Join SJY Founder Jordan Ashley & yoga teacher & Reiki practitioner Joanne Silver for a 7‑night/8‑day transformative journey through Morocco. Together with Itran Travel, this retreat blends cultural immersion, adventure, & deep restoration, inviting us to slow down and return to stillness, to be held by the vastness of the Sahara and the quiet rhythm of desert life.

We travel gently through the dunes of Merzouga and Hassilabied, soaking in the landscape, the stories, and the silence that surrounds us. Days are shaped by sun and sand: morning yoga, silent dune walks, long meals, and shared time with nomadic communities who offer glimpses into their way of living. We gather beneath candlelight and stars, take part in traditional crafts, and even learn the art of Moroccan cuisine. From the quiet of the desert, we move into the vibrant heart of Marrakech, wandering the medina’s winding alleyways, colorful souks, & rich architecture.

Our journey begins at Caravan Serai Luxury Desert Camp, where elevated glamping tents with en-suite bathrooms and hot-water showers are nestled in a quiet pocket of the dunes, offering a peaceful retreat with golden sands stretching endlessly in every direction. From here, we continue to Riad Serai in Merzouga, a boutique oasis at the edge of the majestic Erg Chebbi dunes, blending refined comfort with authentic Moroccan charm. Suites feature traditional Saharan-inspired details, and the riad’s outdoor spaces and swimming pool provide the perfect place to rest and integrate each day. We then journey to Lodge Hara Oasis in Agdz, a serene palm-fringed retreat set along the lush Draa Valley at the edge of the desert. Surrounded by date palms and dramatic mountain backdrops, this intimate lodge blends contemporary comfort with traditional kasbah architecture, offering a peaceful setting to unwind and reflect beneath vast skies. Finally, in Marrakech, we stay at Riad Touda, tucked within the heart of the medina. Traditional Moroccan craftsmanship meets soft, earthy tones, and the riad opens onto a serene interior courtyard, a tranquil oasis away from the city’s energy.

In partnership with Association Amal, each participant’s $200 donation directly supports Amal’s vocational training programs that empower women in Morocco with the skills and confidence to rewrite their stories. During our visit, we engage in a hands-on cooking class while learning about the organization’s impactful women’s empowerment initiatives.

There is no rush here. This is a space for reflection, relationship, and reciprocity, a space to be with yourself, with one another, and with the profound connection that arises when culture and community are honored with care.

A journey that lingers long after you return home.

*All participants must complete and submit the Retreat Waiver and Agreement before registering.

**Your $500 deposit is non-refundable to secure your space. Thank you!

***Two Separate Beds – Perfect for friends, family, or let us match you with a new travel buddy.

****Please keep an open mind and a “go with the flow” attitude, as we will. When in a different country, things may be delayed or adjusted beyond our control. So, embrace the spirit of adventure and enjoy the epic journey that awaits you!

• Private 4x4 travel throughout, including airport transfers (Errachidia arrival on October 9th and Marrakech departure on October 17th)

• 7 nights’ accommodation (2 Caravan Serai Luxury Desert Camp, 1 Riad Serai, 1 Lodge Hara Oasis, 3 Riad Touda)

• Meals (7 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 7 dinners)

• All scheduled workshops and tours (Henna & Tahruyt, camel trek, Ait Ben Haddou, guided Medina tour, Amal cooking class, and YSL Garden)

• $200 tax-deductible donation to Association Amal

• Yoga mat and blocks 

• Goody Bags featuring Mad Hippie

• International Flights

• Select lunches (Days 4, 5, and 6)

• Optional add-ons (Hammam, rescue farm, or hot air balloon)

• Gratuity

• Travel Insurance (Mandatory)

Our retreat begins in Merzouga, Morocco, the gateway to the Sahara Desert.

Recommended Arrival Airport

We recommend flying into Errachidia Airport (ERH), the closest airport to Merzouga.

• Daily domestic flights operate between Casablanca and Errachidia with Royal Air Maroc.

• Domestic flights from Marrakech to Errachidia operate several days per week.

Alternatively, guests may fly into Marrakech International Airport (RAK) or Ouarzazate International Airport (OZZ) and arrange a ground transfer to Merzouga through Itran Travel.

Hotel Recommendation

For guests arriving early, we recommend staying at Kenzi Rissani, conveniently located just a 5-minute drive from Errachidia Airport.

Complimentary Transfer

Guests arriving at Errachidia Airport on 9th October will receive a complimentary private airport transfer to Kenzi Rissani.

For guests who wish to arrive in Morocco before the retreat begins, or extend their stay afterwards to explore more of this extraordinary country, our trusted local partner, Itran Travel, will be delighted to assist. They can arrange curated itineraries, accommodation, private transfers, and guided experiences at preferential rates.

Please email them here: ella@itrantravel.com

Camel trekking is one of the most iconic ways to experience the Sahara. For centuries, camels have been central to life in the desert, enabling trade, transport, and connection across vast landscapes.

In Merzouga, camels remain essential to the local economy. As traditional nomadic ways of life become increasingly threatened by climate change and environmental shifts, many families now work with camels as a sustainable alternative livelihood. Responsible desert tourism plays an important role in supporting these communities and preserving cultural heritage.

We partner with local handlers who prioritize the well-being of their animals. The camels we work with are treated with care, given proper rest, nourishment, and attentive handling. We are committed to ensuring that our experience is respectful - both to the animals and to the people whose lives are intertwined with them.

For guests who prefer not to ride a camel, there will also be the option to travel by 4x4 vehicle to the desert camp.

Our intention is to offer an experience that honors the land, its people, and the animals who have long made life in the Sahara possible.

*Depart for the desert from Errachidia, 10.30 am

Arrival at Riad Serai
Welcome tea and check-in
Lunch
Relaxation time

****Sunset camel trek into the dunes (or transfer via 4x4)
Arrival at luxury desert camp
Welcome circle & sunset yoga
Dune walk and guided journaling

Group dinner at the camp
Overnight at Luxury Desert Camp

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Caravan Serai 

Early Morning
Sunrise tea and coffee
Optional silent dune walk

Yoga in the dunes
Leisurely breakfast
Henna & Tahruyt workshop led by local women (textile art and Indigenous symbolism)
Lunch at the workshop
Rest and free time

Traditional music and drumming by campfire with local musicians
Group dinner at the camp
Stargazing in the dunes guided by a local storyteller

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Caravan Serai

Leisurely breakfast

Depart camp by 4x4

Visit local nomad families and share tea
Picnic lunch
Check into Riad Serai

Free time around the pool

Optional guided walk of local gardens (learn about Indigenous irrigation systems)

Sunset yoga in the riad courtyard

Group dinner at the riad

Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Riad Serai

Pre yoga tea and coffee

Yoga in the riad courtyard

Breakfast
Depart Merzouga
Visit Rissani Traditional Souk and Lunch in Nkob

Arrival at Hara Oasis

Hammam & freetime

Sunset yoga

Dinner

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Lodge Hara Oasis

Pre-yoga coffee
Morning yoga
Breakfast
Scenic drive through the Valley of Roses and the Skoura Palm Grove
Optional visit to Ouarzazate film studios or Ait Ben Haddou
Lunch in Ouarzazate
Drive to Marrakech via the Tizi n’Tichka mountain pass
Arrival in Marrakech

Dinner at Riad Touda

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Riad Touda

Pre-yoga coffee

Yoga

Breakfast
Visit Association Amal
Hands-on cooking experience
Lunch at Association Amal
Guided walking tour of Marrakech Medina with a female guide
Explore souks and historic alleyways
Leisure time at Riad Touda
Dinner at a local restaurant

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accomodation: Riad Touda

*Optional sunrise hot air balloon experience

Pre-yoga coffee

Closing Circle & Yoga

Breakfast
Visit to YSL Garden

Optional activities (Free time for shopping with a guide or solo, visit to an animal sanctuary, hammam)

Group Farewell Dinner in the Medina

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Accomodation: Riad Touda

Breakfast
Private transfers to Marrakech Airport