Compare Morocco Culinary Tour – Savory Spices & Souks by Access Trips vs Best of Morocco by Eskapas

Day 1

Welcome to our Morocco cooking tour! Prepare yourself for one of the most fascinating, colorful and culture-rich countries on the planet. Also prepare for some of the world’s best food! We will pick you up at Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport and drive you to our comfortable 4-star hotel conveniently located 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.

Drive time: 45 minutes

Day 2

Meals: Breakfast

Casablanca is the most cosmopolitan of all Moroccan cities, a vibrant economic hub with the largest port in the Maghreb. After breakfast at our hotel we’ll set off to visit the highlight of this modern city: 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, embarking on a scenic 5-6 hour drive through the countryside to Essaouira. We’ll stop for lunch along the way and arrive in Essaouira in the early evening. We’ll spend the night in an exquisite ocean-view riad.

Drive time: approximately 5-6 hours, not including stops

Day 3

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

You’ll wake up in the charming fishing town of Essaouira, with its relaxed and artistic vibe. Today we’ll explore the town’s impressive medina, whose massive ancient fortifications are a mixture of Portuguese, French and Berber architecture overlooking the emerald sea. Next we’ll enjoy a spectacular seaside lunch, where freshly caught fish is grilled to perfection before your eyes. Top it off with famous Moroccan mint tea and delectable French pastries at one Essaouira’s many cafes. In the late afternoon you’ll experience your first cooking class, where you’ll prepare a fresh Moroccan chopped salad and fish tajine using the fresh catch of the day. And then you’ll enjoy the scrumptious meal you just created!

Day 4

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

This morning you can awake at your leisure and spend the morning strolling through Essaouira’s serene squares, browsing artisan workshops and perusing art galleries. Or, perhaps you’d like to experience a camel ride on the beach! After lunch, we will take a three and a half hour drive to the Berber village of Anrar, in the High Atlas mountains, stopping along the way to tour an argan oil cooperative. The charming and incredibly hospitable riad Kasbah Omar will be our home for the next three days.

Drive time: approximately 3.5 hours, not including stops

Day 5

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After a delicious Berber breakfast, we will head to the souk lath nine 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 classes at the kasbah. We’ll head back to the kasbah with our groceries loaded onto our donkey, just in time for a delicious Berber barbeque lunch. The afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy the kasbah. In the late afternoon we’ll have our next cooking workshop, where we cook (and eat!) Berber salads and pastilla, a Moroccan delicacy that combines flaky pastry, savory meat and sweet spices.

Day 6

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

This morning we’ll have a brief cooking class to make our delicious breakfast of Berber crepes. After breakfast, we’ll see Berber village life amidst the stunning backdrop of the High Atlas, as we walk through the village of Anrar, stopping for tea with a local Berber family. Afterwards, you might like a relaxing afternoon and lunch at the kasbah. Or, you may choose to head to the village of Setti Fatma where you can either do a 3 hour moderate to strenuous hike up to a waterfall or, if the weather permits, you could rest at one of the many lounge-cafes built into the mountainside until the hikers return. We’ll drive back to the kasbah for a late afternoon cooking class, where we’ll learn to prepare Moroccan soup and traditional couscous, just in time for dinner.

Drive time: 1.5 hours (for those opting to visit Setti Fatma)

Day 7

Meals: Breakfast

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’ll visit the Bahia Palace with its expansive harem quarters. Next we’ll enter the ancient royal Saadian Tombs, and then explore the vibrant and historic Jewish mellah (quarter) and 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 shop as we visit local artisan co-ops and learn about traditional Moroccan crafts. For those not interested in shopping, you may choose to explore Djemaa el-Fna sqaure on your own, perhaps enjoy a cup of tea at a roof top cafe, or relax by the pool at the riad.

In the evening, thrill in the magic that emerges from heart of the famed square, Djemaa el-Fna. 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.

Accommodation tonight is at our charming riad inside the Marrakech medina.

Drive time: 1 hour

Day 8

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we’ll take a tour around the ancient city wall and palm grove, including a visit to the Yves St. Laurent gardens. We’ll also head to a spice shop for some information on the various spices that we have been using and may want to take home with us. After lunch, enjoy a relaxed afternoon to explore the imperial city of Marrakech at your leisure, perhaps as you people-watch at Djemaa el-Fna and pick up some local souvenirs. Or you may like to experience a traditional Moroccan hamman, or hot bath. In the late afternoon, we will have our final cooking class. Our farewell dinner tonight is at our riad, where we enjoy our own delicious Moroccan creations of beef with prunes and almonds, and lemon chicken.

Drive time: approximately 1 hour

Day 9

Our Moroccan cooking tour ends today as you transfer to the airport for your return home. Depending on your flight plans, we will either drop you off at the Marrakech airport or arrange for a private car transfer to Casablanca’s airport

Drive time: 15 – 20 minutes (to Marrakech airport)

Day 1: Marrakesh Arrival

Meals: Dinner

Arrival to Marrakech airport, MEET&GREET & transfer to hotel Overnight

Day 2: Marrakech to Essaouira to Casablanca

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Early departure to Essaouira the Portuguese city anciently called Mogador. Visit of this city once known as capital of the hippies and which is full of Portuguese history as a harbour city with the most ancient fortified port in the world still preserved. Optional seafood lunch. Afternoon, departure to Casablanca passing by the Atlantic road, with stops in Oualidia and El Jadida. Orientation tour of El Jadida (built by the Portuguese and previously known as Mazagan "Mazagão") with possibility to visit the Portuguese Cistern. Overnight: Casablanca

Day 3: Casablanca to Meknes to Fez

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Short visit of the Economic Capital: the Habous district, the Royal Palace, the Mohamed V square, the residential area of Anfa and the outside of the Mosque Hassan II. Departure to Meknes, the Ismailia capital with the longest ramparts in Morocco (40 km). Optional lunch. Visit the famous Bab Mansour gate, the Royal Stables and the Jewish quarter. Departure to the holy city of Moulay Driss (panoramic view) and visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Continuation to Fez. Overnight: Fes Mileage: 320 km

Day 4: Fes

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

The whole day is devoted to the visit of the spiritual capital: the Medieval Medina and its souks, The Royal Palace, Attarine or Bou Anania Medersa, Nejjarine fountain and the outside of Moulay Idriss mausoleum and Karaouine Mosque. Optional lunch in a traditional restaurant in the Medina. Overnight: Fes

Day 5: Fez to Rabat to Marrakech

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Departure to Rabat, the Administrative Capital, and visit of the Royal Palace (Mechouar), Ouadayas Garden & Kasbah, Mohamed V Mausoleum and Hassan Tower Mosque. Optional seafood lunch. Continuation to Marrakesh via high-way. Overnight: Marrakech Mileage: 495 km

Day 6: Marrakesh

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Full day visit of Marrakech, the second oldest Imperial city <<The Ochre city". The historical visit includes Menara Garden, Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, Koutoubia and Dar Si Said Museum. Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon, visit of the souks, handicraft quarters and the famous Jemaa El-Fna Square with its non-stop entertainment. Optional dinner with show. Overnight in hotel. Overnight: Marrakech

Day7 : Marrakesh to Ait Benhaddou to Zagora

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Departure to Ait Benhaddou through Tizi n'tichka pass (2260m of altitude). Visit of its famous Kasbah, a UNESCO world heritage site, that served as decor for many great movies such as Laurence of Arabia, Troy, Gladiator, Games of thrones... Optional lunch. Continuation to Zagora crossing the Draa valley Overnight: Zagora Mileage: 380 km

Day 8: Zagora to Nkob to Tazzarine to Erfoud

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Departure to Erfoud with a stop at Tamgroute village known for its pottery Center. The route also includes the villages of Tansikht, Nkob, Tazzarine and Alnif with splendid pre- saharian sceneries. Optional lunch at Alnif. Afternoon, continuation to Erfoud via the village of Rissani, birthplace of the Alaouites Dynasty. Overnight: Erfoud Mileage: 300 km

Day 9: Erfoud to Tinghir to Quarzazate

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

In case the previous night was spent in the hotel in Erfoud, you can opt for optional 4x4 excursion to Merzouga to admire the sunrise from top of the sandy dunes. Departure to Tinghir, visit of its magnificent Todra Canyons where rocks reach an altitude of 250m. Optional lunch in local restaurant near the canyons. Afternoon, continuation to Ouarzazate via the road of the 1000 Kasbahs crossing Kalaat M'Gouna & Skoura valley. Short tour of Ouarzazate city upon arrival. Overnight: Ouarzazate Mileage: 350 km

Day 10: Quarzazate to Marrakech

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

A low sun illuminates Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou in Morocco, with snow-covered mountains in the background Departure to Marrakech. Optional lunch in restaurant. Afternoon free at leisure or optional excursions. Dinner and overnight in hotel. Overnight: Marrakech Mileage: 220 km

Day 11: Marrakech Departure

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast Transfer with assistance to Marrakech Menara airport for departure. End of our services. Overnight: N/A