Morocco: Women's Expedition

8 Days | Leave the beaten path behind on an unforgettable all-female expedition

4.9 out of 5 based on 75 reviews submitted.
Women's Expedition
From
GBP £800
View dates and book

Join Intrepid on this incredible female-only adventure – an unforgettable expedition to the remote and less-travelled reaches of Morocco. Begin in Marrakech, then set off to experience the side of Morocco they don’t tell you about in the guidebooks. Break bread with Amazigh families in remote homes, see how an artist co-op is empowering female rug-weavers in small villages, take in the beauty of the far-flung M’goun Valley over four days of hiking with the region’s first local female guide, and enjoy the singing and dancing of Moroccan women in cultural ceremonies in rural communities. 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.

Trip overview

Map of Morocco: Women's Expedition including Morocco
Start
Marrakech, Morocco
Finish
Marrakech, Morocco
Theme
Women's Expedition
Destinations
Morocco
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
XMRW
This trip generates 28 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Find out what it means to be female in Morocco as you travel with an all-women group, a local female leader, the M’Goun Valley’s first local female guide, and meet plenty of inspiring women along the way.
  • Learn from the best as you take part in a traditional couscous cooking lesson, find out how to make fresh khobz (flatbread), and be welcomed into the home of a local woman in Marrakech for a meal you won’t forget.
  • Spend four days hiking between remote villages in the M’Goun Valley, accompanied by a local female guide who will bring the region to life with her incomparable knowledge and experience.
  • Dine on delicious local cuisine as you enjoy a private performance by The Houariyates, a female music band that will fill the room and your heart with joyful songs praising and celebrating women.
  • Visit the historic town of Ait Benhaddou and its iconic mudbrick ksar. You’ll soon see why this eye-catching site has been used as a backdrop in many famous films.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Education for All. Donations help them support girls in the High Atlas Mountains through secondary school, bringing a generation of women out of the cycle of illiteracy, poverty and early marriage.

Is this trip right for you?
  • This trip involves walking from 4 to 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 raincoat.
  • You will need to bring a 3/4 season sleeping bag on this trip. Even though you will be staying in guesthouses and gites, they may not be heated so a warm sleeping bag is essential.
  • The village accommodation on this trip is simple. You will be sharing rooms with other female travellers. On Day 5 there are two big rooms for the group so you may share your room with up to five other travellers. Bathroom facilities 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 none are compulsory, we’d suggest you come prepared to share some fun times with other women while learning some new skills.

Itinerary

Map of Morocco: Women's Expedition including Morocco

Inclusions

Meals

7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 6 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nights), Gite (2 nights), Guesthouse (3 nights)

Activities
  • Bou Tharar - Amazigh music and local songs
  • Agouti - Couscous demonstration
  • Bou Tharar - Hike to Agouti
  • Amejgag - Rug-weaving workshop visit
  • Agouti - Hike to Amejgag
  • Amejgag - Moroccan breakfast preparation
  • Issoumar - Folk tales and music
  • Amejgag - Hike to Issoumar
  • Bou Tharar - Farm visit
  • Bou Tharar - Amazigh dress and make up
  • Issoumar - Hike to Bou Tharar
  • Ait Benhaddou - Leader-led ksar walk
  • Marrakech - Home-cooked dinner
  • Marrakech - Houariyates performance
Add on activities
  • Marrakech - Hot Air Balloon Ride - MAD2090
  • Marrakech - Magical Marrakech City Cycling Tour - MAD438
  • Marrakech - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage - MAD750
  • Marrakech - Quad Biking the Rock Desert & Palmgrove - MAD715

Dates and availability

Loading trip dates and availabilities...

Important notes

2023 ITINERARY CHANGES
There are no itinerary changes to this trip as a result of the recent earthquake.

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 2 and 6 (Gite) and Days 3, 4 and 5 (Guesthouse) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 75 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

Filter by rating

Hilary · Traveled March 2024
Wonderful trip!! Did not know what to expect going into this trip but Morocco and our leader Sara made this such an unforgettable experience! Definitely recommend this trip and loved all the women supporting women.
Review submitted 12 Mar 2024

Paule · Traveled March 2024
If you are thinking of going on this trip, do it. You will be transported in a different world, travel with a group of women who share a similar interest even if they come from different walks of life. You will learn so much in such a short time. Wrap up warm as the nights are cold..
Review submitted 10 Mar 2024

Rebecca · Traveled October 2023
What made this trip extraordinary was first and foremost our guide Sara. I say "guide" but she was so much more than that. A mixture of guardian angel, embassadress and pioneering female role model, she shone every day radiating happiness and enthusiasm as we wandered through remote berber villages and gorges , across rivers and mountain passes and over hill tops and peaks chatting to women and girls of all ages some of whom welcomed her from past visits with their excited cries "Sara! Sara!". And then there was the rest of the team. Our steadfast berber guide Mamabia showed us the way and shared her stories ( and her dates, oranges and chocolate). Fatima and Fatima who provided us with some of the most delicious food I have ever eaten - fresh bread for breakfast, mouthwatering mid day picnics and sumptuous dinners, never two meals the same. And last but not least Mohammed who made sure our three mules were happy with our bags and who along with Fatima, Fatima and Mamabia sang and played traditional berber songs every evening. The itinerary was ideally planned, the local hostels were incredibly welcoming, the hikes were just the right length with every stop thoughtfully planned and one day water even turned up miraculously in the middle of nowhere. We barely saw other tourists and the whole week, fuelled by Sara, overflowed with laughter and happiness. I feel incredibly privileged to have spent such a unique week with such an amazing group. Unforgettable and totally inspiring!
Review submitted 06 Nov 2023

Suzanne · Traveled October 2023
The women”s expedition to Morocco is an outstanding experience. The hikes are varied and allow a real insight into village life and stunning countryside views. Food was always freshly prepared and delicious too. Our guide Sara together with a local team were amazing throughout. Allow a day at the end or start to shop in the souks for a contrast to village life. This is a superb adventure not to be missed!
Review submitted 05 Nov 2023

Louise · Traveled October 2023
This trip gave a glimpse into life in the rural foothills of the Atlas mountains that you would never get to on your own. Sara, Mama Bia, and the mule team (Mohammed, Fatima, & Fatima) treated us to four days of walking through varied terrain with excellent food and lots of music and dancing. The walking wasn't too challenging which allowed us the time to truly appreciate the region, starting with an 8.5 km walk through the surprisingly green fields in the valley. The second day was the funnest, getting to splash through one of the gorges (9.2 km), day 3 was the more challenging day walking 18 km with a total of 600 m of elevation gain, and day 4 had my favourite scenery (13.3 km). I would recommend this trip to anyone who enjoys walking and good food, and who wants to visit a bit of Morocco that most tourists do not get to experience.
Review submitted 06 Nov 2023
Morocco: Women's Expedition
From
GBP £800