Imperial Cities & Deserts

Soak up the atmosphere in Marrakech's famous Djemaa el Fna, explore Ait Benhaddou - the legendary fortified Kasbah, star gaze in the vast and silent Sahara desert and step back in time in Fes - the world's oldest medieval city.

Day 1: Marrakech

Arrival in Marrakech airport where you will be met by the On the Go guide and transferred to your hotel or riad in the centre of town. Meet your guide for a tour briefing and then spend the rest of the day at leisure. Explore the vibrant Djemaa el Fna square in the evening with the snake charmers, story tellers , food stalls and souks all in full swing. Overnight - Marrakech

Day 2: The Old Medina of Marrakech

This morning enjoy a guided tour or Marrakech, taking in all of the highlights of the Medina (old city centre) - the Koutoubia Mosque, palaces, souks and the old mellah (Jewish quartier). In the afternoon perhaps a visit to the peaceful Jardins de Majorelle to relax. Overnight - Marrakech (B)

Imperial Cities & Deserts - 10 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!

Day 3: Ouarzazate

Marrakech - Aït Benhaddou - Ouarzazate. It's an early start today when the transportation and your mountain guide arrives at the Hotel to take you towards the desert. From the flat plain of Haouz, the route climbs southwards and up to the passes of the High Atlas mountains. Along twisty roads with marvellous views and over the high point before descending to the rocky red foothills near Ouarzazate. En route to Ouarzazate we visit Ait Benhaddou, an ancient fortified city, boasting beautiful examples of Kasbahs, some of which remain inhabited today. Granted UNESCO World Heritage Listing, the site has been the setting for many films including Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. Night in the Ouarzazate, the film capital of Morocco. Overnight - Ouarzazate (B)

Day 4: Discover the Sahara

Ouarzazate - Erg Chebbi sand dunes. The journey continues along the valley of the Roses and the Skoura oasis, passing Amerdhil Kasbah. Stop for lunch in the scenic gorge du Dades before continuing towards the Sarhro mountains and the first signs of the Sahara. Along the route there are Khettara , the ancient wells dug by the nomads to find water, now dry. Finally we reach Merzouga at the foot of the great sand dune Erg Chebbi. Time to watch the sun set and the sand change colour as night falls. Spend the night in an Auberge. Overnight - Erg Chebbi (B)

Day 5: Opt for a Saharan Camel Trek

Erg Chebbi - Merzouga. Enjoy a relaxing day at leisure. Perhaps climb up Erg Chebbi before dawn to see the sunrise over the dunes, or enjoy a a lie in and take a camel trek across the rolling sand dunes later in the afternoon. Overnight -Merzouga (B)

Day 6: Scenic drive to Fes

Merzouga - Fes. Take a long but very scenic drive today, heading north from the desert and up into the High Atlas past the Ziz Gorge. Past Midelt, the route crosses a grassy plain (in winter) where Nomads of the tribe Ait Atta Tafoukht can be seen pitching their tents and finding grazing for their camels and goats. The road carries on over the next set of mountains – the Middle Atlas and another facet of morocco is seen, the Cedar forests. Ancient forests that cloak the hills and are inhabited by monkeys, wild boar and deer. Finally we descend into Ifrane (a swiss style town and ski resort)and continue onward to Fes. Overnight - Fes (B)

Day 7: Fes

Fes is the oldest and largest medieval city in the world and a bustling hive of activity. This morning take a guided tour around the incredible, old medina - a heady mix of aromas, sounds and sights from the tanneries, spice tubs, pottery and donkeys! Enjoy free time in the afternoon to explore independently. Overnight - Fes (B)

Day 8: Roman City of Volubilis

Fes - Volubilis - Rabat. Today we leave Fes to see the ruins of the Roman city of Volubilis, past the fields of lentils and chickpeas, into the hills around this well preserved city where its possible to explore the mosaics and forum. After lunch you pass Moulay Idriss and set off for Rabat. Spend the night in the Capital of Morocco. Overnight - Rabat (B)

Day 9: Djemaa el Fna by night

Rabat - Marrakech. You will have free time in the morning to explore Rabat before heading back past Casablanca to Marrakech. Arriving into Marrakech early evening there will be time for you to do some last minute souvenir shopping! Overnight - Marrakech (B)

Day 10: Marrakech

All good things come to an end and it's time to head home. Transfer to airport included. (B)

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Free Time in Morocco

Free Time in Morocco
If you asked me to describe what a regular day in Morocco might look like for me, I don’t think I could do it. Each day seems to have an adventure of its own. Of course, I have classes every day, but even those aren’t a reliable basis for a steady schedule as one class meets just once a week, two classes meet twice a week, one class meets three times a week, and so on. Even the way I spend my time in between classes can turn out quite differently. Sometimes it’s homework, other times it’s connecting with friends, and yet other times its going out to grab a snack from a hanute (small corner shop), tea, or if I’m feeling particularly hungry, chawarma.

                Sometimes it seems that simply stepping out the door opens another to an adventure, no matter how small. Of course, part of this feeling may just be that there are so many new things to look at, even in heavily westernized Rabat, that I think everything is new and interesting. Still, it’s not hard to find a new experience, even if it’s only talking to someone on the street. People in Morocco are so open and welcoming it’s not hard to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger. So far, my friends and I have discussed religion (and have been told numerous times to consider converting to Islam), the Western Sahara (depending on who you ask, the Moroccan Sahara), language, and have scheduled a pick-up soccer game (yet to be played), just to name a few subjects of conversation. Aside from the daily conversations, there is an endless amount of cafes to explore, and the whole maze-like medina (old city) that I can spend hours exploring without getting bored.

                At first, you may think that there are more cafes than there are people, but you quickly realize during the busiest times that this is not the case. Every café will have most of their tables occupied as people come to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. It didn’t take long for me to also grow accustomed to this amazing custom. I spend a lot of time at cafés as they are useful both for socializing with friends and for a change of scenery when I need to get large amounts of homework done.

                About once a week my schedule will allow me to go surfing, which has quickly become one of my favorite ways to spend my free time. Learning how to surf has always been one of my goals, and thanks to my proximity to the beach, it’s now possible. I’ve started learning at the man-made beach just underneath the city’s Kasbah where the breakwaters yield small waves perfect for complete beginners. However, I hope to move over to the next beach where I can practice on bigger waves as I progress with the basics of surfing.


                One thing I had no idea I would do when I came to Morocco is to teach English, but when I learned about the opportunity I jumped at it. I had no experience teaching English and therefore was slightly apprehensive at first about exactly how I would be able to teach, but the program coordinators quickly reassured us that some of the best English teachers (or teachers of any language) use only English to teach. Furthermore, the students that my friend and I have been teaching already know enough English to be conversational, so the main goal now is to find activities that will challenge them to practice new grammar and vocabulary.

                Café-sitting, surfing, and teaching are three consistent activities I know I’ll continue to do for the rest of my time here. However, who knows what will happen with the rest of my free time-I’m sure that I’ll have many more awesome adventures and experiences.


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A brief consideration of cultural differences in morocco

A brief consideration of cultural differences in morocco

Cultural considerations are important here, too, since Marrakech residents, like most Moroccans, expect visitors to dress modestly. ... Visitors should bring short-sleeved shirts, knee-length shorts and jeans or pants in light-weight materials .

I was curious about what results Google would pull up when I searched for “Morocco” and “Earth Day.” According to The Independent, a British news source, Morocco is the first “African, Muslim, and Arab state” to participate in the US-led Earth Day initiative. However, this initiative only began in 2010, and Morocco still has a lot of work to do to ensure that their portion of the Earth stays clean. There are countless things I love about Morocco, but one thing I am less enthusiastic about is the dirt and smells that abound in the major cities, like Rabat. While my travelling experience is limited and I imagine that many other countries struggle with the cleanliness of their cities, my time in Morocco has helped me to appreciate the general emphasis on the cleanliness of cities in the States.
                I suppose this aspect may simply be a reflection of Morocco’s different infrastructural priorities. Morocco is busy updating other public services – for example, the glamorous new city tram in Rabat was completed only a couple years ago. The tram is a handy and inexpensive way to travel through the city, passing by the medina (old city) and through the new parts of Rabat as well. It’s fascinating to me to see the tram pass by the medina walls, some of which are several centuries old – it’s a clear example of the intricate relationship between modern and traditional. This dichotomy manifests itself in numerous ways, not the least of which is socially.


Bab al-Had tram stop in Rabat
                While Morocco is, if anything, a country with a culture nearly impossible to accurately describe, it’s safe to say that some of the biggest differences can be found between the rural and the urban. One obvious difference is the lack of modern amenities in the countryside and the abundance of sprawling villas hidden by walls that are ornately decorated and covered with lush vines and bushes, effectively protecting against prying eyes. However, the differences extend more deeply than this. While I find Moroccans, on the whole, to be very welcoming, one thing the cities seem to lack, or at least have noticeably less of, is the classic Moroccan hospitality which has earned a well-deserved reputation all over the world. People in the country side may have less in the way of material goods, but they will be quicker to invite you to share their meal and offer you a place to sleep.
                Another obvious difference is the styles of dress. While traditional dress (jellebah) is still common in the major cities, even highly-westernized Rabat, traditional dress is worn almost exclusively in rural areas. Even within the city, however, you find an interesting blend of the old and new: women wearing jeans and a head dress. This style is by no means new but can still be rather contentious as conservative Muslims might suggest that the fittedness of pants is inappropriate. Still yet there are countless others who wear exclusively western clothes: shorts, skinny jeans, low-cut shirts, and t-shirts with all manner of logos and advertisements.
                Again, these aspects are just two small fish in the sea of diversity that is Morocco. (I hope to expand on the concept of diversity and the relationship between traditionalism and modernization at a later time.)  I may miss one minor aspect of home, but I am enthralled by the beauty of Moroccan society


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