Morocco Culinary Tour with Best Hidden Paths Journey to Morocco to experience a culture through cuisine that is a fascinating mix of Arabic, Berber, French, sub-Saharan, and even Jewish influences. On our Moroccan cultural ans culinary tours, you’ll visit a larger than life mosque in vibrant Casablanca, wander through the ancient Arab Imperial city of Fez, explore the dunes of the Sahara on camel-back, relax in a tiny Berber village in the High Atlas Mountains, and finally, discover extraordinary Marrakech, the most African of Morocco’s cities. Along the way you’ll experience first-hand how a myriad of different influences has made Morocco what it is today by delving deep into the local culture and Morocco food. We will bargain at souks, visit a Berber country school, learn to cook the local cuisine, tour the highlights of each area, and stay in stunning Moroccan riads. Day 1: Cultural Tour Begins - Casablanca Welcome to our Morocco tour! Prepare yourself for one of the most fascinating, colorful and culture-rich countries and exotic cities in the world. We will pick you up at Casablanca's Mohammed V International Airport and drive you to our 5-star hotel in the center of Casablanca. If your flight arrives before dinner, you'll get your first taste of delicious Moroccan cuisine at one of Casablanca's popular restaurants like “Rick's Cafe' from the movie Casablanca”
Transcript
Morocco Culinary Tour with Best Hidden Paths
Journey to Morocco to experience a culture through cuisine that is a fascinating mix of Arabic, Berber, French, sub-Saharan, and even Jewish influences. On our Moroccan cultural ans culinary tours, you’ll visit a larger than life mosque in vibrant Casablanca, wander through the ancient Arab Imperial city of Fez, explore the dunes of the Sahara on camel-back, relax in a tiny Berber village in the High Atlas Mountains, and finally, discover extraordinary Marrakech, the most African of Morocco’s cities. Along the way you’ll experience first-hand how a myriad of different influences has made Morocco what it is today by delving deep into the local culture and Morocco food. We will bargain at souks, visit a Berber country school, learn to cook the local cuisine, tour the highlights of each area, and stay in stunning Moroccan riads.
Day 1: Cultural Tour Begins - Casablanca
Welcome to our Morocco tour! Prepare yourself for one of the most fascinating, colorful and culture-rich countries and exotic cities in the world. We will pick you up at Casablanca's Mohammed V International Airport and drive you to our 5-star hotel in the center of Casablanca. If your flight arrives before dinner, you'll get your first taste of delicious Moroccan cuisine at one of Casablanca's popular restaurants like “Rick's Cafe' from the movie Casablanca”
Meals: NoneAccommodation: 4* star modern hotelDrive time: 45 minutes
Day 2: Hassan II Mosque & Roman Ruins of Volubilis – Fez
After breakfast at your hotel we'll set off to visit the majestic Hassan II Mosque, the third largest religious monument in the world, and the only mosque in Morocco that non-Muslims are permitted to enter. After our mosque tour, we'll head out of town and journey back thousands of years to explore the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sprawled over a wildflower-dotted hillside, a magnificent triumphal arch presides over the awesome remains of palaces and mansions, Roman baths and basilicas, and stunning mosaics. We’ll also take a short walk and explore the
picturesque town of Moulay Idriss, home to the tomb of one of Morocco’s most important saints, before continuing on to Fez.
Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: 4-star riad Drive Time: Approximately 3.5 hours to Volubilis and 40 minutes to Fez
Day 3: Explore Ancient Arab City of Fez
Today we’ll tour the holy city of Fez, a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded at the beginning of the 9th century by Moulay Idriss II, and still mostly unchanged, this enchanting city has been a seat of government, philosophy, medicine and most notably, religion. The best surviving example of an ancient Arab city, Fez is comprised of the "new" city, established in the 12th century, and the ancient medina, where donkeys and mules laden with goods still trawl alongside buyers through the medieval souk. The souk is a fascinating maze of lanes, blind alleys, and bustling stands assaulting the senses with spices and exotic delicacies.
We will also visit the famous leather tanneries, a honeycomb of vats erupting in an explosion of brilliant color, then climb to the venerated Merenid Tombs for a spectacular panoramic view of Fez.
Early evening to get ready for our first culinary experience to learn how to make the famous “Pastilla” wit your Chef at your charming riad at the ancient city of Fez.
Day 4: Drive Through Middle Atlas Cedar Forest to Edge of Sahara Desert
Today we leave the bustling city of Fez and travel through the Middle Atlas region until we reach the edge of the Sahara Dunes. We’ll travel though the mountain villages of Ifrane and Azrou, and see architectural features unique to this area - beautiful green tile, slanted roofs to help offset the heavy winter snow. We will also pass through the fragrant Middle Atlas cedar forest, home to the Barbary Macaques, better known as Barbary Apes, where we can stop and observe this endangered species.
We’ll stop for lunch and amazing views in Midelt, a town situated between the Middle and High Atlas mountains, before continuing on to Erfoud, the last city before civilization ends. Here we will jump into a 4WD vehicle for a short drive to our charming hotel, at the edge of the desert.
Drive Time: Approximately 6 hours, not including stops
Day 5: 4WD Desert Village Tour & Sunset Camel Ride to Desert Nomad Tent
After a leisurely breakfast, we will hop into our 4WD vehicle and explore the vast desert, including a visit to the village of Hassi Labiad, well-known for its fossils. We will enjoy lunch with the locals in the Saharaoui village of Rissani, situated on the edge of the vast Erg Chebbi sand dunes. Perhaps we’ll even meet the Tuareg people, an ancient Berber tribe, now better known as the Blue Men of the Sahara due to the stunning indigo cloth they wear.
We will be back in the early afternoon and will spend the next few hours relaxing at the hotel before heading off for a sunset camel ride to our next destination, a nomad camp
in the desert.
Our second Culinary experience is to learn how to bake bread under the sand in middle of the desert
The evening will be spent far from civilization on the Sahara dunes of Merzouga. Stretch out on a beautiful Moroccan carpet and gaze upward at the bright expanse of
stars that blanket the desert sky. Then, together with the nomads, we will enjoy hypnotizing Berber drum music, tea, and a traditional Moroccan dinner. Afterwards, you will retreat to your private tent and experience the peaceful serenity of desert silence.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Accommodation: A Deluxe Nomad TentDrive Time: 4-hour 4WD tour of desert and villages
Day 6: Road of A Thousand Kasbahs to Saharaoui Town of Tinghir to Ouarzazate
After a delicious Berber breakfast, we will return by camel from our camp to the edge of the dunes and return to Erfoud via 4WD. Then we continue on our journey to Todra Gorge and Tinghir, traveling the rugged Road of A Thousand Kasbahs, which rise up like turreted sand castles along this ancient caravan trading route. The central region is one of the most beautiful areas of the country, nestled along rich river valleys with groves of palm trees and traditional mud-brick homes, striking in contrast to the blue desert sky.
We will take a break in the Saharaoui town of Tinghir, where we will stretch our legs on a short one-hour walk to explore the area.
We will then travel through the Dadès Valley, past dramatic escarpments and plunging gorges to our next stop in Kalat Megouna. This area is known as ‘the Rose Valley’, and we will tour an aromatic rose cooperative. After this, it is just a short drive to Ouarzazate, where we will stay in a relaxing hotel with a pool.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Accommodation: A relaxing hotel
Drive Time: Approximately 3 hours to Tinghir and 3 hours to Ouarzazate
Day 7: Kasbah Ait Ben haddou - Scenic Drive Through High Atlas Mountains to Berber Village
We will start today’s adventure taking in the majestic beauty of the High Atlas Mountains through the scenic route of Tizi n’Tichka’s lush oasis valleys and visit the fortified city of Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We continue our journey
along fragrant, dense pine and cedar forests, terraced farms and sienna mud-brick Berber villages until we reach our next destination, the small Berber village of Anrar in the Ourika Valley. Here we will check into our rustic and charming kasbah and experience legendary Berber hospitality. Relax at the kasbah and enjoy the view from the snow-capped mountains to the twinkling lights of Marrakech from the rooftop patio. In the late afternoon, we will be welcomed into a local Berber home for tea with the family.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Charming kasbahDrive Time: Approximately 4 hours
Day 8: Explore Ourika Valley in the High Atlas Mountains & Cooking Class
Our third Culinary experience to to learn how to make the Berbers Crapes this morning! After you enjoying breakfast, we will head to the souk, the traditional Monday market, where Berber villagers from throughout the valley come to trade. We will walk with our donkey on a trail for about 45 - 60 minutes through the olive and fruit groves, along the Ourika River, stopping for a quick visit to the local school to pass out school supplies. At the souk we'll select organic vegetables, meat and chicken - everything we need for our cooking class tonight at the kasbah. We'll enjoy lunch at the souk or a local restaurant and then the rest of the afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy the kasbah.
In the late afternoon, we'll have our forth Culinary workshop, where we learn how to make Moroccan traditional Soup and Couscous with beef and 7 vegetables.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Accommodation: A charming Kasbah Drive Time: N/A
Day 9: Tour of Argan Oil Co-op & Ancient Gnawa Music in Marrakech
Today we take a short drive to exotic and mystical Marrakech, an enchanting palm oasis set against the snow-capped peaks of the High Atlas Mountains. We will stop along the way to tour an argan oil cooperative. Once in Marrakech, we'll take a tour around the ancient city wall and palm grove, as well as visit the beautiful Yves St. Laurent gardens.
In the evening, we will enjoy dinner with the local family as our 5th Culinary experience to learn how to make Beef Tajine with roasted Almonds and Chicken Tagine with preserved lemon and olives.noonDown
a night walk to digest at the famous Jamaa Elfna square to watch some of Gnawa music. This ancient trance-like music is a blend of African, Berber, and Arabic influences and is broadly revered throughout Morocco.
Meals: Breakfast, DinnerAccommodation: 4-star riadDrive Time: Approximately 45 minutes
Day 10: City Tour of Marrakech, Including Jewish Quarter & Synagogue
After breakfast, we'll visit the Bahia Palace with its expansive harem quarters and then enter the ancient royal Saadian Tombs. We will also explore the vibrant and historic Jewish mellah (quarter), where we will visit a working synagogue. Afterwards, we will tour the majestic Koutoubia Mosque before entering the 9th century walled medina. As we explore the medina, we'll stop at Ben Youssef Madrasa, a historic Koran school, and wind our way through the serpentine labyrinth of the ancient bustling souk, where we'll see Moroccan craftsmanship at its finest.
In the late afternoon, you'll have the opportunity to pick up a few souvenirs as we visit local artisan co-ops and learn about traditional Moroccan crafts. For those not interested in visiting the co-ops, you may choose to explore Djemaa el-Fna square on your own, perhaps enjoy a cup of tea at a roof-top cafe, or relax at the riad.
We will all meet again in the evening and thrill in the magic that emerges from the heart of the famed Djemaa el-Fna square. Mystical snake charmers, hustlers and mischievous monkeys are part of the nightly drama that unfolds, as Berber acrobats, fortune tellers, musicians and engaging storytellers seduce rapt crowds. Afterwards, we will share a farewell dinner with our guide and his family.
Our Moroccan cultural tour ends today as you transfer to the airport in Marrakech for your flight home. Or, if you would like to extend your adventure, please contact us for more information on our extension to the beautiful coastal town of Essaouira.
Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: n/aDrive Time: 15 – 20 minutes to the airport in Marrakech
Note: USD 100 extra for transfer if you were flying out of Casablanca airport on last day!
Cost based on 4* hotels only:
USD 2500 per person based on double occupancy
USD 825 extra for a single occupancy
50% discount for Kids under 6 years old as a third or up traveler
Free of charge for kids under 3 years
Or upgrade to 5* accaccommodation
Cost based on 4* & 5* hotels combo:
USD 3000 per person based on double occupancy
USD 1025 extra for a single occupancy
50% discount for Kids under 6 years old as a third or uptraveler
Free of charge for kids under 3 years
What’s Included:* Charming Riad, Kasbah Hotel lodging* Charming Kasbah at the edge of the dunes / Sahara Desert* Breakfast daily* 7 Dinners * 5 Culinary workshops* 4×4 in & out of Merzouga* Camel Ride for sunset in Sahara* Private Luxury Motor Coach, Gas, Tolls & Driver for the entire trip* Transfers to and from airport* Knowledgeable certified guide for entire trip* Museum fees* All taxes
Not included in package price:* Airfare* Meals not included in program
