Sample Travel Itinerary
Participate in service projects that provide important space for exchange between our students and locals while investing positive energy and resources into the ongoing development initiatives in rural Morocco.
Enjoy the dunes, canyons, kasbahs, and explore the famous bustling souqs of Marrakech. Your journey across Morocco’s unique and diverse landscape will be one you’ll never forget! Volunteer at a village in the high Atlas Mountains. Ride across the Sahara Desert on the back of a camel and experience the beauty of the sand dunes. Take in the fascinating architectural melting pot of Tafraout, and admire the colorful goods and exotic spices in the souq markets of Marrakech.
Day 1
Arrive in Marrakech and meet your leaders before you hit the road to Tizi Village, located in the heart of the Ourika Valley in the High Atlas Mountains! Tonight, you will savor your first Moroccan Tagine for dinner as you get to know some of the local villagers and get oriented to your new home away from home. Make sure to get a good night’s sleep for tomorrow’s first full day.
Overnight: Guesthouse, Amazigh village
Days 2 & 3
Let the service begin! After breakfast and a quick lesson in Moroccan style Arabic (Darija), you will begin work on our upcoming project . This project’s objective is to empower students through preschool education, as the village believes in the importance of preparing students before entering primary school. The village leaders identified and expressed this need and we are honored to have the privilege of working with them to make the preschool vision a reality. While in the village, you will also get to visit local families for tea as part of your cultural immersion in Morocco.
Overnight: Guesthouse, Amazigh village
Day 4
After you rise for an early morning breakfast and a quick lesson in Darija, Moroccan-style Arabic, it’s time to hit the road toward the South! Arrive in the 14th Century village of Ait Benhaddou to stay for the night in your mudbrick Kasbah room. After lunch at the “Hollywood of Morocco,” divide into teams and let the scavenger hunt begin! Using clues, navigate the markets to search for and collect the listed items with your team as you work on your language and bartering skills.
Overnight: Kasbah in Ait Benhaddou
Day 5
After breakfast, drive to Dades Gorges and enjoy the view. This is a river system that originates in the High Atlas range of the Atlas mountains, flowing some 350 kilometres southwest before joining the Draa River at the edge of the Sahara. Stop along the way at the 17th-century Kasbah Amridil and learn the history behind the region and what the ancient way of life was like in southern Morocco. Bring your camera and your curious questions!
Overnight: Dades
Day 6
Sabah al-khair! (Good morning!) After breakfast, visit the local association to learn more about Henna and cumin-making processes before you explore the nearby palm gardens that lay next to amazing natural rock formations. Hit the road towards the Sahara, and on your way stop in Rissani to learn more about the Alaouit Dynasty that has been ruling Morocco since the 17th century at its founder’s mausoleum.
Get ready (and rub your eyes to ensure you’re not seeing a mirage!) as you approach the majestic sand dunes. Drop your heavy bags off at our riad in the desert outpost town before hopping on your camel with a light day pack of things you’ll need for the camp. Photograph the dramatic sunset as the caravan rolls away along the dunes to our Bedouin camp. Sit down for tea and local cuisine while enjoying the rhythmic beats of desert musicians around a campfire.
Overnight: Bedouin Camp in Sahara
Day 7
Wake up early to get a view of an incredible sunrise from the nearby dunes. After breakfast, drive to Ouarzazate, a city south of Morocco’s High Atlas mountains, known as a gateway to the Sahara Desert and the “Valley of One Thousand Kasbahs.” In the evening, gather as a group for a mid-trip discussion where you can reflect on what you’ve experienced and learned so far.
Overnight: Ouarzazate
Day 8
Time to head to Marrakech! Take the Road of One Thousand Kasbahs and stop in on them. The 17th century Amridil Kasbah will teach you more about the ancient way of life in the south of Morocco. Arrive in Marrakech and take the time to to observe the intricate architecture in every corner of before you go out to dine in the UNESCO heritage Jamaalfna square.
Overnight: Riad in the Medina of Marrakesh
Day 9
Rise and shine for another full day in the Medina! Walk through the souqs to go to one of the most authentic spice shops in Marrakech where you will attend a quick talk about spices and herbs which are an important component of local culture. Close by, you will see the Bin Youssef Madrasa, a stunning 12th century Islamic school, a hallmark of Islamic and North African architecture. Some of today will be for exploration in smaller groups, shopping for the unique Moroccan goods after we teach you how to bargain like a Moroccan, take pictures, and enjoy your last evening in the Red City.
Overnight: Riad in the Medina of Marrakesh
Day 10
Wake up early to properly bid ‘bsslama’ to Morocco. Drive to Marrakech Menara International Airport, where your flight home awaits you and brings your epic journey to conclusion. We genuinely hope your time spent here, the experience you’ve shared, and the things you’ve reflected on will stay with you for a lifetime. After some final group photos and high-fives from Team Morocco, it's time to say goodbye.