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Day 1 

After arrival at Marrakech Menara Airport you will be met and transferred to Riad Africa. Tonight we suggest an evening stroll to Djemaa el Fna to visit the night food stalls here. This huge medieval square is at the heart of the old city. You will witness acrobats, jugglers, snake charmers, beggars and musicians in what surely is a feast for all of your senses.  Swirling smoke rises from the many food stalls as they cook up local delicacies. This is a great place to commence your culinary journey of Marrakech.

3 nights Riad Africa on bed and breakfast basis – plus 1 lunch and 1 dinner which you prepare yourself  in cooking workshops.

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Day 2

This morning you will take a half day guided medina tour.  Accompanied by an experienced and knowledgeable Marrakech tour guide this tour will give you the best possible experience of the Old Medina!  Explore the historical attractions of 14th century Ben Youssef Medersa, and the 12th century Kubba El Baroudyine, known for their contribution to history and architecture. In the afternoon its on to the roof garden of Riad Africa to cook your first meal at Riad Africa with Marrakech Cooking School’s head chef, Fatim-Zahra. As you cook you’ll enjoy a wonderful view of Koutoubia Minaret in the background.

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Day 3

This morning prepare a delicious lunch at Marrakech Cooking School in a tranquil garden and poolside setting, just 15 minutes from Marrakech medina. Based at Villa Africa in Jnane Zitoun (Olive Gardens), chef Fatim-Zahra has over 30 years’ experience of cooking delicious Moroccan dishes. In small groups Fatim-Zahra will guide you as you learn to cook a variety of tasty Moroccan recipes. Marrakech Cooking School offers a highly personalised, interactive and fun cooking day experience. All classes include preparation of at least two mouth-watering Moroccan dishes such as briouat, pastilla and a spicy cooked salad plus a fish, chicken, beef or lamb tagine. Royal couscous is always prepared on Fridays – the traditional day for eating couscous in Morocco. Every day Marrakech Cooking School’s ‘Dada’ demonstrates how to prepare couscous to perfection. All guests will try their hand at making dough and baking bread the Moroccan way!  After lunch the afternoon is free for you to do as you please, take a dip in the plunge pool to freshen up or take an optional horse and carriage tour of city walls and gardens.

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Day 4

This morning you will transfer to our Atlas Mountain cooking base at Kasbah Africa, it will seem like a haven of calm after busy Marrakech. You will stop en route to shop for produce in a local market.  Once you arrive at Kasbah Africa, you will enjoy a cooking workshop Berber style with chef Brahim and start by preparing your own lunch under the willow trees with a breathtaking view of the Takerkhort Nature Reserve and High Atlas Mountains. After lunch the rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy the mountain views and fresh air or walk to a nearby Berber village. At night you have chance to see the starlit sky in close up assisted by one of Kasbah Africa’s telescopes.

4 nights Kasbah Africa on full board basis – includes 1 lunch and 3 dinners which you prepare yourself in cooking workshops.

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Days 5 to 7

Each morning you can choose to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of Kasbah Africa or join our mountain guide on a local walk. There is a different 4 to 5 hour walk (including a picnic lunch) on offer each day or shorter rambles to nearby Berber villages in the Azzaden Valley.  On our first walk we explore the villages, lake and salt mines of the Azzaden and Ouirgane Valleys. We also head to the Mizzane Valley and Imlil region to walk a trail to Aremd village for unrivalled views of Jebel Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak. Our final walk takes us from Tizi Oussem village at the head of the Azzaden Valley through several little-visited Berber villages to Kasbah Africa. On each day in the late afternoon there will be a cookery workshop with a focus on preparation of typical mountain dishes. Enjoy the fruits of your labour as you dine each night under a starlit African night sky!  On one of the days you will learn how to make Berber bread in a traditional oven outdoors. Relax on the terrace, enjoy the far reaching views and savour your Moroccan cooking experience.

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Day 8

Transfer directly to Marrakech airport (63 km).  Your Marrakech and Atlas cooking holiday ends today as you say farewell to your new friends. We are sure you and your stomach will never forget this delicious Moroccan culinary experience.

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