Morocco Private Cooking Tour
From Marrakech
6 Days
Overview
Wander through old souks in Marrakech, view spectacular landscapes from the High Atlas mountains and unwind in the fishing town of Essaouira at the end of your trip.
Details & Itinerary
Day 1 –Travel to Morocco- Things To do in Morocco- Welcome in Marrakesh
Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Morocco. Aromatic tajines, min tea, Moroccan delicious pastries, limitless generosity and hospitality define the friendly, vibrant and flavorful culture & traditions in Morocco.
You will be met and warmly welcomed on your arrival at Marrakech’s airport from your flight by Morocco Culture Travel team, your English-speaking driver and your private tour guide will assure your transfer from to hotel/Riad in Marrakech.
Welcoming & assistance to fill your checking forms and arrange your luggage at your rooms in the hotel/Riad in Marrakech.Dinner of welcome and spend your first night in Morocco.
Day 2–Marrakech – Marrakech Guided City Tour – Cultural Tour – The best things to do in Marrakech
After your full breakfast at your stylish Riad in Marrakech start your private tour in the southern pearl of Morocco with your private tour guide by driving to the Menara Gardens that date back from the 12th century to enjoy the breathtaking views over the peaks of the High Atlas Mountains & the olive trees surrounding the lake. Then, head to the Koutoubia Mosque, the largest mosque in Marrakech with a stunning 70m high minaret. Afterwards, visit the Saadian Tombs, The tombs date back to the time of the sultan Ahmad al-Mansour, following this, visit the 19th century Bahia Palace, surrounded by beautifully-manicured Moorish gardens filled with fruit trees and sweet-smelling flowers. Now, it’s time to start your walking tour in the old Medina to discover the colourful and exotic Moroccan handicraft, enter further into the labyrinthine souks and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and aromas of this mediaeval market.
Your private tour guide will now take you to visit one of Marrakech´s most beautiful buildings from the 14th century, the Ben Youssef Medersa. It is the largest Coranic University in the Maghreb. Influenced by the stunning Moorish combination of décor, mosaic, stucco, marble and cedar wood.
After enjoying a delicious lunch in a traditional Moroccan restaurant at the medina, stroll in the world-famous Djemaa El Fna square, Marrakech’s most popular attraction. This bustling square is listed by UNESCO as a “Masterpiece of World Heritage”. Snake charmers, dancers, acrobats and storytellers make it a lively hub of activity.
End your city cultural guided tour in Marrakech at the magical botanical garden Majorelle, designed by the expatriate French artist Jacques Majorelle during the colonial period by the French. It also houses an exotic Islamic Art Museum of Marrakech, whose collection includes North African textiles from Saint-Laurent’s personal collection as well as jewellery, ceramics, and paintings by Majorelle.
Day 3 – Cooking Class in Marrakesh – Moroccan Cuisine in Marrakech – Spa & Traditional Hammam
The Moroccan cuisine is well known throughout the world, master the traditional way of preparing some special famous dishes in Morocco such as Couscous & Tajines.
An entire day to explore the real Moroccan cooking at a cooking school that seeks empowerment for underprivileged women through cooking and literacy skills, enjoy a knowledgeable experience with a wide range of available options, including Moroccan spicy cooked salads and uncooked Moroccan salads, authentic Moroccan Couscous, Moroccan Tajine with chicken, Moroccan Tajine with lamb or Moroccan Tajine with beef.
End your cooking day trip in Marrakech at Jemaa El Fna square; take a walk to enjoy its exotic atmosphere.
Free time to experience the Spa & traditional Hamam at your accommodation in Marrakech.Dinner and overnight at your Riad/ Hotel in Marrakech.
Day 4- High Atlas Adventure Day- Priceless Experience in High Atlas Mountains
After your breakfast at the Riad/ Hotel in Marrakech, begin your day trip to the High Atlas Mountains with an exciting drive south from Marrakech to one of Morocco’s most beautiful places – the Ourika Valley; teeming with steep-sided gorges, lush vegetation and Berber hamlets. Continue to the Jbel Oukaïmeden range where the snow falls every winter through hills of ever-changing colors. Now turn down to the Berber village of Tahanaout, up and over the hairpin bends of the Moulay Brahim’s Gorges, continue through the Berber village of Asni to the Imlil. Here, you will enjoy a delicious traditional lunch on the terrace of a trusted handpicked local restaurant.
Afterwards, set off on a easy guided walk to the Berber village of Aremd, rest a while in this gorgeous village built upon a big moraine spur, share tea & meet locals, overlooking ancient irrigated terraced fields surrounded by almond and walnut trees, then return through spectacular scenery to rejoin your vehicle at Imlil for driving to your Berber Auberge in High Atlas Mountains.
Dinner and overnight at your local accommodation in High Atlas Mountains.
Day 5 – Enchanting Day Trip to Essaouira – Fresh Seafood Cooking Class – Insightful Argan oil’s Lecture
After your breakfast at your Riad/hotel in Marrakech, you will set off to the coastal city of Essaouira, a well-protected small town famous for its old picturesque fishing port & fortified walls, lying on the southwest coast of Morocco.
On the road to the coastal city of Essaouira, stop first at an Argan oil cooperative to discover the strenuous production process behind Argan oil final fruits and dip in a piece of bread to taste its distinctly nutty flavor. Argan oil is highly-prized for its cosmetic and culinary uses. This rich unique oil is only produced in Morocco.
Arrive in Essaouira city, where the picturesque medina brushes up against the Atlantic Ocean. Sandstone walkways contrast with whitewashed houses of the medina, bright blue sky and the sand of the surrounding beaches.
Start your walking tour to uncover the secrets of Essaouira’s old medina, its UNESCO historic settlement and exquisite beach to the south. You’ll enjoy also a unique experience to select & buy varied fresh sea-food like a local in the liveliest local market at the ancient fishing port of Essaouira, then take this fresh sea food and some vegetables to our trusted specialist to demonstrate you clearly and knowledgeably how to cook fresh sea food like a local in Essaouira.
After your fresh-sea food cooking class at a trusted local specialist restaurant, enjoy now tasting the delicious spicy freshly cooked fish. Share a cup of mint tea over the ocean, and then end your day trip in Essaouira at your cosy riad beautifully designed and decorated in a traditional Moroccan style.Free time in the evening to stroll in the medina & cherish the cool breeze.
Day 6-End of your Trip in Morocco – Direct Transfer from Essaouira to the Airport in Marrakech.
Direct transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech’s International airport in time for your flight home, taking with you some certainly incredible memories of a land full of remarkable contrasts, diversified traditional dishes and very friendly people.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1–Travel to Morocco- Things To do in Morocco- Welcome in Marrakesh.
Day 2 – Marrakech Guided City Tour – Cultural Tour – The best things to do in Marrakech.
Day 3 –Cooking Class in Marrakesh – Moroccan Cuisine in Marrakech – Spa & Traditional Hammam.
Day 4 – High Atlas Adventure Day- Priceless Experience in High Atlas Mountains.
Day 5–Enchanting Day Trip to Essaouira – Fresh Seafood Cooking Class – Insightful Argan oil’s Lecture.
Day 6–End of your Trip in Morocco – Direct Transfer from Essaouira to the Airport in Marrakech.
What’s Included
Planning and quality control by seasoned travel leaders
Knowledgeable Guides (Multi-lingual), special lectures, and insightful meetings
Entrance Fees to Historic Monuments
All Transfers-even individual airport transfers, when required.
Luggage Handling-at all hotels, airport, etc.
Air-Conditioned, comfortable, and luxurious vehicles depending on your choice (4*4, Mini-bus…).
Nights at the top range hotels, Riads, Kasbahs, and Bivouacs.
Elegant Meals (Breakfast daily, and usually either Dinner).
All details are handled by reliable, experienced Tour Leaders.
Outstanding value and convenience.
No hidden add-ons or markup.
What’s Excluded
Lunchs
Tips
Travel insurance charges
Travel Advices
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Best time to visit Morocco
The climate in Morocco varies wildly according to the season and area of travel. In the lowlands, the cooler months from October to April are popular among visitors. This time of year is pleasantly warm to hot (around 30°C) during the day and cool to cold (around 15°C) at night. Winter in the higher regions often brings snow and can therefore get seriously cold, particularly at night. Tourists flock to the coastline from June to September for fun in the sun, with warm mostly rain-free days. Further inland it can get hot and rain is rare, which makes the best times to travel March to June and September to December.
Morocco Culture & Customs
Morocco's culture has developed over centuries of influence from far and wide. Contemporary Morocco is a fascinating mix of Berber, Mediterranean, Andalucian, and African traditions, which are present in the cuisine, clothing, music, language, customs, and lifestyle. As an Islamic country, most Moroccans are Muslim; however, there are small populations of people who practice Judaism and Christianity. Classic examples of Islamic architecture can be observed all throughout the country and tenets of the Islamic religion are carried out in the customs and lives of the people. The 'Call to Prayer' can be heard five times a day, women are expected to dress modestly and alcohol isn't drunk by most of the population.
Most of Moroccan society can be considered traditional, with respect for elders, connection to family, and giving alms to the poor hallmarks of everyday life for many Moroccans. Hospitality is another important element of society, with warmly welcoming people into your home a time-honored tradition and social responsibility that dates back centuries.
Vegetarian and Vegan Options in Morocco ?
Much of Morocco's cuisine revolves around meat, but vegetables are an important staple and a crucial ingredient in many dishes of the Maghreb. Your diet can consist of more than just flatbread and hummus – trust us. Keep an eye out for vegetable-based tagines and couscous, the renowned Zaalouk (a smokey eggplant and tomato salad), vegetable Briouats (triangular-filled pastries), and cinnamon oranges. Vegan options are slightly more limited, as many of the pieces of bread and couscous dishes have butter added to them, but your best bet is to enquire if yours can be made using oil instead. Otherwise, it's easy to dine well on varied vege offerings in Morocco.