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Morocco’s Ancient Cities & Kasbahs 

 
You are viewing the 2027 itinerary. Select your departure year
20262027
Duration
10 days
From per person
$3,499
Tour code
MDG27
Mobility Rating 3
View Dates & Pricing
View Dates & Pricing
Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager
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Discover Morocco's ancient cities and kasbahs, journeying from the rugged Atlas Mountains to the sweeping dunes of the golden Sahara on an unforgettable journey

On a journey through Morocco, discover the rich heritage of its imperial cities and the timeless beauty of the Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert.

Explore the historic streets of Fes, Marrakech and Rabat, where bustling souks, intricate palaces and grand mosques offer a window into Morocco's past and present.

Venture into the High Atlas, visit traditional Berber villages, follow the scenic Route of 1000 Kasbahs and spend a night under the stars in a luxury desert camp.

Unforgettable Experiences

Exploring the imperial cities of Marrakech, Fes and Rabat
Exploring the imperial cities of Marrakech, Fes and Rabat
Step into Morocco’s rich past as you explore the imperial cities of Marrakech, Fes and Rabat, admiring ornate palaces and minarets and visiting the “white city” of Casablanca – the country’s most modern metropolis.
Soaking up the atmosphere at Djemaa El Fna
Soaking up the atmosphere at Djemaa El Fna
Take in the vivid colors, spicy aromas and constant buzz of the Marrakech souks and Djemaa el Fna Square, where swirling dancers, traditional musicians and snake charmers perform.
Journeying through the historic Route of 1000 Kasbahs
Journeying through the historic Route of 1000 Kasbahs
Travel the Route of 1000 Kasbahs, a stunning canyon between steep and rugged mountains, passing traditional Berber villages and the ruins of ancient kasbahs, into the magnificent Dadès Valley.
Experiencing a magical night under the starlit desert skies
Experiencing a magical night under the starlit desert skies
Spend a memorable night in a luxury camp beneath the stars, and watch the Sahara shift in color as the sun sets, with the option to join a sunset excursion by camel.
Enjoying a drive through the stunning Erg Chebbi dunes
Enjoying a drive through the stunning Erg Chebbi dunes
Journey into a fascinating desert landscape, crossing the spectacular sand dunes of Erg Chebbi to the Saharan village of Merzouga through a sea of golden dunes – a quintessential desert scene.

What’s included on the tour?

Itinerary

DAY1 Arriving in the “Red City” of Marrakech

Your journey of vibrant culture and rich history begins today as you arrive in Marrakech, Morocco's first capital and imperial city. On arrival, make your own way to our five-star hotel to check in for two nights, and then you are free to get to know this exotic destination at your own pace.

Our hotel is set in a lush oasis on the edge of Marrakech's bustling Old City, putting you in an ideal position to stroll beneath palm trees, banana trees and bougainvillea. You might like to get your first glimpse at Old City's historic architecture or stay in and take a dip in the pool.

After meeting the Tour Manager and your fellow travelers in the hotel lobby early this evening, we sit down to our first dinner together. Overnight Marrakech.

Includes
  • Dinner
DAY2 Introduction to the magnificent sights of Marrakech 

After breakfast, we embark on a guided tour of ancient Marrakech, at the foot of the High Atlas Mountains. We drive past the red sandstone ramparts of the city on wide roads used by everything from luxury limousines to mopeds, bicycles and donkey carts. We visit the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque, with its prominent minaret visible from every corner of Marrakech. Here, we may be lucky enough to hear the muezzin's "call to prayer," a hypnotic sound that floats over the entire medina.

Later, we visit the 16th-century Ben Youssef Madrasa - an Islamic college - before exploring the winding alleys of the souks and stalls of Djemaa El Fna Square. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free to soak up the atmosphere of this square, the heartbeat of the city, filled with street-food vendors, snake charmers, nomadic musicians and storytellers.

When it comes to seeking out dinner, there is a good choice of restaurants in the medina, or you could choose to dine at our hotel. Overnight Marrakech.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY3 To the elegant “white city” of Casablanca by train

After breakfast, we travel by train from Marrakech to the modern city of Casablanca, where we are transferred to our hotel.

After free time to enjoy lunch independently, we take a guided tour of Morocco's largest city. Our sightseeing includes a visit to the city's most iconic landmark, the Hassan II Mosque, where entrance is included, with time to explore its intricate interiors and oceanside setting. We continue to Place Mohammed V, a popular shopping street known for its 1930s architecture and lively atmosphere, before heading to United Nations Square, designed by French architect Joseph Marrast. We also see the 1920s-built League of Arab States Park, a tranquil space filled with palm trees, pergolas and cafés with shady terraces.

Later, we return to the hotel, where there is time to relax before enjoying dinner. Overnight Casablanca.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY4Exploring the imperial cities of Rabat and Fes

We travel by coach along the shimmering coast to Rabat this morning, Morocco's political capital.

On arrival, we enjoy a guided tour of the city, beginning in the old Medina before exploring the picturesque Kasbah of the Udayas and its impressive gate facing the historic port of Salé - once home to Barbary pirates and now known for its heritage museums. We visit Hassan Tower and the Chellah, both built during the 12th and 13th centuries under the Marinid dynasty. We also step inside the Mohammed V Mausoleum, the final resting place of the current king's father, set across from the Royal Palace.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we board the train from Rabat to Fes, where we check into our hotel for two nights and enjoy dinner. Overnight Fes.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY5 Touring the ancient city of Fes 

This morning, we embark on a full-day tour of Fes, the oldest of the four imperial cities.

Founded in 809 A.D., Fes is considered the spiritual and intellectual capital of Islam in the West. Our tour visits the Borj Nord Arms Museum, the great gateway of the Royal Palace, and the fortified Kasbah Cherarda. We visit the historic Karaouyine Mosque and the 14th-century university, along with the shrine of Moulay Idriss II, founder of Fes. We also stop at the Nejarine Fountain and the Bab Boujloud gateway, before delving into the colorful spice market and souks of the Medina.

After sightseeing, your afternoon is free to continue exploring or to relax at the hotel. Having dinner on your own, you are free to sample the local cuisine in the Medina of Fes or perhaps book a table for dinner at our hotel. Overnight Fes.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY6Crossing the Atlas Mountains toward the Sahara    

This morning, we travel south by coach, discovering fascinating Berber fortified mountain villages known as Ksars. Along the way, we make photo stops, including a visit to the pseudo-Swiss town of Ifrane, with its red-tiled roofs and cedar forest. We continue to Azrou, a fortress-like settlement in the Middle Atlas Mountains, before heading through the Oued Gigou Valley and into the High Atlas.

We stop for lunch at the ksar of Midelt, then journey through mountain passes with intriguing names such as "Pass of the She-Camel" and into the dramatic Ziz Gorges. Arriving in the French-built garrison town of Errachidia, we continue across a stretch of red desert to the oasis town of Erfoud, where we get our first sense of the nearby Sahara.

We have dinner and spend the night at our Kasbah hotel. Overnight Erfoud.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY7Visiting Rissani and a night at a luxurious Merzouga campsite 

We begin the day with a short coach journey to the desert town of Rissani, once an important trading hub where gold, salt and sugar were exchanged between African and Berber merchants. Our guided tour takes us to the traditional Berber villages of Ksar Akbar and Ksar Oulad Abdelhalim, with a photo stop at the tomb of Moulay Ali Charif, founder of Morocco's Alaouite Dynasty.

After sightseeing, we return to the hotel for a buffet lunch, then set off to travel the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi to the Saharan village of Merzouga. On arrival, we are greeted with a refreshing glass of mint tea before continuing our journey into the flowing sea of golden dunes.

As the only true desert area in Morocco, this is a spectacular Saharan landscape familiar from countless films and images of turmeric-colored waves of wind-blown sand. We spend the night at The Sandy Tents, a luxury campsite in the dunes. After settling in, there is the option to enjoy a sunset camel ride before a three-course dinner beneath the stars - a magical end to the day in this unforgettable setting. Overnight Merzouga.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY8 Route of 1000 Kasbahs and Todra Gorge

Waking in this surreal desert landscape, we enjoy breakfast at our luxury camp before traveling by coach to the village of Tinghir, the gateway to the stunning Route of 1000 Kasbahs in the Dadès Valley.

From Tinghir, we set out up the Oued Todra, a winding river valley carved through towering canyon walls. We continue through rugged mountains to the mouth of the Todra Gorge, where cliffs rise nearly 1,000 feet. Along the way, we pass traditional Berber villages and the ruins of fascinating kasbahs.

Later, we arrive at Boumalne Dadès, a small town set against the backdrop of rugged red rock formations. Here, we check into our hotel for the night, with time to relax and take in the landscapes before dinner. Overnight Boumalne Dadès.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY9 Kasbahs of the Atlas Mountains

Beginning our return journey to Marrakech, we travel through some of southern Morocco's most evocative landscapes. Along the way, we stop at the striking ruins of El Glaoui Kasbah and a group of kasbahs set against twisted volcanic rock. We continue to Kalaat M'Gouna, known as the Rose Valley, where thousands of Damascene roses bloom each spring - a tradition introduced by French settlers.

Our route takes us through the city of Ouarzazate, where we visit the 18th-century Kasbah of Taourirt. We then explore the remarkable Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Morocco's most iconic fortified villages, with its maze of buildings and ancient ksour rising from the desert floor.

Crossing the High Atlas Mountains, we pause for photos at the scenic Tizi n'Tichka pass and stop briefly in the town of Ait Ourir. We then descend through the Glaoua Plains to Marrakech, checking into our original hotel in time for the final dinner of our vacation, accompanied by a folklore show performed by different tribes from all over Morocco. Overnight Marrakech.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY10Traveling home

The ancient cities and landscapes of Morocco have captivated us, from colorful souks and fortress towns to the sweeping golden dunes of the desert. We have explored the imperial cities of Marrakech, Fes and Rabat, journeyed through the historic Route of 1000 Kasbahs and spent a night under the stars in a luxury camp in the Sahara Desert.

After a final breakfast at our hotel, your journey through Morocco comes to a close. You are free to check out of the hotel at leisure and begin making your way home independently.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours, they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. Please reference our Mobility Ratings Information, and if you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-877-929-7245.

Hotels

Dades Xaluca Hotel, Boumalene Dadès 
Dades Xaluca Hotel, Boumalene Dadès 
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Barceló Anfa, Casablanca
Barceló Anfa, Casablanca
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Kasbah Hôtel Xaluca Arfoud, Erfoud 
Kasbah Hôtel Xaluca Arfoud, Erfoud 
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Fez Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace, Fez
Fez Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace, Fez
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Mövenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi, Marrakech
Mövenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi, Marrakech
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The Sandy Tents, Merzouga 
The Sandy Tents, Merzouga 
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Enhance your trip

Extend your stay

Many of our guests choose to spend additional nights before or after their trip. Great Rail Journeys would be happy to make hotel arrangements for you.

Reviews

3.8 stars3.8 / 5 · 30 reviews

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Teri Lynn Stallings Smith

5 stars

Submitted 27/Sep

This by far was the very best trip! Steve Kimber our program manager was awesome and proactive in giving us our details for the next day. We had the best team. Abdou was the very best tour guide and obvious very passionate about Morocco and it showed. He educated us so much about the culture and life in Morocco. I learned so much and he went above and beyond to make sure we all had the very best experience and cared about our group. Steve kimber and Abdou were an excellent team like a well oiled system. No mishaps and everything went effortlessly smooth . I hope Steve gets to partner up with Abdou for future trips. They both gave us endless info about tipping, safety, answered all our questions and then some. I hope to schedule another GRJ soon. Thank you

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