Women’s Partnership in Morocco
This is a trip review unlike most trip reviews as I am going to review a trip that I have not been on yet. But this is a time for doing things differently so instead of giving you my trip run down and all the bits I loved I will instead try and give you my hopes, wishes and dreams for this incredible new partnership that we are launching.
Kasbah Du Toubkal- High Atlas Mountains
The background to the launch of Morocco
Our Womens Partnership Series has been one of the most inspiring products I have worked on. It has grown from me talking about the inspiring women I had worked with in Malawi to trips full of incredible women heading to Africa to use their skills and collaborate in person and online to establish flourishing networks of female entrepreneurs. The teams bonded, made lasting friendships, learnt a high amount, conquered great challenges and kept coming back for more. So I have listened and we are starting with this incredible adventure to Morocco. We hope to depart in November 2021 and I will be leading the first team and would love you to join.
Who are our partners
In true Orbis style we believe that linking with the right partners on the ground is the magic to a successful and highly impactful expedition. We have chosen Mike McHugo and his team based from Kasbah Du Toubkal in the High Atlas Mountains. Mike and his team support the work of Education for All, supporting girls to complete their secondary education in this rural region and this inspiring organisation is the purpose behind this trip to Morocco. Find out more about Mike and his team here.
A summary of The Women’s Partnership- Morocco
This expedition has so many highlights and designing it with Mike and his team I felt the tingle start to creep through my veins. Like every great Orbis Impact trip it is brimming with Adventure, Local Travel Highlights and Purpose.
For the first half of your trip your home is the beautifully restored Kasbah Du Toubkal, located within the Imlil Valley, from here you will have a day and overnight trek into the mountains and spend time skill sharing with the students from Education For All and discovering village life. Your expedition finishes with two nights spent in the hustle and bustle of Marrakech to discover the markets, culture, history and incredible food.
Day to Day
Day 1: Arrive and transfer 90 mins to the Imlil Valley, settle into Kasbah Du Toubkal
Day 2: Acclimatise to life in the High Atlas. Walk with a guide from the local area who will introduce you to the beautiful Imlil valley and the Berber people. Kasbah Du Toubkal
Day 3: Day spent at the Education for All houses. Meeting the girls, delivering workshops and learning about this incredible organisation. Stop off at the Tin Mal Mosque. Kasbah Du Toubkal
Day 4: Rise early and trek 4-6 hrs into the Azzanden Valley, stopping on route for a picnic lunch. Overnight at the simple but stunning Azzanden Lodge.
Day 5: Descend back to Kasbah and meet up with the EFA girls for lunch and a walk together as a group. A great chance to build in the relationships from Day 3. Kasbah Du Toubkal
Day 6: Drive 90 mins to Marrakech and check into Riad Les Yeux Bleus for lunch on the terrace. Afternoon guided tour (or explore on your own) of the old Medina and Jmaa el Fna where snake charmers, storytellers, acrobats, medicine men and musicians compete for your attention.
Day 7: Continue exploring the medina or visit the new town Majorelle gardens etc - or just relax and indulge in spa treatments at the riad. To day lunch will be at the individuals expense to allow flexibility of visiting restaurants before our final nights dinner on the roof terrace (weather permitting). Riad Les Yeux Bleus
Day 8: Depart for International Flight
Kasbah Du Toubkal
What I am most excited about
Arriving at Kasbah Du Toubkal and walking the last 15 mins up from the village. The sights, sounds, smells of arriving in a new destination and the start of another adventure.
That first day in the Imlil Valley walking through the village and learning more about the Berber people.
Finding out more about the incredible work of Education For All and spending time with the girls and staff as we work with them to deliver some skill sharing workshops around career development.
Trekking in the High Atlas Mountains and staying at the trekking lodge. I love back to basics and love being outdoors, rising at dawn and getting very most out of the day.
Coming back into Marrakech for the final last few days, shopping at the medina, eating new food, soaking up the culture and indulging in a spa treatment.
