Morocco: Women's Expedition

Salaam aleikum! Welcome to Morocco. Your Women’s Expedition begins in Marrakech with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe check out Djemaa el-Fna – the lively town square in the centre of the medina. Singers, drummers, dancers, fortune tellers, jugglers and old medicine men mingle together in what has been called the 'greatest spectacle on earth'. You could also 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). After the meeting, join your group for a special welcome dinner at all-female restaurant Sahbi Sahbi. Watch as the women prepare Moroccan dishes passed down from their mothers and grandmothers in an open kitchen right in front of you, putting their own personal touch on classic recipes.

Board your private transport and settle in for the journey to Bou Tharar village. Here, you'll be hosted by local women and there will be Amazigh music and local songs with a tasty, traditional meal. Your accommodation tonight is in a beautiful terracotta 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 this establishment.

Set off on a hike from Bou Tharar village to Agouti village. For the next four days of hiking, you’ll be accompanied by one of the region’s first local female guides. Your guide knows these parts like the back of her hand and will share stories of the landscape and her nomadic past. You'll be hiking west, passing through villages and meeting some locals along the way. In the afternoon, learn how to prepare some specialty dishes during a cooking demonstration in the village. This is a unique opportunity, so get involved, learn how couscous is spread in the traditional way and learn some new skills to take back home!

Set off on a morning walk through Agouti Gorge, crossing through Almdoun village to get to Rbat village. The dramatic red walls of the gorge make for an otherworldly sight. Check out the detail of the striped mineral deposits while your leader provides some background information on the area. At some point during the hike, you’ll need to cross a river. Depending on the water levels, you may need to roll up your trousers and take your shoes off (or bring closed-toed sandals or water-proof shoes). Your leader will find the best place to cross but come prepared to get a little wet. When you arrive, you’ll gain insight into an age-old craft with a weaving demonstration by a local woman from the village. After, take a walk through the village and settle in.

Sit down for a traditional Moroccan breakfast of homemade soup, tea, coffee and (most importantly) olive oil served with Moroccan bread. Get involved in preparing this flatbread (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. Then, set off to Issoumar, trekking through more of Morocco's spectacular landscape. The route crosses small hills and leads to Timtda village, where you'll take a break and enjoy a picnic lunch. From here, climb uphill to the Tissardan pass, which offers a fantastic view of the M’Goun Valley. Then, descend to Issoumar village, where you’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 host – this isn’t a performance, but rather a unique opportunity to get involved and be a part of the experience!

Follow the M’Goun River back to Bou Thrar today. You'll most likely see a few farmers going about their daily business along the way. After lunch, visit the owner’s barn and learn some traditional farming skills that have been practiced in this part of Morocco for centuries. Take the chance to feed the animals – often a very important part of life for local families, whose wealth depends on their livestock. After, take some time to rest before joining your fellow women in trying on some traditional henna and kohl makeup. You may have already learned about these skills earlier in the trip, but this evening stands out for a different reason. After having your dress picked out and make up done for you, you’ll head out to a very special party, imitating an Amazigh wedding. Have dinner here, mingle with the locals and learn more about their culture as the sun descends.

Return to Marrakech, stopping at Ait Benhaddou along the way – the iconic mudbrick ksar. Retaining its thousand-year-old allure, this UNESCO World Heritage site is southern Moroccan architecture at its finest and has been used as a backdrop for many famous films (like Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator). When you arrive in Marrakech, you’ll leave the hustle and bustle of the medina and visit the home of Zineb – a local woman who will be cooking your dinner tonight. Tuck into a beautiful traditional meal as you hear how Zineb’s hard work and determination to provide for her children has led her to where she is today. To cap off your final night together, The Houariyates – a female music band that takes its inspiration from the original tribes of I'Houara and Hammadas – will perform for you. Their joyful songs praise and celebrate women and often speak of desire, sensuality and love.