Morocco

Moroccan Wanderer (College Program)

Q: Is Moroccan Wanderer (College Program) Right for My Child?

Which students thrive on this program? Students who are curious, adaptable, and open to new experiences. No prior travel experience is required. What will students do each day? Each day includes a mix of structured activities, cultural experiences, and group time. See the itinerary above for a day-by-day overview.

Q: How Do Flights, Meals, and Logistics Work?

Meals: All meals are included. Local cuisine is featured throughout the program. Dietary needs are accommodated with advance notice. What is the refund policy? View terms & conditions

Q: What’s Included in This Rustic Pathways Program?

Included: All lodging All meals In-country transport All activities and excursions 24/7 staff support Not included: International airfare Travel insurance Personal spending money

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What Does a 15-Day Program Include?

A typical program. Daily activities are subject to change based on group logistics and weather.

Off to Morocco!

Board your flight to Morocco and get some rest while you get ready for this unique adventure!

Arrive in Morocco!

Arrive at Menara International Airport (RAK) and meet your program leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Hop on a short drive and settle into your hotel, relaxing after your long flight. Learn about Moroccan culture during a presentation. Then savor your first Moroccan tagine for dinner as you get to know your program leaders and your fellow travelers.

Marrakech Exploration

Get your morning started with a lesson in basic Darija, the local Arabic dialect. Spend the rest of your day in Marrakech! Walk through the best sites of Marrakech including the Bahia Palace, Jewish quarters and Koutoubia Mosque. You’ll join a local artist and learn about one of the most iconic Islamic arts through a calligraphy workshop. Afterwards, you'll kick back with some coffee while viewing the local architecture.

Let the Service Begin!

Drive to to local farm for a cooking class and then dig into your prepared dishes at lunch. Afterwards, you'll head to your Amazigh village situated in the Ourika Valley at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. Settle in and join the group for a discussion about the days ahead and an introduction to the village culture. Savor a traditional Moroccan meal for dinner as you get to know some of the local villagers. While in the village for the next 3 nights, you will be staying in a guesthouse. Students will be sleeping in big rooms of 5 to 6 students with shared bathrooms. There will be access to electricity but no wifi or service.

Community Service Projects

Rise for breakfast and a second lesson in the Darija dialect before starting service. Help empower the village by improving the main village road that local students use to get to school. Spend afternoons visiting local families for tea as part of your cultural immersion in Morocco. Learn about bread making and join in soccer games. As you assist your host community, you’ll develop an appreciation for Amazigh culture, music, and rural life in Morocco. Experience the community’s kindness and hospitality as you learn about local life.

Experience Ksar Ait-Ben-Haddou

Start your day with an early morning breakfast and say goodbye to your new friends from the village. Hit the road for Ait-Ben-Haddou, a 17th-century ksar. This fortified village built of mud bricks is the largest and most spectacular example of South Moroccan architecture. You will spend the night at a riad by the ksar. Students will be in shared rooms separated by gender and will have access to private bathrooms and electricity.

Dades Gorges

Divide into teams for a scavenger hunt. Using clues, search for and collect the listed items with your team as you work on your language and bartering skills during this exposure to local culture. After lunch, hit the road to Dades Gorges and enjoy the view. The gorges are formed with the most dramatic red rock formations, so take in the breathtaking landscape while you can! Stop along the way in Skoura where the 17th century Kasbah Amridil is located and learn about the history and ancient life in southern Morocco. Move out on foot for a walk as you explore this new region and its beautiful large oasis. Meet your driver and find the perfect panoramic view from Tissdrin canyon. The breathtaking views in this area are endless, and so are the adventures to come on this program. You will spend the night at a hotel by this oasis. Students will be in shared rooms separated by gender and will have access to private bathrooms and electricity.

Experience Ouarzazate: Hollywood of Morocco

Set off on the Road of One Thousand Kasbahs to Ouarzazate, where the magnificent Kasbahs dazzle visitors with their beauty. Get ready to take a tour and learn about this area, which has been the setting for many famous movies. You will sleep in a riad where you will be in shared rooms separated by gender and have access to private bathrooms and electricity.

More Time in the Red City

Attend a presentation to learn about Islam, and then join your group for a mid-trip discussion to reflect on what you’ve experienced and learned so far. Take the Road of One Thousand Kasbahs toward Marrakech. Wander the UNESCO-acclaimed 1000-year-old market where you can watch snake charmers, dancers, and storytellers surrounded by people. See everything from whale vertebrae and acrobats to ostrich eggs and traditional henna. The mosque will sound a call to prayer as smoke from kebab stands billows peacefully over the frenzy below. Explore and learn about the famous Islamic architecture of some of the oldest monuments in the world.

Ziplining

Wake up early and drive to a ziplining course in the High Atlas Mountains. Experience the excitement of the zip lines and enjoy the views from some nearby bridges. Participate in team-building games to test your group’s communication skills. Refuel during lunch and then head towards the Atlantic coast to the funky beach town of Essaouira. Your next two nights in Essaouira will be spent in a hotel. Students will be in shared rooms and will have access to private bathrooms and electricity.

Surf and Shop in Essaouira

Hang out in the white-walled medina and watch the seagulls overhead in the town known for its annual Gnaoua World Music Festival. Stroll through the friendly European-style streets on a cultural tour. Soak in the breeze as you catch some waves during surfing lessons in the afternoon. Enjoy a slower pace of life and cooler climate during your last afternoon in the town of Essaouira. Barter for sunglasses, handicrafts, and textiles while munching on a delicious crepe from a street vendor.

Enjoy Your Last Day in Marrakech

Start the day shopping as you wrap up your time in Essaouira. You won't want to miss getting a souvenir in this unique city. The souqs in Essaouira are stacked with ceramics, leather goods, baskets, carpets, and jewelry. Pack up for a drive back to Marrakech. Enjoy gnawa music and your last dinner during the program. Get some traditional hennas. At the end of each program, students reflect on their experiences and the issues they engaged with and talk about how to apply this new understanding to their own worlds. During their closing discussion, groups participate in Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity that allows students to capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share with their communities back home.

B'slama, Morocco!

B'slama! Wake up early and drive to Marrakech Menara airport to catch your flight home. Reflect on your adventure as you bid farewell to Morocco.

How Does Rustic Pathways Handle Safety?

24/7 Support

In-person staff + US emergency line

7:1 Student-to-Leader Ratio

Background-checked, first-aid certified, deep local knowledge

Licensed & Insured Transport

Risk management plans for every program

Gender-Separated

Rooms with staff on site

Learn more about Rustic Pathways safety protocols.

Morocco

What Do Parents Ask?

Flights & Cost

How do flights work?

Students join a chaperoned group flight from a U.S. gateway airport. A Rustic Pathways Flight Leader travels with the group. International students arrange independent flights and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup.

What's included in the price?

Included: Lodging, all meals, in-country transport, all activities, 24/7 staff.
Not included: International airfare, travel insurance, personal spending ($150–200).

Do you offer financial aid or scholarships?

Yes. Monthly payment plans are available for all families, and Rustic Pathways offers both need-based financial aid and merit scholarships. Explore scholarships and financial aid

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is not included in the program fee. Rustic Pathways recommends that families purchase travel insurance. Get a quote from our recommended provider →

Supervision & Safety

Who's supervising my child?

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process, and programs maintain a 7:1 student-to-staff ratio. All Program Leaders are first-aid certified, and most have led multiple Rustic Pathways programs. Leaders range from 25 to 35 years old.

Are rooms gender-separated?

Yes. Students room with same-gender peers. Staff stay in adjacent rooms.

What about medical emergencies?

All Program Leaders are first-aid certified. Nearest hospitals are mapped out in all locations. Our health & safety team reviews all medical forms before departure and works with families to plan medications, allergies, and dietary needs.

Communication

Can I reach my child?

Yes. Students can call, text, or WhatsApp during free time. Parents can reach Rustic Pathways’ 24/7 emergency line at any time.

How will I know they're okay?

Parents receive daily photo updates throughout the program from staff on the ground.

What is the phone/device policy?

Students may bring phones but cannot use them during group activities or meals. Wi-Fi is available at most accommodations.

Group & Logistics

How big is the group and how old are the participants?

Groups are typically 12-20 students per session. Students are ages 14-18, with most being 15-17.

Can international (non-U.S.) students join this program?

Yes. Students from 50+ countries join Rustic Pathways programs each year. International students book their own flights and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup.

Do students come with friends, or on their own?

Most students travel solo without knowing anyone. Program Leaders run ice-breakers on day one, and friendships form quickly. Friends are welcome to enroll together.

What is the accommodation like?

Students stay in locally operated lodging with shared rooms accommodating 2-4 students. Accommodations include private bathrooms and common areas.

Can friends room together?

Yes. Roommate requests are accepted during enrollment.

Program Details

Will my child have unsupervised time?

Students have structured independence during free-time blocks with staff always nearby. There is no unsupervised time in public areas.

Can you accommodate dietary needs & food allergies?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and common food allergies are accommodated with advance notice. Dietary needs are collected during enrollment.

How much spending money?

$150-200 recommended for souvenirs and incidentals. Tipping is included in the program fee.

Do we need a visa?

Visa requirements vary by passport and destination. Contact a Rustic Pathways travel advisor for guidance specific to your student’s nationality.

Support

What if my child gets homesick?

Homesickness is common in the first few days. Rustic Pathways staff are trained to support students through it. Read more about managing homesickness

Do you support neurodiverse students?

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students and works with families to provide appropriate support. Learn about Rustic Pathways’ approach to inclusion

What Should Parents Know?

Is Moroccan Wanderer (College Program) Right for My Child?

Which students thrive on this program?
Students who are curious, adaptable, and open to new experiences. No prior travel experience is required.

What will students do each day?
Each day includes a mix of structured activities, cultural experiences, and group time. See the itinerary above for a day-by-day overview.

Why Does Rustic Pathways Go to Morocco?

Morocco offers a unique combination of cultural richness, safety, and meaningful engagement opportunities for student groups. Rustic Pathways has operated programs here for years and maintains strong local partnerships.

How Do Flights, Meals, and Logistics Work?

Meals: All meals are included. Local cuisine is featured throughout the program. Dietary needs are accommodated with advance notice.

What is the refund policy?
View terms & conditions

What’s Included in This Rustic Pathways Program?

Included:

All lodging
All meals
In-country transport
All activities and excursions
24/7 staff support

Not included:

International airfare
Travel insurance
Personal spending money

What Other Program Types Are Available?

Morocco Africa 2026

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