“I attended two overseas programs as a Lewis & Clark student nearly thirty years ago. I was thrilled to learn that there are alumni trips available through the college. This experience re-ignited old but familiar feelings of the freedom and excitement I felt as a twenty-something student preparing to travel and see the world.”
–Emily (Christensen) Cotton, class of 1998
Please Note: Every picture on this site was taken on one
of ourWomen’s Expeditions in November 2024.
Group Size
Limit 11 participants, plus our Lewis & Clark group facilitator, and our in-country guide.
“I loved the whole experience! I really valued the local guides and their willingness to share their knowledge and experiences with us. Hiking was such a great way to see the country. The group size was ideal.”
–Ann Schile, mother of Brenna Dorrance, class of 2001
Trip Overview
An unforgettable expedition to the remote and less-traveled reaches of Morocco. Begin in Marrakech, then set off to experience the side of Morocco they don’t tell you about in the guidebooks. Break bread with Amazigh families in remote homes, see how an artist co-op is empowering female rug-weavers in small villages, take in the beauty of the far-flung M’goun Valley over four days of hiking with one of the region’s first local female guides, and enjoy the singing and dancing of Moroccan women in cultural ceremonies in rural communities.
This adventure has all the hallmarks of a classic Lewis & Clark program – local leadership, private transport, real life experiences – and an added focus on female travel and female empowerment. Join a unique opportunity for women to blaze the trail in an incredible but often conservative country.
“I really loved the focus on women- both as a group of women traveling together and getting to know local women. The people of Morocco warmly welcomed all of us- into their hearts, homes, caves, and shared with us what it is like to live as a woman in Morocco. Lewis & Clark created this very unique experience that will stay with us always!”
—Toni Young-Pen, mother of Soraya Young-Pen, class of 2025
“Traveling with other women and connecting with the local communities made this an incredibly special and unique experience. We learned, laughed and ate a lot, and created lasting memories to take home with us.”
–Sara Eichelberger, Class of 2010
Program Highlights
Find out what it means to be female in Morocco as you travel with an all-women group. A local female leader will guide as we meet plenty of inspiring women along the way.
Benefit from Lewis & Clark’s long standing network in Morocco, visit the Amal Center that provides career training for impoverished women, learn some Arabic greetings, and join an English class at the Center for Language & Culture.
Spend four days hiking between remote villages in the M’Goun Valley, accompanied by a local female guide who will bring the region to life. Bring a daypack but your luggage will be transported for you from town to town.
Dine on delicious local cuisine as you enjoy a private performance by The Houariyates, a female music band that will fill the room and your heart with joyful songs praising and celebrating women.
Visit the historic town of Ait Benhaddou and its iconic mudbrick ksar. You’ll soon see why this eye-catching site has been used as a backdrop in many films.
Learn from the best as you take part in a traditional couscous cooking lesson, find out how to make fresh khobz (flatbread), and be welcomed into the home of a local woman in Marrakech for a meal you won’t forget.
“It was a once in a lifetime experience. All of the locals were incredibly hospitable, kind and welcoming. And I truly believe you won’t find this experience with anyone else.”
– Malia Young-Pen, age 15, sister of Soraya Young-Pen, class of 2025
Trip Notes
This trip involves hiking from 4 to 7 hours on four of the days. The trek will lead you through picturesque valleys, but the terrain may be unstable in places, rocky and hilly. It is important to bring appropriate footwear which would include hiking boots and water shoes. Necessary clothing and equipment include a warm jacket, raincoat, and hiking poles.
You will need to bring a sleeping bag on this trip. Even though you will be staying in guesthouses, these rooms may not be heated at the temperature you are accustomed to.
Your sleeping bag and other luggage will be transported for you from village to village.
The village accommodations on this trip are simple. You will be sharing rooms with other female travelers. On one night there are two big rooms for the group so you may share your room with up to five other travelers. Bathroom facilities are shared, but you can expect a hot shower each evening.
You will have a chance to participate in different activities, from rug-weaving to baking workshops.
Itinerary
Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Morocco.
Transfers from Airport, Train station, or Bus station to local accomodations.
Check-in is not until 3:00 pm but bags can be stored.
Our Lewis & Clark Women’s Expedition begins with a welcome meeting at 6:00 pm with our local guide and Lewis & Clark facilitator Joann Geddes. This will be followed by a group dinner.
Meals Included: Dinner
Accommodations: Local Riad.
Breakfast at Riad.
Today we will have a late start in the morning. Then we will see some key aspects of Marrakech. While exploring the city we will stop for lunch.
Lunch is on your own but guides will make suggestions.
In the late afternoon we will go to the Center for Language & Culture. There we will have a class on Arabic greetings and introductions. We will join an English class with local students and allow them to practice their conversation skills, as we ask questions about Morocco. Afterwards we will enjoy a delicious dinner together.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Local Riad
Breakfast at Riad.
In the morning the group will have a tangine cooking lesson with students at Amal (a career training center for women). Once lunch is cooked, we will sit-down to enjoy lunch together.
This afternoon will be free-time to explore the city more, go shopping, or rest up.
Dinner is on your own but our team will make suggestions.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Local Riad
Breakfast at Riad.
Today’s bus ride is about seven hours long with multiple stops.
Board your private transport and settle in for the journey to Bou Tharar village. En route we will enjoy a special lunch. We will also stop at Ait Benhaddou, a beautiful mudbrick ksar. Retaining its thousand-year-old allure, the UNESCO-protected ighrem is southern Moroccan architecture at its finest and has been used as a backdrop for famous film such as Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator.
Your accommodation is a beautiful terracotta gite (rural guesthouse). From here, the views of the surrounding hills are superb, and you’ll be greeted with warm hospitality from the local family who run the establishment. You will be hosted by local women, and there will be some Amazigh music and local songs to enjoy. A tasty, traditional meal will be waiting for you on arrival.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: “Gite”, A mountainside Guest House.
Breakfast at Gite.
Set off on a hike from Bou Tharar village to Agouti Village (approximately 5–6 hours, not much change in elevation, about 6.2 miles).
For the next four days of hiking, you’ll be accompanied by one of the region’s first local female guides. Your guide knows these parts like the back of her hand and will share incredible stories of the landscape and her nomadic past – this is sure to be one of the standout experiences of your journey. You will be hiking in a westbound direction, passing through villages, and meeting some of the locals on the way.
In the afternoon, learn how to prepare some specialty dishes at a cooking demonstration. This is a unique opportunity, so get involved and learn some new skills to take back home. Perhaps the most important part of the evening is watching how couscous is prepared in a traditional way. It’s a classic and characterful component of Maghrebi cuisine. Its rice-like softness is perfect for soaking up the rich and buttery slow-cooked tagines found all over Morocco. The locals will show you the tricks to getting it just right.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: “Gite”, A mountainside Guest House
Breakfast at Gite.
Set off on a morning walk through Agouti Gorge, crossing through Almdoun Village to get to Amejgag (approximately 5 to 6 hours, not much rise in elevation, about 6.2 miles).
The dramatic red walls of the gorge make for an otherworldly sight. Note the detail of the striped mineral deposits in the landscape while your leader provides some background information on the area along the way. At some point during today’s hike, you will need to cross a river, maybe multiple times. Depending on the water levels, you may need to roll up your trousers and take your boots off, and put your water shoes on. Your experienced leader will make sure to find the best place to cross but come prepared to get a little wet.
After arriving in Amejgag Village, gain insight into an age-old craft by attending a weaving workshop run by a local ladies’ cooperative. Put your skills into practice and try the ancient art of weaving yourself (under the watchful eye of some local experts!) Afterwards, there will be a walk through the village to see some of the interesting architecture.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: “Gite”, A mountainside Guest House. At this location the large rooms are shared with six people.
Breakfast at Gite.
This morning enjoy a traditional Moroccan breakfast comprised of a comforting homemade soup, tea, coffee, and (most importantly) olive oil served with Moroccan bread. Get involved in preparing this flatbread, otherwise known as khobz, which is widespread and almost synonymous with Moroccan food. There’s nothing like making and tasting the real thing under the guidance of those who do it best. Set off to Issoumar, trekking through more of Morocco’s spectacular landscape. The route crosses small hills and leads to Timtda village, where you’ll take a break and enjoy a picnic lunch. From here, climb 600 feet uphill to the Tissardan pass, which offers a fantastic view of the M’Goun Valley. Then descend 900 feet to Issoumar village, where you will spend the night. About 13 miles today. This afternoon, listen to traditional folk tales and play music with the local women inside the guesthouse. Singing is a big part of local music so expect to sing along with your female host and perhaps try wearing traditional dress. This isn’t a performance, but rather a unique opportunity to get involved and be a part of the experience.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: “Gite”, A mountainside Guest House
Breakfast at Gite.
Hiking Today: Follow the M’Goun River back to Bou Thrar (approximately 5 to 6 hours, not much change in elevation, 9.3 miles today).
You’ll most likely see a few farmers going about their daily business along the way. After lunch, visit a farm and learn some traditional farming skills that have been practiced in this part of Morocco for centuries. Take the chance to feed the animals, often a very important part of the lives of Moroccan families, whose wealth depends on their livestock.
After a long but rewarding day, take some time to rest before joining your fellow women in trying on some traditional henna and kohl makeup. You may have already learned about these skills earlier in the trip, but this evening stands out for a different reason. After having your dress picked out and makeup done for you, head out to attend a very special party, imitating a Amazigh wedding. Make the most of this wonderful event while enjoying dinner with your group.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: “Gite”, A mountainside Guest House
Breakfast at Gite.
Today you will leave the Atlas Mountains and head back to the city. Once back in Marrakech, you’ll leave the hustle and bustle of the medina and visit the home of Zineb, a local woman who will be cooking your dinner tonight. Tuck into a beautiful traditional meal as you hear how Zineb’s hard work and determination to provide for her children has led her to where she is today.
A passionate and talented cook, this is sure to be a final meal to remember. To cap off your final night together, The Houariyates, a female music band that takes its inspiration from the original tribes of I’Houara and Hammadas, will perform for you. Their joyful songs praise and celebrate women and often speak of desire, sensuality, and love.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Local Riad
Wake up and enjoy Breakfast at our local Riad and reflect on the Atlas mountain journey and all of your experiences in Morocco.
Transfers will be arranged to Airport, Bus Station or Train Station.
Is this trip for you?
If you have any health concerns please consult with your physician.
This trip involves hiking from 4 to 7 hours on four of the days. The terrain may be unstable in places, rocky and hilly. We will cross a river and depending on the water levels you may need to roll up your trousers and wear your water shoes. On one day we will climb 200 meters uphill to the Tissardan pass, then descend 300 meters.
Other than the stay at the Riad in Marrakech, you will be sharing rooms with other female travelers. One night there are two big rooms for the group so you may share your room with up to five other travelers. Bathroom facilities are shared, but you can expect a hot shower each evening.
You have an adventurous spirit, curious mind, and caring heart.
Cost
Total Cost is $2,995 per person signing up as a pair. This includes a double hotel room with two beds for 4 nights, and group accommodations in guesthouses the other five nights.
If you are a solo traveler wanting your own room for the four nights in Marrakech the single supplement is: $400. You will be in shared rooms the other days.
If you are a solo traveler wishing to be paired up in a double room with two beds, please let Andrew McPheeters at: mcpheete@lclark.edu know when signing up.
Transfers to hotel on 10/5/25 and to airport/ bus station/ train station on 10/14 will be arranged and are included. Transfers on other days are not included.
Tipping is always optional. Tips for loading buses, and at group meals are included in the program fee. We suggest having $70 to $110 USD equivalent in Moroccan Dirhams per person for tips to your local guide and driver. Lewis & Clark Group Facilitator will collect optional tips at end of trip.
Includes most but not all meals - 9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners.
We highly recommend you purchase traveler’s insurance.
Sign-up Today
If you would like to reserve a room please email Andrew McPheeters, Associate Vice President, Community Education & Travel Programs at: mcpheete@lclark.edu
Please indicate your name (as listed exactly in your passport), your travel partner’s name (or indicate traveling solo), birthdate, and any food, health, or mobility challenges. We will send you a payment link (you can pay via bank transfer with no fee, or credit card or PayPal with a fee).
Payment in full required within 5 days of receiving the link.
There are only 11 spaces available in total.
Lewis & Clark Group Facilitator
Joann Geddes
Faculty Emerita Joann Geddes retired from Lewis & Clark after 40 years of service as an instructor and the Director of Academic English Studies. During her tenure she led seven overseas programs including Costa Rica, the former Soviet Union, Argentina/Chile, Kenya/Tanzania, Australia and Vietnam. She accompanied a student overseas program to Morocco in 2017. Joann remains active within the campus community and traveled with the LC Travel group to Madagascar in 2023. She is a veteran LC Travel program leader including two Women’s Expeditions to Morocco in November 2024, and to Vietnam in February 2024.
Accommodations
Three nights at a local Riad in Marrakech.
Five nights in countryside mountain guesthouses in shared rooms. These may be rooms with two people/ two beds, or as many as six beds with bathrooms down the hallway.
Questions?
Andrew McPheeters, Associate Vice President of Community Education & Travel Programs at mcpheete@lclark.edu or 503-841-7657
