Description

Welcome to Morocco
Pristine Mediterranean coast, verdant mountains, and 1,200-year-old markets await you on this fascinating journey through northern Morocco. Your first stop is the chic governmental center of Rabat where palm-lined streets and modern buildings provide a striking contrast to the crumbling mud walls that surround the ancient medina (inner city). Talk to friendly Berber carpet vendors and sip mint tea as you adjust to Moroccan life in this friendly coastal city. Before leaving Rabat, wander the Roman ruins of Chellah and then head north to the blue-walled mountain town of Chefchaouen.

Blue Towns and Green Mountains
Chefchaouen, or 'Chef' as some of the locals refer to it, is a tranquil town high in the fertile Rif Mountains. The medina's famously blue walls provide a wonderful subject for students with a photographic eye. Cross the river and hike up the steep mountainside for a picnic lunch of fresh goat cheese, local honey, and flatbread as you gaze out onto the valley below. For the next couple of days, hike between tiny mountain villages, stopping to help farmers till fields and joining shepherds as they lead their flocks across the hills. Each night, sleep in family homes converted into guesthouses and help prepare hearty meals with local ingredients grown in the surrounding mountains. When you are through exploring the natural wonders and national parks, take a day trip north to the calm Mediterranean.

Relax on the beach with the warm waters gently lapping at your toes and feast on freshly caught seafood. Catch a beautiful sunset over the sea while you reflect on your Moroccan journey. A short van ride will soon bring you to the intellectual capital of Fez, a booming town brimming with culture and history.

Medieval Medinas
In Fez, stay in a traditional Moroccan riad (a house with an interior courtyard) and get lost in the infamously confusing corridors of the 1200-year-old suq (a small market). From within the medieval walls of the medina, watch the tanneries below soak their hides in bright dye pools of white, blue, and green. Whether it's a camel-leather jacket or a finely crafted poof (ottoman), you are sure to find something that suits your fancy in the world's leather capital. From here, journey on a day trip to the Roman ruins of Moulay Idriss and Volubilis and continue on to the sleepy town of Ribet El Kheir.

Service and Smiles
Here, spend several days working with the local youth organization on projects benefitting the town's central square. Play games to get to know each other and then show these Moroccan children the importance of community service. Take a few breaks to walk to nearby waterfalls and enjoy the pristine forests that surround you.

When your work is through, time to ride the van back to Casablanca where you will either board your plane or connect Moroccan Wanderer for a complete four week adventure through Morocco. This will allow you to see southern Morocco, including the vast Sahara Desert and the UNESCO-acclaimed square in Marrakech. Connecting these two trips will make for an unforgettable adventure and give you an unparalleled understanding of lively Morocco.

Highlights

TREK into the High Atlas Mountains and sleep in traditional family homes in small villages.

WANDER the labyrinthine alleyways of Fez's medina (ancient walled city).

EXPLORE the mountain town of Chefchaouen and its charming blue medina.

SWIM in the warm waters of the Mediterranean and reflect on your journey.

WORK with children to beautify their town center as your learn about each other's customs and culture

Qualifications

Students must be 14-years old and up to participate on the program. Additionally, participants must submit an application through the Rustic Pathways website and complete the appropriate documents before traveling on the program.

Type of Programs

• Adventure Travel
• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Student Tours

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 3,295

Cost Includes:

• Travel while in host country
• Housing
• Food
• Excursions
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Written materials pre-departure
• Written materials abroad

Program Fees Include:

The above cost includes all ground transportation in-country, 3 meals a day, housing, staff through the duration of the program, all supplies for the volunteer projects and all excursions on the program itinerary not listed as optional.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Building Maintenance
• Building/construction Projects
• Culture
• Education

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-2 business days

Rustic Pathways's Mission Statement

Rustic Pathways is a pioneer in providing superior quality travel and service programs for students and families in some of the world's most welcoming countries. Rustic Pathways demands professionalism and integrity across all of its operations, insists on quality in all aspects of its programs, and places the safety of its students above all other considerations. We enrich the lives of our students and our staff, benefit the parts of the world we serve, and build cultural bridges that lead to greater global understanding and cooperation.

Year Founded

1983