Moroccan Explorer: Imperial Cities to Desert

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Casablanca with Royal Air Maroc. Transfer to Novotel Casablanca City Centre (or similar) for an overnight stay. (N)

Morning tour of Casablanca including United Nations Square and the Hassan II mosque before continuing to Rabat. Afternoon tour of the city including the Royal Palace and the Hassan Tower with its mausoleum. Stay for 1 night at Hotel Le Diwan (or similar). (B, D)

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, Plaza Uta el Hammam. The 15th-century Grand Mosque has a distinctive octagonal minaret. Stay overnight at Riad Cherifa (or similar). (B)

Morning tour of Chefchaouen’s medina. Continue to Fez, stopping en route at the Roman ruins of Volubilis, which mark the westward extent of the Roman Empire, and the Unesco world heritage site of Meknes, now one of the quieter imperial cities but once the heart of the Moroccan sultanate. Spend 2 nights at the Riad Maison Bleue (or similar). (B, D)

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)

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, known as ‘little Switzerland’ due to its alpine-style architecture, for a walking tour. Continue to Erfoud and stay 1 night at Palais du Desert & Spa (or similar). (B, D)

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

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 Hotel Kenzi Azghor (or similar). (B, D)

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 all shot here. Arrive in Marrakech early evening and stay 2 nights at Le Meridien N'Fis (or similar), a traditional Moroccan guesthouse in the medina with cool courtyards, sun terrace, pool and hammam. (B, D)

Full-day city tour of Marrakech. Highlights include the lavish Moroccan architecture of Bahia Palace, the exotic plants in Jardin Majorelle, Koutoubia mosque and the bustling souks. Finish in Djemaa el Fna market square, a swirling carnival of musicians, fire eaters, storytellers and snake charmers. (B, D)

Transfer to the airport and fly to London via Casablanca with Royal Air Maroc. (B)