The Royal cities of Morocco, also called imperial cities, are the cities designated as administration capitals at various times by different monarchs from the different Moroccan dynasties that have ruled the country: the Idrissids, the Almoravids, the Almohads, the Marinids, the Saadians and the Alawites.
There are four royal cities: Fez, Marrakech, Meknes and Rabat, which is the current capital.
Fez was founded by the Idrissid Sultan Idris I between 789 and 809. It was the capital of the Idrissids, Marinids, Wattasids and, periodically, Alawites dynasties. It was also the seat of the Idrissid government between 1465 and 1471 and of the Dilaeite power between 1659 and 1663.
Marrakech was founded by the Almoravid sultan Youssef Ibn Tachfine in 1062. It was the capital of the Almoravid, Almohad and Saadian dynasties, and also served as the “second capital” under the Marinids and Alawites.
Meknes was founded in the 11th century by the Almoravid dynasty and was the capital of Morocco from 1672 to 1727, during the reign of the Alaouite sultan Moulay Ismail.
Rabat was founded by the Almohad Sultan Abd Al Moumin in 1150 and expanded under Yacoub Al Mansour to become his capital. It only became an imperial city under the Alaouite Sultan Mohammed III, before becoming the capital of Morocco in the 20th century.
In addition to these four imperial cities, this tour offers the chance to discover the breathtaking and scenic desert of Morocco.
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | Casablanca Airport |
| DEPARTURE TIME/RETURN TIME | According to your flight schedule |
| INCLUDED | 08 nights Accommodation with daily breakfast 02 Dinners in the desert as per the itinerary A/C minivan with English speaking driver/guide for transportation Local English speaking guides in Fez & Marrakech Hassan II mosque (outside visit only) Camel ride in the desert 4WD transfers to the desert of Merzouga Monuments admission fees as per the itinerary Bottled mineral water onboard Services charges and local taxes |
| NOT INCLUDED | Lunches and non-mentioned dinners Drinks Tipping |
We offer one mineral water per person per day onboard.
Notes:
- We arranges an English-speaking driver for the trip. Whilst your tours at Fes and Marrakech, we will arrange private English speaking guides for you. And your driver will be in charge of driving you from site to site and city to city, of course, your driver is also able to give you general information on Morocco, but not as good as an experienced tour guide.
- Small hotels renovated from old houses are called Riads or Dars. These are often small (about 20 rooms or less) and could be filled up fast, we will recommend similar ones if proposed Riads/Dars are sold out.
- In case it is snowing during winter in High Atlas Mountains, our driver/guide will drive slower than usual to ensure your safety. In this case, you may reach Erfoud later than expected. If snow blocks the road, we will stay in Midelt for overnight, and head further south the following day.
Additional information
| Hotel Category | 4-Star Hotels |
|---|
Day 1: Arrival to Casablanca
Once you land in Casablanca, the beauty on the Ocean, our local driver guide will meet and greet you at the exit of the airport, then you will be escorted to the hotel in Casablanca. The rest of the day is yours to relax at leisure.
Day 2: Casablanca - Rabat
Breakfast at your hotel and head off north to Rabat, the administration capital of Morocco and one of the four imperial cities of the kingdom. At your arrival to Rabat, check-in at your hotel and then join your panoramic tour of this beautiful city. Places to be visited today are the Mechouar, Royal Palace, Hassan Tower, Kasbah Ouddayas, Mausoleum of Mohamed V and much more. Optional lunch at Dar Naji restaurant and get some free time to stroll around the norrow streets and alleys of the old medina of Rabat with its many enticing shops and souks, local traditional markets. Drop off at youe hotel for the overnight by the end of the tour.
Day 3: Rabat - Meknes - volubilis - Fez
After breakfast, you will be escorted by your English speaking driver to Fez. En route, a stop is planned in Meknes, one of the four imperial cities of Morocco. The city of Meknes is being dubbed as the “Versailles of Morocco” and that’s due to its huge and impressive ramparts with elaborate monuments and many monumental gates like Bab Mansour for example. Optionaal lunch will be in a local restaurant in Meknes before continuing Volubilis, the most ancient and the most preserved Roman site in Morocco. Volubilis is listed by the UNESCO as a human heritage site. Colntinue to Fez by late afternoon. Once arrived, check-in at your Riad and free time to rest.
Day 4: Fez Exploration Day
Breakfast at your hotel then meet your English-speaking guide and join your guided tour of Fez or Fes. The imperial city of Fez was once the administration capital of the kingdom of Morocco before 1912, the city has retained its status as the spiritual capital of the country as well as a craftsemenship and artisan center. Your guided visit today will take you on an exploration adventure through the Medina of Fez, the oldest and fortified part of the city. Fez was founded in the 9th century and nowadays it’s listed on the UNESCO word heritage sites list. It is home to the world’s oldest university, Al Qarouiyine university. Our tour will take you to other major sites such as Al Attarine Medresa (old koranic school), Qaraouiyine Mosque, Moulay Idriss Mausoleum, Souk Nejiarine and the Hebrew district Mellah. Optional lunch in a local restaurant in the Medina and free time to walk around the its narrow alleys and streets of your own pace. Return to the hotel by the end of the tour. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 5: Fez - Midelt - Erfoud
After breakfast in the hotel, your English speaking driver will take you to Erfoud via the Middle Atlas Mountains and the mineral mining city of Midelt. The first stop is planned at the scenic cedar forest near Azro where you will have the chance to see some macaques, local endemic apes then continue to Midelt where you will have an optional lunch before heading south to Erfoud via the beautiful and picturesque valley of Ziz. At your arrival to Erfoud, take a 4X4 excursion to the deep desert of Merzouga and go on a camel ride to witness the sunset in the desert. Return to Erfoud for the overnight. You can also choose to spend the night under nomadic tents in the desert (on request). Dinner and overngiht will be at the hotel.
Day 6: Erfoud - Tinghir - Dades - Skoura - Ouarzazate
Breakfast at your hotel and drive west to Ouarzazate. Several stops will be planned today to let you enjoy and discover the many beautiful landscapes that the desert has to to offer. First, stop in the Todgha Gorges, these gorges are located just southwest of Tineghir (Tinerhir) at some 110 km (65 miles) from the city of Ouarzazate. Then continue the drive to Dadès valley where the 2nd stop is scheduled. Optional lunch in Dadès and continue to Ouarzazate. Before reaching there, you will make a stop in Skoura, one of Morocco’s most beautiful oases and palmgroves. At first glance from the road, the palmgrove of Skoura appears to be thin and long but if you have the time and chance to explore it, then you will discover it is rather large and impressive. Once arrived to Ouarzazate, check-in and free time to rest. Dinner and overnight will be at the hotel.
Day 7: Ouarzazate - Aït Benhaddou - Marrakech
Breakfast at your hotel and depart to Marrakech via the breathtaking Ksar of Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site where several movies and Holywood blockbusters such as Gladiator and Jesus of Nazareth have been shot. Stop to visit Ksar Aït Benhaddou before continuing the road to Marrakech through the dramatic Tizi n’Tichka mountain pass. At your arrival to Marrakech, check-in at you hotel. The remaining time is free for you to rest or go discover the frenetic Jamma El Fna quare by night. Overnight will be at the hotel.
Day 8: Marrakech Exploration
Breakfast at your hotel then meet your local English-speaking guide and join your guided tour of Marrakech. Today’s tour will take you to the city’s most attractive locations such as the 12th century Koutoubia beautiful Minaret that dominates the skyline of Marrakech and can be seen from almost every approach to the city, the Bahia Palace and the breathtaking Majorelle Gardern. Optional lunch will be in a local terrasse restaurant overlooking the famous Jamaa El Fna square. Free afternoon to discover the medina of Marrakech with its many souks, local markets and enticing shops. Overnight will be at the hotel.
Day 9: Marrakech - Exit
Breakfast at your hotel and transfer to the airport of Casablanca or Marrakech for your final exit.
End of our services.
Hotels & Riads to be used (or similar)
| City | Hotel or Riad | Room Type |
| Casablanca | New Hotel 4* | Standard Room |
| Rabat | Musee Hotel 3* | Standard Room |
| Fez | Dar Victoria 4* | Standard Room |
| Erfoud | Hotel Chergui 4* | Standard Room |
| Ouarzazate | Dar Chamaa 3* | Standard Room |
| Marrakech | Opera Plaza Hotel 4* | Standard Room |
- Package per person:
Number of persons 1 person 2 persons 3 persons 4 persons 5 persons 6 persons Price per person sharing a double or twin room 2340 $ 1420 $ 1115 $ 961 $ 884 $ 822 $ Single room supplement 244 $
- Tour Rates :
Prices are per person, per booking, and are listed in USD. All published prices are valid for the whole year except during the new year holiday period where special rates will be applied (please contact us at mounir.akajia@attendance.com if you wish to book this tour between Dec 25th to Jan 1st). Rates are based on the number of participants.
- Children Policy:
Children aged between 6 and 12 YO may receive up to 50% discount
Children aged 12 and older are considered adults.
- How to book your Tour:
- Please fill all the required information in the opposite booking form and then click the “Book Now” button and follow all the instructions until your checkout.
- You can also book your tour on our booking page, or by sending your booking request to mounir.akajia@attendance.com.
- To customize your tour, please Click here and send us your request.
- For groups over than 6 persons, please Click here and send us your request.
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