mesmerized in Morocco

includes

7 nights on retreat : 3 in Marrakech & 4 in Essaouira

Yoga daily as per the Itinerary

Traditional Moroccan breakfast daily

Three lunches and five dinners together*

Grounding circle with mint tea & cookies

Henna designs on hands and feet

Pampering Spa Day with traditional hamman experience and one hour massage

Guided group adventure into Marrakech to explore the pulse of the country; includes trip to the famous Marjorelle Gardens of Yves Saint Laurent, a visit to the famous Ben Yousself Koran School, and a visit to the souks with free time for shopping

Cooking class of traditional dishes with a guided adventure to the spice market

Camel ride along the secluded coastline with Mogador island as our backdrop

A free day to explore as you wish

Roundtrip airport transfers to and from RAK (shared schedule on itinerary)

All local taxes

*Water and local wine, included in some dinners together.

What’s not included :

Airfare
Alcohol and bottled water
3 lunches & 2 dinners on your own
Travel insurance
Extras
Staff Gratuities (suggested between $70-100usd for the incredible staff)

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mesmerized in Morocco

itinerary*

DAY ONE

Arrival & Settle-in into Marrakech
RAK Airport Transfers to our riad**
3pm Riad check-in; Settle (Marrakech medina)
4:30-7pm Opening grounding circle and gentle practice followed by henna & Moroccan cookies and mint tea
7:30pm Dinner together

DAY TWO

7:30am Coffee, tea & fruit available
8-9:15am Morning Class  
9:30am Breakfast
12-4pm Pampering Spa Day (3 hours of services : hammam, mud, massage)
6:30-7:30pm Specialty belly dancing workshop with a professional dancer
8-11pm Dinner & belly dancing show together at Le Comptoir

DAY THREE

8am Coffee, tea & fruit available
9-10:15am Mindful Flow Yoga Practice
10:30am Breakfast
12-6pm Group outing w/ our local guide to explore the city and the souks (Majorelle Gardens & Koran School); Lunch included
Free time and dinner on your own

DAY FOUR

7:30am Coffee, tea & fruit available
9am Breakfast
10:30am Check out of riad and leave for Essaouira
Drive to Essaouira  (2.5 hour drive w/ stop along the way)
2pm Barbecue lunch by the pool
3:30pm Check into accommodations
5:30-7pm Evening practice
Dinner on your own or at the Beldi

DAY FIVE

7:30am Coffee, tea & fruit available
8:30-9:45am Yoga Practice
10am Breakfast
1pm Leave for the medina of Essaouira; Lay of the land tour and free time
4-8pm Cooking class with dinner
Return to Beldi or stay in Essa for some live music on your own

DAY SIX

8am Coffee, tea & fruit available
8:30-10am Morning Yoga Practice
10:15am Breakfast
Free time to explore as you wish; take a kite lesson, visit a local argan producer or get artsy at a local cheese farm, enjoy quiet beach or pool time, check out the Medina  
Lunch on your own
6-7pm Evening practice
7:30pm Dinner together at the Beldi

DAY SEVEN

8am Coffee, tea & fruit available
8:30-9:45am Morning Yoga Practice
10am Breakfast
12-1:30pm Camel rides on the beach
Free time to explore as you wish; last minute shopping and exploring
Lunch on your own
6:30-7:45pm Evening practice & Closing Circle
8pm Farewell Dinner together

DAY EIGHT

8am Coffee, tea & Breakfast available
Check out of riad
9am Shared Departure Shuttle to RAK airport**

*This itinerary is subject to adjustments, changes in times, locations, or activities as the retreat leaders and hosts see fit. Any change will be on par with our standards or an upgrade in services or location making for an even more amazing experience for the group and our guests. Thank you in advance for your flexibility and cooperation if any situation were to arise.

**Arrival transfers from RAK airport will be private or shared depending on everyone’s flight schedules on the start day of the retreat. If you arrive earlier and want to join our shuttle you can meet at the airport at a specified time to go with others or you can meet us at the riad on your own.

Departure transfer to RAK from Essaouira will plan to leave at 9am on the last retreat day. Please plan to leave for the RAK airport approx 5.5 hours before your flight out.

If you would like a private ride outside of these times or from another airport we can arrange this for you at an additional cost.

Book now!

mesmerized in Morocco

accommodations

Our Moroccan retreat adventure will take us to several locations highlighting the best of the country. We begin in our own riad in the heart of the medina in Marrakech.

A traditional riad with stunning design, authentic voice and incredible staff. It’s home for our retreats for the first few nights and where we stay for extra nights in the city to relax and unwind from the bustle of the souks.

Moving on to the laid back coastal vibes of Essaouira, we embrace serenity and calm in the stunning countryside accommodations of our long standing partners in Morocco. A quick drive to the city center but far enough away to enjoy the peace of the area.

Unique domes house each room with a common space poolside for meals, relaxation and connection. All rooms have private bathrooms en-suite, gorgeous thoughtful decor and plenty of time and space for contemplation in nature.

Our favorite part is the new studio with views of the surrounding argan and olive groves. Perfect for incredible classes, introspection and peace. It’s a vibe.

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mesmerized in Morocco

pricing

SHARED TWIN ROOMS

Shared Twin rooms have 2 twin beds, ensuite bathroom, and adorable details.
Each room in the hotel is unique. These photos represent the room type you are booking but there are 2 beds.

4,995usd per person

PRIVATE ROOMS

1 Double bed, ensuite bathroom, and charming details.
Each room is unique. These photos represent the room type you are booking.

5,995usd private

4,955usd shared bed* per person

* You must provide your bedmate for these options.

We will pair single travelers together looking to share a room. Roommates should book their accommodations together.

Book now!

mesmerized in Morocco

reservations

MAKE YOUR DEPOSIT HERE :

Deposits of 1,000usd are due to secure your space in the retreat. Please check availability with us for accommodations before making your deposit.

Roommates should book together. If you would like to share a room and do not have a roommate we will provide one for you if possible. In the case that there is no one to share a room we ask that you take a private room instead.

Please use the form below to submit your deposit.

BALANCE PAYMENTS :

The balance of your retreat (minus your $1,000usd initial deposit*) is due 90 days prior to arrival. All details with instructions for settling up will be emailed to you three months prior to the retreat.

In addition to credit card payments we also accept wire transfers, Zelle and Bitcoin. Please inquire for more details.

POLICIES

CANCELLATION POLICY

All payments are 100% non refundable and non-transferable.

We recommend that you buy Trip cancellation insurance immediately upon making your initial deposit to cover any travel hiccups or complications that may arise between now and the time of your retreat. No exceptions are possible so please cover your trip by connecting with an insurance company that offers the right policy for you. Agents are available online to help with your specific needs. Cover your retreat here!

CLIENT RESPONSIBILITY

The acceptance of a verbal or written confirmation from YOGA & ADVENTURES WORLDWIDE (Y&AWW) constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions listed herein. Participants are responsible to be adequately insured, therefore Traveler’s Insurance is strongly recommended*. Y&AWW and its staff assume no responsibility nor liability for any delay, loss, damage, injury or accident with regards to persons or property which may be caused by fault or negligence of any third party vendor. This includes hotels, transportation providers, and local operators participating in part for our services. Y&AWW shall be held harmless for any expense caused by injury or accident, to any participants as well as any loss or damage of personal items while on our tours. We reserve the right to make any changes to services and itineraries, with or without notice, which may become necessary.

Yoga & Adventures Worldwide, its affiliates, retreat facilitators, hotels, third party vendors, and tour providers, the ownership, or staff, of course, cannot be held responsible for events that are outside of our control. There are no refunds as per our cancellation policies. We highly recommend that all of our guests secure a quality travel insurance that will cover them for ANY event which may cause for a change of travel plans, or for ANY unfortunate event including but of course not limited to:

– Transportation delays, cancellations or changes due to strikes, labor disputes, or lockouts from airlines, boats, ferries or any type of transportation.
– Any inconvenience or complication caused by bad weather, storms, and hurricanes : a direct hit, near miss, or significant threat of a hurricane strike
– Government/political actions, events or situations; threats or acts of terrorism, acts of war or declared war.
– Personal health issues or personal situations in general which may affect travel plans
– Any loss, theft or damage of personal items at any stage of your trip
– Any accident causing injury during any stage of your trip
– Travel restrictions or illness associated with COVID-19.

All travelers may join our retreats “at your own risk”, but should continue to take precautions such as wearing masks in public, avoiding crowds, maintaining social distance and washing hands frequently. Any Covid testing will be determined by the countries through which the traveler must pass. All testing requirements are at the travelers expense and are not included in our packages. Please stay up to date with current travel related requirements.

We require that you are covered with medical insurance while on retreat. Please check your health insurance policy regarding treatment outside your home country in the rare case you would need care while away from home. Most policies have coverage for emergencies and we ask that you submit proof of this coverage when prompted. If you do not have a policy that covers travel medical, we recommend that you speak with an agent to see what is best for you. Insubuy has many options for coverage.  Please consult with the agent to make sure the plan you choose covers medical care in the country you are visiting. We will ask for proof of medical insurance prior to the retreat.

By submitting payments toward your retreat you accept these Terms and Conditions.

If you have any questions regarding the details of this retreat please feel free to contact us to set up a call or to receive further info via email.

Contact Us with any questions

mesmerized in Morocco

Praises

“This was a trip of a lifetime for me! Everything exceeded my expectations. The yoga practice was perfect, the food was phenomenal, the excursions were informative and the amount of free time to explore on our own was perfect! I can’t stop talking about it!”  — Laura S.  Los Angeles, CA

“This is my fourth trip with YAWW and I plan on doing more. The perfect combination of retreat and vacation. The yoga teachers are phenomenal and the facilitators are akin to having a personal concierge. The food is fantastic and plenty. The outings and activities are seamless. Highly recommend!” — Mimi S. Houston, TX

“The staff and owners of the Riad were quite lovely and very accommodating. Anything you request is available quickly, the breakfast on the open rooftop were my favorite parts of each day. The riad and the sister properties were so lovely and well-maintained. We had several meals on our own and the local restaurants were quite good, we felt safe and enjoyed The local shopping and chatting with the shop owners. It was a great experience.”  — Brenda M. Raleigh, NC

Our dynamic and amazing Morocco Yoga Retreat as captured by Anna Fishkin and edited by Reed Rickert of Modern Maya : Nomadic Media Collective.

mesmerized in Morocco

Travel Tips Guide

WHAT TO WEAR,  WHAT TO BRING, WHAT TO KNOW…

DRESS :

Morocco is a progressive Muslim country with much respect and rights for women. You can see everything from full head-to-toe coverage to sheer wraps over bikinis in Morocco but the majority of foreign women wear skirts or capris, comfortable walking shoes, and a modest top. Try to stick with outfits that extend to the knee and cover the shoulders and collar bone to avoid unwanted attention.

Weather :

In Essaouira, by the coast, the days are typically breezy and perfect. You can expect weather in the 70s/20C most days. It is possible that it rains during the Spring so if you have a little umbrella or light rain jacket consider bringing it along. Fall weather is usually relatively dry. Marrakech is considerably warmer throughout the year so please pack and dress accordingly. Capris or loose fitting pants, long shorts and skirts are good options.

BRING :

We provide yoga props during the retreat in Morocco. A mat and strap will be provided for you in Marrakech. In Essaouira the studio has bolsters as well as the basics.

Feel free to bring a journal for capturing your thoughts or any art supplies to stretch your creative muscle in this very artistically inclined city.

Sunglasses, sun hat, good walking shoes, comfortable and appropriate clothing, yoga clothes, a bathing suit, as well as your camera are all good items to have with you.

A Universal Adaptor for plugs is necessary so please plan to bring one along for charging devices.  Morocco has European style 2 prong outlets.

Shopping is at every turn in Morocco so it may be a good idea to pack a collapsable yet sturdy duffle bag at the bottom of your large suitcase (leave space as well for extra goodies you’ll surely pick up!). I usually pack a smaller carry on with all my items for a trip then place it inside my empty larger suitcase to check PLUS the empty duffle bag inside it all (but i LOVE to shop when in Morocco)! If that is too much for you and you find yourself in need of a bag, one can be purchased in the souks to bring back home filled with your new treasures.

Other items that might come in handy to have on you are sunscreen, probiotics, anti-diarrhea meds (Moroccan food can be heavily spiced at times–better safe than sorry), vitamin C, and any medications and toiletries that might be hard to get outside your home country.

Spa day you will want your bathing suit to enjoy the pool and the sunshine. Camel day you might want longer pants like when you ride a horse. We will be riding on the beach so if the weather is chilly that day it will be cooler on the ride. Dress accordingly please. You can bring a wrap for your head from home or pick up one on the streets in Essaouira to look the part on the camels 😉 It also keeps you cooler and protects your neck from the sun! Our amazing camel whisperer Mustafa will hook you up with the proper look…he’s the best!

Money :

I typically bring along my ATM card on international trips and take money out of the local ATM. Make sure you have an app like XE currency converter downloaded so you can know how much you’re withdrawing. Please check for yourself but the exchange rate is typically around 1usd to 10 dirham to do a rough calculation. If you can’t get money from the airport upon landing you’ll be able to get it from the main square in both cities. Many places will take a credit card for larger purchases like rugs and bags but many smaller souks or shopping stalls it’s better to have cash so you can negotiate your prices easier.

To avoid the hassle of finding ATMS you can order Moroccan Dirhams in advance and bring some with you to get started.

It’s very hard for us to tell you how much money you’ll need. It really depends on lots of things. There are some meals not included in the retreat package as well as tipping and of course how much shopping in the souks you plan to do.

We suggest you let your bank know you are traveling and all the countries you will be passing through so they don’t accidentally block your card.

Shopping :

Ohhhh Morocco! It’s our FAVE. I would definitely plan to have some extra space in your suitcase for bringing home some goodies from Morocco. I am a BIG shopper when I’m there so I bring an empty duffle bag as well to load up and check a 2nd bag on my way home. If you purchase a rug you can have them wrap it in a roll and they can check it just like that. Other items that you may find interesting to bring home. : spices, lanterns, shoes, argan oil, pottery, baskets, leather bags, overnight bags, poufs, amazing kaftans, oh the list goes on and on and on….have a blast!

Essaouira is where I like to buy my rugs and other items that I need more time to consider. Please note that there is less haggling for purchases in Essaouira as prices are a bit more fixed and the sales people are much more relaxed. Haggling is best left for Marrakech. We will show you our favorite shops in both places.

Tipping :

The staff at our Riads are amazing!! We usually collect tips before closing dinner and hand them over to the hotel manager as they distribute them to all staff involved at the end of the retreat. You will have a clean room daily, breakfasts and several dinners, spa day and the argan tour are also their properties and staff. We recommend a tip of around 600 dirham (the equivalent of around $60usd) to show your appreciation of the amazing service that Morocco is so well known for.

For your airport transfers, the drivers should be tipped directly. Dirham is preferred but they can exchange Euro or USD if that is all you have. We recommend around $10usd or 100 Dirham each way per person.

AIRLINE TICKET TIPS AND TRICKS :

1.  Each time you plan to search for flights you should ‘Clear Browsing Data’ from your device.  Google how to here. This deletes any previous searches from your computer so you get a fresh start with pricing out flights.

2.  There is a sweet spot for buying airline tickets 6 weeks before your trip on a Tuesday.

3.  I usually book my flights with Google Flights to find the best dates and rates for travel. I put an alert on the search so it keeps me updated via email when pricing is rising or falling. It’s a good way to keep an eye out and buy when the price is optimal.

PLEASE NOTE YOUR PASSPORT MUST BE VALID FOR 6 MONTHS AFTER YOU ARRIVE INTO THE COUNTRY. PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK YOUR EXPIRATION DATE PRIOR TO BOOKING.

Getting to, from, and around Morocco :

We recommend flying into and out of Marrakech’s Menara International Airport (RAK). There are many flights daily from major cities around the world. The airport is about half an hour from the medina in Marrakech and 2.5 hours from Essaouira.

Our included airport transfers utilize RAK.

Essaouira-Mogador and Casablanca both have their own airports if those are better choices for you.

Most citizens are allowed to enter Morocco without a visa if you are staying for less than 90 days. If you are a citizen of Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, or Jordan you may need to apply for a visa. Other countries do not. Please check with us if you have any doubts.

Layovers before and after the retreat :

We expect that most retreat guests will be arriving a day or two before the retreat and spending time in either Marrakech, another European city as per their flight pattern, or coming directly to Essaouira. If you are looking to head right to the hotel and settle in please let us know and we can put you in touch directly with the hotel to see about reserving a room or maybe even getting the same one you have for the retreat if possible.

Lots of people will spend their layover in Madrid and then head to Marrakech the next morning or you could purchase separate flights and stay a few nights in Madrid (or whatever European city is cheapest to fly into from your home airport) to catch up on jet lag, then buy a separate flight to Marrakech from there. This will depend on costs and should be planned carefully as if there are delays you are responsible for each flight individually since are purchased separately, but it can be a great flying hack to a good deal on flights.

If you have an overnight in Madrid I can recommend a great Tapas, Tavernas & History walking tour in the evening that is a great way to pass some time on a layover, enjoy a bit of the culture, and experience the city with a few other likeminded travelers.

If you plan to stay in Marrakech for a few nights and want to check out a more pampering riad experience we recommend El Fenn or La Mamounia.

CULTURE & MOROCCAN NATIONALS

Overall Morocco is an amazing and most hospitable country therefore women traveling alone should not be afraid, just sensible, respectful, aware, and cautious.

For the most part Moroccans are incredibly open-minded, especially in cities where tourism is common (Marrakesh, Casablanca, Fes, Essaouira, Rabat, Meknes, and Ouarzazate) and you will find it quite easy to have conversations with locals (in souks and hotels) about world politics, the cultural and historical traditions of Morocco and the economy.

Moroccans who work in the tourism industry and in the souks tend to be multi-lingual and up to date on world politics. If you are a person who enjoys conversation during your travels you will find the opportunity to discuss many things within the souks and markets while you are shopping and being offered the traditional hospitality of mint tea.

Female Travelers

If you are a female traveler in Morocco there is little to worry about as long as you maintain respectful dress and carry yourself appropriately. The popularity of tourism caused the Moroccan economy to undergo a process of liberalization and modernization, consequently altering some societal values.

Today, Moroccan women are taking more active roles in the government, law, medicine, warfare, and trade. There is also an increase in university enrollment among the younger generation, ultimately, leading to a more open-minded youth and a greater tolerance for modern ideas and western influences.

Consequently, Moroccans are getting more used to seeing females (particularly tourists) visiting cafes and other places that were in the past were primarily frequented by men.

As always, follow all rules that apply to travel in any major city, watch out for your bag in crowded areas and in general be aware of your surroundings.

Have a fabulous retreat in Morocco!!