Jan
min : 7°C
max : 18°C
We Love —
- Spend some time in the beautiful and evocative city of Marrakech haggling with the locals and learning how to cook some traditional dishes!
- This trip includes excursions that will introduce you to the majesty of the Atlas Mountains and the enticing flavours of Moroccan cuisine.
- Throughout your adventure you'll be staying in an elegantly designed Riad in the medina, just 15 minutes from the bustling Souks of Marrakech.
Your Destinations —
Marrakech
Marrakech is an incredibly intriguing city, where you can explore a completely different world of exoticism, from the Jemaa El Fna, to the Menara, to any number of mosques, each uniquely designed and decorated. Visitors of this intoxicating place can also enjoy the largest souk (market place) in Morocco - this really is an experience that needs to be seen to be believed, with hundreds of small stalls selling all manner of objects, from the freshest foods, to beautiful boutiques offering lovely fabrics, pots, and decorations.
Essaouira
Registered as a UNESCO's World Heritage Site since 2001, Essaouira is a destination where time seems to stand still. Here, you can seek an indulgent, relaxing holiday and will love whiling away your days in the sun - you'll find exactly what you're looking for within this beautiful Moroccan gem.
High Atlas Mountains
Our Offer —
5-night Food Tour of Marrakech and its Surroundings
Your Itinerary In Brief —
Day 1: Marrakech
Day 2: Marrakech Discovery and Cooking class “Lotus Chef”
Day 3: Full day trip to Essaouira and Wine tasting
Day 4: Marrakech at leisure and mix with the evening locals
Day 5: Berber Life Style in the Atlas Mountains
Day 6: Marrakech - Departure
Marrakesh
Your Itinerary —
Upon arrival in Marrakech you will be greeted by your rep and transferred to your riad. Depending on when you arrive, you may be taken on an optional romantic tour of Marrakech by night in a horse drawn carriage through the old medina and royal palace to the main Djemaa El fnaa Square. Here you can enjoy a refreshment in one of the roof terraces cafes overlooking the medina. Alternatively, guests could join Hammam Amal for a relaxing Moroccan hammam and body scrub. Dinner and overnight stay at Riad Dar Pamella or similar.
After a berber breakfast on the terrace, depart on your tour of Marrakech. Go back in time and join a small group to discover some of Marrakech's historical landmarks. Your knowledgeable guide enlightens you on the intrigue surrounding the city’s illustrious buildings. The first stop will be the ‘souika’ fruit and vegetable souk, and the traditional baker’s oven, where you can shop alongside the locals. Walk through the Mellah (Jewish Quarter) and visit the aristocratic El Bahia Palace to see the lush Moorish-style garden, marble paving, and cedar wood ceilings.
Continue to peruse the craftsmen’s souk (potters, iron mongers, carpenters & wood dyers) before arriving in the foundoul "sersar". Afterwards you will have some free time at Djemaa El fnaa Square. At 1pm you will be picked up to join a luxury workshop at Lotus Riad. Here you are offered the chance to learn how to use the local traditional ingredients in order to be able to make a real Moroccan meal in the purest tradition of family cooking. Under the guidance of a great chef, you will attend and participate in the elaboration of typical dishes such as Moroccan salads, Tajine, and pastries... while taking notes on the chef which will be handed to you upon your arrival. Finally, in reward of all these efforts and in the well-deserved shade of an orange tree, you will taste what you have prepared before returning to your Riad. Overnight stay at Riad Dar Pamella or similar.
Essaouria is a fun-filled and relaxing day trip from Marrakech. After a late breakfast today at your hotel, depart for Essaouira. The journey to this former Portuguese fishing village offers up only a few roadside towns and the occasional Berber village. In the ’60s and ’70s, Essaouira was a pitstop on the hippie trek from Marrakech. Your first stop is at one of the argan oil women’s cooperatives, to taste a typical local breakfast: Mint Tea, Argan oil, Olive oil and Amlou (A delicious Moroccan dip made from toasted almonds, argan oil, and honey).
Argan is unique to the south west of Morocco and has many virtues; this is why it is now used in cosmetics all over the world. Next, on arrival at the property of Val d’Argan, you visit the vineyards and the winery before we invite for some Moroccan Wine tasting. Val d’Argan wines are produced here in red, rosé or white and exported to different parts of Morocco and abroad. Lunch will be in a local restaurant in Essaouira.
Take a stroll along the town’s sunlit pedestrian main square, Place Prince Moulay el Hassan and the fishing harbor, offers breathtaking views of the Portuguese ramparts. Explore the ramparts and the spice and jewelry souks of the medina. The medina of Essaouira (formerly "Mogador") is a UNESCO World Heritage listed city, as an example of a late-18th century fortified town. Then enjoy free time for a glimpse of the sunset and refreshment overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, before heading back to your hotel in Marrakech. Overnight stay at Riad Dar Pamella or similar.
After breakfast at the Riad enjoy the morning at leisure and explore more of your favourite highlights of the city. At 3:30pm you will be picked up from your riad and have the chance to immerse yourself in a sensuous Moroccan experience at Hammam Amal. Enjoy the timeless experience of being suffused with the gentle heat of a Steam Bath as warm water is gently poured over your body. Then you will never regret the choice of discovering the oriental care in this place. Therefore, you will not only spot the mysterious Moroccan beauty on its own, but it’s a unique journey to discover Morocco in its pure authenticity and its well-known absolute generosity.
Late in the afternoon, meet your local host and be welcomed at Fatima’s house. Fatima invites you during this evening to discover and share an amazing moment with her; enjoy a delicious mint tea with luscious Moroccan crêpes. Then join Dada Fatima, to go shopping in the souk (you will learn how to haggle, so take your time) because she will be choosing each ingredient very carefully. Return to the house to prepare your dinner, and learn some of her secrets and the art of hand-rolled couscous lovingly demonstrated along with an authentic Moroccan meal. Afterwards, return to the riad or go for an after-dinner drink in the trendy Gossip Cabaret, or to the medina at the Kosy Bar (drinks not included – make own way back to the riad). Overnight stay at Riad Dar Pamella or similar.
After breakfast depart for the High Atlas, travelling through Morocco’s majestic countryside offers a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech, and a rare glimpse into a more relaxed way of life in this magical part of the world. Along the way there will be photo stops for panoramic views of the Sour village. Then onto the village of Moulay Brahim, where you will be invited into the home of Hassan Ouali and his family, opening their door to how they live in the region.
They will be delighted to share with you their Berber lunch and the ceremonial mint tea, prepared with great care. After lunch, leave Moulay Brahim to return to Marrakech but via the Kik Plateau, dominated by the High Atlas chain, its summits culminated reach 4000 metres. Here, magnificent panoramic views of the Mount Toubkal massif await. The Berber houses are perched on mountainous terraces, blending into the countryside. Then, a splendid view of the Lake Lalla Takerkoust before you return to the Riad. Overnight stay at Riad Dar Pamella or similar.
Day 6: Marrakech - Departure
Enjoy a final breakfast in the riad before you transfer to Marrakech airport in time for your flight back to the UK.
Your Tour Hotels —
Our members will stay at the following riad (or similar) in a Standard Room with meals included as per itinerary.
Riad Dar Pamella or similar
The rooms include a view of the patio with a satellite TV, private bathroom and a traditional Moroccan breakfast each day. This can be enjoyed on the lovely terrace, patio or dining area. There are also massages available from the riad and other activities such as beauty treatments and guided visits which the riad will help you organise.
Sleeps up to
3 Adults
or
2 Adults
+ 1 Child
Please note: the bed for the 3rd guest sharing is likely to be a sofa bed or camp style bed. If any of these hotels are not available, hotels of a similar standard will be found.
Your Optional Excursions —
Our members can choose to add the following excursions at the next stage of the booking process for an additional fee - subject to availability.
In the Footsteps of Yves Saint Laurent
Accompanied by a guide and skip-the-line entrance, visit the Majorelle Garden and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum – both must sees in Marrakech.
Your guide will accompany you into the Majorelle Garden and will tell you the story of one of the most enchanting gardens of Marrakech. This work of art was originally owned by the painter Jacques Majorelle, who used it as a workshop before Yves Saint Laurent repurchased it and took it for inspiration.
Then you will visit the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, without having to waste any time thanks to your skip-the-line priority queue jump. This museum includes a permanent exhibition room of 4000 m². In a setting design by Christophe Martin, you will discover the work of one of the greatest couturiers in the twentieth century. Designed as a journey in the heart of Yves Saint Laurent's inspirations, you can admire the key pieces of its collections such as the jacket, the Mondrian dress, the tuxedo or even the Saharan jacket.
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4X4 Safari on the Berber roads
At the foot of the snow-capped peaks of the High Atlas, head out on an adventure on the Berber roads to meet the locals and discover their traditions.
On board of your 4x4, this excursion will begin by crossing the plains of Al Haouz. Journey towards the summits of the High Atlas until you reach the first town of Ouzguita, on the plateau of Kik. Then you will stop in the village of Moulay Brahim for fabulous views over the green valley of Ghighya, with its small rivulets, its apple orchards and a forest of towering green oaks.
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Hot Air Balloon, Hammam and Massage
Created exclusively for Voyage Privé customers, enjoy a unique experience by discovering Marrakech aboard a hot air balloon. In the morning at your hotel, a 4X4 will take you to about twenty kilometres from Marrakech to your meeting point, where you will enjoy a continental breakfast before boarding a hot air balloon.
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Your Journey —
Flights: You may choose from Economy, Premium or Business class flights on sectors that they operate, at the next stage of the booking process.
The flights included are with either a scheduled or no-frills airline and are subject to live availability and prices can change. You can choose your preferred departure times during the booking process. Please select your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ.
Transfers: Private return Marrakech Airport transfers are included for flight-inclusive offers.
For inbound transfer arrangements please confirm with your transfer provider when you arrive. Alternatively, please check with the reception of your accommodation. If you still require assistance, please call the transfer provider directly.
