5 DAYS: MARRAKECH, HIGH ATLAS BERBERS & ATLANTIC COAST

EDUCATIONAL TOPICS:

Contrasting Cultures; Developing World City; World Heritage Site

Arrive into Marrakech Menara Airport and private coach transfer to hotel. If flight arrival time is in the morning/early afternoon, take lunch in the hotel.

Walk to the Old Medina. Here the city bustles and fascinates in equal measure. Take in a view of the Koutoubia Mosque, move across the Jemaa el Fna entertainment square and enter the Souks with a City Guide.

A traditional Apothecary visit is included too where much is learned about traditional medicines as well as culinary herbs and spices.

Dependent on time, perhaps some time can be given to explore the souks and/or enjoy viewing the sunset behind the Koutoubia mosque from a rooftop terrace cafe.

Overnight Marrakech

EDUCATIONAL TOPICS: Fold mountains; Hazardous environments; Water resource management; Traditional/New farming systems; Cultural Contrasts; Climate Change; Development Issues

Travelling south from Marrakech across the Marrakech Plain to the rural settlement of Amizmiz takes approximately 1 hour. But once in Amizmiz, in amongst the High Atlas, Marrakech feels like it could be a million miles away.

This area of the High Atlas experienced a major earthquake in September, 2023, Richter scale 6.8. The impact of this event was immense, with high loss of life and many villages greatly damaged with many buildings collapsed. Families were broken, livlihoods lost and for many life had to continue by living in tents. Some years on, the present situation will be seen in the gradual repair and rebuild of broken communities.

En route to Amizmiz, a visit to the Barage (dam) and reservoir of Lalla Takerkoust (water issues/water sustainability issues) is taken. This illustrates clearly aspects of large-scale water resource management, vital to this area’s productivity and survival.

In Amizmiz and its surroundings, life is very traditional. Amizmiz is a rural market town with much everyday activity as well as its added market day activity too (once a week).

An easy stroll around the settlement and into the surrounding rural landscapes shows the traditional farming methods used here and the variety of crops grown and livestock reared. A potter's village is visited to see how tagine pots are turned from locally gathered clay (with the option to "have a go" by some of the students).

Traditional, intricate irrigation systems are seen in operation; as a resource, water is utterly vital to any community’s survival. Chance encounters with local people can often enhance this experience of “real world living” so have some questions ready to ask through your Guide/Courier.

A relaxing picnic lunch (included) is taken in a forest glade.

Returning to the market town of Amizmiz in mid-afternoon, the group will embark the coach and head back in the direction of Marrakech. A stop will be made at Agafay and a camel ride taken for around 1 hour.

Return to Marrakech by late afternoon.

Overnight Marrakech

EDUCATIONAL TOPICS: Traditional farming systems; Cultural Contrasts; Climate Change; Development Issues

Participating in the life of Berbers.

Today you first travel to the traditional Berber village of Boulaouane. In the village it is very much an immersive and hands-on experience, with students very much taking part in traditional activities.

On arrival, first there is a welcoming tea making demonstration. Tea is then enjoyed with cakes. Everyone should carefully note all the stages in the tea making process as these newly acquired skills will be called upon later on in the visit.

The group is then split into 3 teams. Team 1 will prepare Tagines, Team 2 will prepare traditional Berber bread and Team 3 will prepare Amlou (a tasty dip made from crushed roasted almonds (CAUTION: CONTAINS NUTS), honey and argan oil.

Then it's lunchtime, partly consisting of foodstuffs made by the students.

After lunch take a guided short walk to explore the area and then back to the Berber Cultural Centre. Here a tea making contest is enjoyed with a prize to the winner. Then enjoy having tea, coffee with msemen, amlou, olive oil.

Then depart for Essaouira

En route to Essaouira, this area of Morocco is the only area where argan trees naturally grow. As you travel ever westwards, some goats may be seen grazing around the argan trees, eating the leaves and the fruits, especially when ground pasture is lacking.

There is the opportunity to stop at an Argan Oil Co-operative where the traditional processes of extracting the argan oil are seen. This valued oil is used for both cosmetic and culinary use. Often it is ladies doing this work, the money earned being a valuable boost for their families' incomes.

On arrival into Essaouira you will go to your hotel and settle in.

After your evening meal, you may wish to take some informal time in the Medina/along the promenade.

Overnight in Essaouira.

In the morning, after breakfast, an official City Guide will meet your group.

This Guide will give you a tour of the Medina area and the defensive sea walls, describing and explaining as you walk around, a good opportunity to ask many questions.

Lunch is then taken in a restaurant.

The remainder of your Essaouira time today will be at leisure and may include some of the following options:-

• Leisurely explore the medina and the bustling souks with their many shops and cafés
• Walk the ramparts of the old sea wall defences; good coastal geography processes and forms to be seen and discussed
• Enjoy a stroll along the extensive promenade by the beach
• Enjoy time on the extensive beach
• Take time by the harbour to see the lively fishing industry
• Take a camel ride on the beach (not yet costed in but can be added at a supplement)

Overnight in Essaouira.

Back to Marrakech and departure.

Depending upon your group's scheduled flight's departure time, there may either be:

• be a little more time in Essaouira in the morning or
• time some time in Marrakech

Then to Marrakech Menara Airport for departure. NOTE: Groups should be at Check-In at least 3 hours before flights scheduled departure time.