Description

The colors, sounds, and smells of Morocco will welcome you from the moment you step off of the airplane in Casablanca. On the first night, you will be immersed in the UNESCO-acclaimed Jemaa El Fna square in Marrakech where thousands of vendors hawk their potions, dried fruit, and tea concoctions. Smoke billows above the lively market as people haggle in animated Arabic while the Koutoubia Mosque's call to prayer echoes throughout the medina.

Over the Mountains
After a full day of discovering the wonders of Marrakech, you will wake up and head to the Atlas Mountains. Visit the picturesque Cascades d'Ouzoud waterfall near the village of Ait Bougamez nestled in a beautiful mountain valley among the craggy High Atlas Mountains. Among the local goat herders and farmers of Ait Bougamez, you will take part in important community service projects assisting the local girls' school over the next several days. Eat traditional Moroccan tagine with your generous Berber hosts as you learn about life in the mountains. Once your hard work is through, climb into a four-wheel-drive and head off the paved road for the next few days before arriving at the vast Sahara Desert.

Across the Desert
From the gateway town of Merzouga, don your blue Tuareg robe and ride your camel into the Sahara. Spend the night under the desert stars as you sleep in the traditional tents of the nomads and listen to tales of life in the desert. You'll return to Merzouga to rest before heading out to UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Benhaddou. If you decide the spectacularly restored mudbrick kasbah makes for a perfect photo opportunity, you are not alone as Both The Mummy and Gladiator were filmed here. After this thorough desert introduction, it's time to head for the coast!

Into the Sea
Enter the white-walled medians of Essaouira, the funky beach town that Jimi Hendrix is rumored to have frequented. Spend a day on the sand basking in the sun before your afternoon surf lesson. In the evening, barter for the catch of the day at the local fish market and enjoy a fresh seaside meal with your friends. When your time in Essaouira is through, drive up the winding coast to Morocco's largest city, Casablanca. Here you'll discover the impressive Hassan II, the second largest mosque in the world and the only one in the country open to non-Muslims. Next, it is time to board your flight home or, for an action-packed four week adventure through Morocco, connect to Medinas, Mountains, and the Mediterranean. This will allow you to see northern Morocco, including the charming mountain town of Chefchaouen and the famous leather district of Fez. Connecting these two trips will make for an unforgettable adventure and give you an unparalleled understanding of lively Morocco.

Highlights

WANDER the maze of colorful souqs and riads in Marrakech.

WORK with a school in a small village in the High Atlas Mountains.

RIDE a camel over the shimmering sand dunes of the Sahara Desert.

WINDSURF, surf, or just play in the waves on Morocco's Atlantic Coast.

BASK in the artistic ambience and musical vibe of the white-walled coastal city of Essaouira.

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
• Cultural Exploration
• Student Tours

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

$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

• Teaching
• Tutor
• Youth

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