Know Before You Go
- Tour available year-round and fully customizable.
- Includes 4★ hotels and a 5★ luxury desert camp.
- Comfortable walking shoes recommended for city medinas.
- Optional add-ons: hot air balloon, Moroccan hammam, or cooking class.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is this tour private?
Yes, camel trekking at sunset and sunrise in the Sahara Desert is included.
2. Are camel rides included?
Yes, your camel trek in the Sahara Desert will be guided by professionals ensuring safety and comfort.
3. What level of accommodation is included?
You’ll stay in 4★ hotels and one night in a 5★ luxury desert camp.
4. Can we customize the itinerary?
Absolutely — we can adjust routes, hotel categories, or durations as you wish.
5. When is the best time to travel?
Ideal months: March–June and September–November for mild weather.
6. Are vegetarian or dietary preferences accommodated?
Yes, please mention your preferences when booking.
7. What type of vehicle is used?
A luxury air-conditioned minibus with Wi-Fi and luggage space.
8. Can the tour start in Casablanca or Tangier instead?
Yes, this itinerary is flexible and can start or end in other Moroccan cities.
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