Social impact : 6 beneficiary families
Perfect time : From September to July
Ideal length : 9 days
Starting from 3309 USD
A Taste of Morocco is a journey that will awaken your senses and enliven your mind. Whether you’re passionate about Moroccan culture or cuisine, this trip offers an authentic experience of Morocco’s culinary treasures and vibrant atmosphere.
Stay in comfortable riads, enjoy private cooking lessons with master chefs, shop for exotic ingredients in local markets, and unwind in world-class spas. This 9-day itinerary will satisfy your appetite for everything Morocco has to offer.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Purchase fresh ingredients at the market for a unique cooking lesson in traditional Moroccan cuisine with a local housewife.
- Explore an eco-farm and hotel surrounded by olive groves and orchards, selecting herbs and vegetables for a hands-on cooking session.
- Travel to Essaouira, a charming coastal town known for its fortified medina, art galleries, and fresh seafood.
- Participate in an all-day cookery class with a chef, learning traditional cooking techniques and enjoying a sumptuous feast.
- Discover the main attractions of Marrakech with your guide, including the Koutoubia Minaret, Saadian Tombs, and the bustling souks of the medina.
Day 1 – ARRIVAL IN MARRAKECH
Upon your arrival at Marrakech airport, your driver will greet you and transport you by private vehicle to your riad accommodation in the heart of the medina.
You will spend the night at the luxurious Riad La Maison Arabe, located just a short distance from the captivating Jemaa el-Fna square. This central square is a lively hub, akin to a vast open-air theatre, food market, and bazaar.
La Maison Arabe embodies elegance and oriental exoticism, blending African and Far Eastern design elements. The riad also boasts a hammam, two spa treatment rooms, a lavish bar, and a dining room by a swimming pool.
Overnight: La Maison Arabe or Riad Elarsat
Day 2 – ONE-OF-A-KIND COOKING CLASS
After breakfast, your English-speaking guide, who will also serve as your translator, and your driver will accompany you to Amal Foundation. Here, you will meet your hostess and expert chef for the day, who has been empowered by the foundation.
You’ll learn best-kept culinary secrets, such as baking authentic bread, perfectly preparing and steaming couscous, or creating a colorful tagine, staples of the Moroccan table. The chef will assign kitchen tasks as she sees fit.
Afterward, you’ll enjoy genuine local hospitality as you all sit down together to dine.
The rest of your afternoon and evening are free for you to explore Marrakech at your leisure.
Overnight: La Maison Arabe or Riad Elarsat
Day 3 – GARDEN TO TABLE
After breakfast, you will be driven to Ourika Valley, approximately 1 hour from Marrakech. You will stay in a beautiful property nestled in the middle of the Atlas Mountains, filled with flowers and fruit trees.
In the afternoon, we will take you to the Bioaromatic gardens to start your culinary experience. You will first select your own herbs and vegetables from the farm and then prepare a three-course meal with an experienced cook. You’ll enjoy your prepared meal during lunch on an outside patio and admire the mountain views.
Overnight: Kasbah Bab Ourika or Dar Imiri
DAY 4: AWAKEN YOUR SENSES
After a leisurely morning by the pool, we will take you to Le Paradis du Safran where you’ll have a local lunch overlooking the High Atlas Mountains. Here, you will be introduced to various bio-aromatic plants, take in the saffron fields, and walk barefoot along a beautiful trail, with herbal baths and an organic argan oil experience for your feet. There is also a charming shop curated by owner Christine, featuring the best local products from the region.
Overnight: Kasbah Bab Ourika or Dar Imiri
DAY 5: FROM THE PLAINS TO THE ATLANTIC COAST
After breakfast, you will take a private transfer to the charming Atlantic coastal city of Essaouira, an 18th-century fortified town and former Portuguese stronghold. Surrounded by medieval battlements and facing a cluster of rocky offshore islands, Essaouira features whitewashed, blue-shuttered medina buildings, thuya wood workshops, art galleries, boat builders, and sardine fishermen, offering a vibrant contrast to Marrakech’s urban feel. The city provides numerous photographic opportunities and attracts visitors with its sea breeze, ideal for windsurfing and kite surfing.
Upon arrival around lunchtime, after checking in at your riad, you may want to dine at one of the many fish stalls near the port, where the morning’s catch is displayed and cooked fresh. Following lunch, enjoy a guided tour of the town, exploring the port, lively souk, traffic-free medina, and ramparts. You can also visit an 18th-century synagogue, a testament to the town’s strong Jewish heritage.
Overnight: Dar Mimouna or Riad Chbanate
DAY 6: A DAY WITH A MOROCCAN CHEF
Today, you’ll be accompanied by a Moroccan chef who specializes in traditional cuisine. Having worked in various regions of Morocco, particularly in Essaouira, he has a deep understanding of local food and will share its secrets with you.
Stroll through the best local markets, including the famous Essaouira fish market, and soak in their lively, colorful atmosphere. Learn to select fresh, high-quality ingredients for your meal, based on daily inspirations and available produce.
Next, you’ll prepare a complete meal (appetizer, main course, dessert) using various traditional Moroccan cooking techniques, such as cooking directly on a brazier. You’ll make your own traditional Moroccan bread and bake it in the old communal oven in the medina. Discover the best method to brew the famous Moroccan tea.
Finally, enjoy your culinary creations during a convivial meal and take home the secrets of the unique taste of local Moroccan cuisine.
Overnight: Dar Mimouna or Riad Chbanate
DAY 7: CLASSIC RIAD COOKERY
After breakfast, you will make the private transfer back to Marrakech (approx. 2.5 hours) to return to the riad and overnight there for two nights.
This afternoon, you will follow the riad’s chef during a traditional Moroccan cookery class, preparing a three-course meal (salad or pastilla, tagine, pastry, or fruit dessert). The class is usually held on the riad’s rooftop terrace at a special workstation for each guest.
Your evening meal will be your own creation, which you may enjoy in the riad’s restaurant, on the terrace, or at the poolside patio.
This evening, you have the further option to use the riad’s spa and hammam.
Overnight: La Maison Arabe or Riad Wow
DAY 8: PRIVATE TOUR OF MARRAKECH
After breakfast, your local city guide will meet you at your riad and show you all around Marrakech. Your tour will include visits to some of the important monuments of the Red City such as Bahia Palace, Ben Youssef Madrasa, and Koutoubia Mosque. In between these important sites, you’ll explore the various artisanal sections of the souks where people have practiced their crafts for centuries. You’ll have the chance to shop for famous Moroccan spices and all kinds of olives.
Your tour will end after lunch. You’ll have the rest of the day free to continue exploring Jemaa el-Fna in the late afternoon – have tea at one of the cafes overlooking the square to watch it come alive as the sun goes down.
Overnight: La Maison Arabe or Riad Wow
DAY 9: TRANSFER TO MARRAKECH AIRPORT
After breakfast, you will be collected to make the short transfer to the airport for your flight home.
What makes this trip impactful
- Your Marrakech tour is provided by our non profit organization partner Pikala which aims at supporting education and employment amongst youth by training local girls and boys to become professional bicycle tour guides.
- You will support female cooperatives and local workshops by witnessing their hard work during our suggested visits along the way to the Sahara.
- You will travel carbon free as we offset your trip carbon footprint by planting trees in cooperation with our partner High Atlas Foundation