🐪 5-Night Journey to the Sahara: Aït Benhaddou to Todra Gorge

2:00pm Saturday, May 10th to 12:00PM Friday, May 16th (6 nights)

Join Olivia as she returns to Morocco. We'll start our journey at the movie star gateway to Africa where Gladiator and Game of Thrones were filmed. We’ll travel to Todra Gorge, a lush oasis in the mountains, before making our way to the Sahara. We'll experience Amazigh meals, desert night skies and sunrises, before taking a camel ride out to the dunes. Embrace the chance to connect with Morocco’s rich heritage, its breathtaking landscapes, and your own inner explorer.

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Meet Olivia Jeffers

Olivia views yoga and life as a sweet play between power and surrender. She blends powerful, energetic flows with postures for surrender and deep release. Olivia helps students find their edge, hold their core and rest deeply. Core work is threaded throughout to foster a deep sense of inner integrity and integration. (learn more or practice with Olivia)

Meet Your Hosts

Olivia views yoga and life as a sweet play between power and surrender. She blends powerful, energetic flows with postures for surrender and deep release. Olivia helps students find their edge, hold their core and rest deeply. Core work is threaded throughout to foster a deep sense of inner integrity and integration. (learn more or practice with Olivia)

Natalie is a climber and yogi who lives in Todra Gorge. She has wonderful relationships with the locals and runs the auberge with two brothers Faisal and Mohammed. Natalie can take you up the Via Ferrata or climbing if that's your jam! She'll treat us to a lovely yoga class and sound bath on the terrace.

Join us!

**4 early bird spots save $200 (first come first serve, use code EARLYBIRD-MAROC through 9/1)

💸 Please make a $600 deposit by Fri., 9/13

💖 If we are not able to meet our 6-student minimum by Fri., 9/13 we will fully refund you!

😃 If we are able to meet 10-students we will reduce everyone's cost by 10%!!

🎁 Retreat Alums & Members save 10%, Sustaining Members save 20%

💳 To save on the 3% card fees, you can pay by check to Karma Yoga, select ACH as an option, or Venmo @livvyjeffs

Itinerary

Arriving from Washington, D.C. You will need to arrive on the Royal Air Maroc flight to Casablanca departing 9:20pm from Dulles on Friday, October 25. You'll spend the day in Casablanca, and the night with the group at Onomo Hotel, taking the flight to Ouarzazate in the morning together. Please budget an extra $400 for this day, or you can meet us directly in Ouarzazate on Saturday morning.

Day 1: Arrival & Grounding in Aït Benhaddou

Welcome to Aït Benhaddou, the movie star gateway to Africa! You will need to arrive on the Royal Air Maroc flight to Ouarzazate arriving at 9:40AM. Arrive in this ancient kasbah and begin your journey with grounding yoga practice on the terrace and a warm introduction to Moroccan culture. Watch the sunset over the ancient city. Settle in, connect with fellow travelers, and prepare for the adventure ahead.

Day 2: Explore the Old Kasbah & Stay at Todra Gorge

Watch the sunrise from the top of the ancient city. We'll have breakfast before making our way to Todra Gorge. We'll walk the gorge and gardens, and settle in for yoga on the terrace before home made Berber dinner.

Day 3: Journey to the Desert

After breakfast, we'll leave our things at the auberge and take a small night pack to Merzouga (4 hour drive) where you'll likely see young camels gallivanting down the road! We'll have the option to dune buggy or ride in a 4x4 across the dunes to stay in luxury bedouin tents. We'll have a small snack and settle in for yoga on the dunes at sunset.

Day 4: Sunrise in the Sahara

Rise with the sun for breakfast on the dunes, followed by a camel ride to the red ocean of sand. Enjoy running around, meditating or getting (just a little bit!) lost. We'll have the option to sand board down the dunes before making our way back to Todra Gorge.

Day 5: Via Ferrata & Cooking Class

We'll have the whole day to relax in Todra Gorge. You'll have the option for solo time, or challenge yourself by climbing the Via Ferrata, an iron ropes course up a cliff wall that was actively used during World War II. In the afternoon, we'll settle in for a cooking class and enjoy the fruits of our labor!

Day 6: Return to Ouarzazate & Farewell

We'll have one last breakfast on the terrace and bid farewell to Todra Gorge and the Sahara as we return to Ouarzazate to return home.

Returning to Washington D.C., recommended flight is Royal Air Maroc on Friday, November 1 from Oaurzazate departing 12:05pm to Washington D.C. via Casablanca. You are welcome to continue your explorations in Europe, Africa or onward, or return home!

This retreat is designed to nourish your body, mind, and spirit, offering a perfect balance of adventure and reflection. Whether you're exploring ancient cities, hiking through pristine landscapes, or engaging in meaningful cultural exchanges, this experience will leave you refreshed, inspired, and deeply connected to yourself and the world around you.

Itinerary

Arriving from Washington, D.C. You will need to arrive on the Royal Air Maroc flight to Casablanca departing 9:20pm from Dulles on Friday, October 25. You'll spend the day in Casablanca, and the night with the group at Onomo Hotel, taking the flight to Ouarzazate in the morning together. Please budget an extra $400 for this day, or you can meet us directly in Ouarzazate on Saturday morning.

Day 1: Arrival & Grounding in Aït Benhaddou

Welcome to Aït Benhaddou, the movie star gateway to Africa! You will need to arrive on the Royal Air Maroc flight to Ouarzazate arriving at 9:40AM. Arrive in this ancient kasbah and begin your journey with grounding yoga practice on the terrace and a warm introduction to Moroccan culture. Watch the sunset over the ancient city. Settle in, connect with fellow travelers, and prepare for the adventure ahead.

Day 2: Explore the Old Kasbah & Stay at Todra Gorge

Watch the sunrise from the top of the ancient city. We'll have breakfast before making our way to Todra Gorge. We'll walk the gorge and gardens, and settle in for yoga on the terrace before home made Berber dinner.

Day 3: Journey to the Desert

After breakfast, we'll leave our things at the auberge and take a small night pack to Merzouga (4 hour drive) where you'll likely see young camels gallivanting down the road! We'll have the option to dune buggy or ride in a 4x4 across the dunes to stay in luxury bedouin tents. We'll have a small snack and settle in for yoga on the dunes at sunset.

Day 4: Sunrise in the Sahara

Rise with the sun for breakfast on the dunes, followed by a camel ride to the red ocean of sand. Enjoy running around, meditating or getting (just a little bit!) lost. We'll have the option to sand board down the dunes before making our way back to Todra Gorge.

Day 5: Via Ferrata & Cooking Class

We'll have the whole day to relax in Todra Gorge. You'll have the option for solo time, or challenge yourself by climbing the Via Ferrata, an iron ropes course up a cliff wall that was actively used during World War II. In the afternoon, we'll settle in for a cooking class and enjoy the fruits of our labor!

Day 6: Return to Ouarzazate & Farewell

We'll have one last breakfast on the terrace and bid farewell to Todra Gorge and the Sahara as we return to Ouarzazate to return home.

Returning to Washington D.C., recommended flight is Royal Air Maroc on Friday, November 1 from Oaurzazate departing 12:05pm to Washington D.C. via Casablanca. You are welcome to continue your explorations in Europe, Africa or onward, or return home!

This retreat is designed to nourish your body, mind, and spirit, offering a perfect balance of adventure and reflection. Whether you're exploring ancient cities, hiking through pristine landscapes, or engaging in meaningful cultural exchanges, this experience will leave you refreshed, inspired, and deeply connected to yourself and the world around you.

Meals

  • Meals will be traditional Berber style
  • All meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • 1 dinner we will cook together!
  • Gluten: Morocco has a big bread culture, so it will be nearly impossible to accommodate a gluten free diet. However, the bread in Morocco is non-genetically modified and tends to be easier on the stomach.
  • Vegan/Vegetarian: Your options will be lots of lentils! We recommend that you bring your own foods such as peanut butter or protein-heavy cereals to supplement meals.
  • Personal Foods: Please bring your favorite snacks and foods from the U.S.!

Activities & Excursions

All excursions are included (and optional)

  • Dune Buggy or 4x4 across the dunes
  • Morning Camel Ride in the Sahara
  • Sand Boarding & Dance Party in the Sahara
  • Daylong Hike to Berber Settlement
  • Climb the Via Ferrata
  • Rock Climbing Lesson with Natalie

Lodging

Lodging

Activities & Excursions

All excursions are included (and optional)

  • Dune Buggy or 4x4 across the dunes
  • Morning Camel Ride in the Sahara
  • Sand Boarding & Dance Party in the Sahara
  • Daylong Hike to Berber Settlement
  • Climb the Via Ferrata
  • Rock Climbing Lesson with Natalie

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