April 9 - 19 2024
Escape the chaos of everyday life and embark on a transformative journey to the enchanting beauty of the Moroccan desert. Our exclusive yoga retreat invites you to immerse yourself in the peace of the golden sand dunes, where the ancient wisdom of yoga meets the subtle and profound power of the desert.
You get a unique opportunity to reconnect with your inner self, find inner peace, and nurture your body, mind and spirit. With a perfect balance of yoga practice, meditation and exploration, we offer an unforgettable experience that will leave you refreshed, revitalized and inspired.
Yoga in the dunes
Imagine starting the day with a yoga session during the sunrise, where we start in the dark with calm movements that slide into energizing kriyas, then into rest and meditation, all while the dromedaries - which from now on we just call camels - cage in the background and the warmth from the morning sun energizes the body and revitalizes the spirit.
You will be guided throughout by Davvi Yoga's yoga instructor so that you can immerse yourself in the practice and embrace the transformative power of each breath.
As the sun sets over the endless desert, we invite you to slip into the evening with the many techniques of yoga, then immerse yourself in the silence with guided meditation. And when the stars take over the sky, you lie down in the warm sand and let yourself sink into a deep and healing rest. The tranquility of the surroundings harmonizes the mind and body, while you embrace the peace and solitude of the desert.
Activities
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Camel trekking - both on the way to the camp and day trips from the camp. Get to experience baking shortbread.
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Sand bath
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Breathwalk - Guided walk containing movement, breath, mantra and mudra (finger positions)
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Techniques for self-care
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Campfire in the evening
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Individual healing according to the Sat Nam Rasayan method. Agreed with the yoga instructor and paid extra.
Adventure and exploration
Morocco is a melting pot of cultures, and during our stay we get a small insight into the nomadic culture in the desert. We drive through picturesque villages in the mountains and down in the valleys and enjoy the traditional flavors of Moroccan food., The tour operator provides guides who convey in a humorous and knowledgeable manner the culture of the country.
Accommodation
Retreat to our desert camp, where comfort and tranquility meet the rugged beauty of the surroundings. Relax in furnished tents and enjoy the magical atmosphere that only the desert can provide, or take it easy outside under the vast starry sky. All comforts with shower and toilet can be found in the desert camp and in the riad we are staying in Marrakech and Ouarzazate.
Conclusion
From starry skies to cozy campfires, every moment spent at camp is an invitation to connect with nature and find solace in its embrace. The senses are pampered and the spirit rejuvenated.
Yoga instructor
The yoga is led by Berit Nystad in Davvi Yoga. Berit is a veteran kundalini yoga instructor. She is also certified in gong playing and yin yoga. She also has several courses in yoga, including yoga therapy and the Sat Nam Rasayan healing technique. Davvi Yoga has weekly yoga in several places in its immediate area, also online yoga and yoga workshops.
Yoga for everyone
The yoga is adapted to people with little to no experience in yoga. The stay is open to everyone and the yoga can be taught in three languages - Norwegian, English and Northern Sami.
Program
09.04.
From the airport to the riad in the center of Marrakech.
10.04.
From Marrakech to the desert city of Mhamid - "the gateway to the Sahara". Arrive at the desert camp before sunset.
11.04.
Trekking with camels in quiet surroundings. You will be led by an experienced camel driver through the desert, spending the night in a tented camp, or spending the night outside under the starry sky. If you cannot make such a trip, let us know early and a separate plan will be made for you.
12.04.
After a night in the desert, we continue to the meeting point for the 4x4 vehicles that drive us to the highest dunes of Erg Chegaga where we stay in a camp surrounded by dunes.
13.04. - 17.04.
Yoga in the Chegaga camp.
18.4.
From Erg Chegaga to Ouarzazate. The off-road runs through the desert with varying scenery. Visiting a cooperative that makes Berber carpets
19.04.
Departure day. From Ouarzazate to the airport in Marrakech. Visiting the Atlas film studio in Ouarzazate. Then Ait ben Haddou Ksar, a village that is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
*Note that your flight home on April 19 can be at 6 pm at the earliest.
Number of people
Minimum 6 participants, maximum 12.
Travel to and from Morocco
You book the plane tickets yourself. (The journey to and from Morocco is not included in the price of the stay.)
One extra day in Morocco
If you wish to return home on Saturday or other days, this stay is not included in the price of the retreat.
Our travel operator, Voyage Desert Maroc, can make a plan in the Marrakech area for those who want it - can, among other things, offer balloon rides and sightseeing.
Accommodation in a riad per night costs about 65 euros, including breakfast.
Price
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EUR 1635
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EUR 375 registration fee/deposit. (Is included in the total price.)
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The entire stay must be paid for by February 9 2024.
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If you want a private room, you pay 45 euros extra per night.
Included in the price
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All meals
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Pickup from/to the airport
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Comfortable accommodation (Marrakech, desert, Ouarzazate)
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Comfortable transport (minibus, 4x4 car, taxi)
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All equipment in the desert
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Camel trekking
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Shortbread
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Guides/drivers
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Visit the ancient Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah and the Atlas film studio, famous for films such as "Gladiator", "Kingdom of Heaven" and "Game of Thrones".
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Mineral water
Enrollment
You sign up by clicking on the email link:
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We ask that you enter your name, address and telephone number.
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Tell us if you want a private room. Single rooms are allocated as far as possible.
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Last registration is Thursday 1 February 2024.
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Registration is binding.
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After registration, you will receive an invoice with a payment grace period of 1 - 2 weeks.
Registration deadline - Thursday 1 February 2024
ORGANIZER:
Britt Hansen
email: britthb@hotmail.com
Tel.: +47 91 30 44 09
Davvi Yoga by Berit Nystad
email: berit@davviyoga.no
Tel.: +47 95 42 95 18
Get in touch for eventual questions about the yoga during the retreat, or other questions about the stay.
Travel operator
is Voyage Desert Morocco, a family-run company specializing in eco-travel to the desert and its surrounding areas.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Clothing:
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Bring good shoes; sandals and sneakers.
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Otherwise, hiking trousers, shorts, t-shirt, a lighter jacket (in the evening and early morning it can be a bit chilly). Pack clothes for both hot days and cooler nights.
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Cap, turban, shawl or hat. Absolutely necessary to cover the head during the day
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Clothes for yoga - preferably in natural materials
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You can pack in a rolling suitcase, sack or bag. The luggage is transported with the cars throughout the round trip.
Else:
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Bring Yoga mat
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Blanket or shawl
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Sun cream
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Headlamp or flashlight
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A little first aid equipment - plasters, fever-reducing tablets, tablets against stomach upset, rinsing liquid for eyes and wounds, wound salve.
Practical:
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Remember to lift the region lock for Africa in the online bank before you travel Local currency MAD can be withdrawn from an ATM on the day of arrival in Marrakech (airport terminal). 100 MAD = 9,34 euros (per 06.12.23)
Time difference:
The time difference between central Europe and Morocco can vary depending on whether your country has summer or winter time:
Summer time: – 2 hours
Winter time: – 1 hour
Tip:
Tipping is expected in Morocco as long as you have satisfactory service. Usually you give tips to local guides, hotel piccolos, restaurants etc. You should therefore always have small change on you. For the record, we must stress that it is voluntary whether - and how much - you want to tip.
Drinking water and hygiene:
Hotels and larger restaurants have modern/western toilet facilities. In other places, you can experience so-called pedal toilets and a lack of toilet paper. Bring your own toilet paper or a pack of intimate tissues and possibly hand disinfection gel. Then you are not as dependent on water. It is not recommended to drink water from the tap.
Various:
Shortbread: A flat round bread that is baked in the sand. The nomads eat bread for all meals – and the baking method has been a necessity among nomads living in the Sahara.
Lake Iriqi: The national park Lake Iriqui is a large lake that is dried up for most of the year.
General travel conditions:
AGREEMENT
By booking a trip with us, you are deemed to have accepted the booking conditions below.
ORDER
Let us know if you have special requirements. After booking the trip, the traveler will be sent a travel confirmation/invoice. The registration fee/deposit must be paid within seven days. For trips outside Europe, the deposit amount is 375 euros per person. The deposit is considered part payment of the price of the trip. Payment is made by bank transfer. Once we have received your deposit, we will confirm the transaction. On receipt of the deposit, accommodation will be booked and your travel details will be entered into the company's data. Changes to an order will be made where possible and the Company will do its best to accommodate the change for you. We cannot necessarily guarantee full satisfaction in such cases.
FORCE MAJEURE
Last minute changes to your itinerary may be necessary due to unforeseen and uncontrollable circumstances. These circumstances may lead to the need to cancel part or all of the booked trip. These can be adverse weather conditions, natural and nuclear disasters, fire, riots, civil disturbances, industrial conflicts, terrorist activity, war or threat of war. A labor dispute may mean a conflict with or aim at those services which affect ours and which cannot reasonably be replaced by alternative arrangements. Should delays, changes or cancellations occur due to "force majeure", we will not be held responsible.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Make sure you have taken out sufficient and valid travel insurance for your journey with us. This should include cover for losses, expenses, damages resulting from losses, accidents, injuries, sickness and death, medical conditions and personal liability. We also recommend that you have insurance that covers loss of personal belongings, delayed or canceled flights, lost luggage and lost or stolen money. All types of insurance are your responsibility and we assume that you cover yourself as stated above.
CANCELLATION OF YOUR ORDER
More than 60 days before the trip:
Refund of deposit - administration fee 163 euros.
More than 30 days before the trip:
No refund of deposit.
29-10 days before the trip:
50% of the price of the trip
From and including 10 days until the departure date and in case of no-show on the day of departure: No refund.
NB: See the sections above on "Force Majeure" and "travel insurance".
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation may vary in quality according to local standards in Morocco and should be judged accordingly. Hotels, riads and guesthouses are booked according to availability. We inform you about various options, including upgrades that require an additional fee.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Please let us know at the time of booking of any special requirements you may have, such as diet, king-size beds adapted to your height, etc. We will do our best to meet these requirements according to the possibilities prevailing in Morocco, but they cannot be guaranteed.
PASSPORT AND VISAS
Please note that many countries, shipping companies and airlines require that the passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the return date. The traveler must check the visa rules for his citizenship for the destination in question. It is the traveler's responsibility to ensure that they have a valid passport and any visa upon departure for themselves and the person(s) they are booking for.
COMPLAINTS
Any dissatisfaction must be directed immediately to our driver/guide, bivouac or hotel staff. They will do their best to correct the problem.
CORONA
Morocco currently has no restrictions for covid-19. This may change if there is a new and serious pandemic situation. The authorities will then have restrictions quickly in place. (We follow along).