Global Fund for Women: Champions Morocco Trip
NOVEMBER 13 – 20, 2022
Join Global Fund for Women for an extraordinary learning journey to Morocco! During this unique trip, you will gain inspiration and insight from amazing women leaders fighting to ensure equality, sustainability, and justice in their communities and around the world. You will visit Global Fund for Women’s grantee partners and meet women who are fighting for women’s and girl’s rights, changing laws and policies, and shaping the future.
Throughout the journey, you will have opportunities to have deep dives with your fellow travelers and Global Fund for Women’s grantee partners, staff and leadership to envision a better future for all women and girls globally. Local guides and translators will facilitate a smooth journey and provide insight into the day-to-day lives of the people you will meet.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Immerse yourself in the Morocco’s unique blend of Arabic and Berber traditions as you experience Moroccan culture through a traditional cooking class, shopping in traditional souks, live entertainment and street theater, incredible art and architecture, and beautiful lodging and spas.
- Visit the diverse landscapes of Rabat, Marrakesh, and the Atlas Mountains. The beautiful country is characterized by varied landscapes of mountains, coast and dessert. You will see them all during this journey!
- Discover Morocco’s history through tours of historical sites, conversations with local leaders, and the deep knowledge of Global Fund for Women’s staff and network.
- Meet Global Fund for Women partner organizations working on the front lines for women’s rights in their communities and the region.
ITINERARY:
Sunday, November 13: Arrivals
Marhaba! This is the traditional greeting used in Morocco to mean a warm “hello and welcome!”
On arrival in Rabat, you will be met by a representative of the airport where special arrangements have been made for you to pass through immigration and clear customs. Afterwards, you will be escorted to meet your driver who will drive you to your hotel in Rabat, where you’ll start your unforgettable visit to Morocco with Global Fund for Women.
For those that have arrived early, an optional tour of Rabat will be offered in the afternoon. Visit the 12th Century Hassan Tower and the Oudaya Kasbah, built on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
In the evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner to kick off your journey and begin diving in to the Moroccan culture and context.
Overnight in Rabat: Riad Dar El Kebira and Dar El Kebira Salam
Meals: D
Monday, November 14: Rabat
After breakfast as a group, visit with the Association Démocratique des Femmes du Maroc (ADFM) to learn about their experience advocating for women’s rights.
Enjoy a lunch in the city and then return to the hotel for a meeting with the Union de l’Action Féministe Section de Tanger.
Spend the afternoon partaking in an activity of your choice. Options include: Visit the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, enjoy a Hammam at the Riad (for those of you who pre-booked), or relax at the hotel. The museum is a great introduction to Moroccan history and contemporary Moroccan artists.
Tonight’s dinner will be at the Riad where you will be joined by one of GFW’s grantee partners, Nassawiyat, who will have a short presentation.
Overnight in Rabat: Riad Dar El Kebira and Dar El Kebira Salam
Meals: B,L,D
Tuesday, November 15: Rabat to Meknes and El Hajeb
After breakfast you will set out on a full day of site visits. The first site visit of the day will be at the Association Amal Pour la Femme et le Développement (AAFD) – El Hajeb. Meet those who are the backbone of the organization and see what the different centers provide beneficiaries with and how their programs grew to more than simple programmatic activities.
Eat lunch at Chateau Roslane, a Moroccan winery. Then, transfer to the Association Initiatives pour la Promotion des Droits Meknes for an afternoon site visit and find out what the organization represents to the beneficiaries in Meknes through photos and videos of their work and engaging with their team and beneficiaries.
Meknes; is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Morocco’s great Imperial Cities. In Meknes, the impressive monuments recall the splendor of a city first built in the 17th century by the powerful sultan Moulay Ismail to rival the court of his contemporary, Louis XIV of France. The city walls of Meknes stretch for 25 kilometers interspersed with ceremonial fortress-style and utilitarian gates.
Travel back to Rabat, arrive to your Riad and refresh before walking to dinner at Dinarjat Restaurant.
Overnight in Rabat: Riad Dar El Kebira and Dar El Kebira Salam
Meals: B,L,D
Wednesday, November 16: Travel to Marrakech
After breakfast at the Riad, you will depart to Marrakech along the highway. The drive is about 4 hours and you will have stops along the way. One of the stops will include a visit to YTTO in Casablanca.
Marrakech is known as the Pearl of the South, City of Palms, The Red City – just a few of the nicknames it has acquired over the years. Part Berber, part Arab and part African, Marrakech is the heartbeat of Morocco where palaces and monuments of unrivaled refinement sit calmly alongside snake charmers and Gnaoua drums, pulsing constantly from Djemâa el Fna Square – the most exuberant marketplace in the world. The city is also home to luxury hotels, sophisticated bars and exotic restaurants.
Arrive to your hotel in the early afternoon, check-in and time at your leisure before dinner at the hotel. Optional activities include: tour of the Medersa Ben Youssef and Dar El Bacha Museum, shop in the Marrakech Medina, enjoy a Hammam at the Lotus Spa (prebook, limited availability), or relax at the hotel.
Formally the private residence of Thami El Glaoui (who ruled over Marrakech from 1912 to 1956), the Dar El Bacha Palace has historically hosted magnificent celebrations and receptions in the presence of the Greats of this world, including Winston Churchill and Jacques Majorelle. After several years of heavy rehabilitation work, the palace was reopened by his Majesty King Mohamed VI in 2017. The colorful, geometric tiles, painted ceilings and carved cedar-wood are an exhibition on their own, but the palace also boasts an area for the Art of Islam, an international collection of Patty Cadby Birch that represents the four continents as well as a private, temporary, exhibition space.
Overnight in Marrakech: Naoura Barrière
Meals: B,L,D
Thursday, November 17: Marrakech
Today’s activities will be scheduled around your visits with Global Fund for Women’s local partners.
This morning, you are invited to an amazing Moroccan cooking workshop. Roll up your sleeves and take part in the preparation of today’s lunch. Following the chef’s instructions, learn the secrets of the savory Moroccan cuisine. First step you are shown how Moroccan bread is made. Then, you will participate in a Moroccan tea ceremony. Next, work at your own workstation alongside the Dada to prepare a delicious Moroccan meal including salad, main course, and dessert (demonstration). Dine on the mouth-watering lunch you’ve prepared.
Walk back to the hotel and refresh before transferring to Association el amane pour femme et enfant – Marrakech for an afternoon site visit.
From here enjoy a fascinating walk in the beating heart of Marrakech “The Medina”, far from the touristy areas, your guide will take you to the real Moroccan life amid the neighborhoods, where “Marrakchis” still leave in simplicity. The Medina of Marrakech is one of the largest Medina in Morocco and the most populated in North Africa. Walk through the Labyrinth of Souks, this maze of colorful alleys and small squares is home to a bewildering number of stalls and ateliers. Every section of the souk has its own specialty, with alleys devoted to everything from spices and ironwork to the ingredients necessary for casting magic spells. This is your opportunity to enjoy some shopping and purchase your Moroccan souvenirs & gifts.
Emerging, you find yourself in the famous Jamaa el Fna, the city’s main square. No one is really certain how it came into being, but over the years the square has become the beating heart of Marrakech, where fire eaters, mime artists, snake charmers and street musicians perform at every turn.
End the evening with dinner at Terrace Des Epices in the Medina and then walk back to the hotel. Note: The restaurant’s dress code is casual chic.
Overnight in Marrakech: Naoura Barrière
Meals: B,L,D
Friday, November 18: Travel to Ouarzazate
Today you will depart early and travel overland to Ouarzazate, which is approximately a 5 hour drive, not including stops.
Ouarzazate was once a stopping point for African traders en route to the cities of Morocco and Europe. You will pay a visit to the Todra Gorges and the even more impressive, picturesque oases that they hide. Travel through the southern slopes of the High Atlas range, following the Dades Valley and passing flourishing crops, irrigation canals and palm trees. Following the 1000 Kasbahs road, you will marvel at the breath-taking vistas of impressive, ancient Kasbahs nestled in lush palm groves.
Cross the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, the highest in the region at a height of 2,260 meters (7,415 feet) and stop to marvel at the panoramic views. As your journey continues, take note of the picturesque villages, passing by travelers going from one village to the next on foot. Admire the lush green eucalyptus trees, contrasting the red hue of the rocky hills. Notice the exotic smell of chwaya (grilled meat) and Berber tagines, beautifully displayed with a tomato on the top.
On route, visit one of the most spectacular Atlas Mountains’ villages; Aït Benhaddou. The village has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Some of the world’s most decorative Kasbahs are found here, with houses seeming to defy gravity as they cling to the steep slopes. The town and surrounding area are also a note-worthy film-making location, with Morocco’s biggest studios inviting many international film companies to shoot their films, such as Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Star Wars (1977), The Living Daylights (1987), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000) and Martin Scorsese’s Kundun (1997).
Overnight in Ouarzazate: Le Berbere Palace
Meals: B,L,D
Saturday, November 19: Atlas Mountains (Ouarzazate)
Today, discover Ouarzazate and its region and Global Fund for Women’s partners in the Atlas Mountains. First, visit the Fédération ligues Droits des Femmes de Ouarzazate to learn about their community work.
Go back to the hotel for lunch and then depart for Toundoute, approximately a 2 hour drive, for a visit with the Association de Solidarité des Femmes pour le Développement SOCIAL.
It time allows, your sightseeing includes visits to the Glaoui Kasbahs; Tifoultout and Aït Benhaddou. The Glaoui brothers were the most powerful tribal leaders at the turn of the century. First visit the Kasbah of Tifoultout which lies about three miles north of Ouarzazate. This beautiful structure was originally constructed approximately 250 years ago and has since been very tastefully converted into an inn which offers its guests a splendid view across the valley of the Oued Ouarzazate and the Jebel Sarhro.
Close out your week with a Farewell Dinner at Kasbah Tifoultout.
Overnight in Ouarzazate: Le Berbere Palace
Meals: B,L,D
Sunday, November 20: Departures
Depart from Ouarzazate (OZZ) today either for your international departures or continued travel in Morocco. Please see the Pre-departure Information tab for more information on booking your flights.
