Into The Heart Of Morocco
Where rich local tradition meet women making a difference
In this 8-day experience, we take you into the heart of Morocco filled with beautiful landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see. We’ll meet female artisans, visit Berber communities, and local marketplaces… all while routing for progress and female social empowerment.
You’ll gasp in awe as you walk through an oasis of 500 year old Kasbah ruins, explore the spices and trinkets at local medina’s, hike through red-earth hills and pine forests, and be inspired deep within your soul as you see how local community projects (run by women) are changing and shaping Moroccan culture.
This isn’t your average trip – you will be transported into the local women’s lives. They’ll share stories and their skills with you as we learn, experience, and walk away with a whole new perspective.
We’ll embrace tradition, progress and a pure adventure that’s guaranteed to enrich your spirit.
Who's this trip is for?
Adventurers
We travel off-the-beaten-path to beautiful and breathtaking places
Connectors
Real connection with each other and the communities we meet.
Seekers
Inspirational stories, local culture, heritage crafts, and discovery.
Conscious Travelers
Supporting local economies, artisans and women-lead businesses.
TRIP DURATION
8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS
GROUP SIZE
12
ACCOMMODATION
TWIN SHARE (SINGLE SUPPLEMENT AVAILABLE)
INCLUSIVE OF
7 BREAKFASTS / 6 LUNCHES / 4 DINNERS
THE SIA MONDO ADVENTURE
Sia Mondo is all about connecting with the real woman across the global who love and live in their local communities. Women who are contributing to their communities in profound ways and invite us to be part of it! We get to experience their country from their eyes and their story.
As part of our Moroccan adventure, we’ll dine, learn, and exchange stories from various local women. It’s not about being a spectator but making a heart-to-heart connection that stays with you and enriches your life.
On this trip, the incredible Jenny Lockton of Bohemian Travellers will be our local guide taking us under the radar to explore her 25 years plus of stories untold.
MOROCCO ITINERARY
Marrakech is truly a magical city with its unique fusion of African, Arab, and European influences. You’ll immediately be welcomed by its vibrant colours and beautiful aromas or jasmine and orange blossom. Sip some mint tea as you check into our chosen family riad in the perfect position for exploring. If you arrive early, use this free time to explore the area using the guide to some of our favourite places. Maybe head to a museum, sit in a cafe people watching, or head to the fabulous gardens just minutes away. This evening our welcome dinner is in the most beautiful setting. We dine, chat and get to know each other beneath a canopy of bamboo, and palms, with a menu to match every foodie taste.
After a traditional Moroccan breakfast at the riad, we’ll head out for the day to explore the winding alleyways through the souks of Marrakech’s historical medina. This is not your typical tourist route, but instead, we'll go behind the scenes to meet master artisans who’ll divulge some family secrets. Heritage keepers with stories of old family traditions, and innovative entrepreneurs who are fusing old techniques with the new. Our senses will be heightened with the sounds and scents around us and Jenny will guide us where to shop for the most authentic arts and crafts as we traverse the labyrinthine of alleyways. We’ll stop at our favourite rooftop restaurant for a delightful lunch leaving the rest of the afternoon and evening for you to enjoy and explore some more.
This is a very special day where we are travelling to a Berber (Amazigh) village in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains to meet Saida, a woman breaking away from the traditional role expected of a Berber woman. Traditionally she should be married by now but instead has set up a couple of enterprises to help the local neighbouring women become more self sufficient. She is truly an inspiration as you will see when you meet her. Today we will cook, hike and meet some local women weaving beautiful rugs, blankets and poufs. When we return, the night is yours to enjoy...
After breakfast we drive from Marrakech crossing the High Atlas Mountains, through the Draa Valley to Tamnougalte, stopping en route at a women's Argan Oil cooperative to learn the process of making this magical anti-aging oil. First we crack open the nut to reveal the tiny kernel. We then grind the kernels to separate the oil, some which is used cosmetically, some culinary and brown sticky residue is used to make soap. Our accommodation this evening is in a 500 year old earth built Kasbah. Late afternoon we take a walk through the oasis where we’ll learn the old art of basket weaving. After a rooftop dinner we are invited to experience a local magical musical show - Totally memorising!
Today we are in for a crafty treat as we experience a day in the life of a local woman. We spend the morning in the home of a master rug weaver. Boucherouite rugs are made using the traditional knotting and weaving techniques that have been part of the Moroccan textile tradition for hundreds of years. We will be using sheep's wool and shown the whole process of naturally dyeing and drying the wools before they are cut into exact pieces for the knotting process. After lunch we will be learning the art of henna tattooing. The different kinds of henna, the meanings of the symbols and when and why women use it. We will then have the chance to have our very own design specially created for us. Tonight is our last night in the Kasbah to enjoy this magical part of Morocco not many people (even Moroccans) know about!.
Before leaving for Marrakech, we visit a local souk. Much smaller than in Marrakech but just as exciting. Stand in awe at the mounds of different coloured spices, sample some of the fresh fruit and vegetables for sale, and look at some of the handmade crafts straight from the homes of the local villagers. Then it's back across the High Atlas Mountains through Tizi n’Tichka, the highest mountain pass in North Africa, reaching our riad late in the afternoon. The evening is yours to explore, with of course many recommendations from ourselves.
Whether you think you’re creative or not, pottery seems to bring out a hidden expression deep inside of you, and rather than trying to perfect your design, something magical just seems to happen with your hands and they produce something unique and interesting. Today we'll be having an exciting pottery lesson with my favourite pottery teacher. Afterwards we'll have lunch Lunch at an artist’s gallery in Sidi Ghanem, the up and coming district of workshops, galleries and design stores. The afternoon free to explore, shop, visit the galleries, museums and gardens of Marrakech. We have plenty of recommendations. Tonight we will gather for our last meal together in a special rooftop restaurant to share our many memories together...
This morning, your exotic Morocco adventure comes to an end. Upon arrival to Marrakech International Airport, here we say goodbye until next time. We hope your Moroccan experience has been an unforgettable one and you return home feeling transformed, full of stories, memories and a group of new friends.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Ancient medina walk focusing on traditional crafts
- Rooftop dinner with traditional tribal music
- Henna tattooing in a local earth built home
- Pottery workshop
- Hiking in the foothills of The Atlas Mountains
- Tajine lesson with a local Berber women
- Delve into the history and uses of Argon Oil
- Mat weaving & rug knotting in a local woman's home
- Wake up in a 500 year old Kasbah
MEET YOUR GUIDE
JENNY LOCKTON
Jenny is the founder and creative director of Bohemia Design and has been working in Morocco for the past 25 years. The mission of Bohemia is to support the ethical production of artisanal crafts, and Jenny has developed an extensive network of contacts within the artisan communities.
Her passion is to share her knowledge and invite us to join her in exploring the magical souks, share a workshop and meet some rural communities so we can see the incredible skill that goes into crafting the amazing goods Morocco is so famous for; Its rugs, basketry, leather goods, pottery, metal and woodwork, all still made entirely by hand following the old heritage traditions.
When not guiding a trip, Jenny can usually to be found somewhere deep in the souks sitting in a tiny workshop drinking mint tea with her artisan friends!
PACKAGE INFORMATION
Includes
- Group arrival & departure airport transfers
- 7 Nights Hotel accommodation
- Single supplement available in Marrakech
- 7 Breakfasts / 6 Lunches / 4 Dinners /
- All activities mentioned in itinerary
- Transportation
- Local guides
Excludes
- Flights to/from Marrakesh
- Any visas/ PCR tests required
- Services not mentioned in the itinerary
- Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Drinks with included lunches and dinners
- Expenditure of personal nature
- Travel & Medical Insurance
- Optional activities
Costs
£2100
7 NIGHTS / 8 DAYS
Twin Share - Single supplement available in Marrakech
Departure Dates
16 – 23rd September 2023