Morocco

Highlights

Itinerary

This itinerary represents our plan for the program. However, we may implement changes if we identify opportunities to improve the experience, to take advantage of unexpected events, or to accommodate local schedule changes.

Marrakech • 3 days • Begin your journey in iconic Marrakech, founded by Amazigh traders and the first of Morocco’s four imperial cities. Learn about the region’s unique architectural style, which draws on Andalusian, Berber Arab, and French influences, and get a closer look at the intricate stucco work and mosaics that adorn palaces as well as everyday homes. Venture into the souks (markets) of the medina, the historic heart of the city that is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, merchants and craftspeople sell ceramics, spices, kitchen gadgets, nougat candy, and much more. Visit the extensive Museum of the Water Civilization and the Menara Gardens to gain an understanding of how Morocco has valued and enacted water conservation for millennia, and gain insight into the methods adapted for the needs of different regions. 

High Atlas Mountains • 4 days • Travel into the High Atlas Mountains and settle into a traditional Amazigh village. Meet with a Moroccan and American NGO (non-governmental organization) established to improve the quality of life in mountain communities. Discuss successes and challenges they have faced as they work to develop educational opportunities, public health infrastructure, and sustainable tourism in these communities. Meet with an Amazigh leader to learn about the traditions of the indigenous people of the Atlas Mountains, and the thriving pilgrimage practices in the region. Try your hand at ancient gardening techniques in the village gardens and gather with members of the local Women’s Empowerment Program. Observe traditional stone and earth construction techniques with Amazigh craftsmen.

Trek in High Atlas Mountains • 2 days • Embark on a two-day, one-night trek in the High Atlas Mountains with guides and pack animals. Witness firsthand the everyday life of semi-nomadic indigenous peoples, and discover land use and livestock grazing practices they have used for centuries. Learn how nomadic tents are constructed and witness the tangible effects of climate change on nomadic migratory patterns, forests, and remote freshwater springs.

Fez, Meknes, & Volubilis • 4 days • Head to the medieval city of Fez and listen to the Muslim call to prayer echo throughout the city. Explore the maze-like medina—the world’s largest walled medieval city—and peer into the elaborate mosques and madrasas (traditional Islamic schools) deep within. Discover how the design and natural materials traditionally used in Moroccan buildings help mitigate North Africa’s summertime heat. Take a natural wool-dyeing workshop at a women’s cooperative and try your hand at weaving a carpet. Walk in the footsteps of Romans on a day trip to the archaeological site of Volubilis, where evocative ruins and well-preserved mosaics recall a powerful ancient Roman city. On your final night, enjoy a celebratory dinner to reflect on your experiences with new friends.

Return • Travel Day • From Fez, transfer to Casablanca airport with your group and a trip leader. Fly together to New York, then continue on to your final destination.