MOROCCO RETREAT
DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF MARRAKECH & THE BEAUTY OF THE SAHARA while experiencing personal transformation
Trip Style: Retreat
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STARTING AT $3895 per person
September 4-12, 2027 - Yoga Retreat with Lexi Stickel
9-day Morocco retreat with an experienced Retreat Leader
6-14 people
Add on Fes & Chefchaouen
Trip Highlights
Daily movement & adventure with like-minded, growth-oriented people
Connect with a Amazigh women’s textile co-op and learn about their traditions
Adventure across the Atlas Mountains and sleep under the stars in the Sahara at the Erg Chegaga dunes
Experience the souks of Marrakech + UNESCO sites including Aït Ben Haddou
Opt in for an add-on in the ancient city of Fes and the blue pearl of Chefchouen
Have you ever wished for a sacred space to combine adventure and inspiration with healing and transformation? 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 then head across the Atlas Mountains and into the Sahara Desert complete with a camel ride, oasis excursion, and music under the stars. En route back to Marrakech we visit the UNESCO-protected village of Aït Ben Haddou and stop at an Amazigh women’s textile co-op to learn about how their artisan craftsmanship shapes their community. Throughout the trip you’ll have daily movement with your experienced Retreat Leader while gaining a deep understanding of 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.
Book our 9-day Morocco retreat starting at $3895 per person. See all inclusions, itinerary details and complete pricing in the drop downs below.
Trip Inclusions
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6 nights’ boutique hotel stay in riad and kasbah style accommodations
2 nights desert camping in permanent structure tents with real beds
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Transfers to/from airport on arrival & departure days
Private ground transit between Marrakech, Ait Ben Haddou and the Sahara
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Daily yoga sessions with Retreat Leader Lexi Stickel
Marrakech souk & medina tour with entry to Madrasa Ben Youssef
Atlas Mountains road trip and Sahara desert excursion with two nights “glamping” complete with full structure tents and real beds
Camel ride, stargazing, traditional music & food and an oasis outing
Visit to the UNESCO site of Aït Ben Haddou
Community Partner visit at a Amazigh Women’s Textile co-op
Add-on options for hammam and cooking classes
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Daily breakfast + 5 lunches + 7 dinners
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Visit to a traditional Amazigh textile women’s co-op + donation to their organization
Dedicated retreat leaders + local guide
Traverse representative assisting you from booking to departure
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Extra night in Marrakech
Hammam spa and massage
Cooking class
Fes & Chefchaouen 3-night extension
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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
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If you’d like a little extra time in Marrakech for our cooking class and/or hammam & spa experience, plan to arrive the day before the official start. Arrive at Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) at the time that works from you and choose for an easy taxi transit from the airport kiosk or arrange a private transfer to for an extra fee. You’ll stay in a beautiful riad in the medina with vibrant mosaics and atrium terrace, a perfect way to relax & settle in.
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Arrival Day: Arrive at Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) by 4 p.m. with a short transfer to your riad accommodations complete with vibrant mosaics and atrium gardens inside the bustling Medina of the Red City, Marrakech. Rest up and meet your roommate before your evening orientation followed by our Welcome Dinner.
Early Arrivals: If you opted to arrive on Day 0 above you can enjoy a free day in Marrakech or choose from our two add-on options: A cooking class and a hammam & spa experience. The cooking class takes place in the morning where you’ll learning the techniques and ingredients of this delicious cuisine - and feast on it for lunch! Then head back to your hotel for a little rest before your afternoon massage treatment.
Meals: D
Add-on options: Cooking class (3 hours), hammam & massage (1.5 hours) - both require extra night in Marrakech
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Enjoy your morning yoga session followed by breakfast before you kick off a day of discovering the Red City! We'll depart not-too-early for a full day guided tour of the ancient old town (medina) of Marrakech - including the Madrasa Ben Youssef, Jemaa al Fna (big square of Marrakech), a local spice market and artisan markets (souks). Taste fresh bread from the local baker, learn the difference between leather shoe-making techniques and styles, listen to welders hammer their crafts, and be dazzled by Moroccan lamps.
We'll make sure to snack our way through, enjoying delicious Moroccan street cuisine like fresh pomegranate juice, nut-filled sweets and savory pastries.
In the afternoon, you’ll be able to use all that you learned in the souks to do some shopping yourself or opt for a sunset dinner on a rooftop terrace, which there are many of in the medina!
Meals: B
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Wake up feeling refreshed and ready for a road trip! After your morning 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.
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
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Today we’ll have the full day at our beautiful desert resort. Your Retreat Leader will organize a special yoga session to dive deeply into the practices that we’ll be using during the next few days adventure. You’ll also have downtime for rest, journaling or a dip in the pool as you soak it all in. For anyone looking for more adventure, your local guide can take you into town to see what small mountain villages in Morocco are like!
Meals: B, L, D
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We’ll start our day with sunrise yoga, 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.
After lunch, we'll pass through the last village on the map 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
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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
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Wake up to catch an unforgettable Sahara sunrise and yoga. 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, an Amazigh 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, an evening workshop, and a delicious dinner. Also - a great opportunity for a hot shower to wash off all that Sahara sand!
Meals: B, L, D
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After breakfast, we'll hit the road for the final hours of our "Southern Loop" trip back to Marrakech including a visit to the famous Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou (a UNESCO site).
We’ll arrive back in Marrakech to the villa where we started, you'll have some time to settle back into your room or take a dip in the pool before our final yoga session together as we integrate all we’ve experienced throughout the week. We’ll finish it off with a festive Farewell Dinner together.
Meals: B, L, D
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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
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Today you’ll explore the ancient medina 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
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After breakfast you’ll head out 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 beautiful boutique riad.
Meals: B
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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
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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.
STARTING at $3895 per person - double occupancy
+$695 Single supplement “my own room” option
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Day 1 add-ons: You can do one or both of these options. These add-ons require an extra night at our boutique hotel, starting at $225 per room.
+$95 - Cooking class, 3-4 hour experience with vegetarian options and wine pairing available
+$130 - Traditional hammam and massage, a true Moroccan experience! About 1.5-2 hours.
Self-Guided Fes & Chefchaouen add-on, starting on Day 9:
+$995 Fes & Chefchaouen (3 nights), price based on double occupancy.
+$295 Fes 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
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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
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No, we welcome people all along the journey. Adventure retreats are an opportunity for growth retreat in a supportive environment.
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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 LEADErs
Lexi Stickel - September 2027 Yoga Retreat
Lexi brings over 15 years of experience to her yoga practice, offering classes rooted in joy, connection, and mindful breath. She discovered yoga as a way to manage stress during graduate school and has since developed a teaching style that is inclusive, empowering, and accessible to all bodies and experience levels. Raised in Oregon and now based in the Columbia River Gorge, Lexi draws deep inspiration from the natural world, weaving elements of presence and exploration into her teaching at Wild Bloom Yoga. Her background includes a 200-hour Yoga Alliance certification from Jaya Yoga School, restorative yoga training, and experience as a Master Naturalist, Leave No Trace Educator, and Wilderness First Aid responder—bringing a grounded, thoughtful, and supportive approach to every retreat experience. Lexi is also a Retreat Leader for the Traverse Journeys Mexico Retreat in San Miguel de Allende.
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 $500 deposit per person per trip is required for each traveler to secure the booking. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable unless otherwise indicated on booking with the exception of our 24-hour No Regrets policy. A booking is not final until you receive a final confirmation from us.
24-hour No Regrets Policy: If, within 24 hours of submitting your deposit, you decide to cancel your booking you may request a refund, which will be granted less transaction fees.
Payment
Payments can be made either by 1) Normal Payment terms of 50% due 30 days after booking and 50% due 90 days prior to departure or 2) Monthly terms of equal installments with a $10 per month fee. Payments options include ACH, wire, credit card or Zelle. Payee is responsible for all transaction or processing fees. Late payments are given a two-week grace period; after that a $10 per month late payment fee will be charged.
Cancellations Policy
Group Trips & Retreats: Cancellations, less the trip deposit, are refundable up to 120 days prior to the trip start date.
Custom and Self-Guided: All payments non-refundable. Requests for transfers may be considered in extenuating circumstances and may incur a change fee.
To cancel a booking, Traveler must submit a request to us in writing by email to hello@traversejourneys.com
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 $150,000 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.
