Moroccan Explorer: Imperial Cities to Desert

Fly to Marrakech

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Marrakech with British Airways. Transfer to the 5-star Savoy Grand Hotel for an overnight stay. (N) Meal basis: As per itinerary - B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Marrakech - Rabat

After breakfast, you will travel to Rabat. Afternoon tour of the city including the Royal Palace and the 12th-century Hassan Tower with its mausoleum, followed by mint tea in the Andalucian gardens at Oudaya Kasbah. Stay for 1 night at Riad Dar El Kebira or Dar El Kebira Salam located in the heart of the Rabat medina. Enjoy a welcome dinner in the riad. (B, D)

Rabat - Chefchaouen

Travel by road to the blue-walled town of Chefchaouen, perched beneath the rugged Rif Mountains. Take a walking tour to discover the kasbah with its charming garden, then continue to the cobbled main square, Outa-el-Hammam, and admire the 15th-century Grand Mosque with its distinctive octagonal minaret. Stay overnight at Dar Echchaouen, a riad furnished in arabic style with exemplary views. (B)

Volubilis - Fez

Morning at leisure in Chefchaouen’s medina. Continue to Fez, stopping en route at the Roman ruins of Volubilis, which mark the westward extent of the Roman Empire. Spend 2 nights at the Palais Ommeyad & Spa. (B, D)

Fez

Full-day tour of Fez, the oldest of Morocco’s imperial cities. Visit the Bou Inania madrasa, the Nejjarine fountain, the souk, tanneries and medina. Visit a communal bakery and join a tasting tour through the medina. (B, D)

Erfoud

Travel to Erfoud on the edge of the Sahara Desert, through the high plains between the Middle Atlas and High Atlas mountain ranges. Stop en route at Ifrane village for a walking tour. Continue to Erfoud and stay 2 nights at Palais du Desert & Spa. (B, D)

Erg Chebbi

Morning at leisure. This afternoon journey into the Sahara desert in 4x4 vehicles. Stop for a refreshing mint drink with a local Nomad family and see the sunset over the dunes before returning to your hotel this evening. (B, D)

Ouarzazate

Travel west to Ouarzazate with a photo stop at Todra gorge, an impressive orange-coloured canyon. Take a panoramic tour of Ouarzazate and stay overnight at Ksar Ighnda (or similar). (B, D)

Ait Benhaddou - Marrakech

Depart for the fortified village of Ait Benhaddou, a superb example of traditional Moroccan earthen architecture. Scenes from the films Gladiator, Prince of Persiaand The Jewel of the Nile were shot here. Arrive in Marrakech and visit the beautiful Jardin Majorelle to see the exotic plants and Berber museum before continuing to The Savoy Grand Hotel, where you stay for 2 nights. (B, D)

Marrakech

Full-day city tour of Marrakech. Highlights include the lavish Moroccan architecture of Bahia Palace, the walls of the former El Badi Palace, Koutoubia mosque and the bustling souks. Finish in Djemaa el Fna market square, a swirling carnival of musicians, fire eaters, storytellers and snake charmers. Attend a farewell meal at a local restaurant. (B, D)

Fly to London via Casablanca

Transfer to the airport and fly to London, with British Airways. (B) TOUR EXTENSIONS Post-tour extensions are available in Essaouira, which would include accommodation and private transfers. Please speak to a Cox & Kings travel consultant for further details. Important information Accommodation: Rooms of the same standard can vary within riads. To remain cool, rooms may also have limited natural light. Friday 26 April departure: the hotel in Marrakech will be 2Ciels for Day 1. Private & tailor-made travel: This itinerary can be taken privately on a date that suits you, for which guideline prices are shown. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements. Please call to speak with a Cox & Kings consultant or enquire online.

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Fly to Marrakech

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Marrakech with British Airways. Transfer to the 5-star Savoy Grand Hotel for an overnight stay. (N) Meal basis: As per itinerary - B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Marrakech - Rabat

After breakfast, you will travel to Rabat. Afternoon tour of the city including the Royal Palace and the 12th-century Hassan Tower with its mausoleum, followed by mint tea in the Andalucian gardens at Oudaya Kasbah. Stay for 1 night at Riad Dar El Kebira or Dar El Kebira Salam located in the heart of the Rabat medina. Enjoy a welcome dinner in the riad. (B, D)

Rabat - Chefchaouen

Travel by road to the blue-walled town of Chefchaouen, perched beneath the rugged Rif Mountains. Take a walking tour to discover the kasbah with its charming garden, then continue to the cobbled main square, Outa-el-Hammam, and admire the 15th-century Grand Mosque with its distinctive octagonal minaret. Stay overnight at Dar Echchaouen, a riad furnished in arabic style with exemplary views. (B)

Volubilis - Fez

Morning at leisure in Chefchaouen’s medina. Continue to Fez, stopping en route at the Roman ruins of Volubilis, which mark the westward extent of the Roman Empire. Spend 2 nights at the Palais Ommeyad & Spa. (B, D)

Fez

Full-day tour of Fez, the oldest of Morocco’s imperial cities. Visit the Bou Inania madrasa, the Nejjarine fountain, the souk, tanneries and medina. Visit a communal bakery and join a tasting tour through the medina. (B, D)

Erfoud

Travel to Erfoud on the edge of the Sahara Desert, through the high plains between the Middle Atlas and High Atlas mountain ranges. Stop en route at Ifrane village for a walking tour. Continue to Erfoud and stay 2 nights at Palais du Desert & Spa. (B, D)

Erg Chebbi

Morning at leisure. This afternoon, journey into the Sahara in 4x4 vehicles. Stop for a refreshing mint drink with a local nomad family and see the sun set over the dunes before returning to your hotel this evening. (B, D)

Ouarzazate

Travel west to Ouarzazate with a photo stop at Todra Gorge, an impressive orange-coloured canyon. Take a panoramic tour of Ouarzazate and stay overnight at Ksar Ighnda (or similar). (B, D)

Ait Benhaddou - Marrakech

Depart for the fortified village of Ait Benhaddou, a superb example of traditional Moroccan earthen architecture. Scenes from the films Gladiator, Prince of Persiaand The Jewel of the Nile were shot here. Arrive in Marrakech and visit the beautiful Jardin Majorelle to see the exotic plants and Berber museum before continuing to The Savoy Grand Hotel, where you stay for 2 nights. (B, D)

Marrakech

Full-day city tour of Marrakech. Highlights include the lavish Moroccan architecture of Bahia Palace, the walls of the former El Badi Palace, Koutoubia mosque and the bustling souks. Finish in Djemaa el Fna market square, a swirling carnival of musicians, fire eaters, storytellers and snake charmers. Attend a farewell meal at a local restaurant. (B, D)

Fly to London via Casablanca

Transfer to the airport and fly to London, with British Airways. (B) TOUR EXTENSIONS Post-tour extensions are available in Essaouira, which would include accommodation and private transfers. Please speak to a Cox & Kings travel consultant for further details. Important information Accommodation: Rooms of the same standard can vary within riads. To remain cool, rooms may also have limited natural light. Friday 26 April departure: the hotel in Marrakech will be 2Ciels for Day 1. Private & tailor-made travel: This itinerary can be taken privately on a date that suits you, for which guideline prices are shown. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements. Please call to speak with a Cox & Kings consultant or enquire online.

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.