Morocco small group voluntourism trip (sorry the pretty pictures can make it slow to load)

Your Moroccan Adventure That Counts 10 days / 9 nights (11th January, 12th April & 1st November, 2014) Price per person US$4,470*

Overview

Day 1: (-,-,D)

On the surface this arid country would appear to have difficulty sustaining life, but the minute you land you’ll get a whiff of the energy that made Marrakech a major centre of a once culturally and politically dominant nation.

MARRAKECH Upon arrival at Marrakech airport you are met by your local English speaking guide and transferred to your charming riad Dar Silsila.

Trade has always been the lifeblood of Marrakech and trading is what the locals love to do. Enter one of the souks and lose yourself in a rabbit warren of delights. Flood your senses with the sweet scent of spices, the cacophony of people bartering for goods and the myriad of colors.

The warm and passionate Berber people will welcome you to their village in the stunning Atlas Mountains. Life in these mountains is hard, and the whole community appreciates your generosity in wanting to give back and improve the opportunities their children will have in life. They may not have much, but their generosity of spirit will transform your experience in Morocco from that of a tourist to that of a friend.

The final leg of your adventure will see you emerge from the earthen muted tones of the mountains into a burst of lush green and vivid blue, as you enter the sleepy white washed town of Essaouira, on the beach. A wonderful place to relax and reflect on your time in this varied country.

A riad is a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden or courtyard. The inward focus of the building, with a central garden, provides protection from the weather and caters to Islamic notions of privacy for women.

Your welcome dinner is in a restaurant near the Djeema el Fna, Marrakech’s magical main square that comes to life at night. Snake charmers, musicians, and acrobats fill it with a cacophony of drumbeats and excited shouts. Scores of stalls sell a wide array of Moroccan fare, and the fresh orange juice is fantastic. Enjoy the various live performances, but be prepared to give some dirhams to watch.

Day 2: (B,-,D) MARRAKECH After breakfast, enjoy a full day tour in this enchanting city. Known as the "Ochre City", Marrakech is the most important former imperial city in Morocco's history. Marrakech is the capital of the mid-southwestern economic region of Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz and is situated near the foothills of the snowcapped Atlas Mountains.

Today it is the fourth largest city in Morocco.

Founded in 1062 and once the most important of the former imperial cities, Marrakech boasts several noteworthy historical and architectural sites as well as some fascinating museums.

In the souks just adjacent to Place Djemaa El-Fna, you can buy almost anything. From spices to shoes, jellabas to kaftans, tea pots to tagine dishes and much, much more.

Undoubtedly, being a foreigner means you will end up paying slightly higher prices than a native would, but make sure you bargain nonetheless. It is after all a a ‘game’ designed so that everyone feels like they got a good deal and very much part of the fun.

If you happen to run out of dirhams, you will also find plenty of people in the souks who will eagerly exchange your dollars or euros (though a fair rate here is less likely than at an official exchange). All that said, the sellers here are much less pushy than say, Egypt or Turkey, so enjoy!

Koutoubia Mosque, right besides Djemaa El-Fna, is named after the booksellers market that used to be located here. It is said that the minaret of the Koutoubia mosque is to Marrakech what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. The minaret is visible from Gueliz which is connected to the Médina by Avenue Mohammed V. At night, the mosque is beautifully lit.

Like many Moroccan cities, the city of Marrakech comprises both an old fortified city (the medina) and modern neighborhoods.

Marrakech houses the largest souk (covered market) in Morocco. These vibrant souks are a fabulous place to while away the time, people watch and practice your bartering skills.

There is much to see and do in Marrakech. An entire day could be dedicated to just wandering around all the different souks, seeking out the best bargains and gaining a feel for this colorful city.

The Saadian Tombs were not discovered until the beginning of the 20th century and they have been perfectly preserved. You’ll be transported back to the glory days of the Saadian rulers. Unlike the El Badi Palace, they were not destroyed, probably for superstitious reasons. The entrance was blocked so they remained untouched for hundreds of years.

Inside you will notice an abundance of Zelij (Moroccan tiles) and other beautiful decorations.

It doesn't take a lot of time to explore, but it is definitely worth the visit. While here, look for the tombs of Jews and Christians; they are noted by their different markings and direction of the tomb.

The Majorelle Gardens provide an excellent respite from the hustle and bustle of the city streets. The park boasts a collection of plants from across the globe, including what appears like every cactus species on the planet. The Museum of Islamic Art (additional entrance fee) is also situated in the gardens.

Dar Si SaĂŻd Museum, on Rue Riad Zitoun Jdid, is located 5 mins away from Djemaa El-Fna. Set in an old palace, it houses Moroccan artifacts, such as wood carvings, musical instruments, and weapons, along with carpets, clothing, pottery and ceramics. These artifacts are all regional. They come from Marrakech and the southern regions, especially common are objects from Tensift, High Atlas, Soussthe, Anti Atlas, Bani, and Tafilal.

The Ben Youssef Madrassa is one of the largest islamic colleges in North Africa. It is attached to the Ben Youssef Mosque and is adorned with beautiful art and architecture.

The charming and ornate El Bahia Palace was once considered the finest in Morocco and is popular with both tourists and stray cats. The palace will let you feel what it must have been like to be a 19th century nobleman in Morocco. There is a peaceful garden with open courtyards steeped in banana flowers, and other lovely plants.

The ruins of the El Badi Palace are now a refuge for storks and the ever present stray cats.

However, there are some fun underground passageways to explore and the view from the terrace is majestic.

The Menara gardens, located west of the city, consist of a mixture of orchards and olive groves surrounding a central pavilion. The pavilion was built during the 16th century Saadi dynasty, and renovated in 1869. It has a small café where you can enjoy some of the ubiquitous mint tea.

Overnight stay at your riad Dar Silsila

Day 3: (B,L,D) MARRAKECH -ATLAS MOUNTAINS You have the morning free, to enjoy a spa treatment (extra charge applies), relax or go shopping in the souk.

After lunch, travel to the Atlas Mountains, which stretch across the northwestern of Africa extending about 1,600mi through Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The Berber people make up the majority of the inhabitants of this region. The mountains are home to a number of plant and animal species unique to Africa. Unfortunately many of them are endangered or extinct. If you are very lucky you may spot Barbary Macaque, Barbary Leopard, Barbary stag, Atlas Mountain Badger, Cuvier's Gazelle, Northern Bald Ibis, Dippers, the Atlas mountain viper.

Here in the foothills you will be welcomed by the local community you will be helping, before checking-in to your hotel.

Dinner is at your hotel Oliveraie de Marigha.

Day 4-6:

(B,L,D)

GIVING BACK IN THE COMMUNITY The next three days you will be immersed in a Berber community. Enjoy your time working alongside locals constructing the very first library for this small community school and leave with memories that will endure long after you have returned home.

Books still play a vital role in the education of the children in this impoverished region, especially as they lack access to reliable internet connection.

The library will give the local children the opportunity to learn more and help to grow their

prospects. It is thanks to your donation (included in the trip price) and your time working hands-on that their thirst for more information can be realized.

Helping this community is a wonderful way to get to know the local inhabitants, share stories and laughs, gain insights into each others’ way of life and culture. At the same time bond together as a group, as you all pitch in to get the library built.

Day 7:

Your giving back days run from 9am to 4pm each day, with a two hour lunch from 12pm to 2pm.

The route to Imlil winds past the Berber villages of Tahmoute, where locals still use traditional horse and donkey-drawn ploughs, past Ougmadane, with beautiful old kasbahs, and then through the kasbahs of Tamadout.

You have the late afternoons and evenings free to explore this gorgeous area.

Overnight stay at the hotel Oliveraie de Marigha.

(B,-,D)

ATLAS MOUNTAINS-MARRAKECH Today you can get to know the stunning Atlas Mountains better, on a day hike. The excursion begins with a breathtaking drive to the Berber town of Imlil (1,740m, 5,220ft), also called Morocco's 'Little Chamonix', set way up in the Western High Atlas Mountains.

In Imlil enjoy a welcome glass of mint tea or coffee on the river bank prior to setting out along rocky mule tracks. The steady climb takes you

through the Berber village of Tamatert (1,830m, 5,490ft) and up to Tizi n'Tamatert (2,262m, 6,786ft) (around 2 hours).

From this stunning vantage spot you can marvel at the splendid panorama of the peaks and valleys that surround Imlil.

After a rest the trail leads on to the foot of Jebel Aksouâl and on to Ouanskhra (2,100m, 6,300ft) and continues on along the pretty Imenane Valley, in the upper foothills of Oukaïmeden. On your way you’ll pass through the little Berber hamlets of Tamgisste, Tinerhourine and Ikiss (around 2 hours), where you’ll enjoy a well deserved picnic on a river bank surrounded by walnut trees.

After lunch ascend to the Tizi n'Aguensiouâl (1,938m, 5,814ft) and then back down to the Berber village of Aguensiouâl (1,600m, 4,800ft) where your vehicle will be ready to take you over the Tizi n'Techt and back to Marrakech, arriving around seven in the evening.

You have the rest of the evening to explore, perhaps revisiting the delights of Djeema el Fna. Overnight stay at your riad Dar Silsila

Day 8: (B,-,-) MARRAKECH-ESSAOUIRA After breakfast head to the coast. A couple of hours from Marrakech you'll notice that the arid landscape begins to softened to vivid green. A blue stripe of ocean rises above the olive groves on the horizon and the whitewashed city of Essaouira will stand out between the sea and sky.

Essaouira with its harbourfront restaurants, unspoilt sands and wonderfully relaxed pace of life is a breath of fresh air after the bustle of Marrakech. Essaouira has a sleepy subtle beauty.

Battered by the ocean, bleached by the sun and worn smooth by the tides of history, Essaouira is a spectacular place.

Mohammed Ben Abdallah encouraged Moroccan Jews to settle in the town and handle the trade with Europe. Jews once comprised 40% of the population, and the Jewish quarter, or mellah, contains many old synagogues. The town also has a large Jewish cemetery. The city flourished until the caravan trade died, outmoded by direct European trade with sub-Saharan Africa.

The Medina of Essaouira (formerly "Mogador") is a UNESCO World Heritage listed city, as an example of a late 18th century fortified town. Wandering the rat runs of the Medina, you're bound to lose your way and end up in a maze of blind alleys, but you'll have a lot of fun doing it.

The medina is home to many small arts and crafts businesses, notably cabinet making and 'thuya' woodcarving (using roots of the Tetraclinis tree), both of which have been practiced in Essaouira for centuries.

The fishing harbor is small, however the coastal upwelling generated by the powerful trade winds means the catches (sardines, conger eels) are surprisingly abundant and Essaouira remains one of the major fishing harbors of Morocco.

The strong winds that prevail in Essaouira make it ideal for kitesurfing and windsurfing if that is your thing (not suited for beginners).

The nearby town of Diabat is at the other end of Essaouira's beach, and is allegedly where Jimi Hendrix once sojourned. Even if the stories aren't true, this long, windswept beach with its ruined fort is a fantastic walk. Diabat is an empty, concrete Berber village that is practically devoid of attractions except for the Hendrix ruin and a Hendrix Cafe. It's best visited in the early morning by taxi and then return to Essaouira via a short walk on the beach past the “castle in the sand” of Hendrix fame.

Overnight stay at Riad Watier.

Day 9:

(B,-,-)

ESSAOUIRA Spend your last day relaxing and exploring this charming, perfect example of a late 18th century fortified town, with the original cannons still in place.

Overnight stay at Riad Watier

Day 10: (B,-,-) ESSAOUIRA-MARRAKECH Today you are taken back to Marrakech for your flight home (if your flight is before 2pm, please let us know so we can make alternative arrangements for you). If time permits before your flight, you may wish to stop in on the Argan oil vendors en route, and there may even be time to visit the souk for last minute purchases.

TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT: Email bookings@handsupholidays.com with these details: 1.

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Trip Destination: Trip date: Number of people booking: Participant name(s) and email address: Phone number:

You can reserve your trip with payment of 20% deposit, with the balance paid at least 60 days prior to the start of your trip. You can pay your deposit by bank transfer (in US$ or GBP) or by credit card (in GBP only, and a 2% handling fee applies). Please indicate which option you prefer.

All bookings are subject to our usual Terms and Conditions except that any payments you make are fully refundable should we fail to reach the minimum number of participants for your trip within 60 days of your trip start date.

Included

✓ All accommodations in guesthouses (riads) & small hotels ✓ All breakfasts; lunches & dinners where indicated (excluding beverages) ✓ Airport pick up & drop off ✓ Private transport with English-speaking driver throughout ✓ Private tour of Fez ancient Medina (with lunch) ✓ Village visit and meals in local homes ✓ Mountain guides, translators, and project support ✓ Supplies, materials, and tools needed for volunteer project ($200 per person) ✓ Private tour of Marrakech ancient Medina (with lunch) ✓ Tips for guides & drivers ✓ Entrance fees

Not Included

✓ Alcoholic drinks and drinks at mealtime in restaurant, optional visits, spa treatments not mentioned in inclusions, personal expenses (telephone, laundry...) ✓ Personal travel insurance (this is mandatory, but we can help arrange this for you). ✓ Tips for hotel help or porters ✓ Any meals not included in the itinerary ✓ All flight tickets and departure taxes

CONFIRMATIONS: ✓ No services are booked yet. We will process your reservation upon receipt of your reservation request. ✓ We reserve the right to reserve alternative options if the proposed service is not available at the time of booking.

IMPORTANT NOTES: ✓ We require the purchase of travel insurance that covers the cost of emergency medical evacuation for this trip. We recommend World Nomads. Click here to obtain a quote. ✓ Volunteer activities may change from those noted above, depending on the needs of the project.

Key B = Breakfast L = Lunch BL = Boxed Lunch D = Dinner * Price is excludes flights and is based on sharing a room with one other person