7-day tour of the imperial cities and the Rif region

Arrival in the morning in Tangier, where there may be a time difference depending on the time of year. Once through passport control and baggage claim, we will meet with the driver who will accompany us throughout the tour. We will head to Cape Spartel, where the waters of the Mediterranean Sea meet the Atlantic Ocean. We will then visit the Grottoes of Hercules, 5 km away. We will continue towards Tetouan, a city known as "The White Dove" for its luminosity and the predominant color of its houses. Once there, we will visit the Medina, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, accompanied by a local guide. We will appreciate the Andalusian influence, as it is worth remembering that for years this was the capital of the Spanish Protectorate of Morocco. Accommodation and dinner in a riad in the Medina or a 4-star hotel.

Note: Depending on your flight arrival time, the visit to Tetouan may be rescheduled for the following morning .

Today we will travel to Chefchaouen, a city located at the foot of Mount Tisouka (2,050 m) and Mount Megou (1,616 m). Its name in Berber means "Look at the Horns," referring to the two ridges that dominate it. Along the way, we will detour to the Akchour Waterfalls to stretch our legs and take some photos. Once in the "blue village," we will tour it accompanied by a local guide.

The blend of unfamiliar voices and sounds will guide us through the winding streets to the meeting and resting point, Plaza Uta el-Hammam, where we can observe the comings and goings of its people and the beauty of the Great Mosque. We will continue to visit the Kasbah (built in the 17th century) and its gardens. A few steps further on, we'll find Makhzen Square. We'll take an alleyway leading northeast to Bab el-Ansar and the Ras el-Maa fountain, one of the most beautiful spots in Chefchaouen. In the afternoon, at our leisure, to the soothing sound of running water, we'll walk down to the stream to see how the women do their laundry and how the watermills still work. This beautiful path will take us to Rif Sebbanin, the washhouse district, with Sebbanin Square and its 15th-century mosque. Overnight stay and dinner at a riad in the Medina.

This morning we will depart early for Meknes. Along the way, we will visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the largest Roman archaeological site in Morocco: the Arch of Triumph, the Capitol, the House of Bacchus... all of which form this open-air treasure. On the way to Meknes, we will pass through the holy city of Moulay Idriss, who converted the local Berber population to Islam before founding Fez. The city displays its beautiful white houses around the mausoleum and remains a spiritual center, a protected site that transports travelers to another time. Arrival in Meknes, one of the most beautiful and powerful imperial cities in Morocco. Visit with a local guide. Its medina is smaller and more relaxed than its neighbor Fez, but no less important. Founded in the 10th century by a Berber tribe, it became the country's capital in the 17th century. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even today, it is protected by some 40 kilometers of walls, notable for the "Bab al Mansour," a large gate considered one of the most beautiful and well-preserved in the country. The city is home to imposing monuments, including many mosques, hence its nickname "the city of a hundred minarets." We will visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the "Heri es Souani" granary-stables, and the "Habs Qara" underground prison.

After the tour, we will head approximately 60 kilometers to Fez. Overnight stay and dinner will be provided in a riad in the Medina or a 4-star hotel.

Today we will visit Fez-el Bali, or in other words, the old Medina of Fez, one of the most authentic and best-preserved in the entire Arab world. We will walk through its labyrinthine medieval alleys where craft centers, mosques, and palaces are hidden amidst the bustle of its people.

Fez is undoubtedly the holiest of Morocco's Imperial Cities, as well as the most culturally rich. Strolling through the Old City is like stepping back in time to medieval times. We will do so accompanied by a local guide, always on foot, as motor vehicles are prohibited in this UNESCO World Heritage Medina. In the afternoon, we will continue the tour, seeing how the different neighborhoods are laid out, always centered around everyday scenes such as the Mosque, the Fountain, the Oven, the Baths, and the Koranic School. We will have the opportunity to see the famous tanneries, where leather is tanned, and climb to a viewpoint where, before sunset, we will be able to hear the last call to prayer. Accommodation and dinner in a Riad in the Medina or a 4* hotel.

Today we have a long day ahead of us, with miles ahead of us, but the variety and contrast of the landscapes will make up for it. We will travel through the Middle Atlas Mountains toward Marrakech. We will pass through Ifrane, "Little Switzerland." If we are lucky, we will be able to see the Barbary macaques that live in its giant cedar forests. We will continue through Azrou and Khenifra, and continue enjoying all the Berber villages we pass along our way. Beni Mellal, one of the oldest populated areas in North Africa, will be our next stop before arriving in Marrakech, the tourist capital par excellence. Accommodation in a riad in the Medina or a 5-star hotel.

Inquire about optional alternatives to make this journey by plane, or extend a night and spend it at Lake Bine el-Ouadine to spread the kilometers over two days.

It's recommended to make your first acquaintance with the "unparalleled" Djemaa el-Fna Square . Around this time, the square fills with chanters, fortune tellers, jugglers, tooth pullers, dancers, snake charmers, and much more. At dusk, small, illuminated outdoor food stalls begin to set up where you can sample typical dishes.

This is the last day for vehicles.

This morning, we'll walk through the Medina of Marrakech with a local guide. We'll begin by admiring the Koutoubia Minaret, the twin of the Giralda in Seville, and continue with a visit to the Bahia Palace. We'll explore the narrow streets of the Souk, where we'll have the opportunity to see various artisans in action—weaving carpets, making slippers, and finding an endless variety of quality handicrafts. We'll visit a Berber pharmacy where they'll share their secrets. We'll head back to Djemaa el-Fna Square, where the atmosphere during the day is completely different from that at night. In the afternoon, free time to practice the art of haggling or explore the Medina's hidden corners at your leisure. Accommodation in a riad in the Medina or a 5-star hotel.

The guided tour of Marrakech can be extended upon request to also visit the Madrasa and the Ben Youssef Museum, the Saadian Tombs, the Majorelle Gardens, and more.

At the agreed time, transfer to Marrakech airport for your return flight.