High Atlas homestay in Morocco

Planet

On this trip we will be staying at family-run homestays in rural Berber villages and by that you are supporting the host families, their staff and the local community. Homestay owners host their space in many ways, which makes each homestay experience unique and full of discovery. Live in an informal setting and get an opportunity to interact with the hosts, experience the local culture and try out Berber’s rich cuisine. With small numbers of individuals staying in small properties this means that the impact on the environment and the communities is reduced, as waste, lighting etc, will be minimal. Drinking water is provided at the homestays and the vehicles in large 5-litre containers to reduce plastic waste so we encourage our travelers to use refillable water bottles. These 5-litre containers are also reused by the homestays and the local community to store olive oil, olives, preserved lemons or any liquid.

People

In conjunction with a local organisation in the village of Outakherri, we helped with their solar panel project to provide the village with drinking water. During this trip we will also visit a local women's co-operative, which help local women to be more independent and take care of their families if they are in difficult situations. There are also opportunities for us to stop at one of the weekly markets in the High Atlas, where travelers can learn about the way the locals produce their products and give back to the local community. All products sold in these markets are sourced from the surrounding local communities. We will also visit the historic 12th century Tin Mal Mosque as well as a pottery village nearby and see how clay tagines are made – there is the chance to purchase tagines to help support the locals. All supplies are purchased locally as much as possible throughout the trip, eating at the homestays and encouraging our travelers to purchase souvenirs from local artisans.