
Morocco
Marrakech & Essaouira: A Look at Local Life in Morocco
Program No. 25189RJ
Explore Morocco’s history, culture and environmental initiatives through firsthand experiences in the cities of Marrakech and Essaouira.
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Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
11 days
10 nights
18 meals
9B 7L 2D
1
In Flight
2
Marrakech
3
Marrakech
4
Marrakech
5
Marrakech
7
Development and Climate Change
Marrakech
9
Cultural & Religious Diversity
Essaouira
10
Marrakech
11
Marrakech
At a Glance
Marrakech and Essaouira — two Moroccan cities, two unique cultural experiences. Explore them both on this exciting adventure that will immerse you in Moroccan history and heritage through firsthand experiences where you’ll grasp the distinct characteristics of the lively, intense Marrakech and the relaxed, serene coastal artistic Essaouira. Discuss local life with university professors and artists and gain their perspectives on crafts, music, architecture, Moroccan identities and much more. Delve into Moroccan culture through musical presentations and sharing a meal with residents of Imlil, a village in the Atlas Mountains. Discover Morocco’s sustainability initiatives and experience eco-friendly approaches to travel such as staying in hotels that use solar energy and learning how eco-tourism can play a role in generating income for women.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Up to 2.5 to 3 hours of walking a day, including time slots of scheduled rests and stops. Many sites involve standing and/or walking on unpaved ground and in excavation sites or ruins. Elevations up to 5,700 ft.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Explore Marrakech’s must-see museums, such as Bahia Palace, Ben Youssef Medersa, the Water Museum and the YSL Museum.
- Participate in the unique musical choreography of Ahwash, an amazing Berber artform combining song, poetic language, percussion and more.
- Interact with and learn from experts about water management, climate change challenges and local sustainability initiatives in Morocco.
Featured Expert
All trip experts

Farah Cherif D'Ouezzan
Farah Cherif D’Ouezzan founded the Center for Cross-Cultural Learning in 1995. She is presently its General Director as well as the President of Thaqafat Association. Her academic interest is in research on comparative religion with a focus on teaching Islam from a cross-cultural perspective. Farah holds a degree in comparative Literature from Mohammed V University in Rabat and a certificate on Women and Gender Issues from the University of Hanover, Germany. She lectures and conducts seminars worldwide and in Morocco for Road Scholar.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Farah Cherif D'Ouezzan
View biography
Farah Cherif D’Ouezzan founded the Center for Cross-Cultural Learning in 1995. She is presently its General Director as well as the President of Thaqafat Association. Her academic interest is in research on comparative religion with a focus on teaching Islam from a cross-cultural perspective. Farah holds a degree in comparative Literature from Mohammed V University in Rabat and a certificate on Women and Gender Issues from the University of Hanover, Germany. She lectures and conducts seminars worldwide and in Morocco for Road Scholar.