Morocco: Souks & High Atlas Service (College)

Meet your group at the airport, check in, and pass through security together. Use this time to get to know your fellow travelers and share what excites you most about your upcoming adventure in Morocco.

Arrive at Marrakech Menara Airport and meet your Program Leaders, who will be with you throughout the journey. Settle into your accommodation and join the group for an orientation, where you’ll review the week ahead, learn a few Amazigh and Arabic phrases, and get your first taste of Moroccan hospitality over a hearty dinner.

Our home for the night is a comfortable hotel in Marrakech, where you can expect to share rooms with 2-3 other travelers, with a private bathroom, hot water, and all the comforts.

Travel into the High Atlas, winding past terraced fields and walnut groves before reaching your host village. Meet the families you’ll be working with, tour the village, and learn about the community’s history and traditions. After lunch, get your first introduction to the service project—whether it’s helping to improve school facilities, building pathways, or supporting a community garden. In the late afternoon, join your hosts for a tea ceremony, learning the steps and etiquette behind Morocco’s beloved drink. Journey into the High Atlas, navigating through terraced fields and walnut groves until you arrive at your host village. There, you’ll meet the families you’ll be working with, tour the village, and gain insight into the community’s history and traditions. After lunch, you’ll be introduced to the service project, which could involve improving school facilities, constructing pathways, or supporting a community garden. Later in the afternoon, join your hosts for a traditional tea ceremony, where you’ll learn the steps and etiquette of Morocco’s cherished beverage.

You’ll spend two nights at a comfortable guesthouse with shared bedrooms, private bathrooms, hot water, and electricity.

Continue your impactful service work, dedicating your efforts to making tangible and visible progress on the ongoing project. Your commitment to these endeavors strengthens the community you are serving.
Following a well-deserved lunch, immerse yourself in a truly authentic cultural experience with a visit to a local artisan’s home. Here, you will be treated to a captivating carpet weaving demonstration. This isn’t just about witnessing a craft; it’s an opportunity to delve into the rich tapestry of Moroccan heritage. You’ll learn firsthand how intricate patterns and vibrant colors are not merely decorative, but rather profound storytellers, conveying family histories, regional identities, and age-old traditions passed down through generations. You’ll even have the chance to try your hand at weaving a few rows yourself, experiencing the tactile connection to this ancient art form.
The remainder of the day will be dedicated to fostering genuine connection and relaxed conversation with your gracious host family. This invaluable time allows for cultural exchange, sharing stories, and building bridges of understanding in a warm and welcoming environment.

As the service project draws to a close, a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie fills the air. Students and community members gather for a heartfelt celebration, a time to share thanks, exchange photos, and offer small tokens of appreciation that cement the bonds forged through shared effort.
The return trip offers a magical interlude: a camel ride through the breathtaking Moroccan landscape. Against a dramatic backdrop of rugged mountains, the students sway gently atop their camels, the rhythmic padding of hooves on the dusty ground a soothing accompaniment to the stunning scenery. This unique experience offers a moment of tranquility and reflection, providing a chance to absorb the region’s beauty from a different perspective.
As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in vibrant hues, the group arrives in Marrakech. The bustling city welcomes them with its vibrant energy.

Our home for the remaining nighst is a comfortable hotel in Marrakech, where students can expect to share rooms with 2-3 other travelers, with a private bathroom, hot water, and all the comforts.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of Marrakech, where every alleyway whispers tales of centuries past. With a knowledgeable local guide leading the way, embark on a profound journey through the city’s rich history and uncover its best-kept secrets.
Visit the Jewish quarter (Mellah) and its synagogue, wander the courtyards of the Bahia Palace, and explore an authentic spice shop.
Letter in the day, take part in a calligraphy workshop as your introduction to Islamic Arts and Arabic script.

Wake up for your final full day in Marrakech. With your Program Leaders, head into the medina and navigate the souks. Stalls line narrow alleys with spices, textiles, leatherwork, metalwork, and ceramics. Use simple Arabic greetings, practice polite bargaining, and talk with artisans about their tools and techniques. Each exchange is a look at daily life in a market that runs on relationships as much as sales.

At sunset, make your way to Jemaa el-Fna Square. The square fills with musicians, storytellers, acrobats, and snake charmers while food vendors grill kebabs and simmer snail soup. Eat at a stall, watch a few performances, and see why this square is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Return to your accommodations to pack for tomorrow.

Enjoy a relaxed morning for last-minute shopping or revisiting a favorite spot in the medina. In the evening, join your group, host families, and friends for a farewell celebration with live Gnawa music, a traditional Moroccan feast, and intricate henna designs.

Together, reflect on the highlights of your journey during Rustic Ties, sharing the friendships, insights, and memories you’ll carry home long after Morocco.

Transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport for your departing flight, leaving Morocco with new skills, deep friendships, and a lasting connection to the people and places you served.