Morocco Sea, Service & Summit School Adventure

Students trekking the High Atlas, Morocco | Gareth Davies

Students arriving at camp after an active day exploring | Gareth Davies

Students enjoying life in Morocco | Paul Edmunds

Djemaa el Fna square at the start of the evening | John Millen

Berber village in Morocco's High Atlas mountains | James Griesedieck

Students come together at the end of a rewarding day on their field trip | Gareth Davies

Students trekking the High Atlas, Morocco | Gareth Davies

Students arriving at camp after an active day exploring | Gareth Davies

Students enjoying life in Morocco | Paul Edmunds

Djemaa el Fna square at the start of the evening | John Millen

Berber village in Morocco's High Atlas mountains | James Griesedieck

Students come together at the end of a rewarding day on their field trip | Gareth Davies

Code: WSSS

Overview

Highlights

Trek through Berber villages of the High Atlas
Community service in a Berber community
Summiting the highest mountains in North Africa!
Experience the Djemaa el-Fna market in Marrakesh
Learn about Morocco's Islamic heritage and culture
Camel Trekking and Wild Camping on the Atlantic Coast
Explore the stunning coastal city of Essaouira
Tailor this itineray in Morocco to suit your school's needs & budget

This expedition is a true journey of discovery, taking students from Berber villages to the top of Morocco's rugged Atlas Mountain range, down to the stunning towns and beaches of Morocco's Atlantic Coast via the enchanting souks and Medina's of Marrakech. Start your school's expedition by travelling into the heart of Berber village life, spending time living and working alongside the local community before your Berber guides lead you through the passes, steep ridges and lush valleys of their homeland to the summit of your choice of one of North Africa's highest peaks. Travelling back to the enchanting imperial city of Marrakech, students will be guided through the city's Medina's and palaces to learn about Morocco's rich history, haggle with the traders in the bustling bazaars and be enchanted by the sights and sounds of Djemaa el-Fna market. A short drive takes your school group to the stunning Atlantic Coast where you will take a camel trek to a wild beach camp before spending some time exploring the magical port city of Essaouira.

Countries:

Start and Finishing Point:

Marrakech

Activities:

Grading:Moderate

Addressing:

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

Day 1
Arrive Marrakech & transfer to Ait Bougmez

After arrival to Marrakech airport, transfer by private minibus to the Ait Bougumez Valley in the Central Atlas Mountains. Upon arrival at the Bougumez valley you will stay in a simple village house and experience local village life at close quarters.

Meals: L,D

Day 2-4
Berber Community Service and Immersion

Start of project work in cooperation with farmers and local association. Construction, painting project work can be combined with assistance to the farmers on the fields/agriculture. From end of June to beginning of September school holidays in Morocco.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 5
Aït Bougumez 1850 m (5550 ft) - Arouss - Ikkis 2390 m (7170 ft)

Following the trails along the fields of the Bougumez valley, you hike to the village of Arouss and start there the ascent up to the high pasture of Ikkis. Walking tiime: approximately 6 hours

Meals: B,L,D

Day 6
Ikkis 2390 m (7170 ft) - Tarkeddid 2900 m (8700 ft)

Today you make a steep but well graded ascent to the pass of Tizi Oumskik (3400 metres) (10200 ft) with the full vista of Mgoun reaching out in front of you. Then you will take a short descent to the Tarkeddidt Plateau which is inhabited by nomads and their camels during the summer months. Walking time: approximately 4 hours

Meals: B,L,D

Day 7
Tarkeddid 2900 m (8700 ft) - Mgoun summit 4068 m (12204 ft) - Oulilimt 2600 m (7800 ft)

Summit Climb. From the summit fantastic views of the Jebel Sahro Mountains to the east and the Atlas to the north and west. If conditions do not allow a summit attempt, it is still a good day’s walk across the Oumsoud pass to reach the upper Mgoun River, followed by a descent to Oulilimt. Walking time: approximately 9-10 hours

Meals: B,L,D

Day 8
Oulilimt 2600 m (7800 ft) - Tighremt n’Aït Ahmed - valley of Amougr 2500 m (7500 ft)

Descend along the scenic Oulilimt valley to Aflafal, where we stop for lunch, and continue in the afternoon to the Tighremt n’Aït Ahmed and on to the camp at the foot of Tizi n'Aït Imi. Walking time: Approximately 6 hours

Meals: B,L,D

Day 9
Valley of Amougr 2500 m (7500 ft) - Tizi n’Aït Imi 2905 m (8715 ft) - Aït Bougmez

This last trekking day starts with a steady ascent to the Tizi n’Aït Imi pass followed by a long descent of around 1000 m (3000 ft) down to the Bougmez valley, the end of the trek. Walking time: Approximately 6 hours

Meals: B,L

Day 10
Aït Bougmez - Marrakech

In the morning you leave the High Atlas Mountains and drive back to Marrakech. On the way, visit Ouzoud waterfalls. In the evening, we visit the animated Jamaa El Fna square. Driving time: approximately 5 hours

Meals: B,L,D

Day 11
Explore Marrakech

In the morning, enjoy a guided walking city tour to the Medina and the souks. The afternoon free for relaxation and shopping.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 12
Marrakech – Sidi Kaouki – Plage Azrou

After breakfast, drive west to the Atlantic coast to reach the village of Sidi Kaouki by mid-afternoon. From there we hike along the beaches for about 40 minutes to our camp. Drive time: approximately 7 hours

Meals: B,L,D

Day 13
Camel trek Plage Azrou - Sidi Mbark - Essaouira

Trekking along the Atlantic coast, you walk and/or ride mostly along sandy beaches to the small cascades of Sidi Mbark. From the end of the trek, transfer to the town of Essaouira. Upon arrival walking and orientation tour in Essaouira. Walking/riding time: approximately 3.5 hours Driving time: approximately 1 hour

Meals: B,L,D

Day 14
Essaouira - Marrakech Airport

After breakfast, transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech airport for the flight home Driving time: approximately 3 hours

Meals: B,L,D

Addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Clean Water And Sanitation: Clean, accessible water for all is an essential part of the world we want to live in.

Sustainable Cities And Communities: There needs to be a future in which cities provide opportunities for all, with access to basic services, energy, housing, transportation and more.

Quality Education: Obtaining a quality education is the foundation to improving people’s lives and sustainable development.

Learning outcomes for students

World Expeditions Schools journeys are designed to encourage positive personal development and the learning of life skills, while leaving the communities and environments we travel to, in a better condition than when we arrived.
The programs are designed to:
• build strong friendships and bonds with their peers, their teachers, and the local people they meet.
• increase the confidence to engage with new people, and collaboratively make informed decisions.
• discover the benefits of working cooperatively together as a cohesive team, to achieve a common objective.
• Increase the ability to face, and cope with, mental and physical challenges and therefore increase resilience.
• give students a chance to appreciate and care for the natural world. The environments we travel through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment.
• Learn personal skills i.e., time management, personal hygiene, responsibility for personal gear, patience, tolerance, and public speaking.
We help encourage students to learn what it means to be a true global citizen.

Inclusions

What's included

Group leader, mule handlers, camp hands and kitchen staff
Two nights in a 3 star hotel in Marrakesh on a twin share basis
Arrival airport transfers
All internal transport by private vehicle
7cm foam sleeping mat
Two-person tents
Twin, triple and quad share rooms at Village Gite
Dining tent and toilet tent during camping section
Treated water during trek
Mules to carry all personal and group equipment
All park entrance fees and trekking permits
Emergency medical kit
Guided city tour of Marrakesh
Full board meals

What's not included

Travel Insurance
Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc.
Tips
Bottled water and Aerated drinks
Single supplement
International flights from to Marrakech

Grading

Moderate

This expedition involves trekking through undulating country, often untracked, for up to six hours a day at a steady pace. To undertake this level of activity you will need a good level of trekking fitness and be sure-footed. Some days involve walking over rugged terrain, including boulders, scree and heavily vegetated ground. As a minimum, we recommend 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise three times a week for three months leading up to your trek.

Why travel with us

Assisted over
14,000 Students Worldwide

Since the 1980's, we have helped students from around the globe to experience the world's most exciting destinations, allowing them to travel, give, grow.

400+ Service Learning
Programs

Together with students, we have completed over 400 Service Learning programs in developing countries. We will always continue to support causes including social justice, animal welfare, the environment and more.

Fully Customised
School Travel Programs

Want to include service learning, your school curriculum and a physical challenge, or any of the above? Contact us and we can design a program fully catered for your students and budget.

Safety and
Support - Our #1 Priority

Every school receives a detailed risk management plan that is guided by government advisories and the local partners we work with. We never compromise on the safety of your students to reduce the price of the program.

Testimonials

Want to find out more?

Our educational travel experts are ready to help you tailor an itinerary or service learning project to suit your school’s needs and budget. Contact us today to receive a free consultation.