A transformative journey along the Mediterranean coast of Morocco guided by Qur'anic luminary Imam Fode Drame and the Sabiah Shepherding family, this immersive retreat explores the spiritual and practical dimensions of shepherding through daily apprenticeship, dhikr, ecological workshops, and traditional craft. Rediscover presence, simplicity, and connection to your fitrah through this prophetic path.

This is a program for seekers, creatives, adventurous families*, and anyone longing to return to their fitrah through simplicity, suhbah, and traditional living in the stunning setting of mountainous Northern Coastal Morocco. 

*Some programming geared toward children will also be available.

Program Highlights

• Shepherding Apprenticeship: Learn about the prophetic profession of shepherding from three living generations of Moroccan shepherds and Islamic scholar Imam Fode Drame
• Horseback Riding: Ride the Sabiah family horse on nearby mountainside trails
• Wildlife Workshop: Participate in an intro to wildlife tracking workshop with naturalist, artist, and author Sama Wareh 
• Milk-to-Cheese Class: Make fresh cheese from scratch–from milking the Sabiah family cow to creating the curd
• Wheat-to-Bread Class: From field to fantastic bread! Learn to cut the wheat, create the dough, and start the outdoor oven as we bake fresh bread under the guidance of the Sabiah shepherding family  
• Art Reflections: Create daily art reflections, capturing the inner insights and outer beauty of your journey in a personal art journal that you can take home as a memory
• Sacrifice & Skinning: Gain hands-on experience with the process of animal sacrifice, understanding the spiritual significance from both fiqh (jurisprudence) and batin (inner reality) perspectives.
• Medicinal Plants & Ecology Workshops: Delve into the medicinal properties of Moroccan plants, their historical uses in healing, and the ecology of the local area through teachings from the Sabiah shepherding family and ecologist Adam Lotfi. 
• Farm-to-Finger Experiences: Share meals alongside Sabiah shepherding family members who prepare our meals from ingredients sourced just steps away from our picnic blanket
• Salat & Option Dhikr: Participate in outdoor salat in jamaat and optional individual wird (daily dhikr) and group dhikr at a nearby traditional Moroccan Zawiyah
• Optional Ziyara (Visitation) to Moroccan Sufi Saints: Led by Imam Fode Drame, participate in an optional day-trip to visit and learn about the incredible contributions of Sheikh Ahmad Ibn Ajiba and Sheikh AbdusSalam ibn Machich.

Note: This trip is tailored for the adventurous / spiritual seeker, and is also appropriate for families with rustic world travel experience. Diverse accommodations options are available for individuals, couples, and families, including men-only and ladies-only rooming options. 

Tangiers Airport or Tetuoan Airport Arrivals

Your program includes airport transfers from/to Tangiers Airport OR Tetuoan Airport. Flights are not included in the program price. 

You must arrive for this program at Tangiers Airport OR Tetuoan Airport on August 9, 2025 before 4 PM local time. Your departing flight may leave any time on August 16, 2025 from Tangiers Airport OR Tetuoan Airport.

Casablanca Airport Arrivals

***For participants who choose to fly into Casablanca Airport, for an additional $200 charge we will arrange a shared taxi transfer with other participants who are also flying in and out of Casablanca Airport. 

Please note that the on-the-road driving time between Casablanca Airport and our accommodations is approximately 4.5 hours. Participants who choose this option must arrive at the Casablanca Airport on Saturday, August 9, 2025 before 3 PM. 

The earliest transfer time on Saturday, August 16  for a ride back to the Casablanca Airport is 6 AM. ***

We highly recommend carrying on all baggage and selecting routes that ensure ample time to catch connecting flights. Travel insurance is not included with registration, but Fitrah Outdoors suggests every participant to obtain travel insurance. 

To confirm your place in the program, we require a $500 refundable deposit. This ensures your commitment and guarantees your spot.

Deposit Amount: $500 

Refundable: July 15, 2025

Deadline to Secure Your Spot: August 1, 2025

International Trip FAQs

What’s Included?

• Zabiha/Halal breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
• Accommodations 
• Airport transfers (arrivals / departures for Tangiers Airport OR Tetuoan Airport)
• Daily transfers between accommodation and Sabiah shepherding family farm 
• Teachers, guides, classes, workshops, and all other programming
• Tips for local guides

What’s Not Included?

• Visas (if required)
• Travel insurance (highly recommended)
• Personal expenses and additional meals/snacks outside of provided meals
• International airfare

1. Do I need prior experience to join this trip?

No prior experience is required, but a moderate level of physical fitness is recommended. Program participants should be comfortable walking between 30 and 90 minutes daily on uneven paths (minimal elevation gain), and learning, eating, and praying in outdoor settings for multiple hours in a row. Please also note that while all participant accommodations include air conditioning units and the Sabiah Shepherd Family Farm will provide participants with access to a cool indoor traditional Moroccan tea room throughout the day, the majority of program activities will take place outside where daytime temperatures will generally range from 65-85 Degrees Fahrenheit.

The majority of the program will take place on the Sabiah Shepherding Family Farm in the small Northern Moroccan village of Chtâounan. During the daylight hours, we will be experiencing a Moroccan agricultural context whereby animals and people live in close proximity with one another and facilities reflect a traditional Moroccan lifestyle. Those with no prior experience on a farm or rural Global South setting are encouraged to reach out to Fitrah Outdoors via info@fitrahoutdoors.com to learn more information about what to expect.

2. What should I pack?

A detailed packing list will be provided, but essentials include comfortable / modest / quick dry activewear, sturdy closed-shoe footwear, a small backpack, sunblock, a hat to block the sun, an instant-filter water bottle (such as these), high protein snacks, and personal medications. Please note that personal laundry services will likely be available for an additional charge to participants.

3. Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is not mandatory but is strongly recommended to cover unforeseen circumstances. We suggest considering this option which covers trip cancellations under almost any circumstance.

4. Will meals be provided?

Yes, all meals (Zabiha/Halal) will be provided. Breakfasts and dinners will be provided at your accommodations. Home cooked lunches will be prepared and provided by the Sabiah Shepherding Family at their Chtâouna village farm. Any additional meals or snacks are the responsibility of the attendee. Dietary restrictions should be communicated in advance via the form provided once registration is confirmed.

5. What kind of accommodations will be provided?

Accommodations are tailored for individuals, couples, and families. Please see the detailed package descriptions and associated photos on our Fitrah Outdoors WeTravel page.  

6. What if I need to cancel my trip?

The initial $500 deposit required to secure one program spot, is refundable through July 15. In order to ensure an equitable program process and outcome for our internal staff, local guides, and program participants, we are unable to refund deposits and payments made after July 15. 

7. How will transportation be arranged?

All internal transportation, including airport transfers and daily transportation needs will be provided. 

8. Who are the guides and what is their experience?

To read more about this trip’s Co-Guides, please see their bios above. All guides are experienced, adventurous, and CPR-certified to ensure your safety and provide background information and facilitation throughout the program. Additional specialized, local guides in Morocco will enrich the program experience throughout the trip. 

9. Do I need a visa?

U.S., Canadian, U.K., E.U., Australian, New Zealand, and Japanese passport holders do not require Visas to enter Morocco. For other passport holders, please check with your country’s embassy to confirm whether you need a visa for Morocco. 

10. Will we have any free time to explore?

An hour or so of free time will be provided most evenings, and there are longer time periods of free time on Friday, August 15 in the morning and evening hours, should participants choose not to attend the morning hike and late afternoon dhikr at a traditional Moroccan zawiyah.

11. What do you mean by “digitally disconnecting”?  

Digital Disconnect & Fitrah Reconnect Policy: The first and final evening of the program, participants are free to utilize any and all electronic devices they choose to bring on the program. From Day 2 through the afternoon of Day 7, Fitrah Outdoors staff will store all electronic devices in a secure and weather-proof location.  Fitrah Outdoors program staff will have access to mobile phones at all times and at least one staff member will be reachable in the event of an emergency.  *please note that accommodations can be made for extenuating circumstance such as medical emergencies and other requirements (e.g. blood sugar monitoring etc). 

Fitrah Outdoors’ Digital Disconnect & Fitrah Reconnect Policy applies to all programs, and is offered as a unique opportunity to build connection, both inwardly and outwardly, with other people, other creations, and to regenerate one’s own fitrah. Throughout the trip, Fitrah Outdoors program staff will be taking a plethora of high quality individual, group, and scenery photos (and a few short videos), and will share with the group. This allows participants to center their attention on each moment.

We understand that this can seem strange or even scary for participants. In our experience, it is often those who are initially the most skeptical of the Digital Disconnect & Fitrah Reconnect policy who end up being the most appreciative for their experience at the end of the program. Nisa, a participant from the Fitrah Farm Stay Program in Pescadero, California, recently commented: "Fitrah Outdoors’ carefully curated experience allowed us to unplug from the noise of daily life and truly connect to our primordial self. We were fueled by nutrient dense meals, mindful practices, and the reset to my system was felt for months afterwards."

12. What happens in case of a medical emergency?

In case of a medical emergency, Fitrah Outdoors staff, all of whom are CPR-certified, will provide immediate assistance and coordinate with local medical services and family, if necessary. Participants are responsible for any medical expenses incurred, which is why travel insurance is highly recommended. 

13. Will there be language barriers?

The Sabiah Shepherding Family speaks fluent Arabic, limited English, and one member is fluent in Spanish. Three of the four primary guides are bilingual in English and Arabic and will translate for participants throughout the program.

14. Can I extend my stay before or after the trip?

Yes! If you wish to extend your stay, you are responsible for making your own arrangements. Please let us know if you have any questions or would like recommendations.

Afternoon pickup from Casablanca Airport*, Tangiers Airport, or Tetuoan Airport, and transfer to accommodations.

*Please note that there is an additional transfer charge of $200 per person if you require a return transfer package (Casablanca Airport on Saturday August 9 in the afternoon to the accommodations and returning back to the Casablanca Airport from the accommodations in the early morning of Saturday, August 16.)

Tour of Chtâouna village, masjid / madrassa, introduction to Sabiah Family Farm; Class with Imam Fode Drame and art class.  

Class with Imam Fode Drame, introduction to shepherding, horseback riding, and art class

Class with Imam Fode Drame, milk-to-cheese class, shepherding apprenticeship, horseback riding, and art class

Class with Imam Fode Drame, wheat-to-bread class, shepherding apprenticeship, horseback riding, and art class

Class with Imam Fode Drame, local flora and fauna class, shepherding apprenticeship, horseback riding, and art class

Optional morning mountain hike OR free time, Jumuah Prayer at Chtâouna Village Masjid, Closing meal with Sabiah family, optional post-Asr dhikr at nearby Zawiyah

Morning transfers to Tangiers Airport or Tetuoan Airport