Chat with us, powered by LiveChat Moroccan Explorer: Imperial Cities to Desert | Holidays | Cox & Kings
020 7873 5000
We are open today 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
or
Request a quote

Did you know we can tailor any tour?

Ovidiu David

Travel specialist

020 7808 6784

020 7808 6784

Save £150pp on Moroccan Explorer: Imperial Cities to Desert

Valid for travel 7 March 2025. Book by 29 November 2024

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

Lead Price
From £3145pp
Duration
12 days & 11 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 Kenzi Menara Palace Resort & Spa for an overnight stay. (N)

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

Accommodation: Kenzi Menara Palace
DAY 2: Casablanca - Rabat
- +

Casablanca - Rabat

After breakfast, you will travel to Casablanca for a city tour including the Hassan II Grand Mosque. Continue to Rabat for a 2-night stay at Riad Dar El Kebira or Dar El Kebira Salam in the heart of the Rabat medina. Enjoy a welcome dinner in the riad. (B, D)

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

Rabat

Take a morning tour of Rabat including the Royal Palace and the 12th-century Hassan Tower with its mausoleum. Enjoy a mint tea in the Andalusian gardens at Oudaya Kasbah. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Accommodation: Dar El Kebira Salam
DAY 4: Chefchaouen
- +

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 5: Volubilis - Fez
- +

Volubilis - Fez

Travel 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 6: 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 7: 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 8: 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 9: 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 10: 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 Persia and 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 Kenzi Menara Palace Resort & Spa, where you stay for 2 nights. (B)

Accommodation: Kenzi Menara Palace
DAY 11: 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: Kenzi Menara Palace
DAY 12: Fly to London
- +

Fly to London

Transfer to the airport and fly to London, with British Airways. (B)

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

Accommodation: Kenzi Menara Palace
DAY 1: Fly to Marrakech
- +

Fly to Marrakech

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Marrakech with British Airways. Transfer to the 5-star Kenzi Menara Palace Resort & Spa for an overnight stay. (N)

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

Accommodation: Kenzi Menara Palace
DAY 2: Casablanca - Rabat
- +

Casablanca - Rabat

After breakfast, you will travel to Casablanca for a city tour including the Hassan II Grand Mosque. Continue to Rabat for a 2-night stay at Riad Dar El Kebira or Dar El Kebira Salam in the heart of the Rabat medina. Enjoy a welcome dinner in the riad. (B, D)

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

Rabat

Take a morning tour of Rabat including the Royal Palace and the 12th-century Hassan Tower with its mausoleum. Enjoy a mint tea in the Andalusian gardens at Oudaya Kasbah. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Accommodation: Dar El Kebira Salam
DAY 4: 4: Chefchaouen
- +

4: 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 5: Volubilis - Fez
- +

Volubilis - Fez

Travel 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 6: 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 7: 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 8: 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 9: 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 10: 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 Persia and 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 Kenzi Menara Palace Resort & Spa, where you stay for 2 nights. (B)

Accommodation: Kenzi Menara Palace
DAY 11: 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: Kenzi Menara Palace
DAY 12: Fly to London
- +

Fly to London

Transfer to the airport and fly to London, with British Airways. (B)

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

Sorry, this itinerary is not Available on the selected date
Please try using different date to see our available options

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.
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.
Moderate activity level:
Medium pace, some longer travel days, with uneven terrain and longer walks requiring good fitness and mobility

What's included

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

Is your preferred tour date fully booked?

Please call or submit an enquiry about late availability.

Private journey option: guideline prices

Low season from £4,725 | Guide price month: May

High season from £4,825 | Guide price month: March & April

Single supplement from £1,045

Looking for a holiday that’s tailored to you?

You can take any group tour on a private basis, or have us create a holiday just for you – with your preferred dates, activities and accommodation.

Why not extend your tour?

Most Cox & Kings group tours include pre- or post-travel options for those wishing to explore further, for longer.
Genuinely small groups

Small groups promise a more personal touring experience. That’s why Cox & Kings maintains a maximum group size of 18 guests on most tours, and an average of just 14.

Worldwide support

Enjoy round-the-clock support – in person, over the phone and online. This is made possible by our well-travelled staff and unrivalled network of offices in destinations across the world.

Your money is protected

Cox & Kings is ABTA bonded and ATOL protected. When you arrange a holiday with us, rest assured that your booking is secure and your money is protected.

Experts since 1758

Cox & Kings is a name you can trust. We’ve been helping the curious traveller explore for more than 265 years – longer than any other travel company.

Make an enquiry

Inspired to visit North Africa & the Middle East? Enquire online or contact one of our experienced Middle East specialists.

Order a brochure

For more travel inspiration, request a copy of the latest Cox & Kings brochure – a comprehensive collection of our group tours.