Marrakech Imperial City Tour 9 Day – The Ultimate Moroccan Adventure
Welcome to a journey through time. Our Marrakech Imperial City Tour 9 Day is designed for travelers who want to see the very best of Morocco. This isn’t just a trip; it’s a deep dive into the soul of the kingdom, blending the bustling souks of ancient cities with the serene silence of the Sahara Desert.
This 9 days/8 nights: The Imperial City of Marrakech and Desert beyond itinerary takes you on a loop from the red city to the blue streets of Chefchaouen, and finally to the modern capital, Casablanca.
Why Choose Our 9 Days Morocco Imperial Cities Tour from Marrakech?
This nine days imperial cities & Desert of Morocco from Marrakech experience is perfect for those who want a comprehensive introduction to the country. You will walk the same paths as sultans, explore UNESCO World Heritage sites, and ride camels over golden dunes. It is a Private 9-Day Marrakech to Casablanca Imperial Cities Tour, meaning you set the pace.
From the moment you land until your departure, you will be accompanied by knowledgeable drivers and local guides who bring the history of Morocco to life. This 9 Days Tour from Marrakech to Imperial Cities & Desert covers the highlights without feeling rushed.
Your Detailed 9-Day Itinerary
Here is what awaits you on this incredible journey through the imperial cities and the desert.
Day 1: Arrive in Marrakech – The Red City
Upon your arrival at Menara Airport (RAK), your driver will greet you and transfer you to your riad. You will have the evening free to soak in the atmosphere of the Djemaa el-Fna square, with its storytellers, snake charmers, and food stalls.
Day 2: Marrakech City Tour – Palaces & Souks
After breakfast, you will meet your local guide for a full Marrakech city tour. You will visit the beautiful Koutoubia Mosque, the stunning Bahia Palace, and the mysterious Saadian Tombs. The afternoon is yours to get lost in the vibrant souks, .
Day 3: Marrakech – Atlas Mountains – Ait Ben Haddou – Dades Valley
Today, we leave the city behind. We cross the high pass of the Atlas Mountains, stopping for photos of Berber villages. The highlight is the famous Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO site you will recognize from films like Gladiator. We end the day driving through the Dades Valley, known for its stunning rock formations.
Day 4: Dades Valley – Todra Gorge – Merzouga (Sahara Desert)
After breakfast, we drive towards the Todra Gorge, where you can walk between the towering canyon walls. Continuing on, the landscape shifts to the Sahara. Upon arrival in Merzouga, you will swap your vehicle for a camel and trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes to watch the sunset. You will spend the night in a desert camp, under a blanket of stars.
Day 5: Merzouga Discovery – Jeep Tour
Wake up early to witness the sunrise over the dunes. After returning to the village on your camel, today is all about exploration. Our Merzouga discovery jeep tour will take you to visit the Gnawa people in Khamlia village, explore the fossil fields, and see the Dayet Srji lake (flamingos depending on the season).
Day 6: Merzouga – Ziz Valley – Midelt – Ifrane – Fes
Leaving the desert, we follow the Ziz Valley with its palm groves and kasbahs. We stop in Midelt for lunch before climbing into the Middle Atlas Mountains. You will be surprised by the alpine architecture of Ifrane, known as “Little Switzerland,” before arriving in the spiritual capital of Morocco, Fes.
Day 7: Fes City Tour – The Intellectual Capital
Your local guide will lead you through the ancient medina of Fes. You will explore the Al-Attarine Madrasa, the Bou Inania Medersa, and the famous Chouara Tannery, where leather is still dyed using traditional methods. The labyrinthine streets of Fes are a photographer’s dream.
Day 8: Fes – Chefchaouen (The Blue City)
Today we travel north to the stunning Blue City. Chefchaouen is a tranquil escape, with its blue-washed buildings and relaxed vibe. You will have the afternoon to wander the picturesque streets, shop for local wool garments, and enjoy the mountain views.
Day 9: Chefchaouen – Rabat – Casablanca
On our final day, we head south towards the coast. We stop in Rabat, the current capital, to see the Hassan Tower and the Royal Palace. We then continue to Casablanca for the end of your tour. Depending on your flight time, you can visit the magnificent Hassan II Mosque before transferring to the airport (CMN) for your departure.
Tour Inclusions & Exclusions
To make your booking decision easier, here is a clear breakdown of what is covered in your 9 Days Tour from Marrakech to Imperial Cities & Desert package.
What’s Included:
Transport: Private, air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver for the entire 9-day journey.
Fuel & Tolls: All fuel and road tolls are covered.
Accommodation: 8 nights accommodation in Riads, hotels, and a desert camp (based on double/twin occupancy).
Meals: Daily breakfast and 3 dinners
Guides: Local official guides for the guided city tours in Marrakech and Fes.
Desert Experience: Camel trek to the Erg Chebbi dunes (one camel per person) and overnight in a desert camp.
Free Time: Plenty of stops for photos, exploring, and rest.
What’s Excluded:
Flights: International or domestic flights.
Insurance: Travel insurance (highly recommended).
Drinks: Mineral water, sodas, or alcoholic beverages during meals.
Lunches: Meals during the day.
Tips: Gratuities for drivers, guides, and hotel staff (tipping is discretionary but customary).
Entry Fees: Entrance fees to historical monuments and sites (e.g., Bahia Palace, Medersas, Hassan II Mosque). These are usually small and paid locally.
FAQ
Question: What is included in the 9 days Morocco Imperial Cities tour from Marrakech?
Answer: This private tour includes 8 nights accommodation (Riads and Desert Camp), 8 breakfasts and 3 dinners, private A/C transport with fuel, English-speaking driver, local guides in Marrakech and Fes, camel trek in the desert, and free time to explore.
Question: Is this a private tour or a group tour?
Answer: This is a Private 9-Day Marrakech to Casablanca Imperial Cities Tour. It is just you and your party. The vehicle and driver are exclusively for your group, allowing for flexibility and personalized service.
Question: Do I need to book the Marrakech Imperial City Tour 9 Day in advance?
Answer: Yes, absolutely. The best Riads and desert camps book up weeks in advance, especially during spring and autumn. Booking early ensures availability for your preferred dates on this nine days imperial cities & Desert of Morocco adventure.
Question: Can I join the tour in Casablanca instead of Marrakech?
Answer: Yes, we can customize the itinerary. If you are flying into Casablanca, we can adjust the 9 Days Tour from Marrakech to Imperial Cities & Desert to start from Casablanca or pick you up along the route. Please mention this when booking.
Question: What should I pack for the 9 days/8 nights Imperial City of Marrakech tour?
Answer: Pack comfortable walking shoes for the medinas, a mix of light clothing for the day and warm layers for the desert night, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a scarf for the sand and sun. Modest clothing is recommended for visiting religious sites.
Posted on Susan BVerified Excellence of Rachid My husband, son and I traveled with Rachid for 10 days in Morocco. I have done a lot of traveling and unusually the person that organizes the flights, car rentals, accommodations, etc. But Rachid handled all of that. The riads stayed at were beautiful, restaurant recommendations were outstanding, and we felt 100% comfortable and safe driving around the country.Posted on Ade MVerified Amazing trip My husband took me to this trip to Morocco, so it's only two of us, and I love it very much. We spent 20 days, and 11 days of it with Rachid as our tour guide etc. All in Morocco is really amazing, I love every detail of it. The food, the people, the cities...and I love the fruits, oranges, pomegranate and all. The nature is the most amazing, everything seems huge and magnificent, no word can describe how much I feel about it, I just love it! And last but not least, I'd like to thank Rachid for his kindness. He's a very nice person ☺️Posted on Courage WVerified The best way to truly experience Morocco We had an amazing experience! What a truly amazing way to explore Morocco.First class all the way.Rachid made sure we always had the best lodging, and loved introducing us to his beautiful country.Rachid also knows all the best places to find the absolute best, and truly authentic Moroccan food!We are hoping to come back in a few months to explore even more of Morocco!Posted on coenzyme_aVerified 100% recommended We did a 4-day tour from Marrakech to Fes through the Atlas Mountains, Dades Gorges, and the Sahara. An unforgettable experience. Our driver, Rachid, made the trip truly authentic: being a local, he shared so much insight and took us beyond the tourist spots. He was always friendly, respectful, and made sure we were comfortable at all times. A very safe and competent driver, and he speaks excellent English. We had a great time and would 100% recommend this experience, especially with Rachid!Posted on Lexie CVerified Wonderful Moroccan Adventure Prompt transportation via airport, enthusiastic and passionate about Morocco - providing wonderful activity recommendations. Highly recommended!Posted on Girish NVerified A Great Experience! Highly Recommend! Rachid from Rachid Morocco Tours was responsive, professional and super helpful from the get go. He explained the itinerary and offered help throughout my trip. Rachid is very easy to work with and is super accommodating with last minute requests.I highly recommend Rachid Morocco Tours for anyone visiting Morocco!Posted on Sean HVerified Book with Rachid and you will have the BEST TIME. I'll be succinct - Rachid is the MAN. Not only does the tour feel incredibly personalized, but everything is taken care of to ensure you have a comfortable, relaxing, and informative experience. Every single hotel, drive, restaurant was just incredible. And when we wanted to add or spontaneously change something - Rachid was there to make our wishes happen. Book with him and you'll make a friend for life :)Posted on JulietVerified sahara sunsets My friend and I went on a 9 day trip to Morocco. Rachid created custom itineraries for us based on where in Morocco we wanted to see, duration and travel preferences. When putting together our itinerary, he was flexible and so so communicative. He even met me at the airport himself and accompanied us throughout the entirety of the trip, from settling into a beautiful riad in Marrakesh at the start of the trip, to each of the desert cities (Ait Ben Haddou, N’kob, Merzouga), into the Sahara Desert dunes and stopping by Boumalne Dades as we returned back to Marrakesh together. Accommodations were phenomenal, clean and the ideal blend of modern desert that housed the most beautiful sunsets. Rachid and team (Moustafa, Ibrahim) ensured we were looked after and threw us surprise activities, like cutting honeydew melons riverside in a gorge or putting on drumming shows as a dinner digestif. The most memorable events definitely had to be camel riding through the Sahara Desert Erg Chebbi, sitting by a campfire in a luxury campsite enveloped by an endless sea of stars, stopping by a roadside shop for the best tagine and drinking my weight in moroccan tea. Going into this trip, I thought that it wouldbe this once in a lifetime vacation, but after experiencing the unbelievable hospitality and fun that Rachid Morocco Tours offered, I know it won’t be the last time I’ll visit this beautiful country. Rachid is the only person you’ll ever need for visiting Morocco. He is kind, professional and humble, all made so evident in the many stories shared about his life, family and childhood growing up in the Sahara Desert. Thank you, thank you, thank you for an unforgettable experience!!Posted on JlVerified An extraordinary journey that makes you want to do it again Discovery of magnificent places.Rachid always attentive and good advice assisted by his brilliant assistant driver Habib.Posted on SabineGVerified Head full of memories 5 days in the Moroccan south from Marrakech, 5 magical days! Rachid and Habib introduced us to THEIR Morocco. We immediately felt confident with them. Very professional but at the same time full of humor. The tours offered, the landscapes crossed, the accommodation chosen, the very comfortable minibus, everything was perfect!Rachid made sure that the menus served in the restaurants were not repetitive, not once did he take us to "friends' shops"...Nothing to complain about... everything to recommend! You can trust this agency... and the quality/price ratio is really good!We only have one desire: to return to Morocco to discover other regions.Many thanks Rachid!