Morocco Retreat 2011 - Marrakech and Essaouira.
September 9th - 18th
9th - 13th ( Marrakech )
I am happy to announce that nearly all of the details have been set and we are ready to start taking bookings. We start with four nights in a beautiful traditional Moroccan style riad in the middle of the old medina in Marrakech. Just minutes away from Djemmna Al Fna and the legendary markets of Marrakech. We will have ample time to explore the city and taste many of the treats that are on offer. You will have plenty of time to wander around and get lost in the markets( souks) for shopping, from spices to shoes, jellabas to kaftans, tea pots to tagines and much more. Spend the day sitting in a cafe drinking traditional moroccan tea and eating sweets while watching the world go by.
A traditional moroccan pastime. We will also take a day trip into the Atlas mountains which gives Marrakech its wonderful backdrop of snow capped mountain peaks. Into a berber village, visiting the well preserved ruins of the Casbah of T'hami El Glaoui known as the the lion of the Atlas and one of the last great berber warlords. Also some local excursions and visits to historical sites such as Koutobia Mosque and the Saadian Tombs.
It is an active schedule but not too busy there should be plenty of time to be free and explore and also enough planned activities to keep it cohesive. Of course we will have yoga class each morning before the days adventures.
13th - 18th ( Essaouira )
On the 14th after a leisurely breakfast and maybe some last minute shopping or relaxing in Marrakech we will head to Essaouira which is said to be one of the top 10 most beautiful cities in the world. Essaouira is a laid back coastal town and operates at a much slower pace then the bustle and excitement of Marrakech. Essaouira has beaches for surfing, beautiful sunsets, a fresh seafood market and the entire medina ( old city -where we will be staying ) is a Unesco world heritate site. We will be staying in a private riad for our exclusive use.
In Essaouira you can go for camel rides on the beach, surf the atlantic coast, visit a hammam or just long walks on the beautiful crescent shaped beach. The un-official pastime in Essaouira is probably moving from cafe to cafe with the rise and fall of sun. One that I highly recommend! Essaouira is a very special place for me. It is where my father is from and where our ancestors have lived for centuries.
I have spent much time there over the years and am really excited to be able to share and show people the magic and mystery of the place. I think you will all find it breathtakingly beautiful.
We will have a Mysore style yoga practice in the morning and for a few afternoons some conference/ws like sessions throughout our trip .
10 days/ 9 nights - ¥188,600 - Euro 1675.00 Per person/sharing a double room. Private rooms are available upon request and additional fee.
Space is limited so please book as soon you as you can by emailing me directly: 
Feel free to forward to this to anyone who may be interested.
Schedule*
| Friday Sept 9th | Arrival in Marrakech |
| Saturday Sept 10th | yoga, Explore the city - dinner in Djemna al Fna |
| Sunday Sept 11th | (Moon day ) Day trip to the Atlas - Telouet - Berber village |
| Monday Sept 12th | yoga, Local shopping, Hammam, Saadian tombs, Dinner party |
| Tuesday Sept 13th | yoga, Leisure breakfast and depart for Essaouira |
| Wednesday Sept 14th | yoga, Free day, Explore, shopping, relaxing, beach, surfing etc. |
| Thursday Sept 15th | yoga, optional: Beach walk to the village Diabet, castle ruins, portuguese fort (guided by Tarik) |
| Friday Sept 16th | Day trip - coastal villages, argan and olive farm. |
| Saturday Sept 17th | yoga, surfing - horseback riding - camel rides - cafe leisure - Bye bye dinner party! |
| Sunday Sept 18th | yoga, Head home - |
ptions*:
Camel/Horseback riding
visit to the Hammam - Moroccan style Osento
Surfing and much more
Henna tattoos
Shopping
Spice Markets
Massage
Gnaoua Music
Included: Hotel, Yoga classes, Airport pickup, Breakfast, day trips to the Atlas and day trip from Essaouira, Dinner party in both Marrakech and Essaouira and dinner at Djemmna Al Fna. Transport from Essaouira to Marrakech.
Not included: Flights, Airport transfers back to Airport from Essaouira ( pick up included ) , lunch, dinners , surfing, hammam, camel rides and other optional tours, travel insurance, laundry service, options*, tips.
*Optional tour: Sept 18th - 21st from Marrakech : The Desert and the Oasis to the south.
A 3 day excursion by 4 x 4 leaving from Marrakech
Discovering the beauty of the landscapes of the High Atlas and of natural wonder to eventually reach the Desert and the dunes of Merzouga.
We will travel through the High-Atlas by the peak of Tichka continuing on to the harrowing passage from Marrakesh to Ouarzazate. Passing colorful landscapes of kasbahs and small villages along the way. We will vsit Aït Benhaddou before reaching Ouarzazate, one of the best preserved Kasbahs in all of the Moroccan South (World Heritage site). Finally we will visit small village of Merzouga and finally that reaching the stunningly beautiful Erg Chebbi.
Optional tour: Price not fixed yet and depends on the number of particpants: Expected extra costs Euro - 600 - 800 for hotel/breakast/transport.
Camel rides, overnight in desert, lunch and dinner not included.
*For all the above: Fine details of the schedule are still to be worked out and some changes may occur due to weather and unforseen circumstances.
For reservations please contact me directly at . You are also welcome to call: (81) 90 6180 6900.
Due to limited flights from Japan to Morocco I recommend that you make your flight reservation immediately. Please contact me for details and I can give you the schedule and details. I have flight schedule information from Tokyo to Casablanca. Those traveling from Tokyo will fly to Casablanca on our fixed schedule as a group. Those traveling from other places or out of our fixed schedule should fly directly to Marrakech. The current price for the Tokyo to Casablanca flight is ¥137,000 on United Arab Emirates.
thank you and please get in touch if you have questions.