5 days and 4 nights · Casablanca to Marrakech
Imperial Cities Express: 5 Day Private Tour
From US$900 per person
Overview · Route map · At a glance · Day by day · What’s included · Prices
Overview
About this 5 day journey
Five days is not a lot of time for Morocco, but with a private driver and an expert guide it is enough to meet three of its imperial cities. This express itinerary is designed for travelers with limited time and a love of history, taking in royal Rabat, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, medieval Fez, and Marrakech.
Every day is built around the sights that give the best return for your hours, with the comfort of boutique riads and a private vehicle. It is also an excellent base for professionals who want to see a variety of properties and venues, since the route can include hotel visits and site inspections on request.
Highlights
Rabat in the evening
The Oudayas Kasbah and the medina, a gentle first evening after arrival.
Meknes and Volubilis
Bab Mansour, the imperial granaries, Moulay Idriss, and the Roman mosaics at Volubilis.
Marrakech in a day
Koutoubia, the Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, and the souks, with Majorelle Garden and the YSL Museum as extras.
Rabat’s royal sites
Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Roman and medieval necropolis of Chellah.
Fes el Bali
A full guided exploration of the world’s largest car free medieval medina.
Evening hammam
A traditional hammam to close your Marrakech day in true Moroccan style.
Route map
Where this journey takes you
Duration5 days and 4 nights, fully private
Start and EndCasablanca airport on Day 1, and Marrakech airport on Day 5
StyleBoutique riads in the heart of each medina
NightsRabat 1, Fez 1, Marrakech 2
Travel PaceBrisk but comfortable. One longer drive between Fez and Marrakech, about seven hours with stops
Route
Casablanca · Rabat · Meknes · Moulay Idriss · Volubilis · Fez · Marrakech
Itinerary at a glance
Your trip in brief
| Day | Where you go | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Casablanca Arrival and Evening in Rabat | Riad in Rabat |
| Day 2 | Rabat, Meknes, Volubilis, and Fez | Riad in Fez |
| Day 3 | Fez Old City, and Onward to Marrakech | Riad in Marrakech |
| Day 4 | Marrakech Highlights | Riad in Marrakech |
| Day 5 | Departure from Marrakech | Departure |
Full itinerary
Day by day
Day 1
Casablanca Arrival and Evening in Rabat
Casablanca to Rabat
A private meet and assist at Casablanca airport begins your journey. You transfer to Rabat, because the drive is short and the heritage is rich, and settle into your riad.
In the early evening you walk through the Oudayas Kasbah, with its blue and white lanes and ocean views, and the nearby medina, in the soft light that Rabat does so well.
Overnight: Riad in Rabat
Day 2
Rabat, Meknes, Volubilis, and Fez
Rabat to Meknes to Moulay Idriss to Volubilis to Fez
The morning is devoted to Rabat’s royal highlights: the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the ancient necropolis of Chellah, where storks nest among Roman and medieval ruins.
Then you drive to Meknes to see Bab Mansour and the imperial granaries, visit the holy town of Moulay Idriss, and walk the Roman mosaics of Volubilis. You arrive in Fez in the early evening.
Overnight: Riad in Fez
Day 3
Fez Old City, and Onward to Marrakech
Fez to Marrakech
Today you explore Fes el Bali with your guide, because it offers the strongest historic narrative in Morocco. Highlights include the Bou Inania Madrasa, the tanneries, the Nejjarine Fountain, and the artisan workshops.
In the late afternoon your private vehicle takes you to Marrakech. The direct drive takes about seven hours door to door, so you arrive in time for a light dinner and rest.
Overnight: Riad in Marrakech
Day 4
Marrakech Highlights
Marrakech
A guided tour covers the exterior of the Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian Tombs, the Bahia Palace, and the medina with time in the souks. Majorelle Garden and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum are available as additions if you wish.
If your work includes hospitality, we can schedule quick site inspections at one or two properties in the afternoon, as time allows. The day ends with a hammam, a restful way to close the trip.
Overnight: Riad in Marrakech
Day 5
Departure from Marrakech
Marrakech Airport
Your private transfer takes you to Marrakech airport in good time for your flight.
What’s included
Inclusions and exclusions
Included
- Private, air conditioned vehicle (4×4 or comfortable minivan) with a professional English speaking driver guide throughout
- 4 nights in handpicked riads and hotels with en suite bathrooms
- Daily breakfast, and a light dinner on arrival in Marrakech
- Licensed local city guides where a guided visit is described
- All entrance fees to the monuments and sites mentioned in the itinerary
- All fuel, tolls, parking fees, and applicable taxes
- Bottled water in the vehicle, and 24 hour support during your trip
Not included
- International airfare
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Lunches and dinners not listed in the itinerary
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Gratuities for guides and drivers, at your discretion
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
Prices
Imperial Cities Express prices
Every tour is private, so the price per person depends on how many of you travel together and the accommodation level you choose: Affordable Comfort (3 star hotels and riads), Classic Comfort (4 star riads), Affordable Luxury (4 and 5 star riads) or Deluxe Luxury (5 star riads). Prices are per person for the whole 5 day tour, based on two people sharing a room.
| Group size | Affordable Comfort | Classic Comfort | Affordable Luxury | Deluxe Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 traveler (own room) | US$3,430 | US$3,750 | US$4,150 | US$4,950 |
| 2 travelers | US$1,820 | US$1,980 | US$2,180 | US$2,580 |
| 3 travelers | US$1,360 | US$1,520 | US$1,720 | US$2,120 |
| 4 travelers | US$1,130 | US$1,290 | US$1,490 | US$1,890 |
| 5 travelers | US$990 | US$1,150 | US$1,350 | US$1,750 |
| 6 travelers | US$900 | US$1,060 | US$1,260 | US$1,660 |
| Single room supplement, whole tour | Affordable Comfort | Classic Comfort | Affordable Luxury | Deluxe Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per single room | US$240 | US$400 | US$600 | US$1,000 |
Included: 4 nights with breakfast, your private vehicle with fuel, tolls and parking, your licensed guide for every day of the tour, entrance fees to the sites on the itinerary. For groups larger than 6 travelers, ask me for the exact price. A 10% supplement applies to dates between 20 December and 5 January. How my prices work.
Good to know
Before you book
Customization
This itinerary is private and flexible. If you wish to add a night, skip a stop, or change the pace, I will shape the journey around you.
Pickup and drop off
Pickup on Day 1 is at Casablanca airport. Drop off on Day 5 is at Marrakech airport.
Booking and cancellation
A 50% deposit confirms your booking and the balance is due 60 days before the tour starts. Cancellation refunds are 100% for 30 or more days before departure, 50% for 15 to 29 days, 25% for 7 to 14 days, and none under 7 days.
What travelers say
Rated 4.9 on TripAdvisor
Guest reviews written since 2012. Read the reviews on TripAdvisor.
“Hassan is an excellent and cautious driver, and each place we visited, the locals knew him.”
Kerry, tourHQ, 2023
“Rather than the tourist lunch places we went full local, a huge highlight for us.”
kelly_b, Viator, 2023
“Hassan Bouaouina is not just a tour guide; he is a storyteller, an ambassador of Moroccan culture, and a true friend”
Rachel, tourHQ, 2023
Before you go
Read before you travel
- Meknes, Volubilis and Moulay Idriss from Fez
- Do You Need a Guide in the Fez Medina?
- Best Time to Visit Morocco: Month by Month
For visas, money, transport and seasons, see the full Morocco Travel Guide or browse the travel blog.
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Send a booking request with your dates and group size, or ask me anything about the route first. I plan every trip personally and reply within 48 hours.