Geography Trip to Morocco
A geography school trip to Morocco is an excellent opportunity to experience the magnificent scenery and hospitality of the Maghreb!
With its spectacular landscape, ranging from mountains in the north to desert in the south, as well as an expansive coastline, Morocco is a geographically diverse country. Processes taking place of the course of millions of years have shaped the landscape, from the High Atlas Mountains and the spectacular Todra Gorges, to the ever-changing sands of the Sahara Desert.
Combine the geography and geology with the human influence and explore the wonderful city of Marrakesh with its mosques, souks and palaces. Plus, make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy an authentic taste of the local culture with a traditional meal and show!
Suggested Itinerary (4 days, 3 nights)
Visit the Atlas Mountains
The Atlas Mountains are actually a series of mountain ranges which stretch across more than 2,000km of North Africa, through Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. The mountain range acts as a barrier between the mild Mediterranean climate and the harsh Sahara.
The Atlas Mountains are commonly divided into two main sections – the Tell Atlas, which is the southern section and receives enough rain to grow lush forests, and the southern Saharan Atlas.
The mountains have acted as a barrier, protecting the Berber people from outside influences and allowing them to preserve their own languages, culture and traditions, although most have embraced Islam.
Did you know?
The highest point in the Atlas Mountains is Toukbal in southwestern Morocco, which reaches up to 4,165m.
Visit Ouarzazate
Film buffs and Game of Thrones fans may notice that Ourzazate looks familiar – the town is a popular filming location and has featured in Lawrence of Arabia, The Mummy, Gladiator and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen.
Just to the west of the city is the kasbah town of Aït Benhaddou, which was once on the caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and well worth a visit for those interested in the history of this region.
And still today, the city is a popular base for excursions out into the Sahara Desert. There are dunes, palm groves, rose gardens oases, valleys and gorges all waiting to be explored!
Did you know?
There are two major movie studios here – Atlas Studios is the world’s largest film studio by acreage, showing just how important this town has become in the film industry!
Visit Djemaa El Fna
Djemaa El Fna is a large market square in Marrakesh’s medina and is one of the best places in the city to soak up the atmosphere and experience the local culture.
The square is home to storytellers, fortune tellers, poets, singers and dancers. Although it’s a huge draw among tourists, it’s also still an important gathering place for locals who come to enjoy the entertainment and culture on offer.
And at night this is a great place to enjoy some traditional Moroccan food, with live entertainment from Berber and Gnawa musicians and dancers.
Did you know?
Djemaa El Fna and its importance as a place for cultural exchange and artistic heritage was the inspiration behind UNESCO’s Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity – and it became the first place to gain Masterpiece status.
Day 1
Morning
Flight from UK to Marrakesh Menara Airport, on arrival transfer to hotel
Afternoon
Group to walk to the Medina, Djemaa El Fna and the Souks, followed by an apothecary visit (dependent on time of arrival)
Evening
Evening meal at hotel
Day 2
Morning
Full day excursion to Amizmiz in the lower slopes of the High Atlas, with a stop at the Lalla Takerkoust reservoir to look at large scale water management.
Continue to the Amizmiz countryside to see all aspects of traditional life.
Afternoon
N/A
Evening
Return to hotel in Marrakesh for traditional evening meal
Day 3
Morning
Full-day excursion to Douar Oulad Elguern - group will be welcomed with tea and breakfast before participating in various daily village activities.
Afternoon
N/A
Evening
Return to Marrakesh for evening meal
Day 4
Morning
Transfer to Marrakesh Menara Airport for return flight to the UK
Afternoon
N/A
Evening
N/A
-
3 nights' full-board accommodation
-
Airport taxes and passenger duty at current rates
-
All ground transportation and excursions in resort
-
ATOL protected return flights from the UK
-
Coach transfers in resort
-
Comprehensive travel and medical insurance
-
Detailed information pack
-
Free staff place ratio 1:10
-
Itinerary planning service
-
Vamoos travel app - giving you access to all your trip documents on your phone or tablet
-
VAT at current rates to tour operators
Curriculum Links
A-Level
- Minerals and rocks
- Geomorphic processes
- Geochronology
- Water and carbon cycles
- Characteristics of a distinct ecosystem
- Hot desert systems and landscapes
- Biodiversity: flora and fauna
- Fieldwork
- Earth structure and plate tectonics
- Water security
GCSE
- Characteristics of ecosystems
- Biodiversity: flora and fauna adaptations
- Water and carbon cycles
- Features of drylands and deserts
- Physical processes affecting land formation
- Erosion, transportation and deposition
- Fluvial landforms
- Fieldwork - investigating physical environments
- Characteristics of plate boundaries
- Plate tectonics theory
- Water security
- Resource management
Key Stage 3
- Geological timescales and plate tectonics
- Rocks, weathering and soils
- Weather and climate
Educational activities and visits
Atlas Mountains
Take your students on a full day excursion to the Atlas Mountain Range which stretches from Morocco across northern Africa… Read More
Essaouira
Essaouira, known as the White and Blue City, is situated on the Atlantic coast. It is an easy excursion from… Read More
Majorelle Garden
Designed by the French artist Jacques Majorelle in 1924, during the French colonial period. The garden now houses the Islamic… Read More
Menara Gardens
Set slightly out of town, the Menara gardens offernot only a pleasant escape frombustling Marrakesh, but it is also one… Read More
Ouarzazate
Ouarzazate, otherwise known as the Doorsto the Desert, is a city of different cultures and artistic traditions.The traditional village of… Read More
Cultural activities and visits
Chez Ali Fantasia
The Chez Ali offers a traditional event and dinner including an opportunity to see the Berber folklore, the jugglers performance… Read More
Djemaa el Fna
Located in the medina, this square is a virtual festival of smells, colours, noise and activity, used by locals and… Read More
El Bahia Palace
The Bahia Palace and gardens were built in the late 19th century, intended to be the greatest palace of its… Read More
Accommodation
Hotel Oudaya offers 77 rooms, 15 suites and 3 villas. All rooms have a separate bathroom, telephone, air-conditioning and satellite T.V.Hotel Facilities include 2 restaurants offering both international and Moroccan food, a swimming pool, bar, snack bar, a range of artisan shops, a sauna and hammam.
This apartment hotel is set in a one-hectare garden which features palm trees, bay trees, pomegranates and hibiscus.
The guesthouse is composed of six casbahs, distributed harmoniously around patios and fountains. The air-conditioned design hotel offers 135 rooms in total and welcomes guests in a lobby with 24-hour reception and check-out services, a hotel safe, currency exchange facilities and a newspaper stand.
Further facilities include a TV lounge, kids' club, café, bar, disco and restaurant. Guests may also take advantage of the conference facilities, room and laundry services, and a car park.
Ryad Mogador Marrakech is located in front of the beautiful snow capped Atlas Mountains. It offers easy access to the Medina and Jamaa El Fna, the heart of the city.Ryad Mogador Marrakech boasts 162 comfortable rooms and provides excellent service to ensure guests will have a very pleasant stay. The rooms are equipped with all modern comforts such as a phone, air conditioning, satellite TV and a safe. Each room has an en-suite bathroom.
Supporting you every step of the way
1 Creating Your Perfect Trip
We'll tailor make your school trip to meet your specific requirements
2 Launching your trip to parents and students
Head to our resources section for FREE promotional materials
3 After you've booked
Your dedicated Itinerary Coordinator will work with you on the finer details of your trip
4 While you're away
You'll be able to reach us 24/7 during your trip if you need our help
5 After your trip
Head back to our resources section to continue the learning
Need help?
Zoe Campbell — Tour Advisor
Don’t hesitate to contact me for any advice or further information on how your school trip can be tailored to your requirements.
Operating the trip through Halsbury makes it significantly more straightforward for teachers. If there is any change to itinerary, we know that we're in good hands and that Halsbury will make the changes that are necessary.— Charters School
Your School Trip is Fully Protected
As a fully-accredited school travel company, booking with Halsbury Travel offers you complete peace of mind. Our accreditations are your guarantee that:
- Your school trip will be fully financially protected
- Your group’s safety will be prioritised
- Your trip will be a quality educational experience
Safety prioritised
As an Assured Member of the School Travel Forum (STF) we have an effective Safety Management System in place.
As well as reassuring you that your group's safety will be prioritised at all times, this will also help you to meet your due diligence and reduces the amount of External Provider paperwork required.
Financial protection
Our ABTA bond means all our school trips are financially protected. Plus, all air tours and flights arranged by us are also ATOL protected.
Quality educational experiences
The Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge is your reassurance that Halsbury Travel is committed to offering LOtC activities that are safe and beneficial to learning.