Morocco

High School Program

Morocco, a crossroads of cultures set against the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert, captivates with its rich history. Explore this nation’s delicate dance of modernization while cherishing its deep-rooted traditions.

Art, History, & Architecture

Morocco’s cultural tapestry has evolved from Berber, Arab, and European roots. Influenced by Islamization during the Idrisid dynasty, Moorish exiles from Spain, and also by France who occupied Morocco in 1912. It’s easy to identify a Moroccan-style: arched doorways, arabesque motifs, rich colors, and geometric-patterned tiles. With all these mixing cultures, the art and architecture in Morocco paints a story of its rich history. Explore the country’s diverse regions while unpacking how cultures have both clashed and cooperated over the centuries to form Morocco’s identity.


About Morocco

Sitting at the northwest corner of Africa along the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, the Kingdom of Morocco inspires travelers with its diverse landscapes. From the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains to the towering sand dunes of the Sahara Desert, Morocco is influenced by its geography and positioning as a trading nation. Morocco’s cultural tapestry has evolved from Berber, Arab, and European roots. Explore the country’s diverse regions while unpacking how cultures have both clashed and cooperated over the centuries to form Morocco’s identity. Although the country is rapidly modernizing, discover what it means for Morocco to retain much of its history, admiring uniquely colorful architecture, participating in camel treks, joining locals for afternoon tea, and strolling the winding paths of its medinas.

Theme alternatives

Fully customizable authentic experiences

At Insight, our program itineraries are as unique as your students. All our program itineraries are customized with teacher chaperones to ensure that it meets the needs of your students.

With the support of a variety of local vendors and NGO’s, we promise that your students will get an authentic, local experience.

What's included

All our trips include:

Program highlights

  • Visit the largest functioning mosque in Africa and the 7th largest in the world. Hassan II Mosque.
      
  • Try your hand at Moroccan pottery and cuisine. Get your hands dirty with local artisans to learn about local art and cooking techniques.

  • Visit the large sea of giant, wind-blown sand dunes known as Erg Chebbi, a unique and mesmerizing environment that can be explored on a walk, a camel, or a sandboard.

  • Admire the earthen clay architecture of Aït Benhaddou on a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

How it works

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Want to take your students outside the classroom? Review our program locations and suggested themes.

Connect with one of our High School Educators who will help custom design your program.

With our assistance, submit required paperwork and details to your Administration and School Board.

Announce the trip to your students! (We’ll provide all the materials you need).

Invite us to your school to host a Student & Parent Info Night! We will be there to answer questions and support student sign-up!

Sample Itinerary

  • Travel to Casablanca, Morocco.
  • Welcome to Morocco! Dubbed as the white city of Morocco, Casablanca’s French colonial legacy is seen in its downtown Mauresque architecture, a blend of Moorish style and European art deco. Take a guided city tour. Visit the Hassan II Mosque, the largest functioning mosque in Africa and is the 7th largest in the world. Later, drive to Marrakech and end the day visiting Jemaa el-Fna, a large square in the medina.
  • Visit the Jardin Majorelle botanical garden, Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace, and Arab bazaars known as souks. Later, get your hands dirty with local artisans at a pottery workshop and then take a cooking class to learn about local cuisine.
  • Drive across the Atlas Mountains. Stop for lunch at Aït Benhaddou, a historic ksar along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. Take a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, a unique example of earthen clay architecture. Then continue onto Ouarzazate. Visit its famous film studio  and the 18th century fort, Taourirt Kasbah.
  • Set out for a guided tour of the film studios of Ouarzarzate, famous for films such as Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, and more. Continue toward the desert. Along the way, visit the Valley of the Roses and Dades Gorge. As the sun begins to cool, head to Tizgui, a remote cliffside village in Todra Gorge. Visit a local cooperative. Learn to make Berber rugs and traditional mint tea.
  • Travel to Merzouga and the Sahara Desert. The large sea of giant, wind-blown sand dunes known as Erg Chebbi is a unique and mesmerizing environment that can be explored on a walk, a camel, or a sandboard. The lack of light pollution also makes it a spectacular spot for stargazing at your desert camp.
  • Wake up early to watch the orange sand come to life as the sun rises over the dunes. After breakfast, settle in for a long drive to Fes. Enjoy views of the Ziz Valley along the way.
  • Welcome to Morocco’s cultural capital, Fes. Take a city tour. Visit Fes El Bali, its walled medina with medieval Marinid architecture, vibrant bazaars, and old-world atmosphere.  See the grand mosque Fes el-Jdid and the dazzling exterior of the royal palace. Enjoy a rooftop dinner with sunset views on your last night in Morocco.

Begin your journey home.

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