Alyra’s team is developing an amazing expedition for a Montreal high school that will combine learning about regional cuisine, cultural immersion, and excursions in nature. The most important objective is to accomplish the IDP (international development project) in order to improve the quality of life of the members from a community in the highlands of Morocco.

PART I – Days 1-9: Development project in the High Atlas

Potential projects
• Continue our work from 2016 and finish building the women sewing cooperative association.
• Build the local bus stop in the community.
•   Casbah restoration.
Workshops and activities
•  Trek to the best sites of Grand Atlas Mountains, the sources of Oued Ahansal, the village of Toughd and the Taghia Gorge considered a a world-class climbing location. It is quite a remote location that can only be accessed by hiking and with mules.
• Participate in a community feast with the women and children and learn about the traditional preparation meals.
• Play soccer with locals.
• Experience a “souk” day for local shopping.
• Cooking workshop.
• Dance lesson with Leila.

Day1: Overnight flight
8 nights in the community
Private transport from Marrakech to the community (8h)

PART II – Days 10-15 : Safi and Oualidia

Safi

• Pottery workshop with Moulay Ahmed Serghini.
• Visit the Atlantic port city of Safi, old and new Safi for a better understanding of Moroccan culture and history.
• Exchange activity with a local nursery school for disadvantaged children.

Oualidia

• Visit and learn about the oyster farms of Oualidia. Oualidia is Morocco's oyster capital, as famous for its crustaceans as it is for the sapphire lagoon that cultivates them.
• Surf Lesson.
• Hiking along the rocky shores and exploring beach caves.

Private transport from the community to Safi – stop at Marrakech (7h)
3 nights in a Riad in Safi
2 nights in a hostel in Oualidia
Day 15: Private transport from Oualidia to Casablanca aiport (3h) – arrival in Montreal the same day

• Preps

  Travel documents
  A valid passport that expires at least 6 months after the date of your return flight back home.

  Luggage
  The least amount of luggage possible. We recommend bags that are practical and easy to carry. One large bag and a small day back-pack is ideal.

  Health
  We recommend you consult your local medical travel clinic (or doctor) a few months before leaving in order to ensure you have the necessary vaccines. Your medical insurance card might not cover costs incurred due to injuries or health costs when you are abroad. If you need to travel with medication of some kind, please bring a doctor’s prescription.

  Safety
  We recommend you bring a concealed belt that can hold your important documents, credit cards and currencies. It is illegal to take any objects found in archeological sites or any natural resources from any of the national parks, ecological reserves, protectorates or any other sites visited.

  Insurance
  Find information of our available travel insurance: Cancellation/medical policy and Youth travel policy.

• These prices include

  • International flights from Montreal and back;
  • Alyra’s CO (Creative Organizer) accompanying the group 24/7;
  • Local transportation;
  • Lodging (in the community and outside the community): multiple occupancy for students;
  • Food: 3 meals a day (local authentic food will be served);
  • Snacks and potable water at all times;
  • Organization of the community projects and coordination with the local community leader and members;
  • Non-alcoholic drinks and potable water during meals;
  • Activities/visits mentioned with local guides (when mentioned);
  • Entrance tickets for museums, parks, sites, etc mentioned in the itinerary;
  • Tips to local guides, drivers, restaurants, etc.;
  • 0.1% for the OPC (Consumer Protection Office);
  • Insurance Package: Medical, Interruption and Cancelation coverage;
  • Pre-trip prep: 2 meetings with the students/parents to prepare everyone for the trip;

• These prices do not include

  • Visa expenses (for non-canadian passports)
  • Souvenirs/gifts you decide to buy;
  • Transportation from the school to the airport and back;
  • Laundry and any other personal expenses;