MOROCCAN SERVICE AND CULTURAL IMMERSION TRIP FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS
JULY 21 - AUGUST 5, 2025
LENGTH 16 Days
COMPLETING GRADES 9 - 12
SERVICE HOURS 10 - 20
ARRIVE/DEPART Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK)
TUITION $6495
Immerse yourself in Moroccan culture this summer! Enjoy the coastline, canyons, kasbahs, and explore the famous bustling souqs of Marrakech. Volunteer at a village in the high Atlas Mountains and help with ongoing community projects. Ride across the Sahara Desert on the back of a camel and experience the beauty of the sand dunes. This teen service and cultural immersion program is a unique and meaningful experience for young travelers looking to explore Morocco!
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
TRIP OVERVIEW
ACTIVITIES
Surf: The Atlantic waves near Essaouira
Overnight Camp: In the Saharan desert with a desert musician performance
Calligraphy Workshop: Try your hand at this artistic activity, and learn about Islamic art
Live Music: Listen to traditional Morrocan music in Marrakech
Discover the Souqs: Traditional outdoor markets stacked with ceramics, leather goods, baskets, carpets, and jewelry
Visit: The UNESCO world heritage site Jamaalfna square
Taste: Authentic Morrocan dishes
Cooking class: Get involved making a traditional Moroccan Tajine
Camel ride: Through the Saharan dunes
Stay in a traditional mudbrick Kasbah room: In the 14th Century village of Ait Benhaddou
Explore: The High Atlas Mountains
SERVICE
A Certificate of Community Service indicating the total number of hours worked and a group Presidential Volunteer Service Award will be issued upon successful completion of the program. Service work could include some of the following:
Community projects in mountain villages vary depending on the demands at the time of the trip. This will typically include basic construction tasks, community infrastructure projects, and working with the local children. Full details will be released soon!
WHAT IS INCLUDED AND EXCLUDED IN TRIP TUITION
The trip tuition listed above includes accommodations, activities, meals, and group gear. The tuition does not include personal gear and clothing, travel insurance, spending money, and travel expenses such as airfare to and from the start and end of the program, unaccompanied minor fees, and baggage fees.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND SHOWERING
Accommodations are in traditional Riad’s for most of the trip, with one night camping when in the Sahara. Riad’s are a traditional Moroccan house specifically known for its enclosed garden and courtyard. Bedrooms will be divided by gender, and participants will sleep slumber party-style – in sleeping bags, rotating available beds nightly, and sharing beds as needed.
Bathrooms and showers can be rustic so please be prepared. In an effort to save time and conserve water resources in the areas we are traveling, participants will have access to showers every 3-4 days even when showers are readily available in private housing accommodations. On days with ocean-based activities, participants will be able to rinse off with fresh water. Bathrooms are a mix between flush toilets and latrines.
FOOD
All meals on this trip are planned and prepared by our in-country community partners. There may be opportunities to assist in food preparation depending on the preference of the partner.
Expect to eat meals that are consistent with the culture we are visiting. While other food options may be available, we will be sharing meals with our community partners, and eating what they eat as part of our cultural exchange.
We are able to accommodate all dietary requirements and preferences.
TRAVEL
Families are individually responsible for booking their own airfare or making their own travel arrangements to get their students from home to Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) on the first day of the trip, and from Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) to home on the last day of the trip. RLT will provide exact windows of time that we require all students to arrive and depart within. It is imperative that no one make any travel arrangements until RLT directs them to do so.
A leader-escorted round-trip flight will be available between New York and Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) (but is not required) for those travelers who wish to fly with a leader. Booking information for the escorted flight will be available after enrollment.
TRAVEL INSURANCE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Road Less Traveled does not provide its own insurance nor do we require travel insurance for domestic trips. However, travel insurance can protect your investment in your participant's trip from the risk of unexpected expenses from last-minute cancellations or early trip departure. If you are interested in more details regarding travel insurance, please visit our FAQ page or you may contact a member of our team at info@theroadlesstraveled.com or 773-342-5200.
TECHNOLOGY
As part of the RLT experience, our trips are electronic-free. While it is encouraged to travel with cell phones, leaders will collect phones and any other personal devices after all participants arrive on the first day. It can feel tough initially to not have access to your phone, but it really helps everyone in the group to connect and have a really great trip experience. This includes phones, iPods, tablets, gaming devices, music devices, smartwatches, etc. All electronics will be held by RLT leaders, kept safe and dry for the duration of the trip, and returned at the end of the program. All cameras, go pros, etc. are acceptable and can be kept with you! If you do not have a camera, please note that leaders will also be taking photos throughout the program, and these photos will be shared through an online gallery.
“wonderful enriching experiences for MY teen in a small group setting - highly recommended”
- SUMMER 2024 ALUM PARENT -
SAMPLE ITINERARY
*Please note the itinerary listed below is the intended itinerary for this trip. No two trips are exactly the same. All itineraries are subject to change to ensure the best possible program experience. Weather, group dynamics, new opportunities, and the unpredictability of travel all shape the final trip itinerary - and it's all part of the adventure!
Leave US (DAY 1)
We leave the US on route for Marakesh! There is an escorted flight for those that choose, from a major US airport or students can fly directly to Marakesh where our leaders will be ready and waiting for them at the airport.
Arrive in Marrakech (DAY 2)
Arrive at Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) and we transfer to our first nights accommodation in the city. We take an easier day to rest from a busy travel day, and start to explore the local area. We meet our local partners and have an introductions to Moroccan culture and talk through the trip ahead.
high atlas mountains (DAY 3)
Today we leave the city, heading to an Amazigh village in the High Atlas Mountains, the largest mountain range in North Africa. With incredible views, this allows us to get our first glimpses of the beauty of rural Morocco. Our local village hosts will meet us and share more about their community and our forthcoming service projects.
COMMUNITY Service and Cultural Immersion (DAYs 4 - 6)
We start the next few days with some introductory language lessons over breakfast, with the jaw-dropping mountains surrounding us. Our days are then spent working on community service projects to support the local community. The projects are all generated and implemented collaboratively with community members. These projects provide important space for exchange between the students and local residents while investing positive energy and resources into the ongoing development initiatives in these villages. Exact project details will be released closer to the time but could include basic construction tasks, working with children, helping with infrastructure development or small scale farming practices.
14th Century village of Ait Benhaddou (DAY 7)
We pack up, say our goodbyes and head south to explore more of the country. After a scenic journey, we arrive in the 14th Century village of Ait Benhaddou to stay for the night in a traditional mudbrick Kasbah room. We explore the village and learn about its rich heritage and history.
explore the dades gorges (DAY 8)
After breakfast, we drive to Dades Gorges and enjoy the view. This is a river system that originates in the High Atlas range of the Atlas mountains, flowing some 350 kilometers southwest before joining the Draa River at the edge of the Sahara. Stop along the way at the 17th-century Kasbah Amridil and learn the history behind the region and what the ancient way of life was like in southern Morocco. Learn more about Henna and cumin-making processes before we explore the nearby palm gardens that lay next to amazing natural rock formations.
camp out under the stars (DAY 9)
We then journey onwards towards the Sahara, and on our way stop in Rissani to learn more about the Alaouit Dynasty that has been ruling Morocco since the 17th century at its founder’s mausoleum. We drop our bags off at our riad in the desert outpost town before hopping on camels with a light day pack of things we need for our overnight camp. We explore the breathtaking dunes and absorb the dramatic Saharan sunset as we reach our Bedouin camp. We have tea and a traditional local meal while enjoying the rhythmic beats of desert musicians around a campfire.
saharan sunrise (DAY 10)
Wake up early to get a view of an incredible sunrise from the nearby dunes. After breakfast, we drive to Ouarzazate, a city south of Morocco’s High Atlas mountains, known as a gateway to the Sahara Desert and the “Valley of One Thousand Kasbahs.”
marrakech and cooking class (DAYs 11 and 12)
Time to head to Marrakech! We explore the city and take the time to observe the intricate architecture in every corner before we go out to dine in the UNESCO world heritage site of Jamaalfna square. We take a cooking class with a local chef. Learn about Moroccan spices and the history of some local dishes as you prepare your first Tajine! Discover the souqs (outdoor markets) and visit the Ben Youssef Madrasa, a stunning 12th century Islamic school, a hallmark of Islamic and North African architecture. We also have a community discussion with a group Moroccan teens to learn about daily life, politics, religions, things they do for fun, and other cultural exchanges.
calligraphy workshop and explore Essaouira! (DAY 13)
We start our day with a calligraphy workshop - an intro to Islamic art. Learn about its history and print your name or a favorite word to take home with you. After lunch, we drive to the Atlantic coast to the funky beach town of Essaouira. Explore the white-walled medina as we stroll through the friendly European-style streets and do some souvenir shopping while munching on a delicious crepe from a street vendor.
surfing the atlantic! (DAY 14)
Take to the water with an instructed surf lesson to refine your surf skills! We spend the day relaxing on the beach and wandering through Essaouira. The souqs in Essaouira are stacked with ceramics, leather goods, baskets, carpets, and jewelry.
farewell dinner and live music (DAY 15)
For our last day, we drive back to Marrakech where we will celebrate the time spent in Morocco. end the day with a special dinner, a Henna tattoo, and live traditional beats.
HOMEWARD BOUND (DAY 14)
We say goodbye to new friends before starting on the journey back home. We reflect on the adventures of the last two weeks before flying out of Marrakech.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Check out #therlt and follow @therlt on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at photos from past participants and leaders.
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