MOROCCO IMPERIAL CAPITALS 8 DAYS |

MOROCCO IMPERIAL CAPITALS 8 DAYS

Morocco imperial Capitals

The Imperial Cities program allows you to experience the different flavors and wonders of the Kingdom in an adventure celebrating its history, culture, gastronomy and architecture. The imperial cities of Fes, Marrakech, Meknes and Rabat have played important roles throughout the history of Morocco and, today, you can still marvel at the glory of their religious architecture and the unique charms of their historic heritage while savoring their exotic culture.

Starting & Finishing Point: Casablanca

Day 1: Arrive to Casablanca

Welcome to Morocco! Arrival to Med V airport in Casablanca where you will be meeting assisted and transferred to your Hotel depending on the time of your arrival.

Diner and night in the Hotel.

Day 2: Casablanca – Rabat – Meknes – Fes

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll have a tour of the Hassan II Mosque: one of the most impressive religious and cultural sites anywhere in the world, it was constructed on the sea and is dominated by the highest minaret of the world at 210m, half of the mosque lies on reclaimed land over the Atlantic Ocean and part of the mosque’s floor is made of glass so worshippers can kneel and pray directly over the sea.

Next we will drive towards the capital city of the kingdom Rabat to visit Mohamed V Mausoleum and Hassan tower (if completed, this mosque would have been the 2nd largest in the Islamic world) after we will continue to Meknes, the city protected by over 40km of ancient walls. We visit one of the few religious sites non-Muslims are allowed to enter, before a panoramic tour of the city and the famous doors of El Mansour and El Khamis, before going through the Roman ruins of Volubilis , dating back to 3rd century BC.

Volubilis (Volubilis has been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage) also referred to by Moroccans as Walili (Arabic) was the administrative center of the province in Roman Africa called Mauretania Tingitana, the Mauritanian capital, founded in the 3rd century B.C, became an important outpost of the Roman Empire and was graced with many fine buildings, it was destroyed by an earthquake in the late fourth century AD and later reoccupied in the sixth century, under the Abbasids, extensive remains survived and create now what is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Morocco.

We are only an hour away from Fes where your luxury accommodation and dinner await you.

Day 3: Fes (explore the medieval city)

After breakfast, you have a full day of sightseeing, we visit the authentic city of Fes, where the old medina offers a step back in time, you’ll start the visit of the spiritual capital with an inspiring panoramic view from the south of the Borj, off the Medina, then on to discover the famous pottery factories on foot; the souks, the dyers and the tanneries, the square and the Nejjarine Fountain, outdoor views of the Karaouyine Mosque in heart of Medina, lunch will be in an ancient palace in the Medina, in the afternoon an outdoor visit of the Royal Palace, also exploring Fes’s heritage in and around the Jewish Quarter noting its particular houses with forged iron balconies, for lunch you may choose to eat in a traditional restaurant in the heart of the medina.

After lunch you will continue the tour and return to your riad for the evening.

Day 4: Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Beni Mella

After breakfast we depart from Fes through the cedar forest to Ifrane ‘Switzerland’ of Morocco, our next stop will be at Azrou where we can stop to hand feed the monkeys.

Azrou name means “rock,” and we will see the volcanic outcrop just outside the village, we will understand why Azrou is famous for its fine woodwork and gorgeous red carpets. After lunch in Azrou, travel via a mountain road towards Beni Mellal.

Dinner and night at the hotel.

Day 5 : Beni Mellal – Ouzoud – Marrakech

After breakfast in the hotel, we will enjoy the beautiful scenery of the middle Altas, then depart via a forested mountain towards the Ouzoud Cascades where we will have lunch, after breakfast in the hotel, we will enjoy the beautiful scenery of the middle Altas,then depart via a forested mountain towards the Ouzoud Cascades where we will have lunch. Afterwards, drive to Marrakech, the pearl of the south.

Dinner and night in the Hotel or riad at medina.

Day 6: Full day guided tour of Marrakech

After breakfast and shower, you will spend the whole day sightseeing in this fascinating city, Marrakesh is the “pearl of the south” founded by the Almoravides dynasty at the end of the 12th century, this city is located in the heart of a palm grove and surrounded by snow-topped mountains, spend the morning discovering the souks of Marrakesh and the Djemaa El Fna square, which by day is a market place but at night an endless parade of a variety of performers and entertainers, in the afternoon you will visit the lavishly decorated Saadian Tombs, Dar Si Said which houses the Museum of Moroccan Arts, the Menara and Agdal city gardens, the Koutoubia (this tower is nearly 70m high and is visible for miles), and the Bahia Palace.

This evening you have an optional dinner in a typical Moroccan restaurant with folklore show.

DAY 7: MARRAKECH – ESSAOUIRA – MARRAKECH

After breakfast in your riad, you will start travelling to Essaouira (Mogador) on our way you will see enormous Argan trees on both sides of the road.

These Argan trees are frequently climbed by goats. Argan oil is produced by several women’s cooperatives and it is used to prepare couscous, salads, and is traditionally used as a treatment for skin diseases before being founded as good enough for cosmetics by European manufacturers.

Today you can explore and enjoy Essaouira is it is well renowned for its kite surfing and windsurfing, with the powerful trade wind, horse riding, camel riding along the beach, quad biking are activities that you can enjoy while staying in Essaouira, it is known by the delicious seafood too, and then from other side you will explore the city, you’ll visit the Skala Fortress, the port, the souks and see Thuya wood carved by artisans; walk through the alleys of the medina and view hundreds of handicrafts. Then going back to Marrakech.