Compare Morocco Culinary Tour – Savory Spices & Souks by Access Trips vs 12 Days Highlights of Morocco by MPT
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 9 days | 12 days |
| Price From | $ 2,990 | $ 2,400 |
| Price Per Day | $ 332 | $ 200 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
8 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch and 5 Dinners |
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| Description |
Journey to Morocco to experience a culture and cuisine that is at the crossroads of civilization, blending the most delectable Arabic, Berber, French and Spanish influences. On our Moroccan cooking tours you’ll head from vibrant Casablanca to the charming fishing town of Essaouira, relax in a tiny Berber village in the High Atlas mountains, and finally, explore extraordinary Marrakech, the most African of Morocco’s cities. Along the way, you’ll experience a Moroccan cooking class in three different cities, bargain at souk (the fresh food market), tour the highlights of each area, and stay in stunning Moroccan riads. |
This 12 days tour gives you a chance to discover the best of Morocco starting from Casablanca and back, visiting the capital of Morocco Rabat, the blue perle Chafchouaen, Ancient Berber Roman city of volubilis, the imperial 17th century city Meknes, the medieval cultural city Fes. Travelling south east towards Merzouga crossing the so called the Swidzerland of Morocco Ifran, Azro town, the Seder forest, the Mid-Atlas moutains landscapes, Ziz valley, the city of fossils Arfoud, reaching the mysterious goldden Sahara dunes in Merzouga camel ride experience crossing the sand dunes, spend a magical desert night, Todra and Dades Gorges, City of roses Kalaa Magouna, Skoura Oases and Kasbahes, the world of cinema Ouarzazate, The famous Kasbah Ait benhaddou, driving through the High Atlas mountains, exploring the mesterious city Marrakech, The atlantic portuguese town Essaouira and more. |
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: Casablanca airport transfer
Pick up from the airport in Casablanca – Check in your hotel and relaxation.
Day 2: Casablanca-Chefchaouen
Casablanca & Rabat excursion. Lunch on the way to Chefchaoun – Free time and Overnight stay in Chefchaoun
Day 3: Chefchaouen
Guided visit of Chefchaoun , free time and overnight in Chefchouen.
Day 4: Chefchaouen-Fes
After breakfast drive to Fes visiting Volubilis and Meknes. Overnight stay in Fes.
Day 5: Full day guided tour of Fes
After breakfast, full day guided tour to discover the historical heritage of Fes city, the tour allows you to explore historical sites such as Madrasa EL Bouinania, El Quaraoiyin mosque and university, south tower, pottery village, Nejjarine Square, the residence of the king, Tanners, Jewish quarter and more . free time and Overnight stay in Fes.
Day 6: Fes-Merzouga
8 am departure from Fes. Travel South-east and visit the ‘lion city’ of Ifran, Midelt, the Cedar forests and monkey’s troops of Azrou, lunch at Midelt. Ziz Valley, Continue traveling south– east exploring the Middle Atlas landscapes. Reach the gateways of Sahara desert through the cities of Rissani and Erfoud. Camel trek to your desert camp – timing prior to sunset to enjoy the glorious view – an evening of traditional music, free time exploring the dunes, dinner and overnight stay in your private desert tent.
Day 7: Merzouga-Ouarzazat
Early wake up for the spectacular sunrise, Breakfast then camel ride back to the car, Drive west towards Tinghir visiting Todra gorge and oasis, drive to Ouarzazate via Boumalne, El kalaat megouna visiting Amridil Kasbah, dinner and overnight stay in Ouarzazate.
Day 8: Ouarzazat-Marrakech
After breakfast, visit the world of cinema Ouarzazate & Ait Ben Haddou kasbah. drive through the hight Atlas Mountains, and Tichka pass to Marrakech. Overnight stay in Marrakech.
Day 9: Full day guided visit of Marrakech
After breakfast meet the Guid and start discovering Marrakesh with its historical heritage, the visit includes ( Bahia palace, saadian tombs, Koutoubia mosque, jemaa el-fna Square, Souks, Jardine secret or Majorel garden.. Etc, free time and overnight stay in Marrakech.
Day 10: Marrakech-Essaouira
Transfer to Essaouira via Chichaoua,Argan forest, Guided tour descovering the town, Check in your hotel free time and overnight stay.
Day 11: Essaouira-Casablanca
Drive to Casablanca via the coast line, Check in your hotel , free time andovernight stay.
Day 12: Casablanca-aiport transfer
Transfer to Casablanca airport at any time.
