with Michelle & Asha
Brimming with color and mystery, immerse yourself in souks full of spices, stroll through evocative alleys, relax and rest in a steaming hammam. Reconnect with your essence, all senses, and your exuberance on this trip to Morocco.
Located in North Africa, Morocco is a country of multi-ethnic groups with a rich culture and civilization. Throughout its history, it has received visitors from both the east (Phoenicians, Jews and Arabs), the south (sub-Saharan Africans) and the north (Romans and Vandals), who have impacted the social structure of Morocco. In addition, different types of religions coexist in the country, such as paganism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Today Morocco is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. The King, Mohamed VI, is highly respected and it is common to see his photo in public places.
Michelle Badillo is a Venezuelan journalist with a long career (25 years) in the media of her native country, (Venezuela), graduated from the Andres Bello Catholic University.
In 2014 Michelle and her family decided to settle in the City of Miami in search of a new destination and new challenges, and it is in Florida (USA) where she decided to turn her life around and head towards the path of emotional and physical well-being. due to his various Personal, work and Health situations that produced a breaking point and an awakening in his life.
She is like that when she decides to become certified as a Holistic Health Coach in NY (@nutritionschool 2017).
Given her love for the practice of Yoga, Michelle decides to become certified as a Vinyasa Yoga 200 RYT Instructor, then, her great passion: Kundalini Yoga 200 RYT, both accreditations endorsed by Yoga Alliance, the most well-known Yoga organization worldwide.
Likewise, Michelle discovered a form of Healing in Sound, which is why she achieved her training with quartz bowls and her Certification in Meditation, from the Be Generation Love School (under the teachings of Deepak Chopra).
Asha D Ramakrishna is the Bestselling Author of the Priestess Code: Awakening the Modern Woman and Spiritual Guide since 2005.
The spaces and experiences that Asha cultivates make the person heal what blocks them the most and open up to the essence of her being, her Soul. The process will be full of accompaniment and will always focus on the power that each one of us has to heal.
Asha is of Hindu descent, she lived her childhood and part of her adolescence in Venezuela and now lives in Harvard, MA (occupied territory of the Nipmuc Tribe).
She graduated in Molecular Biology and trained for 2 decades in Indian and Asian spiritual systems, such as Yoga, Karma Healing, Womb Healing, Astrology, Human Design and many others.
Asha is the founder of the Dharma School, a virtual school for developing and training modern Priests.
In Morocco, each region has its own characteristics, contributing to the national culture. As a country, it has established among its main priorities the protection of its diversity and the preservation of its cultural heritage.
The two official languages are Arabic and Berber, although the most widely spoken language is Arabic, specifically a version of this language known as "Darija".
Sometimes referred to as an Arab-Berber state, at least a third of the population speaks the Berber language. They are the Indigenous group of the country, also called "Amazigh" which inhabited and subsequently spread throughout North Africa before the arrival of the Arabs.
Culturally, they stand out for being nomads; communities that often move at the pace the cattle need for grazing places, water and shelter.
Berber art is mainly expressed in ceramics, furniture, fabrics, jewelry or carpets. This culture is also shown through the music they perform with flutes and drums.
Today the Arabs have become the majority population since their arrival in the seventh century, after the spread of Islam.
The Essence of Morocco
AUTHENTICITY, COLORS, & FOOD
Being the main tourist destination in Africa, it keeps many of its traditions and culture intact.
Moroccans are great consumers of TEA. They are the first importer of green tea in the world and is always accompanied with mint leaves. Tea is had at all hours! Do not decline the invitation to drink tea, it is a show of hospitality :)
The only exporter of ARGAN oil in the world, this liquid gold is obtained from the seeds of the Argan tree. It is used in gastronomy and cosmetics for its multiple properties. Its plantations are a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, which also recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity the centuries-old knowledge and practices for the use of the tree and its fruits.
The landscape, the aromas, the colors, the clothes, the food and even the traditions invite us to connect to our own senses in ways we cannot at home.
The national dress of Morocco is the CHILABA, a loose-fitting tunic with a hood worn by both women and men.
The "HAMSA" or Hand of Fatima is an Arabic symbol used in Morocco to protect against bad luck along with the evil eye.
HENNA is a dye from plants that is used to temporarily decorate hands and feet on special occasions.
And if you like CRAFTS, in the souks you will find all kinds. We warn you, leave room in your suitcase! And don't forget, at the time of buying and selling, it is an art to BARGAIN. So fun- it's what they're waiting for!
Your smile will always win :)
To start in a traditional and unique way, we will stay in a small RIAD in the center of the Medina.
A Riad is a type of traditional Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden or patio. Completely renovated, the one we've chosen for you has preserved the charm and the original structure of the house. Here we will feel at home.
Situated in the MEDINA, an old area organized within the walls, we will have access on foot to the most interesting places in this vibrant city declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Comfortable shoes are a must!
Marrakech is the imperial city that is the gateway to the south of Morocco. Camel caravans, Berbers, Tuaregs, Arabs and all the people that define a merchant and a traveler have accessed through it.
Today Marrakech t is a mythical city, cultural capital, inspiring artists.
The heterogeneity of this place converges in one of the most varied and exciting corners of the planet, JEMAA EL FNA square, full of history and magic.
A fascinating congregation of all kinds of people where something happens every minute: food vendors, natural juice stalls, snake charmers, henna stalls, musicians, artisans...
Just immerse yourself in its labyrinthine alleyways. You will find a multitude of spices, textiles, dyes, olives, nuts, leather goods, ceramics, furniture, wicker, jewelry, food and much more.
Other places of interest are the incredible Bahia Palace and its gardens, the Jewish quarter (Elmellah) which in turn leads us to the Kasbah quarter where you can visit the Saadian Tombs. The Koutoubia mosque with its great minaret (visit from the exteriors, as they are intended only for Muslim worship) and the beautiful Ben Youssef Medersa from the 14th century, an old Koranic school and the largest and most important in all of Morocco.
DAY 1 & 2 / 20 & 21 April:
CHARMING MARRAKESH
Riad BE MARRAKESH
Visit of the Medina and historical and emblematic places of the city. Time for shopping!
the door of the desert
A country of contrasts and unimaginable landscapes, Morocco will once again show us another of its impressive routes. We will cross the ATLAS mountains enjoying a path that offers us majestic and truly unique landscapes.
The KSARs are adobe fortress cities that the Berbers used to protect trade routes; a big part of the mystery of Morocco.
One of the most impressive and beautiful is Ait Ben Haddou, originally from the 11th century and one of the best examples of a pre-Saharan medieval Berber citadel. This areass is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of this trip, it has also hosted the recording of several famous movies and series. In fact, the largest film studios in the world are just a few kilometers away, in Ouarzazate. Its KASBAH, an adobe fortress, is also very well preserved.
Of great strategic importance as an entry point to the desert, and a route to the Atlas Mountains, it was once an obligatory stop on one of the important trans-Saharan trade routes and caravans.
After crossing a dry and rocky plain, it will seem almost incredible to suddenly find ourselves with an orchard of incredible beauty. We will visit an OASIS, a fascinating place full of history. Many of the inhabitants of this oasis are originally from Mali and were formerly nomads following the trading caravans of the Sahara desert. At present, its population is dedicated mainly to agriculture on the shores of the oasis.
Here we will have the opportunity to see the traditional way of life of its people and if we are lucky, we may even witness how they harvest the delicious dates that grow on their palm trees.
KASARES, KASBAHS & OASIS AT THE GATES OF THE DESERT
Hotel Boutique CARAVANE
Route and landscapes through the Atlas Mountains, UNESCO Ait Ben Haddou, meets an Oasis.
Our route takes us through magnificent landscapes of great beauty on the way to the AGAFAY Desert.
Majestic dunes and barren hills with the Atlas Mountains as a backdrop. If we're lucky, we might see its impressive tips still covered in snow.
This vast desert offers us the opportunity to experience the profound experience of sleeping and resting in tents in almost direct contact with nature.
Enjoying starry skies, the tranquility and peace of these desert plains, is a moment that you will not be able to forget.
We will be gathering at the foot of a bonfire at night in this setting is part of the magic and charm of this place during full moon!
Much of the charm of these barren lands is the sunsets. That can also be enjoyed watching the arrival or being part of a caravan of DROMEDARY. In Morocco these animals are endemic, unlike camels, they have only one hump.
At night we will sleep in tents with all the comfort in the light of the stars. A magical night in the land of the “imazighen” (which means, the land of the “free men”).
SLEEPING IN THE DESERT UNDER THE LIGHT OF THE STARS
E AGAFAY Camp
Picturesque and traditional route and landscapes, dinner and fire under the stars, sleep in a deluxe tent, dromedary/camel ride (optional).
After our sunrise session in the desert and enjoying our traditional breakfast, we will return to Marrakech on this last day.
It will be today that we will give our body a breather by offering a typically Moroccan ritual, a visit to a HAMMAN.
Originally they were public and community baths, in times when running or hot water was not so common in houses, and they still exist in this form in most towns and cities. They are often a social meeting place between men and women (separately). They also had a spiritual use, as a way of performing a deep and purifying cleansing before prayer.
In our case, we will pamper ourselves in a Hamman where, in addition to traditional treatments, we will experience a luxurious relaxing space.
It is an experience where letting go and entrusting yourself to the wise hands of these women is part of the process. They will bathe us, apply the beneficial black soap and perform the legendary gommage that restores the sensation of baby skin. Everything in the wet steam sauna where we can relax and reconnect.
We cannot say goodbye to this incredible place without tasting a local feast where some of the most typical dishes will imbue us with flavors and aromatic memories. The couscous, the tajin or the pastry in its different versions, always accompanied by delicious olives and tasty breads, are finished off with traditional pastries bathed in the immemorable mint or verbena tea.
RELAX & CONNECT
Riad DAR FAIR Marrakeh
Sunrise in the desert, Hamman, last purchases, farewell dinner
FAREWELL
After the morning session and breakfast, we will say goodbye to this magical and disturbing place to transfer to the airport or to our next destination.
MARRAKESH
Welcome Dinner
DAY 2
MARRAKESH
Visit Medina and historical places
Shopping
DAY 3
MOUNTAINS
Route and landscapes of the Atlas
Visit Ait Benhaddou
DAY 4
OASIS
Oasis
sessions under
the stars
DAY 5
DESERT
Route and picturesque landscapes
dinner and fire
under stars- desert Agafay
DAY 6
MARRAKESH
Dawn Agafay
Hammam
farewell dinner
PRICE PER PERSON PER PROGRAM
7 DAYS/6 NIGHTS IN DOUBLE USE (2 pax/room)
April 20 to 26, 2024
$5,500
individual use supplement $1,000
DOUBLE ROOM
full payment
SINGLE ROOM
10 months of payment
DOUBLE ROOM
10 months of payment
Make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in Morocco.
Take out travel insurance that includes not only medical coverage (also COVID), but also cancellation and last-minute changes, your plans may change.
As of May 2022, a covid vaccination certificate is not needed to enter Morocco.
- 2 nights B&B in Riad Be Marrakesh
- 2 nights B&B at Caravane Boutique Hotel in Ait Ben Haddoui
- 1 night B&B at be Agafay Camp in Agafay desert
- 1 night B&B at Riad Dar Justo in Marrakech
- Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) starting with dinner on Day 1 and ending with breakfast on Day 7
- Visit with official guide in Spanish on foot in the medina of Marrakech day 2
- Visit with official guide in Spanish of Ait Ben Haddou on day 3 and Oasis on day 4, accompanied during the round trip from Marrakech to Agafay
- 1 hour Hamman program in Marrakesh
- Tickets to the monuments and places visited
- Official guide expenses included
- Airport transfers round trip in group
- Transfers in private AC vehicle with driver and gasoline
- Hotel tourist tax
- Essential Retreat concierge service throughout the trip
- Welcome gift
- Flights
- Visa if necessary (consult consulate in origin according to your passport
- Personal expenses such as: balloon ride, tips to the guide and/or driver, laundry, telephone calls, drinks
- Travel insurance
- meals not mentioned
- Transfers not mentioned
- Extra expenses due to causes beyond our control such as flight delays or cancellations, etc.
- Everything that is not mentioned in "INCLUDES".