Taste of Morocco
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Trip Highlights
· Helping alongside the Berber people with building new classrooms in the remote, non-touristic village of Talamanzou
· Marrakech’s souks (markets), gardens, museums, and of course the Djeema el Fna, with its musicians, storytellers and snake charmers
· Trekking in the High Atlas Mountains (exploring the Sahara Desert in the Winter: Dec-Mar)
· Charming Essaouira and its beach
Your "Taste of Volunteering" Project
Repairs & Renovations, ad hoc Village Based Projects
You will help alongside the Berber people in the non-touristic village of Talamenzou.
Three rooms are being constructed at the local school: a library, a computer room, and a reading room.
There will also be opportunity to interact with the children at the school, who will be thrilled to have you helping them!
Trip Summary
Apr-Nov itinerary:
We begin in the imperial city of Marrakesh, and you are met at the airport and transferred to your luxury riad (traditional Moroccan townhouse with an interior garden converted into a boutique hotel). You have a full day to explore with your guide Marrakech’s souks, gardens, museums, and of course the Djeema el Fna, a square that every evening is transformed into an open air market filled with musicians, dancers, storytellers and snake charmers.
On Day 3, we drive to the High Atlas mountains for the start of a six hour hike towards the Toubkal Mountain summit, mixing with the Berber people along the way, and sleeping in a bivouac tent.
We awake early on Day 4 and hike three hours to the Toubkal summit, taking in the spectacular views, before making a slow descent back to our bivouac at Neltner Refuge.
The next day we descend further and make our way toward Sidi Shamharoush, stopping off at the Berber village of Aremd, and have lunch in Imlil. From there we drive to the remote village of Talamenzou, in Guemassa region, south-west of Marrakech, the site of your volunteer project.
You help alongside the local people constructing three new rooms in a school: a library, a computer room, and a reading room.
There will also be opportunity to interact with the children at the school, who are thrilled at the prospect of you coming to help them!
Your accommodation whilst volunteering is in a homestay or at the school, in one of the classrooms converted into sleeping quarters, where there are toilets and a basic shower nearby, and there will be trips to the ‘hamam’ (a steam bath, akin to a wet sauna) in a neighbouring village for you to enjoy. You will have your meals with local families – prepare to be delighted by their hospitality!
You then have a well-earned rest at the seaside town of Essaouira, where you can tour the old town, or just relax at Essaouira’s beautiful beach.
Your accommodation is in a luxury riad in the heart of Essaouira town.
The trip ends back in Marrakech, where you may have time for some last minute shopping in the souks before being transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
Dec-Mar Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival Marrakech (D)
You are met at Marrakech airport (please advise flight times) and transferred to your luxury riad accommodation. You will have time for a brief visit to the Djeema el Fna. The Djeema El Fna is known all over the world for its visual delights. Every afternoon there is a picturesque market: fruits, flowers, herbs, spices surround you with their scent, their colour and their abundance.
When night falls, a considerable crowd flows to see dancers, acrobats and magicians.
You have a welcome dinner – a good chance to get to know your wonderful guide and start to learn some Arabic!
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Day 2: Marrakech tour (B,L)
After breakfast, you have a full day tour of Marrakech, including:
The majestic silhouette of the Koutoubia (outside view), or " mosque of booksellers ", was built in the 11th century by Yacoub El Mansour to lead a cult to the Kasbah. Previously booksellers held boutiques around her. Its Minaret rises over 60 metres.
The palace of the Bahia, erected at the end of the 19th century on the order of Si Moussa, vizier of the sultan for his personal use. Rooms are richly decorated; gardens and patios are especially beautiful.
Day 3: Marrakech – Ouarzazate - Zagora : (B,L,D)
Departure after breakfast by vehicle from Marrakech toward Zagora.
The road from Marrakech-Ouarzazate showcases villages characteristic of the north side of the High Atlas, formed with small houses of beaten stone, which turn a golden colour in the sun.
At 2260 ms of altitude we reach the peak of Tizi n-tichka, the "pastures' peak", the highest road passage of Morocco.
We'll visit the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou and after that reach the Kasbah of Taourirt, old residence of the Glaoui. It was formed from rich flats; simple houses built on rammed clay and crenulated towers which are decorated with geometric design.
After Ouarzazate we continue through the narrow pass of Tifernine and the Tizi Tinifift (1660m), and have a picnic lunch in Ait Saoun.
We join Agdez, which is dominated by the enormous cliff of the Jbel Kissan. From there to Zagora, the road follows the Drâa and its rosary of palm groves producing the famous Boufkousse dates and sprinkled with up to fifty kasbahs (Berber houses built on rammed clay) and Ksours (walled Berber villages).
The Draâ was a permanent stream, the longest one of Morocco. Today its waters, disappear in the sand.
Overnight in a simple guesthouse in Zagora.
Day 4 Zagora – Tamegroute – Mhamid – Shegaga (B,L,D)
On our way to Mhamid we visit the holy hamlet of Tamegroute.
Tamegroute is surrounded with palm groves. This holy hamlet is made up of several mosques.
The fortress contains one mausoleum paved with mosaics.
We can visit the district of potteries, open air shops. There is the possibility of henna sitting (plant hair oil giving three harvests per year), with local family for those who want it.
We continue toward Mhamid and then to Shegaga dunes.
Depending on our timing, we can have a quad bike ride or a short camel trek (optional –extra cost). Overnight under tent.
Day 5 Shegaga – Ouarzazate (B,L,D)
We have an early wake up to view the sun rise. After breakfast, we start our journey back to Ouarzazate, and Ait Ben Haddou, where you can have a hike.
In reality, Ait Ben Haddou is a Ksar not a Kasbah. The Ksar is a fortified village made up of one Kasbah and many houses, a cowshed and a well. A Ksar is a bit bigger than Kasbah.
Aït Benhaddou is classified by UNESCO as World Heritage. Restored partially, this fortress marks the spirit by its big beauty. The site is well renowned and often serves as a filmset. Films as Lawrence of Arabia or Tea in the Sahara were made here.
We can stay at the top of the rocky tray and take advantage of the sight on the small river of Oued Ounila. After a short visit to one of the few houses that is still occupied by a family, we turn back to Ouarzazate.
Day 6 Ouarzazate – Talamanzou (B,L,D)
After breakfast we transfer to Talamanzou, the site of your volunteer project.
You will be helping at the school in Talamanzou – assisting local professionals to build a library, reading room and an IT room. Your accommodation is either in a classroom in the school, sleeping on a make-shift mattress and blankets, or in a homestay. There are basic toilet and washing facilities. You can also visit a nearby hamman (‘Turkish bath’) to bathe in the evening – quite an experience!
Day 7-8 Continue volunteering in Talamanzou (B,L,D)
Day 9 Transfer to Essaouira, overnight in a riad (B,D)
After breakfast we say goodbye to our new friends, and have a well-earned rest at the seaside town of Essaouira, where you can tour the old town, or just relax at Essaouira’s beautiful beach.
We have a farewell dinner tonight.
Day 10 Transfer back to Marrakech (B)
After breakfast, we transfer back to Marrakech, where sadly, all good things must come to an end, and you will be transferred to the airport for your flights.
If you like this trip, you may also be interested in:
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Libya - Taste of Libya
Morocco - Minarets & Mountains
Morocco - Moroccan Moment
