Description
This 8-day imperial cities tour of Morocco is designed for those who want to explore the kingdom’s ancient capitals. It offers a historical journey through the imperial cities, allowing you to discover the country’s rich culture and history. Traveling through Morocco while focusing on its culture and history is always a rewarding choice due to the country’s wealth of heritage. This tour is specially designed for those wishing to start their journey from Marrakech.
Morocco’s Imperial Cities were the former capitals designated at different times by successive monarchs from various dynasties, including the Idrissides, Almoravides, Almohades, Merinides, Saadians, and Alaouites. Morocco boasts four imperial cities: Fès, founded by Sultan Idriss I; Marrakech, established by the Almoravid sultan Youssef Ibn Tachfine; Rabat, created by the Almohad sultan Abd al-Moumen; and Meknès, built in the 11th century by the Almoravid dynasty during the reign of Sultan Ismaïl ben Chérif. We offer a circuit throughout Morocco, with visits to the heart of ancient medinas, diverse panoramas, and exotic colors and aromas.
Itinerary:
Day 1 – Marrakech Airport
- Arrival at Marrakech Airport.
- Transfer to your hotel, with the option of a 4-star hotel or a riad.
- Explore the ancient medina of Marrakech, activating your senses and welcoming you to this new world.
Day 2 – Marrakech
- Enjoy a guided cultural tour of Marrakech, a city known for its exotic charm and colorful buildings.
- Discover the famous Jemaa El Fna square, where you can savor Moroccan cuisine and witness various performances.
- Explore the bustling souks, offering vibrant encounters, exchanges, and negotiations with merchants. Here, you’ll find Moroccan craftsmanship, including clothing, bags, hats, poufs, carpets, decorations, and pottery.
Day 3 – Marrakech – Beni Mellal – Fes
- Travel from Marrakech to Fès via Beni Mellal.
- Pass through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, home to a colony of Barbary macaques.
- Visit Azrou and the town of Ifrane, known as the “Switzerland of Morocco.”
- Explore Beni Mellal, a tranquil city with charming architecture, including Borj de Ras El Ain and beautiful gardens.
- Overnight in Fès.
Day 4 – Fes
- Enjoy a cultural visit to Fès with an official guide.
- Fès, the oldest imperial city in Morocco, was founded in 808 AD and served as the kingdom’s capital on various occasions.
- Explore the winding streets of the well-preserved old medina, known as “Fès el Bali,” considered the largest car-free urban area in the world.
- Visit sites like the souks, the tannery district, the Royal Palace, the Mellah (former Jewish quarter), and the world’s oldest university, El Qaraouiyine.
- Overnight in Fès.
Day 5 – Fes – Volubilis – Meknes
- Travel from Fès to Meknès via Volubilis.
- Explore the Roman ruins dating back to the 2nd century BC.
- Volubilis, a prosperous city of the Roman Empire, thrived on the trade of wheat, olive oil, and livestock, with an estimated population of about 20,000 in the 3rd century.
- The archaeological site has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997 and is the best-preserved of its kind in North Africa.
- Discover the forum, basilica, and triumphal arch, as well as ovens, presses, baths, shops, and residences.
- Overnight in Meknès.
Day 6 – Meknes – Rabat
- Travel from Meknès to Rabat.
- Visit the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Hassan Tower in Rabat.
- Rabat was founded in 1150 by Sultan Abd El Moumen, who built the fortress to protect the city.
- It is the current capital of the Kingdom of Morocco, became an imperial city in 1660, and served as the country’s capital from 1912 during the French protectorate.
- “Rabat, Modern Capital and Historic City” has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2012.
- Explore two of the city’s three most important monuments: the Hassan Tower (within the remains of the mosque built by Yacoub El Mansour, destroyed in the 1755 earthquake) and the beautiful Mausoleum of Mohammed V (housing the remains of King Mohammed V, his son King Hassan II, and his brother Moulay Abdallah).
- Overnight in Rabat.
Day 7 – Rabat – Casablanca – Marrakech
- Travel from Rabat to Marrakech via Casablanca.
- Visit the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca.
- Casablanca is known internationally due to the film starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.
- Casablanca (meaning “white house” in Spanish) was named because many Spanish merchants lived there.
- Situated on the Atlantic coast, it is Morocco’s largest city, featuring a blend of French, Arab, and Andalusian architectural styles.
- The Hassan II Mosque, a major point of interest, was constructed between 1986 and 1993. Its minaret is the world’s tallest at 210 meters.
- Overnight in Marrakech.
Day 8 – Marrakech Airport
- Transfer from the hotel to Marrakech Airport.
- Your journey comes to an end, and we hope you have enjoyed your trip and will recommend our services.
