Morocco Yoga Retreat

DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF MARRAKESH & THE BEAUTY OF THE SAHARA

This 9-day Morocco yoga retreat combines site-seeing with rejuvenating yoga each morning and evening. Starting in Marrakech, we head to the UNESCO-protected village of Aït Ben Haddou. Then we continue into the Sahara for a desert "glamping" experience: complete with a camel ride, oasis excursion, and music under the stars. En route back to Marrakech, we stop at Berber women’s textile co-op to learn about the important work they do in their community. Finally, we return to the bustling city of Marrakech, discovering the souks and crafts throughout the medina. Throughout the trip you'll experience flavorful cuisine, impactful artisanship, and traditions within the Moroccan way of life.

For the complete Moroccan experience, you can choose an optional 3-night add-on to Fes and Chefchaouen. Here you'll discover luxury riads in Fes as well as the vibrant colors of "the Blue Pearl" of Chefchaoeun. The trip add-on does not include daily yoga.

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Itinerary:

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN MARRAKECH

Arrive at Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK) by 4 p.m. and be transported to your countryside villa accommodations complete with vibrant mosaics and atrium gardens and just minutes from the Red City, Marrakech. Rest up, meet your roommate, and enjoy some time by the pool before and evening yoga before our Welcome Dinner. Get plenty of rest, because we have an early departure the next morning!

Meals: D

Optional add-on: Farm-to-Table Lunch Recommended if you arrive before 2 p.m. Must let us know at least two weeks prior to departure.

DAY 2: AIT BEN HADDOU

Wake up feeling refreshed and ready for a road trip! We depart in our SUV 4x4's for a trip across the High Atlas Mountains, retracing the steps of the ancient trade caravans from Timbuktu. We follow the “Valley of 1000 Kasbahs” and explore ruins and fortified cities, including the infamous Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou (a UNESCO site), where we'll stop for lunch and a short walk. The day ends in the palm oasis of the Draa Valley, in the village of Agdz (aply named "resting place"), where we'll spend the night in the middle of the oasis and enjoy some good food, wine and company.

Meals: B, L, D

DAY 3: SAHARA DESERT EXCURSION

We depart after breakfast to continue the journey south. The scenery begins to change as the mountains fade into the background the desert scenes become more promient. We'll pass through the last village on the map (afternoon yoga & lunch stop included) before taking the cars off-road for a 2 hour jaunt through the desert to our camp, nestled in the biggest dunes of the Moroccan Sahara - Erg Chegaga. You'll be greeted with Moroccan tea - Sahara style - and take some time to unpack and settle in for the next two nights. Dinner and campfire await!

Meals: B, L, D

DAY 4: SAHARA DESERT EXCURSION

After sunrise yoga & breakfast, tie on your turban because we're heading back out for an afternoon adventure to visit a traditional nomad family. See how locals live in the Sahara and learn about their traditions and customs, including how they make their tea using sap from the Acacia tree and how they make bread using an oven made from sand. We'll return to the camp for lunch, some afternoon down time, and then close out the evening with a sunset camel ride, some dune surfing, dinner and campfire.

Meals: B, L, D

DAY 5: BERBER TEXTILE CO-OP

Wake up to catch an unforgettable Sahara sunrise, or sleep in (a little) and early departure, leaving our desert camp behind and heading back on the road towards the village of Taznakt. We’ll stop to visit our Community Partner, a women's weaving co-op where we’ll learn about crafting traditions that these groups work so hard to preserve while boosting the livelihoods of women throughout the area. You’ll see the artists behind the looms working on amazing textiles while getting a solid understanding of the Moroccan carpet industry, many different styles or rugs - and even shop for one that you can have shipped to your home! There’s nothing better than buying directly from the source. After lunch, we'll continue the drive to the city of Ouarzazate, where we'll spend the evening in a beautiful hotel with a swimming pool, some evening yin yoga, and a delicious dinner. Also - a great opportunity for a hot shower to wash off all that Sahara sand!

Meals: B, L, D

DAY 6: HEAD BACK TO MARRAKECH

After breakfast, we'll hit the road for the final hours of our "Southern Loop" trip, back to Marrakech to settle in for the next 3 nights. Once arriving back to the villa where we started, you'll have some time to settle back into your room, take a dip in the pool or join in for a solid evening yoga practice before dinner.

Meals: B, L, D

DAY 7: MARRAKECH MEDINA

Morning yoga and breakfast kick off a packed day of discovering the Red City, so be sure to get your energy up! We'll depart not-too-early for a full day of guided tours of the ancient old town (medina) of Marrakech - including visits to the opulent Palais Bahia, the Madrasa ben Youssef, Jemaa al Fna (big square of Marrakech), a local spice market, artisan markets (souks) and much, much more. We'll make time to stop for lunch to enjoy some modern Moroccan cuisine. The tour will end around sunset and we'll head to cool local spot for our Farewell Dinner or delicious food and traditional entertainment. Even though we still have one more day on the trip, this will be our last dinner together as a group.

Meals: B, D

DAY 8: MARRAKECH FREE DAY!

Choose your own adventure! After morning yoga and breakfast, choose from our list of optional add-on experiences, or take the day to discover more of Marrakech on your own. Your guide and yoga teacher/host will be on site at the villa to help organize transportation & logisitics, and even recommend some epic restaurants to check out for your lunch and dinner meals. Or - if you prefer an early evening, dinner at the villa can also easily be organized.

Meals: B

Add-on options (possible to do both!): Moroccan hamman experience with massage, 2-3 hours; Hands-on cooking class with local women

DAY 9: DEPARTURE OR ADD-ON TO FES

Depart any time today from Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK). Your airport transfer is included. Or, choose to add on a few days for a self-guided, fully planned Fes & Chefchaouen excursion. If continuing on…

After breakfast, get an early start and hop the train to Fes, a beautiful, ancient city full of hilly riads, art and architecture. You can pack snacks or get lunch on board before arriving mid-afternoon to our ornate riad located in the medina with panoramic terrace views. You’ll relax with afternoon tea & treats and have time to watch the sunset on the terrace and a chef-prepared 3-course Moroccan dinner.

Meals: B, D

DAY 10: FES ARTISANAL SOUK EXPLORATIONS

Today you’ll explore the ancient medinas of Fes with our local guide who will show you the incredible craftsmanship of the town, from tile making and pottery to metal working and textiles. We’ll see the spice souks and tanneries and have time for a stop at a local hamman (spa). You’ll have lots of places to choose from for lunch & dinner, either eat-as-you go street tastings or full-on Moroccan family style meals.

Meals: B

DAY 11: CHEFCHAOUEN

You’ll head out after breakfast for the “Blue Pearl of Morocco,” the magical blue city nestled in the Rif Mountains. You’ll have the full afternoon to explore the Old City & Medina, do some shopping and snacking, take photos, or rest up in our local riad.

Meals: B

DAY 12: DEPARTURE FROM TANGIER

After an early breakfast, you’ll head out to the Tangier airport (TNG), about 2½ hours from Chefchaouen. Plan your departure flight for after 1:00 p.m.

Meals: B