4 Day Desert Mindfulness Retreat in Tunisia
4 Day Desert Mindfulness Retreat in Tunisia
Nefta, Tunisie
Up to 6 in group
Oct 8 - 11, 2026
Retreat Highlights
- Intimate retreat limited to 6 participants
- MBSR-informed, evidence-based mindfulness practices
- 4-day immersive experience in the Tunisian Sahara
- Structured meditation, body awareness & mindful movement
- Guided inquiry and reflective dialogue
- Silent periods to deepen attentional stability
- Boutique eco-lodge reserved exclusively for the group
- Nourishing traditional Tunisian cuisine
- Pre-retreat alignment call & post-retreat integration session included
About this Retreat
Your Guides
Sarah Khamassi is a mindfulness teacher trained in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) through Brown University’s Teacher Training pathway.
Her work integrates evidence-based contemplative practice with lived experience in high-performance professional environments. Before dedicating herself fully to mindfulness education, Sarah worked for several years in consulting and complex organizational settings, where she witnessed firsthand the impact of chronic stress, cognitive overload, and performance pressure.
Her approach to teaching is structured, grounded, and psychologically informed. She does not teach mindfulness as an escape from life — but as a disciplined training in awareness, emotional regulation, and clarity.
Born in France with Tunisian roots, Sarah bridges cultures naturally. Hosting retreats in southern Tunisia is not accidental — it reflects a personal connection to the region and a desire to create meaningful spaces of depth in places often overlooked in the global mindfulness landscape.
Her teaching style is:
Clear and structured
Calm and steady
Non-performative
Rigorous yet accessible
She works with small groups to ensure depth, safety, and genuine transformation.
Professional Background
Trained in MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction)
Ongoing advanced teacher training
Experience in high-demand professional environments
Facilitator of structured mindfulness programs and retreats
Teaching Philosophy
Mindfulness is not about becoming calmer at any cost.
It is about learning how to meet experience — pleasant or difficult — with clarity and steadiness.
Sarah’s retreats are intentionally small, contained, and thoughtfully curated to support this process.
Details of this retreat
Desert Reset is an intimate 4-day mindfulness immersion held in Nefta, at the gateway of the Tunisian Sahara.
Limited to only six participants, this retreat offers a rare combination of evidence-informed contemplative practice and the regulating power of the desert environment.
Over four days, we explore structured meditation, body-based awareness, mindful movement, and guided inquiry within a small, carefully held container. The setting — vast, quiet, and expansive — naturally supports nervous system regulation and perspective.
This event is designed for individuals who:
- Seek clarity rather than distraction
- Value depth over entertainment
- Want structured guidance rather than passive relaxation
- Are ready to engage sincerely in inner work
The retreat unfolds progressively. Each day builds upon the previous one, allowing space for slowing down, integration, and insight.
This is not a vacation retreat.
It is an intentional pause — structured, grounded, and immersive.
Limited to only six participants, this retreat offers a rare combination of evidence-informed contemplative practice and the regulating power of the desert environment.
Over four days, we explore structured meditation, body-based awareness, mindful movement, and guided inquiry within a small, carefully held container. The setting — vast, quiet, and expansive — naturally supports nervous system regulation and perspective.
This event is designed for individuals who:
- Seek clarity rather than distraction
- Value depth over entertainment
- Want structured guidance rather than passive relaxation
- Are ready to engage sincerely in inner work
The retreat unfolds progressively. Each day builds upon the previous one, allowing space for slowing down, integration, and insight.
This is not a vacation retreat.
It is an intentional pause — structured, grounded, and immersive.
Schedule
07:30 – 08:15 | Morning guided meditation (sitting practice & short body scan)
08:30 | Mindful breakfast
09:30 – 11:00 | Workshop – Stress & Automatic Pilot (experiential exercises, dyads & group inquiry)
11:30 – 12:30 | Mindful movement practice
13:00 | Lunch & free time (rest, mindful walking, journaling)
15:30 – 17:30 | Visit to a local agricultural partner in Nefta (sensory immersion & guided mindfulness of the senses)
18:30 – 19:00 | Integration circle (voluntary sharing)
19:30 | Dinner
20:45 – 21:15 | Evening meditation (guided practice focused on kindness)
08:30 | Mindful breakfast
09:30 – 11:00 | Workshop – Stress & Automatic Pilot (experiential exercises, dyads & group inquiry)
11:30 – 12:30 | Mindful movement practice
13:00 | Lunch & free time (rest, mindful walking, journaling)
15:30 – 17:30 | Visit to a local agricultural partner in Nefta (sensory immersion & guided mindfulness of the senses)
18:30 – 19:00 | Integration circle (voluntary sharing)
19:30 | Dinner
20:45 – 21:15 | Evening meditation (guided practice focused on kindness)
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
PAUSE., Nefta, Tunisie
Directions
The retreat takes place in Nefta, southern Tunisia, at the gateway of the Sahara desert.
Nearest Local Airport:
Tozeur–Nefta International Airport (TOE)
Approximately 20 minutes from the retreat venue.
Nearest International Airport:
Tunis–Carthage International Airport (TUN)
Located in the capital city of Tunis.
Most international travelers will arrive in Tunis before connecting south.
Recommended Route:
International flight to Tunis (TUN)
Domestic flight from Tunis to Tozeur (approx. 1 hour)
20-minute transfer to Nefta
This is the most efficient and comfortable option.
Alternative Options:
From Tunis, you may also travel to Tozeur by:
Train (approx. 7–8 hours)
Long-distance bus (approx. 7–8 hours)
These options are available but significantly longer.
Nearest Local Airport:
Tozeur–Nefta International Airport (TOE)
Approximately 20 minutes from the retreat venue.
Nearest International Airport:
Tunis–Carthage International Airport (TUN)
Located in the capital city of Tunis.
Most international travelers will arrive in Tunis before connecting south.
Recommended Route:
International flight to Tunis (TUN)
Domestic flight from Tunis to Tozeur (approx. 1 hour)
20-minute transfer to Nefta
This is the most efficient and comfortable option.
Alternative Options:
From Tunis, you may also travel to Tozeur by:
Train (approx. 7–8 hours)
Long-distance bus (approx. 7–8 hours)
These options are available but significantly longer.
Accommodation
Shared twin room Each room includes: Comfortable bedding Private bathroom Air conditioning / heating depending on season Natural light Simple, minimalist décor The aesthetic is understated and authentic — focused on comfort rather than excess.
Program Price
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
The retreat takes place in a peaceful boutique eco-lodge in Nefta, southern Tunisia — where oasis meets desert.
Built in traditional Tunisian architectural style, the venue combines:
Thick earthen walls that naturally regulate temperature
Quiet interior courtyards
Rooftop terraces overlooking desert landscapes
Simple, elegant guest rooms
Dedicated indoor and outdoor practice spaces
The lodge is reserved exclusively for our small group of six participants, ensuring privacy, and calm.
Built in traditional Tunisian architectural style, the venue combines:
Thick earthen walls that naturally regulate temperature
Quiet interior courtyards
Rooftop terraces overlooking desert landscapes
Simple, elegant guest rooms
Dedicated indoor and outdoor practice spaces
The lodge is reserved exclusively for our small group of six participants, ensuring privacy, and calm.
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
Fresh, locally sourced Tunisian meals. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options available. Please inform us in advance of any dietary requirements.
What's Included
- 3 nights boutique accommodation (Thursday–Sunday)
- All breakfasts, lunches and dinners from Thursday lunch to Sunday lunch
- Opening circle & retreat orientation (safety framework and MBSR-inspired structure)
- Daily guided meditation sessions (morning & evening practices)
- Body scan and breath-based mindfulness practices
- Mindful movement sessions inspired by the MBSR program
- Workshop on Stress & Automatic Pilot (experiential exercises & group inquiry)
- Art & Mindfulness workshop (creative, non-performative exploration)
- Guided journaling sessions throughout the retreat
- Desert sensory immersion practice in Nefta
- Visit to a local agricultural partner (mindfulness of the senses & interconnection)
- Visit to a traditional kilim weaving workshop (conscious observation & cultural immersion)
- Daily integration circles & guided inquiry dialogues
- Workshop on integrating mindfulness into daily life
- Closing circle & continuity guidance
- Airport transfer from/to Tozeur–Nefta Airport (official arrival & departure times)
- 30-minute pre-retreat alignment call
- 45-minute post-retreat integration session
- Small group format (maximum 6 participants)
- Exclusive use of the retreat venue
What's Not Included
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees (if applicable)
- Personal travel to Tunis (if connecting internationally)
- Transfers outside official arrival and departure times
- Additional nights before or after the retreat
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, additional snacks, personal purchases)
- Optional private sessions beyond the included integration call
- Medical expenses and medications
- Alcoholic beverages
- Any activities not explicitly listed in “What’s Included”
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