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Ovidiu David

Travel specialist

020 7808 6784

020 7808 6784

Save up to £200pp on Moroccan Explorer: Imperial Cities to Desert

Valid for travel 29 February 2024. Book by 19 December 2023

For Ts&Cs and availability, please speak to one of our travel specialists.

Lead Price
From £2695pp
Duration
11 days & 10 nights
Itinerary Type
Group Tour
Holiday Type
General Interest
Tour Highlights

Moroccan Explorer: Imperial Cities to Desert

Explore the four imperial cities of Morocco: Fez, Rabat, Meknes and Marrakech – all former or current capitals of the country and known for their traditional architecture, maze-like medinas and vibrant souks. Along the way, travel through diverse landscapes, from the Atlantic coast through fertile plains to the Sahara desert.
Dates and prices

Itinerary

YEAR:
DAY 1: Fly to Marrakech
- +

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.

Accommodation: Savoy Grand Hotel
DAY 2: Marrakech - Rabat
- +

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)

Accommodation: Dar El Kebira Salam
DAY 3: Rabat - Chefchaouen
- +

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)

Accommodation: Dar Echchaouen Maison d'Hôtes & Riad
DAY 4: Volubilis - Fez
- +

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)

DAY 5: Fez
- +

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)

DAY 6: Erfoud
- +

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)

DAY 7: Erg Chebbi
- +

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)

DAY 8: Ouarzazate
- +

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)

Accommodation: Ksar Ighnda
DAY 9: Ait Benhaddou - Marrakech
- +

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)

Accommodation: Savoy Grand Hotel
DAY 10: Marrakech
- +

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)

Accommodation: Savoy Grand Hotel
DAY 11: Fly to London via Casablanca
- +

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.

DAY 1: Fly to Marrakech
- +

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.

Accommodation: Savoy Grand Hotel
DAY 2: Marrakech - Rabat
- +

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)

Accommodation: Dar El Kebira Salam
DAY 3: Rabat - Chefchaouen
- +

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)

Accommodation: Dar Echchaouen Maison d'Hôtes & Riad
DAY 4: Volubilis - Fez
- +

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)

DAY 5: Fez
- +

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)

DAY 6: Erfoud
- +

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)

DAY 7: Erg Chebbi
- +

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)

DAY 8: Ouarzazate
- +

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)

Accommodation: Ksar Ighnda
DAY 9: Ait Benhaddou - Marrakech
- +

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)

Accommodation: Savoy Grand Hotel
DAY 10: Marrakech
- +

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)

Accommodation: Savoy Grand Hotel
DAY 11: Fly to London via Casablanca
- +

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.

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The Cox & Kings signature experiences

  • Explore the atmospheric Roman ruins of Volubilis
  • Dine in a riad in Rabat
  • Drink mint tea with a local nomad family and see the sun set over the dunes
  • Sample local food at the medina in Fez
  • Walking tour of Chefchaouen's medina

Important information

Accommodation
Rooms of the same standard can vary within riads. To remain cool, rooms may also have limited natural light.
*Note
March & May 2023 departures will operate with Royal Air Maroc or Easyjet.
Private & tailor-made travel
This itinerary can be taken privately on a date that suits you. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements. So, should you want to spend longer in a particular location, or add another experience or destination, we can make all the arrangements for you. Please contact our travel specialists for guideline prices.
Guaranteed departures
Where a tour date shows ‘Guaranteed departure’, this tour is guaranteed to run. For all other departure dates, once the minimum number of people booked has been reached, this tour is also guaranteed to run. Our sales consultants will be able to advise how many people are booked for your chosen date at the time of enquiry, giving you the confidence to book safe in the knowledge your tour will go ahead.
Dates and prices
Unless otherwise stated, the tour prices and upgrade supplements are all per person in pound sterling, based on two people sharing a twin/double room. The online price is a guideline price; your final quote may differ due to flight availability, and you may be asked to pay a flight supplement.

What's included

  • Small group size - average 14 people (max 18)
  • Stay in 4- and 5-star accommodation
  • Flexible - extensions available
  • International flights with British Airways
  • Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
  • Experienced local tour manager
  • 10 breakfasts & 8 dinners
  • Guided sightseeing & entrance fees
  • Hotel porterage
  • Welcome & farewell dinners with your group & tour manager

Is your preferred tour date fully booked?

Please call or submit an enquiry about late availability.

Private journey option: guideline prices

Low season from £3,995 | Guide price month: May

High season from £4,095 | Guide price month: March & April

Single supplement from £895

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