GUIDE MOROCCO SUMMER 2019 14 DAYS
WHERE ARE YOU GOING? MOROCCO Discover the blazing colours and enticing aromas of Marrakech; a crossroads for travellers and traders for centuries where souks and bazaars offer a continent s worth of riches. Step out of this vibrant world and get your boots dusty as you head out to the silent desert wilderness of the Atlas Mountains. Your Gold DofE trek follows ancient trails that cross high ridges and pass through traditional villages. Morocco is a land of guaranteed adventure! The purpose of this brief is to introduce your expedition opportunity. It will give you a feel for the destination and the type of activities that you will be involved in. We hope this brief snapshot will leave you feeling inspired and wanting more! HIGHLIGHTS Attempt your DofE trek in the Atlas Mountains Relax in the coastal town of Essaouira Explore the winding streets of Marrakech WHAT IT S LIKE... PHYSICAL RATING: Moderately challenging expedition. CULTURE SHOCK: A definite difference to what you are used to! ALTITUDE: The team will not exceed 3500m. VISA: Not required for British nationals* * Please note requirements may change DESTINATION FACTS RELIGION/S: Islam. CULTURAL OR HISTORICAL INTEREST: Morocco is an ethnically diverse country with a rich, varied history due to its unique geographical location. LANGUAGES: Arabic, Berber, French, Spanish. GEOGRAPHY: Mountainous desert interior with forests and fertile plains in the Mediterranean north. CLIMATE: Hot and dry in the summer, comfortably warm in the winter. Cooler at the coast.
WHAT IS AN? Expeditions are a life-changing experience, a chance for young people to go on a fun and educational journey with their friends. Most expedition destinations are in developing countries, allowing students to not only experience stunning parts of the world but also witness a very different way of life, often with the chance to immerse themselves in the culture through project work. HOW IT WORKS... EXPEDITION TIMELINE 1 2 3 4 5 EXPEDITION LAUNCH ITINERARY DEVELOPMENT FUNDRAISING LEADER MEETING EXPEDITION TRAINING FINAL PREPARATION FUNDRAISING Our expeditions are made up of four main phases; acclimatisation, trekking, project and rest & relaxation. During the build-up we put students in the driving seat, allowing them to finalise their itinerary alongside our experts. Acclimatisation Arrive in country and spend some time getting used to the new culture whilst planning your next phase and changing currency. Trekking You may take part in a trek doing either a cultural trek through villages or an attempt to summit a nearby mountain! Project Dedicate some time to helping on a project - either community or environmental based, often working with local people. R&R Enjoy some R&R! This could involve a few days on a beautiful beach, reflecting on your expedition or an adrenaline adventure.
EXAMPLE ITINERARY The below itinerary has been created by our Destination Managers as an example of what you may choose to do on expedition. DAY 1-2 DAY 3 DAY 4-7 DAY 8-10 DAY 11-12 DAY 13-14 Depart the UK and arrive in Marrakech. Spend the evening acclimatising to the sights, sounds and smells of this vibrant ancient city. Explore the maze of souks and try some of the local delicacies as well as making preparations for your trek in the Atlas Mountains. Travel from bustling Marrakech to the village of Aroumd in the Toubkal National Park. Spend the day refreshing your skills ahead of your DofE trek whilst acclimatising to the altitude. Over the next four days you will complete your Gold DofE assessment, under the assessment of the Leader Team. You will be totally self-sufficient carrying all necessary equipment, camping, cooking on stoves and planning your own route. Travel to the Avon Academy project and spend the next few days working on initiatives aimed at improving the social conditions for the local people. Catch your transport to Essaouira, on the west coast of Morocco. Essaouira is known for its fortified walls, fishing harbour and seagulls soaring over the town. Take a camel trek through the dunes for a uniquely Moroccan experience. Spend your last day venturing even deeper into the sprawling souks, barter for those last minute souvenirs and enjoy a celebratory meal as a team before leaving for the UK. Due to the changing nature of the world over the build up period, Outlook may be required to change aspects of, or the order of the itinerary. Outlook will consult with the Link Teacher/Group Leader and all participants if this is the case.
ADVENTURE At the Itinerary Development Session, with guidance from one of our destination experts, the team will be able to choose from options to finalise their itinerary. The choices may include the project they work with, the challenge level and type of trek and where they go for some rest and relaxation! Experience a once in a lifetime opportunity and complete the Expedition section of your Gold DofE Award in the rugged mountains of Morocco! Toubkal National Park offers the perfect location; you will be trekking in remote locations surrounded by 4,000m peaks! Pass through the ancient villages that dot the valley floors whilst on the lookout for wildlife including golden eagles and mountain goats. Our itinerary has been carefully chosen to ensure you meet all of the 20 conditions set by the DofE, in the spectacular Atlas Mountains. Your trek will take you through the more remote valleys of the Toubkal National Park, and you will camp each night in amazing locations. PROJECT Avon Academy is situated in one of the poorer quarters of the city. Their aim is to provide foreign language lessons to children from disadvantaged backgrounds as well as to foster the cross-cultural understanding between young people. Moroccan public schools only offer three years of English to students aged 14 and above. This leaves students with only a basic grasp of English and limited opportunity to pursue further education or higher paid work in the future. During the Moroccan term time (September to July) assistance can be given to classes in the Academy. These can be in the form of prepared lessons, organised games, workshops, or drama. At other times of the year our teams have assisted local people on sustainable projects, such as working with the community to build much needed toilets and drainage ditches, as well as spending time with local families and undertaking cultural exchange through dance and cooking workshops. The team will carry their own equipment and cook for themselves. The Leader Team will have support of mules and guides to aid them with remote supervision of the DofE team. After completing your DofE trek it s time to relax and celebrate your success! Travel to the coastal town of Essaouira where you can enjoy the beach, take a camel ride through the dunes and spend time exploring the colonial Portuguese architecture. Finally, head back inland to enjoy the sights and sounds of Marrakech. The bustling Djeema el Fna Square hosts an array of stalls offering everything including jewellery, clothes, flying carpets and an endless wealth of flaming food stalls. You may even find the odd snake charmer or two - all under the beaming Saharan sunshine.
WHAT S INCLUDED? UK BUILD UP* Itinerary Development Session. Expedition Leader Meeting. Final Preparation Day. TRAINING Expedition Training event in the UK with your Expedition Leader. LINK TEACHER TRAINING Leader Team Training (first aid as required). LEADER TEAM COMPOSITION 2 Link Teachers and an Outlook Expedition Leader. FLIGHTS International flight. INSURANCE Comprehensive overseas medical insurance. TRANSPORT All overseas transport. IN DESTINATION All food and accommodation. All group activities including any entrance fees. All rest and relaxation activity. WHAT S NOT INCLUDED? Spending money for gifts / souvenirs whilst on expedition. Inoculations, prophylaxis and personal medicine. (All participants based in England and Wales receive 10% discount at Nomad Travel). Visas and passports please refer to page 3 to see if a visa is required. Personal belongings insurance (this may be covered by your household / contents insurance). Loss of passport. Cancellation insurance (contact our Customer Service Team for more information). Personal equipment (e.g. rucksack, sleeping bag, waterproof clothing); all participants receive 15% discount at Cotswold Outdoor. Transport to and from UK-based training courses, to the Final Preparation Day venue and from the airport. Food and accommodation in the UK, unless specified.
HOW TO LAUNCH YOUR To launch all you need to do is follow these steps: 1. CONTACT YOUR REGIONAL MANAGER 2. BOOK A PRESENTATION AT YOUR SCHOOL 3. STUDENTS APPLY ONLINE I am exceptionally pleased with the support and guidance Outlook provide before our expedition. - Link Teacher phone 01248 667 250 email INFO@OUTLOOKEXPEDITIONS.COM online WWW.OUTLOOKEXPEDITIONS.COM