Morocco: Desert Nights

📍 At a Glance

Trip Name
Morocco: Desert Nights

Who It’s For
High school students (grades 9–12)

2025 Session
Session 1: June 21 – July 6, 2026
Note: These dates reflect your teen’s departure and return.
Exact flight times and meeting details will be shared after enrollment.

Location
Marrakech, High Atlas Mountains, Sahara Desert, Essaouira

Trip Length
16 Days

Service Hours
10–20

Tuition
$6,795

This is the plan—but plans can shift. Weather, group energy, and new opportunities sometimes lead us to make changes. No two trips are exactly the same, and that’s part of what makes the experience so memorable.

Days 1–2: Arrive in Marrakech & Dive Into Local Life
Fly to Morocco, meet your group, and explore the medina’s winding streets, markets, and flavors.

Day 3: Travel to the High Atlas Mountains
Leave the city and settle into a remote mountain village where you’ll live and work alongside local hosts.

Days 4–5: Community Service & Cultural Exchange
Join collaborative service projects—like construction, farming, or youth engagement—while learning from village life.

Day 6: Language Lessons & Mountain Hike
Practice basic Arabic and Tamazight phrases before hiking scenic trails with stunning views of the High Atlas.

Day 7: Travel to Ait Benhaddou
Explore a 14th-century fortified village and spend the night in a traditional mudbrick kasbah.

Day 8: Explore Dades Gorges & Kasbahs
Visit palm gardens and historic kasbahs carved into canyon walls—learning about Berber traditions along the way.

Day 9: Camel Trek Into the Sahara
Ride camels into the desert and camp under the stars with local music and warm tea by the fire.

Day 10: Sunrise in the Dunes & Journey to Ouarzazate
Catch sunrise from a dune ridge before heading west through Morocco’s cinematic desert towns.

Days 11–12: Marrakech Markets & Moroccan Cooking
Back in the city, visit souqs, take a tajine cooking class, and connect with local teens for cultural conversation.

Day 13: Calligraphy Workshop & Coastal Travel
Try Islamic calligraphy in the morning, then drive to the breezy Atlantic town of Essaouira.

Day 14: Surf & Explore Essaouira
Take a surf lesson on the beach, wander the medina, and grab a snack from a seaside vendor.

Days 15–16: Celebrate & Head Home
Wrap up with live music, henna, and a farewell dinner before flying home from Marrakech.

We stay in a mix of local guesthouses, traditional riads, and a desert camp.

Group Rooms
Teens sleep in shared rooms or large sleeping areas, with gender-divided accommodations. Most rooms are 2–5 students each.

Rustic Facilities
Expect basic bathrooms—some with flush toilets, others with latrines. Showers are available every few days, often shared.

Setup & Breakdown
Everyone helps with daily tasks like tidying, organizing shared spaces, and supporting group routines.

What to Expect
You’ll fall asleep to desert breezes and village sounds, and wake up to the rhythm of rural Morocco. It’s simple, real, and unforgettable.

Meals are cooked by local partners and shared as a group—often on a terrace, in a family courtyard, or around a desert campfire.

Cook Crew
In village settings, students may help prepare traditional meals and learn local cooking techniques alongside hosts.

Simple + Fresh
Dishes reflect Moroccan hospitality—tagines, couscous, fresh bread, salads, lentils, and stews are common.

All Diets Welcome
We accommodate all allergies and dietary needs (vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, etc.).

Snacks + Hydration
Filtered water is always available, and snack breaks are built into busy travel and service days.

Flights
Families book flights to and from Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK).
Do not book your flight until you receive the confirmed travel windows from our team.

Travel Days
Session 1: Depart June 20, 2026
Teens arrive home on July 5, 2026

Group Flight Option
A leader-escorted flight from New York City (JFK) is available.

Packing
You’ll receive a full packing list after enrollment—everything fits in a duffel or backpack.
Key items include:
– Sleeping bag (for desert night)
– Sturdy sandals or closed-toe shoes
– Modest, breathable clothing
– Daypack and sun protection

Luggage Note
We recommend one checked bag and one small carry-on backpack.

Forms & Waivers
After enrollment, you’ll access your RLT Portal with required forms including:
– Health history and medications
– Participant agreement and Code of Conduct
– Emergency contact details

Medical Clearance
No doctor’s visit is needed unless there’s a new or complex condition. Our team reviews all forms for readiness.

Medications
Leaders manage and administer all listed medications.

Behavioral Expectations
Families review our Code of Conduct together—it ensures the trip is safe, inclusive, and respectful for all.

Trip Insurance
Required for all international trips. You may use any provider; we’ll send tips and recommendations if needed.

Vaccinations
We follow CDC guidelines for Morocco. No additional vaccines are required beyond standard immunizations.

Passport
Required. Must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip ends.

Device-Free Philosophy
Phones and personal electronics are collected on Day 1 and returned on the final day.

Why?
Disconnecting helps teens:
– Build deeper relationships
– Be present in their surroundings
– Gain confidence without constant tech

Cameras Welcome
Bring a digital camera or GoPro—anything without internet. Leaders also take photos and share a gallery post-trip.

Communication
We keep families updated throughout the trip. In case of emergency, our on-call line is available 24/7.