Would you fly across the world to spend a week with nine women you'd never met? I took that leap and landed in Morocco, not knowing what to expect. What I found was connection, inspiration, and a bond that will stay with me forever. Let me take you along on the trip of a lifetime—one week in Morocco with women who started as strangers and ended as lifelong friends.
Taking the Leap: Heading to Morocco
The journey began with a rushed trip to the airport (pro tip: always get TSA PreCheck or Global Entry—it saved me after a 2-hour trip that should have taken 30 minutes!). As I boarded my red-eye flight, nerves and restless excitement settled in. Although I had chatted with these women on monthly calls and group chats through our blogging course with Bri, our fearless leader and coach, we had never gotten the chance to meet in person.
Luckily, I met up with two other women, Carrie and Hannah, on our layover in Paris before flying into Morocco. This was a perfect way to ease into meeting the group. My nerves quickly vanished as we fell into joking and chatting as if we had known each other for years.
As we drove through Marrakesh, the three of us were captivated by the sights and scenes of the busy streets. We stared out the windows, marveling at the architecture, the cars, and the people. After checking into our hotel, we grabbed a bite at a nearby café—surprisingly French with wonderful pastries and great food.
That night, it was finally time to meet all the women for a welcome dinner. We also met our guide, Aziz, who would come to teach us much about Morocco throughout our journey.
"When we are talking about Morocco, we need to mention the native people of this land—the Amazigh people." - Said
The High Atlas Mountains: Connections Form
Day 1: Heading into the Mountains
Our first full day took us out of Marrakesh through windy roads to reach the stunning High Atlas Mountains. Below us were beautiful valleys and creeks; above us, a bright blue sky. The drive from Marrakesh took about an hour (I got super car sick on the winding roads!), and then we embarked on a group hike together.
The night before, we had packed overnight bags because we were trekking to our next destination—a home nestled into the hills of the Atlas Mountains. On the way up, we chatted and learned more about each other while taking in the gorgeous surroundings.
I had never seen homes built into the mountainside like these—it was such a stunning sight. We all took countless photos as we pressed over the hill and finally got a view of the whole town. It truly took our breath away (plus we were a little tired from the hike up!).
Authentic Experiences in the Atlas
We stayed at a local home where we enjoyed a wonderful Moroccan lunch with a beautiful view of the mountains. The warm food was particularly welcome because the air outside was pretty cold at this altitude.
After lunch, we set out for a group hike. I find there's truly no better way to get to know someone than while hiking or walking outdoors—you just feel more free and open. Some of my best conversations have happened on trails, and this was no exception. I felt like I got to know some of the women much better during this trek.
While our trail led toward the highest point in the Atlas Mountains, we weren't going that far. Instead, we stopped to have Moroccan mint tea—a staple you'll try at least once a day if you visit Morocco. It's a mixture of green tea and mint, with sugar if you like (which I always did!).
As evening approached, we journeyed back down the mountain to settle in for the night. Along the way, we passed schoolchildren walking their sheep and playing soccer on a field. As the light dimmed in the valley, we all nestled near the fire in our slippers and layers, enjoying more mint tea and cookies as we watched the sunset.
Dinner around the table allowed us to learn more about each other, and afterward, we huddled under warm blankets, chatting and giggling around the fire. It was such a fun night, and we began to feel really close.
It's crazy to think we all came from different parts of the world—some from as far as Australia and New Zealand, others from Europe and the US—but we all shared one dream: to work for ourselves, explore the world, and enjoy life while we can.
Exploring Ancient Sites & Local Culture
Ait Ben Haddou: Where Movies Come to Life
The next morning, we walked back down the mountain, greeted by music from locals for a welcome ceremony. Every day in Morocco starts with a cup of "nous nous" (half coffee, half milk) and a little biscuit.
Before beginning our journey onward, we experienced the incredible hospitality of the Moroccan people. A local family welcomed us for lunch, preparing an assortment of beautiful salads, chicken tajine, and a cinnamon pasta dish—perfect fuel for the long journey ahead.
Our Morocco trip involved many long car drives, but they went quickly because we were always chatting, joking, or just having a good time. We drove over mountains and then down into the town of Ait Ben Haddou, famous for filming movies including Gladiator. It's also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its beautiful fortified village with mud-brick architecture.
Aziz knew exactly what content creators want and took us to the top of the village to watch the sunset. It was magical, and also the first place where we all pulled out our cameras to capture the perfect shot or video. The behind-the-scenes looked quite different from our serene photos!
Women's Collective & Atlas Studios
The next morning, we visited a women's collective where we learned how they make rugs by hand. I couldn't believe the amount of work that goes into these beautiful pieces—I can't wait to purchase one for my own home someday.
Next, we toured the local Atlas Studios, where films like The Mummy, Gladiator, and Aladdin were made. It was fascinating to step behind the scenes, and we even made some movies of our own. I starred as Cleopatra in one!
Heading South: Zagora and Deeper Connections
We continued south to the town of Zagora, where we stayed in a beautiful hotel. The air was finally warm, and we all enjoyed the sunshine. While we dreamed about relaxing by the pool, this trip wasn't for relaxing! Instead, we went on a wonderful walk through palm trees and oases.
Although the setting was beautiful, what I'll remember most about this walk is learning more about Aziz and connecting with him as a group. He took us to a local man's house, where we had the best tea of the entire trip, made over charcoal.
Having tea so late in the evening meant none of us were tired. Over dinner, we began to chat and couldn't stop until about 12:30 at night, discussing deep personal issues. There's something so special about connecting with other women—especially since most of us usually travel with our male partners. I think many of us were craving a women's trip and this deep connection.
The Sahara Experience: A Dream Come True
Journey into the Desert
The next day was the one we were all most excited for—our journey into the Sahara Desert! Before that, we learned more about the local people, tried bread made by the women, explored the alleyways, and watched men make pottery. It was impressive to see their hard work, cranking out bowl after bowl and plate after plate. Many of us bought souvenirs, knowing it means more to use something at home when you know where it came from.
After enjoying some "Berber Pizza" for lunch, we tumbled into four-wheel-drive vehicles and were thrown around the sand dunes. Nothing says "Sahara Desert" like a bumpy ride and running into some camels along the way!
Desert Magic at Sunset
After a two-hour journey through the dunes, we arrived at our camp for the night. It was perfect—we were all in love with the setting and couldn't wait to explore. Soon it was time for a camel ride up into the dunes, a place I had dreamed of visiting my entire life.
We took the camels up during golden hour to experience the dunes at sunset, climbing to the highest dune in the area. The landscape was absolutely mesmerizing, and we all loved taking photos and videos. (I had a minor crisis when my water bottle rolled all the way down, but a fit local guide heroically retrieved it for me!)
The Sahara exceeded all my expectations. Watching the sunset over the dunes, we all took a moment to sit in gratitude for having this time together. After sunset, we returned to camp, enjoyed dinner, and sat around the campfire to stargaze and listen to music with our local hosts.
Sunrise Reflections
I woke up feeling incredibly grateful for this trip, experience, and time with these women. I enjoyed the sunrise alone for a bit before the others joined me, feeling truly at peace in that moment.
The Journey Back: Deepening Bonds
As we left the Sahara Desert, we passed through areas that had received substantial rain, creating beautiful oases with lush grasses and water. With a long journey ahead—3 hours in the sand and another 3 hours by bus—we played "Hot Seat," asking each other personal questions that had to be answered honestly.
It was one of the most incredible moments of the trip. Each of us took turns sharing about our lives, our hopes, dreams, what we wanted from this trip, and future plans. I loved learning about each other's backgrounds, what brought them here, and what made them start blogging. Though we had vastly different lives, we came together to experience this place.
We ended the day at a beautiful riad with gardens and a cool pool—perfect until Carrie and I discovered an ant infestation in our bathtub! We temporarily moved to a "honeymoon suite" with beds so close together we could've held hands while sleeping, and no door to the bathroom. We eventually moved back to our old room and used our friends' showers.
The next morning, we decided to play Hot Seat with Aziz, learning about his life and preferences (including his favorite food—sheep stomach, which none of us were eager to try!). Aziz had incredible patience with us throughout the week and was the perfect guide for our group.
Returning to Marrakesh: Bittersweet Endings
As we made our way back to Marrakesh on our last day, a somber mood settled over the group. We were exhausted from everything we'd done that week and reflecting on what the trip had meant to us. Although we still had tours to do in the busy city, my mind had slowed down. I was less focused on taking everything in and more on what we had experienced together.
Though it was only seven days, it felt like we had spent months together. I felt so close to each person and was sad to see it end. Meeting women who inspire me, understand me, and want similar things from life was like a breath of fresh air. They know what it means to live an unconventional lifestyle, go for what they want, and aren't afraid.
I learned so much from each woman during this one week in Morocco with women travelers, and I'll feel a deep connection with them for the rest of my life. It was truly one of the best weeks of my life.
Would You Take the Leap?
So I'll ask again: Would you fly across the world to spend a week with nine women you'd never met? After my experience, my answer would be a resounding YES. There's something magical about stepping out of your comfort zone and into the unknown—both geographically and socially.
Morocco provided the perfect backdrop for our connections to form and deepen. From the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara Desert, from ancient ksars to star-filled nights, every moment was enhanced by sharing it with these incredible women.
Have you ever taken a trip with people you hadn't met before? Or is a trip to Morocco on your bucket list? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!