Welcome to Marrakech. This evening you will experience your first taste of Moroccan culinary tradition with a meal prepared by a beloved local female chef. You will learn how Marackeshi food traditions differ from those you will soon experience on your imminent journey south towards the Anti-Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert.

Your morning begins with a guided tour with a local chef through the world famous souks of Marrakech, followed by a tajine cooking class and tajine lunch. Next you will embark on a guided tour of the Walled City, that will cover architectural masterpieces the Bahia Palace and the Koutoubia Mosque, famous for its minaret. Your evening is free to explore the labyrinth that is Marrakech Medina and be energized by the snake charmers and fortune-tellers that enchant Jemaa-el Fna, Africa's largest city square, by night.

Your next stop is UNESCO World Heritage Site Kasbah Aït Benhaddou. This was an important layover on the trading route between the barren Sahara and the oasis of civilization in Marrakesh. It is one of the best-preserved earthen clay settlements in Africa and has been frequently used in movies, from Lawrence of Arabia to The Living Daylights and Gladiator. You’ll enjoy lunch at a co-operative of women from surrounding villages who will make us tea and traditional Moroccan dishes. After the meal, you’ll explore the Kasbah and take in the breathtaking panorama of the surrounding remote desert. 

Today you set off into the mighty Sahara, driving along the date palm-lined roads of the scenic Daraa Valley. You’ll stop in the village of Tamegroute, home to a Koranic Library stocked with some of the oldest books in Morocco by pilgrims returning from Mecca. To refuel, you’ll experience the regional cuisine of the Sahara and eat medfouna, also known as ‘Berber pizza.’ When the clay house villages end, we will go off-roading through the desert into the otherworldly landscapes of Erg Chigaga, the largest ‘sand sea’ in Morocco. Once it gets too sandy to drive, we will continue by camel to the heart of the dunes to witness a true desert sunset. On a good day, you’ll see the starry night sky with breathtaking clarity, miles from any electric light pollution.

Greet the desert sunrise and enjoy breakfast at our camp, before beginning our drive out of the Sahara, towards the oasis of Tissint. A watery, green oasis village that will  feel especially refreshing coming from the parched dunes. Enjoy a picnic of traditional snacks under the shade of palm groves, before continuing to the village granary for our first look at a historic food vault. You will then dig into nomadic culinary tradition, learning the technique for baking bread in sand pits. For dinner, you’ll experience a traditional, communal Moroccan BBQ, or Mechoui, where meat is slow-roasted on a spit (a vegetarian alternative is available).

After so much desert exploration, a day of relaxation is in order. Along the morning drive to our hotel, we will stop at the Akka village granary to witness another historic desert fortress. After that, we will have the afternoon and evening free at our hotel to refresh after nights spent camping in the desert. We will soak in the pool or enjoy the serene beauty of the surrounding desert. All meals will be provided on-site to make the day as leisurely as possible before going on to the main attraction tomorrow. This tranquil resort is the staging point for the Amtoudi Granary.

Today you’lll embark on a scenic hike from the town of Amtoudi to the 12th century fortified hilltop Amtoudi Granary built to store food and valuables. It was at institutions like this that the most precious ingredients and materials, from wheat to silver, were protected from rival tribes and monsoonal flooding. This structure used to contain all the ingredients that would come to form Moroccan cuisine over centuries. Explore the granary with a knowledgeable local who will explain its rich architectural, agricultural, and historical importance. Your culinary studies continue with a visit to a market, followed by a home-cooked meal prepared by a family in town. Over dinner, we will taste the fruits of centuries of culinary wisdom.

The oasis of Tafraoute is a seat of Berber tradition, practically unchanged by the shift of power from Arab to French empires. In the 20th century, its relaxed beauty attracted hippies and wanderers from around the world who left their unique mark on the village. During your stay here, we will see the Les Roches Peintes (The Painted Rocks), striking brightly colored stones painted by Belgian artist Jean Verame. From atop the rocks, the stark contrast of the monochrome desert surrounding us reminds us of what an unlikely place for public art this is. Surrounded by the Anti-Atlas Mountains, this scenic valley is a cool retreat from the desert. Should you wish to adventure further, there’s an optional walk to admire the striking landscape and an optional visit to a traditional hammam.

Your next destination is the beautiful seaside city of Essaouira, fortified against ocean invasion by golden stone ramparts, known as ‘Skala de la Kasbah.’ Soak up the aromas and flavors of the UNESCO world heritage listed Medina and then meet the women behind a female-led Argan Co-op. Argan oil is one of Morocco’s most precious exports. The nimble tree goats who climb trees to eat the skin off of the nuts of the argania tree are almost as famous as the oil itself. At the Co-op, you’ll learn the process of harvesting and pressing argan oil and watch as the workers craft raw oil into various beauty products. If we’re lucky, you’ll also see some cute climbing goats along the way.

Explore Essaouira Medina today and discover the secrets of the city’s Jewish Quarter. While the Jewish population is now mostly gone, there are still silversmiths practicing the craftsmanship that they were once known for in this bustling trading port. A very special interactive lunch awaits today. First, you’ll search the souks for vegetables and then select a fresh catch from the fishmonger. After you’ve sourced our ingredients, you’ll sip a cup of sweet mint tea while your haul is grilled for lunch. In the afternoon you can take an optional horseback riding excursion. Then your evening is free to explore the dynamic culinary scene of Morocco’s seafood capital, or explore the city's famous tide pools before catching the sunset from the beach.

Spend the morning exploring Essaouira by yourself, before returning to the dreamy cultural capital of Morocco. Explore the Medina with a local guide to help you discover wonders that you missed the first time. After exploring, you’ll have a bit of time to shop and sightsee. Or indulge yourself with a luxury hammam & massage session, before your grand finale dinner, at a beautiful local restaurant that specializes in traditional Moroccan cuisine.  

After breakfast, we will part ways. No doubt, the morning will include a recap of all of the amazing places we’ve been. For early risers, there is an optional hot air balloon ride. From here, you can extend your stay in Morocco or catch an included group shuttle to Menara Airport. Once you arrive back home, it will be time to put your newly acquired spices to good use!