ROUTE THROUGH THE IMPERIAL CITIES

5-day route

DAY 1:

The cities of Rabat, Meknes, Fes, and Marrakech are the 4 imperial cities. They are considered as such for having historically been the country’s capitals.

Fes:

  • Pick-up at the airport and transfer to the accommodation (depending on the time, we may visit the area near the accommodation).

DAY 2:

Visit to Fes:

  • Breakfast at the hotel and departure to visit the city with the company of a local guide.
  • We will start the visit from Bab Bou Jeloud or Blue Gate. This leads us to the Fez-el Bali medina, which is surrounded by a wall more than 15 km long.
  • Inside this medina we will walk through labyrinthine alleys and visit the Bou Inania Madrasa or Great Mosque.
  • Then we will see the tannery district where sheep and goat hides have been worked using the same techniques since the 14th century. The colours of the dyes come from natural pigments such as the orange extracted from henna, the green from mint, or the red from saffron.
  • We will visit the Zouk or market, full of fruits and vegetables, clothing, and spices. And also, the University of Qarawiyyin, considered the oldest university institution still in operation. Return to the hotel.

DAY 3:

Fes – Volubilis- Meknes – Rabat:

  • After breakfast, we will head to the ancient Roman city of Volubilis, where we will visit the historic ruins that have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.
  • Next, we will go to Meknes to visit the city. In this Imperial City, we will walk along the walls, get lost in the medina and bargain at the souk (market).
  • We will see the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the gates of Bab el Mansour, Bab Berdain, and Bab El-Jemis, the Madrasa Bou Inania, and the Adgal reservoir. Then, we will continue to Rabat, where we will stay to rest.

DAY 4:

Rabat – Casablanca – Marrakech:

  • After breakfast, we will visit the city of Rabat, the third of the so-called Imperial Cities that we will discover on this tour.
  • Accompanied by a local guide, we will visit the most well-known and emblematic places such as the Hassan Tower, the Mohamed V Mausoleum, the medina and the market, the Kasbah of the Oudaies, and the seafront promenade.
  • Then we will go to Casablanca to see the majestic Hassan II Mosque that will not leave us indifferent. We can walk around the Corniche neighbourhood and relax with the company of the Atlantic Ocean.
  • We will continue the route towards Marrakech, where we will sleep in the accommodation.

DAY 5:

Visit to Marrakech:

  • After breakfast, we will head to visit the fourth Imperial City, Marrakech.
  • During the day, we will see Jemaa el-Fna square and the souk, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Saadian Tombs, the Jewish Quarter, the Majorelle Gardens, and the Palm Grove. We will end the day at the accommodation.
  • Finally, we will transfer to the airport to finish the tour.

*Included: airport transfers, private vehicle with driver and guide, accommodation with breakfast, and guided tours with explanations.

*Not included: lunch and dinner, admission to museums and other paid tourist attractions.

*At noon, you will have enough time to have lunch where you like and rest a bit.