/ L&C Travel/ Women’s Expedition II: Morocco with Lewis & Clark

Women’s Expedition II: Morocco with Lewis & Clark

Open gallery

Dates: November 10 - 18, 2024

Group Size

Limit 10 participants, plus our Lewis & Clark group facilitator, CLC staff and our guide.

Note: the 11/1 departure is filled so we are offering this second departure.

Trip Overview

An unforgettable expedition to the remote and less-traveled 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 Lewis & Clark program – 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.

Program Highlights

Find out what it means to be female in Morocco as you travel with an all-women group, a local female leader will guide as we meet plenty of inspiring women along the way.
Benefit from Lewis & Clark’s long standing network in Morocco, visit the Amal Center that provides career training for impoverished women, learning some learn some Arabic greetings, and join an English class at the Center for Language & Culture.
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. Bring a daypack but your luggage will be transported for you from town to town.
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 films.
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.

Register Now

Trip Notes

This trip involves walking from 4 to 7 hours on Days 4-7. 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.
Your sleeping bag and other luggage will be transported for you from village to village.
The village accommodation on this trip is simple. You will be sharing rooms with other female travelers. On Day 5 there are two big rooms for the group so you may share your room with up to five other travelers. 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 workshops. While none are compulsory, we’d suggest you come prepared to share some fun times with other women while learning some new skills.

Three women standing in front of a column

Itinerary

Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Morocco.

There will be a couple of coordinated group transfers from the airport to your hotel.

Our Lewis & Clark Women’s Expedition begins with a welcome meeting at 6:00 pm in the lobby with our local guide and Lewis & Clark facilitator Joann Geddes.

Following the meeting, you have the option to join your fellow travelers for dinner and to explore Djemaa el-Fna, the lively town square in the center of the Medina. At night, large crowds gather to witness singers, drummers, dancers, fortune tellers, jugglers, and even old medicine men and dentists, creating what has been called the “greatest spectacle on earth.”

Meals Included: None

Accommodation: Le Ferme Medina (standard room) or similar.

Breakfast at hotel.

Our bus will take us to Amal Training center for a presentation and discussion about career training for impoverished women.

Afterwards, the group will have a tangine cooking lesson with students at Amal. Once lunch is cooked, we will sit-down to enjoy lunch together.

Return to the hotel for a short rest and break.

In the late afternoon we will go to the Center for Language & Culture. There we will have a class on Arabic greetings and introductions.

We will join an English class with local students and allow them to practice their conversation skills, as we ask questions about Morocco.

Afterwards we will enjoy a delicious dinner together.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Le Ferme Medina (standard room) or similar.

Board your private transport and settle in for the journey to Bou Tharar village.

We will stop on the way to allow lunch to be purchased.

You’ll be hosted by local women, and there will be some Amazigh music and local songs to enjoy. A tasty, traditional meal will be waiting for you on arrival. Your accommodation is 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 the establishment.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: “Gite”, A mountainside Guest House.

Woman Pouring Tea

Set off on a hike from Bou Tharar village to Agouti Village (approximately 5–6 hours, not much change in elevation, about 6.2 miles). 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 incredible stories of the landscape and her nomadic past – this is sure to be one of the standout experiences of your journey. You’ll be hiking in a westbound direction, passing through villages, and meeting some of the locals on the way. In the afternoon, learn how to prepare some specialty dishes at a cooking demonstration. This is a unique opportunity, so get involved and learn some new skills to take back home. Perhaps the most important part of the evening is watching how couscous is prepared in a traditional way. It’s a classic and characterful component of Maghrebi cuisine. Its rice-like softness is perfect for soaking up the rich and buttery slow-cooked tagines found all over Morocco. The locals will show you the tricks to getting it just right.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation: “Gite”, A mountainside Guest House

Set off on a morning walk through Agouti Gorge, crossing through Almdoun Village to get to Amejgag (approximately 5 to 6 hours, not much rise in elevation, about 6.2 miles).

The dramatic red walls of the gorge make for an otherworldly sight. Note the detail of the striped mineral deposits in the landscape while your leader provides some background information on the area along the way. At some point during today’s hike, you will need to cross a river, maybe multiple times. Depending on the water levels, you may need to roll up your trousers and take your shoes off. Alternatively, bringing closed-toed sandals could be a good idea too. Your experienced leader will make sure to find the best place to cross but come prepared to get a little wet.

After arriving in Amejgag Village, gain insight into an age-old craft by attending a weaving workshop run by a local ladies’ cooperative. Put your skills into practice and try the ancient art of weaving yourself (under the watchful eye of some local experts!) Afterwards, there will be a walk through the village to see some of the interesting architecture.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation: “Gite”, A mountainside Guest House. At this location the large rooms are shared with six people.

This morning enjoy a traditional Moroccan breakfast comprised of a comforting homemade soup, tea, coffee, and (most importantly) olive oil served with Moroccan bread.

Get involved in preparing this flatbread, otherwise known as 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.

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 600 feet uphill to the Tissardan pass, which offers a fantastic view of the M’Goun Valley. Then descend 900 feet to Issoumar village, where you will spend the night. About 13 miles today.

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 female host and perhaps try wearing traditional dress. This isn’t a performance, but rather a unique opportunity to get involved and be a part of the experience.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation: “Gite”, A mountainside Guest House

Moroccan meal

Berber woman carrying fire wood on his back in High Atlas mountains, Morocco

Hiking Today: Follow the M’Goun River back to Bou Thrar (approximately 5 to 6 hours not much change in elevation, 9.3 miles today).

You’ll most likely see a few farmers going about their daily business along the way.

After lunch, visit a farm 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 the lives of Moroccan families, whose wealth depends on their livestock.

After a long but rewarding day, 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, head out to attend a very special party, imitating a Amazigh wedding.

Make the most of this wonderful event while enjoying dinner with your group.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation: “Gite”, A mountainside Guest House

Women Dancing

Today you will return to Marrakech, but not without a stop at Ait Benhaddou, a beautiful mudbrick ksar.

Retaining its thousand-year-old allure, the UNESCO-protected ksar is southern Moroccan architecture at its finest and has been used as a backdrop famous film such as Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator.

There will be a stop to purchase your lunch.

Once back 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. A passionate and talented cook, this is sure to be a final meal to remember.

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.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Le Ferme Medina (standard room) or similar.

Your Marrakech adventure ends this morning after breakfast at the Riad. Joann Geddes will lead one last morning neighborhood walk.

For those extending their stay or with later departures and interested, we will head to Amal for lunch.

We will coordinate transfers to the airport for those leaving on 11/9.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Is this trip for you?

If you have any health concerns please consult with your physician.
This trip involves walking from 4 to 7 hours on Days 4-7. The terrain may be unstable in places, rocky and hilly. On Day 5 you will need to cross a river and depending on the water levels you may need to roll up your trousers and take your shoes off. On Day 6 we will climb 200 meters uphill to the Tissardan pass, then descend 300 meters.
Other than the stay at the Riad in Marrakech, you will be sharing rooms with other female travelers. On Day 5 there are two big rooms for the group so you may share your room with up to five other travelers. Bathroom facilities are shared, but you can expect a hot shower each evening.
You have an adventurous spirit, curious mind, and caring heart.

Sign Up Now

Deadline is 9/9

Please Register Here

Cost

Total Cost is $2,395 per person signing up as a pair. This includes a double hotel room with two beds for three nights, and group accommodations in guesthouses the other five nights.
If you are a solo traveler wanting your own room in the hotels Day 1, Day 2, and Day 8, the single supplement is: $200. You will be in shared rooms the other days.
If you are a solo traveler wishing to be paired up in a double room with two beds, please let us know.
Transfer to hotel on 11/1 and to airport on 11/9 will be arranged and are included. Transfers on other days are not included.
Tipping is always optional. Tips for loading buses, and at group meals are included. Having $60 to $100 USD equivalent in Moroccan Dirhams is recommended for tips to your local guide and driver. Lewis & Clark Group Facilitator will collect tips at end of trip.
Includes most but not all meals - 8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners.
We highly recommend you purchase traveler’s insurance.

Lewis & Clark Group Facilitator

Joann Geddes

Faculty Emerita Joann Geddes retired from Lewis & Clark after 35 years of service as an instructor and the Director of Academic English Studies. During her tenure she led eight overseas programs including Costa Rica, the former Soviet Union, Argentina/Chile, Kenya/Tanzania, Australia and Vietnam. She accompanied a student overseas program to Morocco in 2017. Joann remains active within the campus community and traveled with the LC Travel group to Madagascar in 2023. She led the LC Travel program to Vietnam in 2024.

Accommodations

Three nights at Le Ferme Medina in Marrakech.

Five nights countryside mountain guesthouses in shared rooms. These may be rooms with two people/ two beds, or as many as six beds with bathrooms down the hallway.