Following our trip to Morocco during half-term with Year 12 (A3) and Year 13 (A2) Geography pupils, Gabriel H has taken pen to paper to capture his memories of the trip, from Marrakesh to the High Atlas and the Sahara Desert…
Gabriel H and Archie M have taken some stunning photos of the landscape of Morocco and we have been showing these on the screens under the Dome. Click here to see Gabriel’s photos and here to see Archie’s.
As we stepped off the plane, the dry heat of the Moroccan sun hit us – a stark contrast to the cold and wet UK. We hastily made our way through airport security and bundled onto a bus, coming face to face with our guide for the trip, a smiley man named Sidu. We then drove across the agricultural plain surrounding Marrakesh and up into the Atlas Mountains, finally coming to a stop at the town/village of Imlil where we stayed the night.
We arose early the next day for a hike. After fuelling ourselves with breakfast, we set off through Imlil. The distinct concrete breeze block style of building quickly became apparent. Mr Deketelaere explained that this was due to the 2023 earthquake, which prompted many people in Morocco to start using concrete and rebar to prevent buildings from collapsing. As we left Imlil behind and gained altitude, small patches of white snow became visible along the trail. This, of course, led to a snowball fight between several of us, with even our local guide getting involved!
After some scrambling and trekking, we arrived at our lunch spot – a boulder field left behind by receding glaciers. The meal consisted of rice, bread, salad, tuna, and, interestingly, ketchup. On our way back to Imlil, we passed more mountainous views and river valleys before arriving at our hotel to relax.
The next morning, we woke early and boarded the bus for a full day of driving. The winding, surprisingly smooth roads made the journey long, but the breathtaking views made up for it. Eventually, we stopped at a roadside restaurant for lunch, where we enjoyed rice, salad, chicken skewers, and bread. After grabbing some snacks and drinks, we got back on the bus for the second leg of the drive.
As we moved from mountain to desert plain, the landscape changed drastically, with the heavy cloud cover dissipating almost completely. In the distance, we spotted a vast solar farm, its panels glinting under the midday sun. Later, we arrived at Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and filming location for movies and TV shows such as Gladiator 1 and 2, Game of Thrones, Lawrence of Arabia, Outer Banks, and Christopher Nolan’s upcoming Odyssey (which filmed a battle scene there only a few days after we left Morocco). We spent about an hour exploring the ancient, crumbling streets and learning about the location’s history.
After this, we got back on the bus for our final drive of the day to Quarzazate, where we stayed the night.
The next morning, we hit the road once again and our journey took us along the Draa Valley, a region known for its palm groves and oases. Upon reaching Zagora, we locked away our big bags in the storage room of a hotel, and with just small overnight rucksacks, we got back on the bus for the next leg of the journey.
We were dropped off in the desert, where we were met by camels ready to take us to our camp for the night. The ride was long and a little uncomfortable, but after two hours or so, we reached the camp just in time to watch an incredible sunset over the desert. That night, we slept under the stars in our sleeping bags – an unforgettable experience despite the cold temperatures.
A small group of us woke extra early the next morning and hiked up an impossibly loose and sandy slope to a large, rocky outcrop. From there, we watched the sunrise over the Sahara. For me, this was probably the highlight of the entire trip – it’s hard to find the words to do such a spectacular view justice!
We then headed back to camp, packed up, and had breakfast, followed by another camel ride back to the starting point where the bus was waiting for us. After returning to the hotel in Zagora and cleaning up, we took a short drive to Tamegroute to visit a pottery cooperative, where several family businesses work together to produce traditional Moroccan earthenware. We were given a tour of their production line, seeing every part of the process – from the mixing of clay and water to the kilns and the wholesale shop.
From there, we continued to the village of Tinfou, where we learnt about the process of desertification and the local efforts to prevent it. This was followed by a climb up a giant barchan sand dune, where we all ended up thoroughly coated in sand. Upon returning to our hotel in Zagora, most of us spent the afternoon laying by the pool in the shade.
We woke up early the next morning for one final bus ride back to Marrakesh. The journey was long but familiar, and we made a stop at the same roadside restaurant we had visited before. It was a chance to refuel with some food and stretch our legs before the final leg of the trip. As we got closer to Marrakesh, the landscape gradually shifted, with the arid countryside giving way to the city’s bustling outskirts.
Once we arrived, we had the evening free to explore the souks. The market was a maze of narrow alleyways packed with stalls selling everything from colourful spices and handwoven textiles to leather goods and even exotic pets. The scent of herbs and freshly cooked street food filled the air, while the sounds of bargaining echoed around us. We passed musicians and snake charmers performing for crowds, adding to the lively, chaotic atmosphere.
The next morning, we set out again, continuing through the labyrinth of winding streets. We watched local artisans at work – some hammering metal into intricate designs, others dyeing fabric in bold, vivid colours. Eventually, we made our way to a large leather tannery, where the pungent smell of raw hides hit us immediately. We were handed sprigs of fresh mint to hold under our noses, which only partially masked the stench. It was fascinating to see the traditional process in action despite the smell.
After the tannery tour, we returned to the hotel, packed up our bags and boarded the bus to the airport. At the terminal, we had some time to kill, so we grabbed snacks and wandered around before boarding. The flight home to the UK was uneventful, and before long, we were back on familiar soil – tired but filled with memories of Morocco’s vibrant souks, sprawling mountain valleys, and open desert plains. It was certainly a trip to remember!
