Desert Dream

This trip to the desert is an experience of a life time. The starting point is the vibrant and alive city of Marrakech. From there we are going to travel through the high Atlas Mountains. Find rest in the gorgeous oasis on the way and practice yoga outdoor. There will be time to swim in natural river pools and marvel at the breathtaking beauty of the land. We’ll enjoy meeting the friendly welcoming local people and stay at special handpicked venues chosen for their tranquillity, comfort and beauty. We’ll be spoiled by the many flavours of delicious and healthy meals prepared with love by ours hosts. We’ll explore old Kasbahs and imagine the life of the caravans in ancient times. Feel the healing peace and silence of the desert while going on silent walks through sand dunes. we’ll meditate under the endless skies filled with stars at night and let ourselves be touched by its infinite mystery. Come prepared for some true magic to happen!

Location

From the city over the mountain, rivers and into the desert you’ll experience the amazing variety of Morocco’s landcapes all in one journey. Our first stop in the mountains will be at Irosha located in the Berber Village of Tisselday, a four-hourdrive from Marrakesh towards Ouarzazate, an ideal place to rest along the way. You will get a genuine taste of the beautiful moroccan southern mountain life and enjoy the stunning views over the valley along theriver.
In the far south at Ouled Dris near M’Hamid, we will be staying at Par paru a beautiful garden at the end of 200 km long oasis created by the river Draa. This is the end of the road. Only sand and dunes stretch as far as the eye can see. Here is a place where the sun shines in a very vibrant blu sky and warm winds gently embrace you. You’ll be inspired by a silence that is almost audible.
On the way back we will stay in Agdez the world biggest palmeraie. Agdez, means “resting place” and is locateted in the middle of the Draa Valley on the old caravan route linking Marakesh to Timbuktu(Mali). Here we will enjoy the abundance and fertility of the oasis life, soak up the natural beauty and intergrate all the impressions and energy of the desert.

Accomodation

On arrival and departure day we will stay for 2 nights in Marrakesh at Riad Sherazad close to the big famous Jemma el fna squar. On the way south we will spend one night in a Berber village in the atlas mountains at beautiful Irosha
Guest house overlooking the valley and enjoying great cuisine.
Once reached the desert we will stay near M’hamid at Ouled Driss at Dar Paru for 6 nights. This wonderful little guest house is located right on the edge of the Sahara. Paru, the owner, has followed her heart’s voice and settled in this place many years ago and built an incredible little paradise by the dunes. The beautiful rooms are designed with a lot of love and taste. The gardens are filled with flowers, birds and trees and have a natural pool for swimming. In the back of the property you’ll find a wooden doorway that once opened leads you right on the sand dunes… Truly magical. The food is extraordinarily good, using local produce and making use of the wonderful herbs and veggies grown in the gardens. The yoga will be partly in the garden, outdoors in the dunes or in the meditation room.A local guide will take us on to daily silent walks into the desert and we will visie the ancient Kasbah of Ouled Driss.
On the way back from the Desert we will stay for a total of 3 nights at the gorgeous Hara Lodge. This secret place is hidden deep in the oasis of Agdez right on the banks of the River Drâa , facing the absolutely majestic Atlas mountains chain. The eco-friendly bungalows are traditionally build, comfortable and cosy. All beautifully surrounded by gardens and green lawns where we will do our yoga outdoors. There is plenty of space to sit, lounge, relax and enjoy the amazing views over the river. Here you can go for lovely walks in the palm groves, bird watch, swim in the natural pools and enjoy delicious meals. This is a place for nature lovers where you can soak up all the tranquillity and beauty of the oasis life.

Schedule

The Trip outligned
Day 1:
Arrival any time from midday onwards in Marrakesh at the charming Riad in the Medina. Meeting the group and welcome dinner together.
Day 2:
Morning yoga, breakfast and starting the trip over the beautiful Atlas Mountains arriving at Irosha in Tisselday near Ouarzazate. Lunch there and afternoon relaxing by the pool. Possibility to have a tailored massage with Massimo.
Day 3:
After morning yoga and breakfast heading south towards Zagora. Arriving in Ouled Driss near m’hamid at dar paru the wonderful little guesthouse right at the edge of the Sahara.
Day 4, 5, 6, 7, 8:
5 full days to fully arrive in the desert and enjoy the silence and peace of this place. Daily program will be two yoga sessions morning and late afternoon of 1 h 30 each. Full pension with extraordinarily delicious organic meals at Dar Paru. Daily meditative silent walk into the desert dunes with a guide. On Day 6 there will be no yoga to have extra time for some more explorations. Massages will be available on request with Massimo.
Day 9 :
After yoga and breakfast taking the road and arriving for lunch at Agdez at the biggest palmeraie on earth where we will be guest at the amazing Hara Lodge. Enjoying sunsets there and yoga.
Day 10, 11:
Two full days relaxing at Hara lodge enjoying the natural pools and swimming in the river, walking and exploring the oasis, breakfast and dinner, lunch. Morning and evening yoga outdoor sessions in the garden.
Day 12:
After morning yoga, trip back to Marrakech arriving at Riad Sherazade and dinner together.
Day 13:
Departure day. Transfers back to the airport are arranged for you.

Activities

  • Discover the untouched regions of southern Morrocco
  • Visit the ancient kasbahs and ksars (old villages)
  • Go to the zaouiats and marabouts (spiritual venues/shrines)
  • Meet the friendly local inhabitants
  • Have the opportunity for long peaceful walks
  • Go for a ride into the desert on the back of a camel
  • The “Five Elements” cooking course
  • Massage treatments with Massimo
  • Swimming
  • Star gazing at nights
  • Sunsets in the desert
  • Bivouac
  • Daily yoga meditation and qi gong

Getting there

Fly into Marrakesh. From there we will pick you up and arrange the rest. We will have our private mini bus taking us around during this trip. There will be limited time to explore Marakesh so in case you want to stay there longer best is to plan this before the start of the trip and add some extra day or two, preferably at the start of the trip.

Price

1320 € shared room per person, private bathroom
1570 € single per person (private room, private bathroom) there is a limited space for single rooms on this trip. They will be given on the first-come-first-served basis. Please contact me to ask for availability.
Reservation
Deposit 500 € to hold your space *
* Please note that the above amount is non-refundable in case of cancelation. The remaining balance is to be paid one month prior to the start of the retreat via bank transfer on the 1th of March 2018.
Retreat Price includes

  • 13 days and 12 nights accommodation
  • All breakfast and dinners
  • Full board at Irosha, Dar Paru, Hara Lodge
  • One massage with Massimo
  • Two Daily Yoga classes while we stay in a location and min 1 class on the days we travel.
  • All transfers

Not inlcuded in trip price:
Air fare to and from Marrakesh, taxi to the hotel in Marrakesh 10 €, travel insurance, extra trips like camel ride, bivouac in tents ect, tipping kitty arround 25 € dh each, Any additional massage sessions 50 € , snacks and 2 lunches on the travelling days.

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