Sunshine, Souks, the desert and the mountains
THE Wild Times away in morocco13 - 20th APRIL 2024
Do
Settle in and start the retreat with mint tea and a delicious dinner on Saturday. Our first few days are all about grounding and resting, with an adventure into the Atlas Mountains and included beautiful picnic. There is an optional trip to the souks for shopping, mint teas on rooftops and exploring the square. Tuesday evening will take us to the rocky desert of Agafay for a three course sunset dinner under canvas at La Pause.
There will usually be two yoga classes a day, including dynamic vinyasa in the morning, calming yin before dinner and a couple of restorative yoga nidras (sleepy yoga!) before bed. This is dependant on the other activities we have - on some days if there are trips we might practice once. The yoga sessions are themed around the natural elements, bringing the qualities and strengths of nature into your practice and life.
All activities are optional but encouraged, so you can nap, read or swim and explore - it’s completely up to you. The Wild Times is always a guilt-free, judgement free zone - this is your time!
There are free shuttles from our venue to Marrakech three times a day if you'd like to explore more. Otherwise, have a massage, lounge around the pool or a small siesta...
Stay
Our beautiful venue is a haven of peace and quiet that will have you feeling relaxed as soon as you arrive.
Set in the tranquility of a Berber Village with a backdrop of the Atlas Mountains and the distant twinkle of the medina, meandering flower-lined paths lead through scented gardens and secret courtyards to exquisite A/C ensuite bedrooms, all beautifully furnished in the local style. The bedrooms are spacious and all have fireplaces, hairdryers, towels, toiletries and dressing gowns.
The hotel has two pools (one heated, one refreshing!), beautiful gardens, secret courtyards and rooftops, sunny balconies and more, so you can always find a peaceful spot to relax in. There is a large dining room with a big fireplace, and a large terrace overlooking the pool and the sunset where we will eat most of our meals and often have a pre-dinner sunset drink by the fire watching the sunset.
Rooms will be allocated on a first-come first-serve basis. They are a mix of twins and doubles, and there are also a small number of larger suites available for an extra cost, email us for details and availability.
Eat
Breakfast includes delicious home-made juices, honey, yoghurts, pancakes, cheeses, locally made breads, fresh fruit salad and cereals will be served after the morning yoga class. Omelettes and eggs are available as an added extra for around £2/3.
Then we'll have a healthy and generous salad buffet lunch with around 10 delicious salads to choose from, with bread and fruit available too. Evening meals will be traditional North African dishes created by the resident chef and his team, with vegetarian or vegan options available on request.
Tea and coffees are included at meal times, extra drinks and alcoholic drinks are also available to purchase.
Location: Morocco
Marrakech is a particularly amazing, colourful place. It has everything from fashionista Yves Saint Laurent's beloved gardens to Jemaa el Fnaa, the ancient square that was a trading ground from bedouins from the Sahara desert, to the busy, vibrant souks, peaceful hidden riads and rooftop restaurants.
Our retreat place is just 25 minutes away from the hubbub of Marrakech, in a tiny Berber village with views of the Atlas Mountains. The desert, with camels and sunset dinners is 40 minutes away, and the beautiful, rugged Atlas Mountains just over an hour away.
(I spent the first 7 months of the first lockdown living out in Morocco, and it's a country I love and keep returning to! It is so colourful, beautiful and varied, with over 300 days of sunshine a year. - Jen)
There are direct flights from the UK to Marrakech starting at £84 return with British Airways for these exact dates (as of 5th June). I'd also recommend perhaps staying for a night either side in a riad in the medina to experience a little more of Marrakech if you like! We can give you recommendations of places to stay and things to do once you've booked.
Example Schedule:
Saturday
Arrive anytime from 3pm to check in, unpack and relax
5.30pm: Opening circle
7.30pm: Dinner
9pm: Yoga Nidra
Sunday
7.30am: Help yourself to tea, coffee, fruit
8.30am: Vinyasa yoga, meditation
10am: Brunch
1.30pm: Lunch
5.30pm: Yin yoga
7.30pm Dinner
Monday
7.30am: Help yourself to tea, coffee, fruit
8.30am: Brunch
*Optional trip to the souks in Marrakech*
5.30pm: Yin yoga
7.30pm Dinner
9pm: Yoga Nidra
Tuesday
7.30am: Help yourself to tea, coffee, fruit
10am: Vinyasa yoga, meditation
10am: Brunch
2pm: Lunch
5.30pm: Yin yoga
7.30pm Dinner
Wednesday
7.30am: Help yourself to tea, coffee, fruit
8am: Vinyasa yoga, meditation
9.30am: Brunch
*Adventure to the Atlas Mountains*
7.30pm Dinner
Optional Yoga Nidra after dinner
Thursday
7.30am: Help yourself to tea, coffee, fruit
8am: Vinyasa yoga, meditation
9.30am: Brunch
2pm: Lunch
*Avdenture to the desert for a sunset dinner*
Friday
7.30am: Help yourself to tea, coffee, fruit
8am: Vinyasa yoga, meditation, closing circle
9.30am: Brunch
2pm: Lunch
5.30pm: Yin yoga
7.30pm Dinner
Saturday
7.30am: Help yourself to tea, coffee, fruit
8am: Vinyasa yoga, meditation, closing circle
9.30am: Brunch
12pm: Check out and head to Marrakech, or relax by the pool until it's time to head to the airport
What’s Included
● Seven nights, 8 days accommodation in a beautiful, peaceful retreat hotel with two pools and a hammam.
● All meals, snacks + hot drinks at mealtimes
● 15 x 1/1.5 hour yoga classes
● Daily guided meditation on the rooftop
● A 2.5 hour hike from a Kasbah in the Atlas Mountains with a picnic lunch
● A three course luxury sunset dinner in the desert
● An optional shopping trip to the Marrakech souks (minibus transfer included)
● Transfers to and from both adventures (desert & mountains)
● A luxury goodie bag
What’s not included
● Transfers to and from the airport
● Optional lunch in the Souks
● Any extra transport or taxis you may wish to get to and from Marrakech
● Extra spa treatments available - hammams, massages, facials and more
● Travel insurance - please make sure you have it upon booking