MOROCCO RETREAT
DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF MARRAKECH & THE BEAUTY OF THE SAHARA while experiencing personal transformation
Trip Highlights
Personal transformation & holistic healing in an adventurous setting
Connect with a Berber women’s textile co-op
Sleep under the stars in the Sahara
Experience the souks of Marrakech + UNESCO sites
Adventure with like-minded, growth-oriented people
Are you feeling stagnant in your life? Have you ever wished for a sacred space to combine adventure and inspiration with healing and transformation? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this retreat is for you. This 9-day Morocco retreat combines the culture and stunning landscapes of Morocco with rejuvenating movement and personal development. Our route starts in Marrakech, teeming with souks in the ancient medina. We head to the UNESCO-protected village of Aït Ben Haddou as we make our way across the Atlas mountains. Then we continue into the Sahara Desert 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 how their artisan craftsmanship shapes their community. Throughout you’ll have either daily yoga or development workshops to focus on the theme of your trip while gaining a deep understanding of traditions within the Moroccan way of life.
Book our 9-day Morocco retreat starting at $2995 per person. See all inclusions, itinerary details and complete pricing in the drop downs below.
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.
-
STARTING AT $2995 per person
September 27 - October 5, 2025 with Jade Pleming
February 7-15, 2026 with Jade Pleming
September 5-13, 2026 with Jade Pleming
9-day Morocco retreat with an experienced Retreat Leader
4-12 people
Add on Fes & Chefchaouen
Trip Inclusions
-
6 nights’ boutique hotel stay
2 nights desert camping in permanent structure tents with real beds
-
Transfers to/from airport on arrival & departure days
Private ground transit between Marrakech, Ait Ben Haddou and the Sahara
-
Daily yoga sessions (mats provided) or workshop sessions, according to retreat theme
Visit to the UNESCO site of Aït Ben Haddou
Sahara desert excursion with 2 nights all-inclusive camping complete
Camel ride, stargazing, traditional music & food and an oasis outing
Marrakech souk tour
Entry to Bahia Palace and Madrasa ben Youssef
-
Daily breakfast + 5 lunches + 7 dinners
-
Visit to a traditional Berber textile women’s co-op + donation to their organization
Dedicated retreat leaders + local guide
Traverse representative assisting you from booking to departure
-
Hammam spa and massage
Cooking class
Fes & Chefchaouen 3-night extension
-
International airfare
Additional meals, excursions and activities not listed
Tips to your local guide, Traverse guide, drivers, etc.
Alcohol, unless specified
Required travel insurance
TEstimonials
SEE THE DAILY ITINERARY ON STELLER!
DAILY ITINERARY
-
Arrive at Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) by 4 p.m. and be transported to your riad accommodations complete with vibrant mosaics and atrium gardens and just minutes from the Red City, Marrakech. Rest up and meet your roommate before your evening yoga or workshop followed by our Welcome Dinner.
Meals: D
Note: See below for the description of the February 2025 Adventure Retreat with Allison Kirsch.
-
Your morning yoga or workshop followed by 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 give you all of our recommendations for the best dinner spots!
Meals: B
-
After your morning yoga or workshop, it’s a day to choose your own adventure! You can explore on your own or go for the traditional Morocco treat: hammam! And in the afternoon explore Marrakech further or try your hands at a Moroccan cooking class learning the techniques and ingredients of this delicious cuisine.
Meals: B
Add-on options (possible to do both!): Moroccan hammam experience with massage, 2-3 hours; Hands-on cooking class
-
Wake up feeling refreshed and ready for a road trip! After your morning yoga or workshop 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 (aptly 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
-
We’ll start our day with a sunrise yoga session or workshop, then depart after breakfast to continue the journey south. The scenery begins to change as the mountains fade into the background and the desert scenes become more prominent. We'll pass through the last village on the map (afternoon yoga or workshop & 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
-
After sunrise yoga or workshop & 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
-
Wake up to catch an unforgettable Sahara sunrise. We’ll then say farewell to 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 or another workshop, and a delicious dinner. Also - a great opportunity for a hot shower to wash off all that Sahara sand!
Meals: B, L, D
-
After breakfast, we'll hit the road for the final hours of our "Southern Loop" trip back to Marrakech. 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 or workshop. This evening will be the grand finale of our yoga experience or workshop sessions together as we integrate all we’ve experienced throughout the week before our Farewell Dinner together.
Meals: B, L, D
-
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
-
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 hammam (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
-
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
-
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
-
You'll be paired with a roommate unless you request your own room. Note that during the two nights in the desert all bookings will be double occupancy (paired by gender) due to the limited amount of structured tents in our camp.
$2995 per person - double occupancy
+$395 - 'My own room' option
-
Day 3 add-ons: You can do one or both of these options.
+$130 - Traditional hammam and massage, a true Moroccan experience! About 2 hours.
+$95 - Cooking class, 3-4 hour experience with vegetarian options and wine pairing available
Self-Guided Fes & Chefchaouen add-on, starting on Day 9:
+$995 Fes & Chefchaouen (3 nights), price based on double occupancy. +$295 single supplement
+$65 upgrade to full day artisan tour, per group
+$75 Fes cooking class, per person
+$135 Fes pottery workshop, per person
Fes add-on includes:
3 nights’ accommodations in boutique, high-end riads
Daily breakfast + 1 dinner + 1 afternoon tea
Artisanal tour in Fes to see tile making, pottery, metalworks and tanneries
Explore the beautiful, blue-doored charm of Chefchaouen
All transfers between cities, including train, private van and taxis
Airport transfer to Tangier
Self-guided with Traverse support
Faqs
-
By and large, yes! Taking good travel safety precautions like not going out at night, keeping an eye on your things, and dressing conservatively are key tips. For females, being kind but not too attentive is the best way to avoid unwanted advances. The words "la shukran" (no thank you) are helpful for travelers in busy souks where vendors will have lots to try to sell to you! Be sure to also check out our 8 Female Solo Travel Tips for Morocco
-
No, we welcome people all along the journey. Adventure retreats are an opportunity for growth retreat in a supportive environment.
-
Absolutely! Some of the best travel is done by yourself. And you’ll find that on our trips, people bond quickly and you’ll be sure to have new friends by the end!
ABOUT YOUR RETREAT LEADER
Jade Pleming - September 2025
As an avid traveler, Jade has spent the majority of her adult life exploring far beyond her native Texas. Despite all the time spent far away, the one thing she never leaves home without is her yoga practice, which has been a huge part of what keeps her grounded and healthy no matter where she is. Jade has been a practitioner of yoga since the age of 18, but began teaching professionally in 2015. She has completed over 1000 hours in yoga training programs ranging from Hatha, Vinyasa, and Yin yoga styles. Jade provides an energizing & inclusive yoga experience to help stay happy, healthy and centered while on the road. She is a lover of food, dogs, storytelling - and might be able to tell a few jokes as well!
Terms & Conditions
Please refer to your Registration Packet for complete Terms & Conditions, which can also be obtained by submitting a request to hello@traversejourneys.com
Deposit
A $250-500 non-refundable deposit is required for each traveler to secure the booking (varies by trip). 50% remainder due 30 days from booking. Balance due 60 days prior to trip start. Refer to the Flexible Booking Policy for cases in which the deposit may be transferrable.
Payment
Payments can be made either by 1) full payment on booking 2) Deposit on booking + payment schedule below. Payments will be invoiced via e-mail for credit card or Paypal payment online.
Cancellations Policy
Cancellations, less the trip deposit, are refundable up to 90 days prior to the trip start date unless otherwise specified.
Flexible Booking Policy Specific to COVID-19
In the wake of COVID-19, Traverse has implemented a flexible booking policy that allows for deposits and payments to be transferrable to the greatest extent possible to new trip dates should a recurrence of COVID-19 render travel impossible due to border closures and related travel restrictions.
Travel Insurance
The trip price does not include travel insurance. Trip protection-style travel insurance that includes travel medical coverage is required for all trips with Traverse. The coverage must have a minimum $200,000 of medical coverage and include injury, medical, evacuation, and repatriation. See more info at https://traversejourneys.com/insurance
Documents, Personal Identification, Vaccinations
Traveler assumes complete and full responsibility for all required travel documents including passport, visas, entry or exit fees, and vaccinations. Traveler is also solely responsible for any adverse consequences resulting from incomplete or defective documentation. Traverse does not cover the cost or assist in obtaining any of the above, and reserves the right to collect information on all.
