EDUCATIONAL TOPICS: Contrasting Cultures; Developing World City; World Heritage Site

Arrive into Marrakech Menara Airport and transfer to hotel. Depending on flight time, walk to the Old Medina. Here the city bustles and fascinates in equal measure. Take in a view of the Koutoubia Mosque, move across Jemaa el Fna Square and enter the Souks with a City Guide. A traditional Apothecary visit is included too.

Overnight Marrakech

EDUCATIONAL TOPICS: Fold Mountains; River Systems; Small Scale Water Management; Flash Flooding; Berber Communities and Activities; Development Issues; Hazardous Environments; Climate Change

First travelling across the Marrakech Plain, it’s then up and over the High Atlas (highest peak in can often be seen, Mount Toubkal, 4,167m). The Berbers (the Mountain People) live here; to see their villages and to observe their everyday farmland and village activities is fascinating. Water is a very precious and life sustaining resource; its traditional management to lead it to the terraced fields is impressive. The Berbers’ traditional pisé mud brick homes are seen plus the rapid, recent change to concrete construction.

Taddert is en route, an ideal stop for refreshment, perhaps some mint tea and lunch. An Argan Oil Co-operative can be visited here (an example of rural development to help ladies’ income).

The recently improved N9 road continues to snake upwards to the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass (2,260m), the watershed of the High Atlas; great panoramic views over the mountain range and the road recently travelled.

Descending the south facing slopes of the High Atlas there is much to still fascinate in the local Berber activities seen. A stop is made overlooking Zaouite Inkkal village; the many positive geographical factors influencing the site selection for this village can be discussed, and also the negative factors.

Overnight Ouarzazate, the “Peaceful City”

EDUCATIONAL TOPICS: River Processes and Forms; Nomadic Pastoralism; Irrigated Agriculture; Arid Landscapes, Processes and Forms; Berber Communities and Activities; Development Issues; Rainfall as Friend and Foe; Climate Change; Drought Cycles; Star Gazing

Today it is up and over the Jbel Sarhro mountains. Climbing out of Ouarzazate, the road snakes as you ascend towards the Tizi-n-Tiniffifft Pass (1,660m). At the Pass an awesome overlook allows you to view deep water cut canyons. The river here has deeply incised the valley in the past and during flash floods of today, developing a polished rock channel floor; fascinating. It is a mini Grand Canyon! Look out too for the “eye” and the “heart”, weathered rocky outcrops as you travel onwards from this area.

Passing through Agdz, a busy service centre, your route enters the valley of the Drâa River. The water from this river allows intensive farming on the fertile soils of the valley. Date palmeries abound, a rich and valuable crop. Date stalls are frequently seen too. Beneath the date palms, and shaded from the intense sun, small plots produce a wide range of vegetables and fruits.

Following the Drâa Valley southwards, the date palmeries are like a thick, wide and very long “carpet” of greenery on the valley floor; a stop at a fine vantage point is taken.

Zagora is a grand, small city. The wealth from date cultivation is obvious in the wide central avenue and the building quality. A good place to buy a traditional scarf for your camel ride.

Both reg (rocky) and erg (sandy) arid landscapes are seen; you are in the Sahara! This evening accommodation is in a Bedouin Camp, in tents. Your group takes a camel trek to the campsite, travelling amongst sand dunes and alongside the faces of high rock mountains.

A fine sunset amongst the dunes can be enjoyed (W/P) before your evening meal. After eating, often campfire entertainment is provided, music (drumming) and singing around a campfire, under the stars. For early risers, next day, there is the opportunity to witness the sunrise, equally as impressive as the sunset.

Overnight in the Sahara, near Zagora, in a Bedouin Camp.

EDUCATIONAL TOPICS: Arid Landscapes and Landforms; Semi Desert and Desert Transition; Acacia Forests; Sand Dunes and their Management; Artesian Water; Challenging Environments; Contrasting Cultures

Returning northwards today, there is ample opportunity to engage with new educational topics and different educational experiences along the way. By now your pupils/students will be gaining a greater understanding and a fuller realization that they are in a sub-tropical environment and in a country that is at a very different level of development than the UK. This opens up the opportunity to discuss issues and to suggest and evaluate development options. Stops can be made at appropriate places along the way to engage your with your pupils/students in meaningful, relevant and important topics.

Additionally, if the opportunity arises, it may be possible to stop and to engage with a farmer working his land. Your Courier will see if this is possible. By asking questions of a local farmer, so much can be learned and appreciated; geography comes alive.

The first planned stop of the day is Tamangroute. This Saharan town is famous for its "sub-terranean" homes, homes built very close together so as to provide shaded passageways between the homes to guard against the strong tropical sun. In the vicinity of both your overnight camp and Tamangroute, there are many sand dunes; their need for management to reduce their impact on human activities can be understood.

The renowned Islamic Library of Tamangroute can be visited too. The Islamic Library, once an important centre of learning, contains many ancient texts, many on hide as well as on vellum e.g. a 15th century Egyptian book of illustrated astronomy, a book of medicine and a Quran written on gazelle-hide from the 11th century.

Tamangroute is also renowned for its unique pottery glaze, a rich green. A visit is made to the potters’ area to see the clay being prepared, turned with great talent, glazed and kiln fired.

Your journey continues to follow the Draa Valley norththwards. Acacia forests are seen, “umbrella shaped” trees, specially adapted to the harsh environments. A stop can be taken to discuss this tree’s adaptions to its natural environment and their many uses to the local people. Protected gazelle reserves too are passed (sightings are not usual, but you never know!).

Then it is onwards in the direction of Ouarzazate, up and over the Anti Atlas and the Tizi-n- Tififft Pass (1,660m) and towards your overnight accommodation.

Ouarzazate is a centre for film making, the climate and scenery being ideal. It is of huge economic benefit to the area. A guided visit can be made to one of the large Studios.

Overnight Ouarzazate.

EDUCATIONAL TOPICS: Aït Benhaddou (World Heritage Site); Incised Meanders; Rural Development Issues; Rural Push and Urban Pull Factors; Roadway Issues; Living in Hazardous & Challenging Environments

(It might be your choice to first visit the Atlas Studios or CLA Studios on the western outskirts of the city this morning rather than yesterday afternoon).

Before the highest part of your High Atlas journey today, about 45 minutes from Ouazazate, is Aït Benhaddou is a grand fortified settlement, now a World heritage Site and well worth a stop and a stroll.

Aït Benhaddou is the most famous Kasbah in Morocco. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The kasbah is believed to date from the 11th century. Its strategic location gave it a commanding position on the trans-Saharan trade route between Marrakech, Ouarzazate, and the Sahara.

A wander amongst the fortified village, through narrow alleyways and up stairways, is very pleasant. Also, a climb to the old Granary at the top of the highest point in Aït Benhaddou gives expansive views of the surrounding area; you can easily imagine the yesteryear camel trains that would have once focused here.

Many big movies have been partly filmed in Ait Benhaddou. These include Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth and The Jewel of the Nile. Gates that featured in Game of Thrones can also be seen. A visit can be made (for a donation) to the “Gladiator House” where there are some artifacts and memorabilia from the film. Gladiator II was being filmed in 2024.

Then it is up and over the High Atlas once again; so much fascinating activity to observe and process. The highest peak in this impressive mountain range should again be looked for - Mount Toubkal (4,167m). To continue to see the Berber villages and to observe their everyday farmland and village activities allows for much reflection, comparing their lives with your own.

The N9 road continues to snake upwards to the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass (2,260m) and on toTaddert, perhaps your lunch stop today (unless it was at Äit Benhaddou, depending of your tour’s running order).

Descending the north facing slopes of the High Atlas there is much to still fascinate. River valleys that have been deeply cut into the landscape can be seen. Many rock sellers are at the roadsides, all trying to boost their family’s income. Maybe you will spot some beehives on the valley sides, another development to try to increase rural incomes.

After all the tranquillity and tradition of the mountains, soon you are back in the midst of the exhilarating hustle, bustle and clamour of vibrant Marrakech.

Overnight Marrakech

Depending on your flight times, there may be the opportunity for more time to walk into Marrakech Medina (or, at extra cost, spend 5-6 hours in Douar Oulad Elguern, a hugely impacting practical, “hands-on” day in a traditional village on the Marrakech Plain - see our Day Option page - before an evening departure flight flight home)

Another option are the Majorelle Gardens (once owned by Yves St Lauren). At a supplementary cost this can be added. The Gardens offer a most tranquil, a lush oasis by contrast to the Medina.

Another option is the new and excellent Water Museum. At a supplementary cost this can be added.