An 9 days women’s culture-focused tour from Marrakech to the desert would provide a unique opportunity to explore Moroccan traditions, crafts, and the lives of women in different regions of the country. Here’s a suggested itinerary, highlighting cultural experiences with a focus on women’s roles and crafts.
9 days women’s culture-focused tour from Marrakech
Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech – Explore Women’s Craftsmanship
Arrive in Marrakesh and meet your guide. Begin your tour by visiting local women’s cooperatives where you can witness the art of rug weaving, pottery, and the creation of traditional leather goods. You’ll also explore the colorful souks, where women artisans sell their handmade jewelry, textiles, and spices.
Day 2: Marrakech – Women’s Empowerment Initiatives
Visit local initiatives focused on women’s empowerment. There are several associations and workshops that train and support women in artisan skills such as embroidery, argan oil production, and pottery. Afterward, enjoy a visit to the Majorelle Garden, with a brief stop at the Yves Saint Laurent Museum to explore the intersection of fashion and art in Morocco.
Day 3: Marrakech to Ouarzazate – Women in Berber Culture
Travel over the Atlas Mountains to Ouarzazate, a region where women play a significant role in Berber life. Here, you’ll visit the famous Ait Benhaddou kasbah, where you can learn about Berber traditions and women’s roles in the family and community. Meet local women who work in the area’s film studios, as Ouarzazate is a hub for movie production.
Day 4: Ouarzazate to Merzouga (Sahara Desert) – Desert Women’s Life
Continue your journey to Merzouga and the Sahara Desert. Along the way, visit small towns and Berber villages, where you can meet local women and learn about their daily lives, including their roles in agriculture, crafts, and hospitality. Upon arrival, enjoy a sunset camel ride to a desert camp where local women prepare a traditional Berber meal and share their stories and customs.
Day 5: Merzouga Desert – Women’s Role in the Desert
Spend the day in Merzouga, where you will meet with Berber women living in the desert. Participate in a women-led pottery or weaving workshop, where you can learn traditional crafts passed down through generations. Spend time discussing life in the desert with local women, exploring how they balance work, family, and cultural practices.
Day 6: Merzouga to Rissani – Women’s Markets
Visit Rissani, a town famous for its bustling market, where women often play a central role in trade and commerce. You’ll have the chance to photograph vibrant scenes of women selling food, spices, and textiles. You can also meet women working in agriculture, producing dates and other products in the area.
Day 7: Rissani to Fes – Women’s Education & Art
Travel to Fes, Morocco’s spiritual and cultural heart. Visit educational institutions for women, such as the Al-Qarawiyyin University (one of the world’s oldest universities), and learn about the role of women in education and knowledge in Morocco. Visit local artisan workshops where women continue to preserve ancient crafts like calligraphy, leatherworking, and embroidery.
Day 8: Fes – The Women’s Role in Arts and Crafts
Spend the day visiting Fes’ famous tanneries and the Medina. Explore how women play a significant role in the production of leather goods, textiles, and pottery. In the afternoon, take part in a hands-on craft workshop or a cooking class led by women, where you’ll learn to make traditional Moroccan dishes like couscous and tagine.
Day 9: Transfer to Marrakech airport
After your breakfast, you will be transferred to Marrakech airport.
Highlights of the 9 days Women’s Culture Tour:
- Women’s Craft Cooperatives: Experience Moroccan women’s craftsmanship in weaving, pottery, embroidery, and more.
- Empowerment Initiatives: Learn about women’s empowerment programs in artisan skills, education, and business.
- Berber Women’s Culture: Discover the role of women in Berber communities in the Atlas and Sahara regions.
- Desert Traditions: Spend time with local women in the Merzouga desert, exploring their roles in hospitality, crafts, and agriculture.
- Cultural Workshops: Participate in traditional workshops led by local women, including cooking, weaving, and pottery.
- Fes Educational Impact: Learn about the historical role of women in education and arts, particularly in Fes.
