School Geography Trips to Morocco | Educational Trips from Rayburn Tours

World Development

As well as offering superb geography, both physical and human, Morocco is also an ideal destination where pupils can truly engage with many issues of world development. Opportunities for pupils to consider and evaluate the inequalities present in a developing country are abundant, as is the potential to encounter real development case studies through our Travel Day and Anytime Study Units (Morocco’s Rural Electricity Provision Programme, Water Resource Management and Beekeeping as a Boost to Rural Community Incomes). Our geographer, Ian Hardie, can advise you further should you wish to focus your tour on development issues.

In Amizmiz/Douar Oulad Elgern: Rural Studies

A guided walk around Amizmiz, in the foothills of the High Atlas, allows traditional agriculture and its systems to be understood. By contrast, a day spent in Douar Oulad Elgern, on the Marrakech Plain, allows wonderful participation in many daily activities and offers meaningful interaction with the villagers.

Travel Day: Along The Dadès Valley: Semi-Arid Landscapes and Farming Systems

Date palmeries, irrigated by the Dadès River, prosper and Nomadic pastoralism dominate the arid plateau areas where dry valleys carry the constant threat of flash floods. The mouth of the Todra Gorge offers more physical landscape topics whilst the Todra Gorge fully demonstrates the power of running water.

Travel Day: Across the High Atlas: Plate Tectonics, Natural Hazards and Rural Communities

Viewing Mount Toubkal (4,167m) via the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass (2,260m) reveals stunning natural and human landscapes and offers an insight into plate tectonics and fold mountain formations. Uplifted sedimentary strata, both tilted and folded, are seen and river incision, with classic incised meander, is very well exemplified. Mountain clinging Berber villages offer a fascination of traditional rural life and active rural developments.

Travel Day: Towards and In the Sahara: Managing a Physical Landscape

The absence of surface rivers on the road to Merzouga/Erg Chebbi Sand Sea highlights the importance of the artesian wells seen here and used by camel herders. Sand-dune encroachment is an issue and techniques to minimise this natural hazard can be seen. See fossils being prepared for sale in the factory and then take a classic sunset camel ride amongst the massive and extensive Erg Chebbi dunes on arrival at Merzouga with alluring star studded night skies as you return back to your accommodation.

Travel Day: Skirting the Sahara: Tropical Desert Landscapes: Sustainable Development

Between the Jbel Ougnat and Chorea mountains, tropical desert gives way to savanna and acacia forests. Here, amidst glorious mountain and plain sceneries, beehives are sometimes seen, an example of small scale, sustainable rural development. Cross the Dadès River near to Agdz then see excellent examples of raw, uplifted geology on the Tizi-n-Tinififft Pass.

In Marrakech: Urban Change

A visit to the developing world city of Marrakech allows you to appreciate the vast array of daily activities that give rise to the city’s vibrancy. The Jemaa el-Fna Square and Medina Souks (Old Town markets) provide fascinating visits (including the option of an apothecary visit) whilst the El Koutoubia mosque and the five calls to prayer are a daily reminder of the diversity of international cultures.

New for 2013: Bivouac Tents in Morocco

We are delighted to be able to offer an even fuller desert experience in the Zagora area. In addition to our memorable camel ride, a definite must-try, it is now possible to have an overnight stay in the Sahara desert in a Bedouin style encampment.

The journey to the camp will be by camel, gently trekking through the famous, extensive and luxurious date palmeraies of the Drâa Valley with their fascinating farming features, crops, techniques and activities. The Bedouin camp itself is set amongst rolling sand dunes and has a truly authentic ambience, very much away from it all. The tents, and the materials used in their construction and decoration, are an exact replica of the original style. Central to the tents is the campfire where, later in the evening, traditional singing and drumming will be enjoyed. Each tent is very cosy with real beds and with plenty of blankets available for the cold night - it’s true; it can be rather chilly in a hot desert at night! Traditional Berber meals are served around low tables in large communal, carpeted tents, with centrally placed food platters; fingers, of course, are the cutlery.

So, with a full stomach, a warming campfire, stars and constellations above, sand dunes all around and with a fine group of Moroccans to musically entertain you, this makes for a most memorable inclusion on your tour itinerary! Please contact us for further information on how a stay in a Bedouin style encampment can be incorporated into your tour.

Depending on where you choose to base your group we can suggest the most appropriate excursions from the vast choice available throughout Morocco. Some of our favourites include:

Majorelle Gardens, Marrakech

The Jardins Majorelles were created in the 1930’s by two generations of the Majorelle family. The Majorelles were a family of French artists and so colour is everywhere in the gardens. Explore the Cacti, bamboo and bougainvillaea that thrive in the garden and visit the Museum of Islamic Art.

AÏt Benhaddou Kasbah visit, High Atlas

Aït Benhaddou is a magnificent example of a kasbah, an old fortress and stronghold of the chief of this area and has been a World Heritage Site for over 20 years. The Aït Benhaddou kasbah is indeed a splendid sight that has been used for many big screen film sets. Aït Benhaddou once stood guard over the main route between Ouarzazate and Marrakech, however when the new road over the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass was built the Aït-Benhaddou Kasbah lost this defensive function.

Visit to a fossil factory, Erfoud, Sahara

All over this area of Morocco there is much evidence of an economy based upon the quarrying and preparation of fossils. Substantial items made from fossil rich rock such as coffee tables are on display. A visit demonstrates the processes by which an embedded fossil is retrieved for making attractive items.

Other excursions include:

• Oasiria Water Park, Marrakech
• Henna hand painting and pottery making, Amizmiz
• Visit to a traditional trading centre, Rissani
• Star gazing from the terrace in Merzouga
• Camel Ride, Sahara

Your bespoke Study Handbook will be created to match your itinerary and specific learning objectives.

Anytime Study Units

These ‘bite-sized’ Study Units cover Thinking Topics, Demographic Topics and Broader Picture Topics and engage pupils in evaluating LEDC issues.

‘Travel Day’ Study Units

‘Travel Day’ Study Units can be used whilst travelling between locations and promote pupil participation and interaction. These include:

• Across the High Atlas
• Along the Dadès Valley
• In the Sahara
• On the Road to Marrakech

For more detailed information on all the study units available in our Morocco Study Handbook, and to view samples, please visit our Geography Tour Resources webpage.

All of our tours are bespoke, therefore the itinerary below is simply an example; the duration, educational visits, leisure excursions and accommodation centre used will be selected to match the requirements of your group. Please contact us to discuss your bespoke itinerary.

Day 1

Travel from UK arriving in Marrakech for the evening. Free time to visit the the Jemaa el-Fna and the Souks.

Day 2

A full day spent exploring in and around Marrakech.

Day 3

A day in and around Amizmiz, a rural settlement in the foothills of the High Atlas.

Day 4

A day in Douar Oulad Elgern, a settlement situated on the Merrakech Plain. Here “A Day in the Life of a Nomad” can be experienced.

Day 5

Return to the UK.

Please note that this is only a suggested itinerary. It is extremely flexible depending on your requests. It is also possible to include additional days to your itinerary.

Day 1

After checking into their hotel in Marrakech mid-morning, the group enjoyed a swim followed by lunch at their hotel. The rest of the day was spent exploring the souks in Marrakech.

Day 2

The group checked out of their Marrakech hotel and headed towards Ouarzazate stopping at Canal du Rocade, Taddert and the traditional village of Zaouite Inkkal along the way.

Day 3

After checking out of their hotel in Ouarzazate the group visited the reservoir of El Mansour Eddahbi, the Boumalne Dades and the impressive Todra Gorge. The group also stopped to talk to a Berber farmer about his land, his way of life and types of farming before reaching the Hotel Kenzi Bougafer.

Day 4

The group travelled towards Merzouga on the edge of the Sahara desert, stopping at the Fossil Factory in Erfoud and in the town of Rissani. After checking in to their hotel, they headed out for a camel trek across the sand dunes of the Sahara for an unspoilt view of the spectacular sunset, before returning to the hotel for a spot of star gazing on the terrace and an evening of entertainment at the hotel.

Day 5

Leaving Merzouga behind the group stopped at Maison Tuareg rug and craft trading post before enjoying lunch in the town of Alnif. They continued along the Tizi-n-Tinififft Mountain Pass where they disembarked the coach at Acacia Tree stop.

Day 6

On their way from Ouarzazate to Marrakech they stopped in Ait Benhaddou Kasbah before continuing on to the town of Taddert for lunch. They arrived in Marrakech for some last minute souvenir shopping in the souks.

Day 7

Leaving Marrakech behind the group headed to the traditional village of Douar OUlad Elgern where they spent a full day with the community before catching an evening flight back to the UK.

Hotel Akabar, Marrakech

Hotel Akabar is located in Hivernage, one of the most beautiful districts of Marrakech minutes from the famous Djemaa El Fna.

Facilities:

• En suite rooms with air conditioning
• Satellite television and telephone in each room
• International restaurant, recently renovated
• Outdoor swimming pool