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  4. Morocco: Women's Expedition

Stray from the beaten path in Morocco on a new and unforgettable all-female expedition.

Join Intrepid on our very first female-only adventure – an unforgettable expedition to the remote and less-travelled reaches of Morocco. Begin in Marrakech, where the wow-factor of the Maghreb comes in many forms, notably the spectacular Djemaa el-Fna town square. Then it’s off to the other Morocco, the one they don’t tell you about in the guidebooks. Break bread with Berber families in private homes in remote areas, see how an artist co-op is empowering female rug-weavers in small villages, take in the verdant beauty of the far-flung M’goun Valley, and enjoy the singing and dancing of Moroccan women in cultural ceremonies in small villages – far away from the bustle of the big towns. With all the hallmarks of a classic Intrepid adventure – local leadership, private transport, real life experiences – and an added focus on female travel and female empowerment, this is a unique opportunity for women to blaze the trail in an incredible but often conservative country – without compromising on safety.

Start
Marrakech, Morocco
Finish
Marrakech, Morocco
Destination
Morocco
Style
Original
Theme
Expedition
Code
XMRW
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 4, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Travel off the beaten path in Morocco, reaping the benefits of not only an all-female group and private transport, but also the unique insights offered by a local female leader.

  • Visit the residents of a women’s artisan co-op in Talsanant to see how they are taking charge of the economics of their rug-weaving trade.

  • Make the most of the opportunity to learn some basic skills at a traditional rug-weaving class.

  • Try your hand at preparing your own fresh khobz (flatbread), an essential part of every Moroccan breakfast.

  • Learn the traditional way of preparing couscous under the guidance of those who do it best.

  • The gorgeous M’goun Valley is a dream to explore on foot. Take in unforgettable panoramas, visit a local village and enjoy Berber hospitality.

  • While you’ll get to hear Berber music throughout this trip, you’ll also get to make the most of a special evening of music and dance led by women in a rural village.

  • Step into a traditional outfit and have your make-up done for you using henna and khol before enjoying one final group dinner.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This is a female-only expedition visiting special places and events that only women can access due to local customs and laws. For this reason, men are not allowed to book a spot on this tour.

  • This is an expedition, which means we will be exploring either a new territory or we will do it in a new way, or both. Please note that some things cannot be fully planned on such a trip therefore small changes to the itinerary may occur.

  • This expedition involves walking from 4 to a maximum of 7 hours on Days 3-6. The walk will lead you through picturesque valleys but the terrain may be unstable in places, rocky and hilly. Consider appropriate footwear and necessary clothing, including a warm jacket and rain coat.

  • Note that you are required to bring 3/4 season sleeping bag in order to keep warm at night. Even though you will be staying in guesthouses and gites, this type of accommodation may not be heated and therefore warm sleeping bag is essential.

  • Due to the villages and locations we will be visiting, accommodation on this expedition is basic. You will be sharing rooms with other female travellers. On Day 5 there are two big rooms to share so you may end up with 5 other females in one room.

  • Bathroom facilities on your trek are shared, but you can expect a hot shower each evening.

  • You will have a chance to participate in different activities, from rug-weaving to baking and make-up workshops. While this is not compulsory, we’d suggest you come prepared to share some fun times with other females while learning some often not-so-easy skills.

  • While trekking, your luggage will be transported on mules. You may not have instant access to your bags during the day so ensure you bring a day pack and carry essentials; sun-screen, water, camera, etc.

Map of Morocco: Women's Expedition including Morocco
Explore the wonders of Morocco on a women's only expedition
Explore the wonders of Morocco on a women's only expedition
Eat like the locals on a women's only expedition
Eat like the locals on a women's only expedition
The beauty of Morocco on a women's only expedition
The rooftops of Marrakech in Morocco

Itinerary
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This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 Jan 2020 to 31 Dec 2020.
 View the 2019 itinerary

Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Morocco. The trip starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm – please check the hotel reception for information about where and when it will be. After the meeting there's the option of joining your leader and fellow travellers for dinner. Afterwards, be sure to check out Djemaa el Fna, the lively town square in the centre of the Medina. Huge crowds converge at night to see singers, drummers, dancers, fortune tellers, jugglers and even old medicine men and dentists mingling together in what has been called the 'greatest spectacle on earth'. If you arrive in town with some time up your sleeve before the trip starts, perhaps admire the outside view of the Koutoubia Mosque and its famous minaret, or discover the tropical gardens of the French painter Jacques Majorelle (now owned by Yves Saint Laurent). Also well worth a look is the architecture of the Palais Bahia, the ruins of the Palais Badi, and the recently uncovered Saadian tombs in the Medina.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please have these on hand.

Board your private transport and settle in for the journey to Bout Tharar village (approximately 7 hours). You'll be hosted by local women, and there will be some Berber music and local songs to enjoy. A tasty, traditional repast will be waiting for you on arrival. Your accommodation is a beautiful terra cotta gite (rural guesthouse). From here, the views of the surrounding hills are superb, and you'll be greeted with warm hospitality from the local family who run the establishment.
Accommodation
  • Gite (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Dinner with music and local songs workshop
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Set off on a hike from Bout Tharar village to Agouti Village (approximately 5–6 hours). We'll be walking in a westbound direction, passing through villages and meeting some of the locals on the way. In the afternoon, learn how to prepare some specialty dishes at a cooking demonstration. This is a really unique opportunity so get involved and learn some new skills to take back home. Perhaps the most important part of the evening is watching how couscous is prepared in a traditional way. It's a classic and characterful component of Maghrebi cuisine. Its rice-like softness is perfect for soaking up the rich and buttery slow-cooked tagines found all over Morocco. The locals will show you the tricks to getting it just right.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cooking demonstration
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s guesthouse is multi-share accommodation, so expect to be sharing a room with two or three other travellers in the group. Bathroom facilities are also shared but, most importantly, you can still enjoy a hot shower after a day’s hike.

Set off on a morning walk through Agouti Gorge, crossing through Almdoun Village to get to Amejgag (approximately 5–6 hours). The scenery is beautiful along the way, and sometimes the dramatic red walls of the gorge give the feeling of being on another planet. Note the detail of the striped mineral deposits in the landscape while your leader provides some background information on the area along the way. At some point during today’s hike you will need to cross a river. Depending on the water levels, you may need to roll up your trousers and take your shoes off. Our experienced leader will make sure to find the best place to cross, but come prepared to get a little wet. After arriving in Amejgag Village, gain insight into an age-old craft by attending a weaving workshop run by a local ladies' cooperative. Put your skills in to practice and try the ancient art of weaving yourself. All under a watchful eye of some local experts. Afterwards, there will be a walk through the village to see some of the interesting architecture.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Weaving cooperative visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today you will be accommodated in twin rooms, however bathroom facilities will be shared. Hot showers will be available tonight.

This morning enjoy a traditional Moroccan breakfast comprised of a comforting homemade soup, tea, coffee, and (most importantly) olive oil served with Moroccan bread. Get involved in preparing this flatbread, or otherwise known as khobz, which is widespread and almost synonymous with Moroccan food. There's nothing like making and tasting the real thing under the guidance of those who do it best. Set off to Issoummar, trekking through more of Morocco's spectacular deserted landscape. The route crosses small hills and leads to Timtda village, where we'll take a break and enjoy a picnic lunch. From there, climb 200 metres uphill to the Tissardan pass, which offers a fantastic view of the M’Goun Valley. Then descend 300 metres to Issoummar village, where we'll spend the night. This afternoon listen to traditional folk tales and play music with the local women inside the guesthouse. Singing is a big part of local music so expect to sing along with your female host and perhaps try wearing traditional dress. This isn’t a performance, but rather a unique opportunity to get involved and be a part of the experience.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Traditional Moroccan breakfast preparation workshop
  • Local folklore workshop
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Tonight’s accommodation will be multi-share, and a little cosier then previous accommodation. Large rooms will be shared between six travellers. Bathroom facilities are shared as well with couple of showers with hot water.

Follow the M’Goun River back to Boutghrar (approximately 5–6 hours). You'll most likely see a few local farmers going about their daily business along the way. After lunch, visit a farm and learn some traditional farming skills that have been practiced in this part of Morocco for centuries (such as milking, battering the milk, and bringing some herbs from the farm to feed the animals). Make sure you take a chance to feed the animals. For many Moroccan families, animals are a very important part of their lives. More often than not, the wealth of the family depends on their livestock. After a long but rewarding day, take some time to rest before joining your fellow women in trying on some traditional makeup – perhaps henna and kohl. You might already have learned about these skills earlier in the trip, but today’s evening is special for a different reason. After having your dress picked out and make up done for you, set out to attend special, local party, imitating a Berber wedding. Make the most of this special event while enjoying a final dinner with the rest of the group.
Accommodation
  • Gite (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Farming activities
  • Berber make-up workshop
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Return to Marrakech today. On the way, there will be a stop at Ait Benhaddou to check out the beautiful mudbrick ksar there. Retaining its thousand-year-old allure, the ksar is southern Moroccan architecture at its finest. Unsurprisingly, this UNESCO-protected marvel has been used as a backdrop in a number of famous films, such as Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. Once back in Marrakech, make the most of your final night with your fellow female adventurers, perhaps heading out on the town for a last taste of tagine and mint tea, or some more time in the always entertaining Djemaa el-Fna town square.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Bid farewell to your travel companions as the trip comes to an end today.
Optional Activities
  • Hot Air Ballooning - MAD2050
  • Magical Marrakech City Cycling Tour - MAD350
  • Heart of the Atlas Mountains cycling day tour - MAD2000
  • Hammam & Massage in a luxury spa - MAD750
  • Urban Adventures - A Taste Of Marrakech - MAD605
  • Urban Adventures - Tajine cooking class - MAD640
  • Quad Biking the Rock Desert & Palmgrove - MAD715
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners

Transport

walking, Private minibus

Accommodation

Gite 2 nights, Guesthouse 3 nights

Included activities

  • Dinner with music and local songs workshop
  • Cooking demonstration
  • Weaving cooperative visit
  • Traditional Moroccan breakfast preparation workshop
  • Local folklore workshop
  • Farming activities
  • Berber make-up workshop

Dates & availability

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Important notes

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A single supplement is available only in Marrakech.

COMMISSION
The receipt of commissions or kickbacks in exchange for recommending particular shops, services or activities is ingrained in the culture of the Moroccan tourism industry. In an effort to best control and monitor shopping and activities with an aim for the best experience possible, Intrepid has established a system of carefully selected shopping experiences and activities based on positive feedbacks from our previous travellers. On occasion these will be as part of included walking tours or outside of included activities in free time. Please note that if you feel that you do not wish to join in on these shopping experiences we assure you there is no obligation and if you indicate your desire to not partake your group leader will help to facilitate a suitable alternative during this time.
Intrepid have set up a centralised system of receiving payments from these recommended suppliers, and funds are then distributed towards local Responsible Travel projects (such as 'say no to plastic' cotton bags for our travellers and drinking water refilling stations), traveller information packs, and leader bonuses. Further details of these arrangements can be provided by your group leader on request.
While Intrepid endeavors to ensure that these suppliers and services maintain reasonable levels of quality, please note recommended suppliers are chosen based on past travellers feedback and experiences and Intrepid cannot explicitly guarantee the quality of the product. A priority in establishing this fund is that the experience of you our traveller is not compromised in any way. Please let us know via the feedback after your trip if we are successfully meeting this objective.

Essential trip information

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