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From Discovery and CruisingTo Advanced Mountaineering Expedition
This all-encompassing adventure for students explores the depths of Moroccan culture from lively souks to the majestic Sahara. The educational travel journey begins in the desert where students experience the nomadic Berber life amid views of the High Atlas, the Draa Valley, and the Djebel Bani, whose river plates and pebbles are the setting of our first desert bivouacs. After indulging in traditional Moroccan meals and gazing at the endless starry sky we continue through the impressive yellow sea of sand. Cresting sand dune after sand dune allows us to enjoy the scenery while learning what it is like to reside in this unique region. It's then on to Ouarzazate and Essaouira to discover the exceptional lifestyle of Moroccan cities and their architecture, bustling souks and charming art galleries. Finally, we arrive in Marrakech, a diverse city whose authentic atmosphere wins the hearts of even the most seasoned travellers.
Countries:
Start and Finishing Point:
Marrakech
Activities:
Grading:Introductory to Moderate
Addressing:
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Day 1
Marrakech - Ouarzazate
Early in the morning we drive towards the High Atlas. We cross the pass Tizi-n Tichka (2260 m) and arrive in the capital of the South, Ouarzazate. We keep driving towards the Anti Atlas where, at the highest point, we have a great lookout over the Draa Valley. In Zagora we leave the tarred road and drive on a sand track to our bivouac site on the foot of Djebel Bani. Driving time: 5 hours
Meals: L,D
Day 2
Ouarzazate - Mhamid - Ras Nkhal
After breakfast we leave the big plain and cross the Djebel Bani. We explore the stone desert that even today is inhabited by nomads with their tents made out of goat and dromedary wool and erect the bivouac near a small oasis. In the evening we learn how to cook a traditional Moroccan meal in a Berber tent. Walking time: 2.5 hours Driving time: approximately 4 hours
Meals: B,L,D
Day 3
Ras Nkhal – Erg Zmila
We hike along the valley and arrive to the stone plates of the river Oued M'Hazr where can see water basins which are a source of life for the animals in the middle of the desert. The night will be spent at your leisure with an option to join a night excursion and learn about the starry sky. Walking time: approximately 6 hours
Day 4
Erg Zmila – Erg Zhar
Today we set foot into the sand desert beginning with a plain of pebble and boulder. From afar we can already see the yellow sand dunes of Erg Zhar where our bivouac will be erected on the foot of one of these impressive dunes. We spend the evening listening to the rhythms of traditional music and getting enchanted by the traditional Berber dance. Walking time: approximately 5 hours
Day 5
Erg Zaher – Erg Smar
Our adventure continues along vast desert landscape. We cross a large plateau towards the dry Draa River bed and pass a ruined village, that once was in the middle of a prosper valley before the big drought. After a picnic lunch under tamarisk trees, we continue our trek to the small dunes of Erg Smar. Walking time: approximately 4 hours
Day 6
Erg Smar – Erg Chegaga
The last trekking day brings you along dry river beds and flat Hamadas (stoney desert) before reaching the large Chegaga dunes. In the afternoon, you enjoy the last desert setting with a climb to the high dune to watch sunset and you will enjoy the final dinner under the stary sky. Walking time: 5 hours
Day 7
Erg Chegaga – Foum Zguid – Ait Ben Haddou
After breakfast, you will say goodbye to your caravan and board on 4WD cars to cross the dry Irikki Lake to the oasis of Foum Zguid along the Jebel Bani range. After the off-road ride, we change into the mini bus and head north across the Anti-Atlas Mountains to the World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou. In the late afternoon, we will visit the Kasbah, probably the most preserved Kasbah in the south and home for many famous movies. Driving time: approximately 7 hours
Day 8
Aït-Ben-Haddou - Marrakech – Sidi Mbarke
Ait-ben-Haddou is a striking example of Moroccan architecture. The ksar, a group of earthen buildings surrounded by high walls, is a traditional pre-Saharan habitat. The houses crowd together within the defensive walls, which are reinforced by corner towers. On the way to Essaouira we visit a natural herb pharmacy and learn about the healing power of the traditional medicine. In the afternoon we arrive in the art village of Sidi Mbarke, located on the Atlantic Sea. Driving time: approximately 7 hours
Day 9
Sidi Mbarek – Sidi Kaouki - Essaouira
After breakfast, we take a camel ride along the wild beaches and head north to the village of Sidi Kaouki, well known for surfing. Enjoy a picnic lunch, then a short transfer to Essaouira, a charming city on the Atlantic coast, that has great historic heritage. On arrival, a local guide will take you around the port, Kasbah and Scala. The old pirate’s hideout offers a multitude of small squares encircled by Portuguese, Berber and French battlements. The pace of life is more relaxed here and the whitewashed streets lend a truly Mediterranean air to the city.
Meals: B
Day 10
Essaouira to Marrakech
Enjoy the morning on your own whether it be a swim in the sea or a walk through Essaouira's souks. After lunch we depart for Marrakech, visiting an argan-oil cooperative run by women only on the way. Driving time: approximately 3 hours
Day 11
Discovering Marrakech
This morning, we will take a walking guided tour of ‘The Red City” taking in the principal sites, the Koutoubia, Bahia Palace, Medina and the souks where many artisans display their products. The rest of the day is free for your own exploration of this colourful city.
Day 12
Trip concludes Marrakech
After breakfast the tour ends and we'll transfer you to the airport.
Quality Education: Obtaining a quality education is the foundation to improving people’s lives and sustainable development.
Reduced Inequalities: To reduce inequalities, policies should be universal in principle, paying attention to the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized populations.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.