During February half term, geographers from Year 11 and 13 travelled to Morocco to spend five days learning about different cultures and the diverse landscape, from the Sahara Desert to the high Atlas Mountains. The five excursion aimed to benefit students’ understanding of geography, culture, and environmental issues.

The trip began in Ouarzazate, known as the ‘Gateway to the Sahara’. Here we visited the Atlas Film Studios where world famous films and TV shows such as Gladiator, The Mummy and Game of Thrones were filmed! We even got to make our own!

From Ouarzazate, we ventured through the Draa Valley to the Sahara Desert. As a group, we travelled by camel to a bedouin camp to spend a night in the desert. In the evening, we got to experience the sunset from the dunes, enjoy traditional Moroccan food and slept in traditional Berber tents.

Day 3 included another camel ride and a visit to Tamegroute Pottery Village. We then stopped off at a date farm to learn about the difficulties of farming within an arid climate and how locals adapt to preserving their environment. Following this was a bus journey back to Ouarzazate.

On day 4, we then head towards Marrakesh through the Atlas Mountains. On the way, students got to visit the famous Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We learnt about the significance of the kasbah and even got the opportunity to try out the bartering system. The journey continued through the Atlas Mountains, where we learnt about the challenges of life within the mountains.

On our final day, we visited the Jardin Majorelle, a beautiful botanical garden designed by Yves Saint Laurent. After exploring Jardin Majorelle, we explored the vibrant souks and the medina, Jemaa el-Fnaa, and paid a visit to an apothecary.

Reflecting on the experience, the trip not only benefited my understanding of geography and environmental issues but also allowed me to experience a deeper appreciation for different cultures.

- George Jones-Scott, Year 13