R&K Trip Itinerary

A week of the best of Morocco, from luxurious riads and back-alley cooking in Marrakesh to Berber feasts in the highlands to the coastal ease of Essaouira.

Feb 24, 2024—March 2, 2024

Day 1

Feb 24 Sat

Welcome to Marrakesh

Riad in the Medina of Marrakesh

Private transfer from Marrakesh Airport to our riad—one of those stately Moroccan homes centered around secluded courtyards
Welcome cocktails at the Riad with our hosts Abderrahim, Alejo and Nathan
Easy, lovely first-night dinner at La Taverne, a classic French-Moroccan bistro in the former colonial district

Day 2

Feb 25 Sun

Spice and Rice

Riad in the Medina of Marrakesh

Wake up to the sound of songbirds and the muzzein (not the earliest call to prayer, please) for a morning of spice and cooking techniques with the charismatic Najlae el Rhazi
Shop the markets with Najlae, helping prepare a tradition Marrakshi lunch in her family’s home
Eat what we’ve cooked of course
Back to the riad for a siesta
Dinner of street food and street life in the whirling wonderland that is the Old City’s main square Jemaa el-Fnaa

Day 3

Feb 26 Mon

Chef Bana Day

Riad in the Medina of Marrakesh

This is Chef Bana’s day, let’s go to the medina
Join the Marrakesh icon for a day of preparing lamb Tanjiya, a deeply meaningful dish for Marrakshi people.
Shopping, prepping, then delivering the tanjiyas to the pitmasters be slowcooked for five hours while we go rest, or visit the hammam, or shop for crafts and textiles. Your choice.
Late lunch of this lamb tanjiya, accompanied by the classic feast music sang by Chef Bana himself
Siesta y’all
Private dinner back at the Riad

Day 4

Feb 27 Tue

Into the mountains

Atlas mountain retreat

Up we go into the mountains. Check out of the Riad, private transfer into the Atlas Mountains.
The best Berber tagine you’ve ever had, at a roadside stall in the Atlas trading post of Asni
Check into our mountain retreat, which will be our Atlas base for the next two days
Cocktails poolside or walk through the hills. Dealer’s choice.
Private dinner of mountain gastronomy at the retreat

Day 5

Feb 28 Wed

Lamb lamb lamb

Atlas mountain retreat

Wake to fresh, cool mountain air, as one does
Travel by 4×4 into the high Atlas village of Aroumd, in the shadow of Mt Toubkal, the highest peak in the Arabic-speaking world
Meet up with our man in Aroumd, Mustafa: local grandee, lamb whisperer
Traditional lamb slaughter and cookout overlooking the valleys
Walk off our sins and fullnesses in the mountain villages while Ahwach music plays in the half-distance
Dinner of Berber specialties in Imlil

Day 6

Feb 29 Thu

Coastal Riad in Essaouira

Down to the coast!
Roadtrip across the dusted plains dotted with stone farmhouses and olive groves
Lunch on the way
Arrive in Essaouira, on the Atlantic but with vibes of a Mediterranean coastal village
Meet up with Chef Imad Fatih for sunset drinks
Light bites at our coastal Riad

Day 7

Mar 1 Fri

Imad of the Sea

Coastal Riad in Essaouira

Easy, smooth morning walking the village or just sleeping in
Private lunch at the famed fish market. Fresh catch, fresh grilled, fresh herbs, fresh lemon.
Afternoon of bread, music, argan oil with local producers
Last night by the sea with cocktails and local specialties at Restaurant Il Mare