YOGA & Adventure Retreat: A Desert Journey of Culture & Connection
October 10-17, 2026
The Retreat
Join Souljourn Yoga Founder Jordan Ashley & yoga teacher & Reiki practitioner Joanne Silver for a 7‑night/8‑day transformative journey through Morocco. Together with Itran Travel, this retreat blends cultural immersion, adventure, & deep restoration, inviting us to slow down and return to stillness, to be held by the vastness of the Sahara and the quiet rhythm of desert life.
We travel gently through the dunes of Merzouga and Hassilabied, soaking in the landscape, the stories, and the silence that surrounds us. Days are shaped by sun and sand: morning yoga, silent dune walks, long meals, and shared time with nomadic communities who offer glimpses into their way of living. We gather beneath candlelight and stars, take part in traditional crafts, and even learn the art of Moroccan cuisine. From the quiet of the desert, we move into the vibrant heart of Marrakech, wandering the medina’s winding alleyways, colorful souks, & rich architecture.
Our journey begins at Caravan Serai Luxury Desert Camp, where elevated glamping tents with en-suite bathrooms and hot-water showers are nestled in a quiet pocket of the dunes, offering a peaceful retreat with golden sands stretching endlessly in every direction. From here, we continue to Riad Serai in Merzouga, a boutique oasis at the edge of the majestic Erg Chebbi dunes, blending refined comfort with authentic Moroccan charm. Suites feature traditional Saharan-inspired details, and the riad’s outdoor spaces and swimming pool provide the perfect place to rest and integrate each day. We then journey to Lodge Hara Oasis in Agdz, a serene palm-fringed retreat set along the lush Draa Valley at the edge of the desert. Surrounded by date palms and dramatic mountain backdrops, this intimate lodge blends contemporary comfort with traditional kasbah architecture, offering a peaceful setting to unwind and reflect beneath vast skies. Finally, in Marrakech, we stay at Riad Touda, tucked within the heart of the medina. Traditional Moroccan craftsmanship meets soft, earthy tones, and the riad opens onto a serene interior courtyard, a tranquil oasis away from the city’s energy.
In partnership with Association Amal, each participant’s $200 donation directly supports Amal’s vocational training programs that empower women in Morocco with the skills and confidence to rewrite their stories. During our visit, we engage in a hands-on cooking class while learning about the organization’s impactful women’s empowerment initiatives.
There is no rush here. This is a space for reflection, relationship, and reciprocity, a space to be with yourself, with one another, and with the profound connection that arises when culture and community are honored with care.
A journey that lingers long after you return home.
Itinerary
Day 1: Desert Arrival & Grounding
Depart for the desert from Errachidia, 10.30 am
Arrival at Riad Serai
Welcome tea and check-in
LunchRelaxation time
****Sunset camel trek into the dunes (or transfer via 4x4)
Arrival at luxury desert camp
Welcome circle & sunset yogaDune walk and guided journaling
Group dinner at the camp
Overnight at Luxury Desert CampMeals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Caravan Serai
Day 2: Embodiment & Creative Expression
Early Morning Sunrise tea and coffee
Optional silent dune walk
Yoga in the dunes
Leisurely breakfast
Henna & Tahruyt workshop led by local women (textile art and Indigenous symbolism)
Lunch at the workshop
Rest and free time
Traditional music and drumming by campfire with local musicians
Group dinner at the camp
Stargazing in the dunes guided by a local storyteller
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Caravan Serai
Day 3: Journey into the Dunes
Leisurely breakfast
Depart camp by 4x4
Visit local nomad families and share tea
Picnic lunch
Check into Riad Serai
Free time around the pool
Optional guided walk of local gardens (learn about Indigenous irrigation systems)
Sunset yoga in the riad courtyard
Group dinner at the riad
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Riad Serai
Day 4: Desert Departure via Rissani
Pre yoga tea and coffee
Yoga in the riad courtyard
Breakfast
Depart Merzouga
Visit Rissani Traditional Souk and Lunch in Nkob
Arrival at Hara Oasis
Hammam & freetime
Sunset yoga
Dinner
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge Hara Oasis
Day 5: Over the Atlas
Pre-yoga coffee
Morning yoga
Breakfast
Scenic drive through the Valley of Roses and the Skoura Palm Grove
Optional visit to Ouarzazate film studios or Ait Ben Haddou
Lunch in Ouarzazate
Drive to Marrakech via the Tizi n’Tichka mountain pass
Arrival in Marrakech
Dinner at Riad Touda
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Riad Touda
Day 6: Marrakech Discovery Day
Pre-yoga coffee
Yoga
Breakfast
Visit Association Amal
Hands-on cooking experience
Lunch at Association Amal
Guided walking tour of Marrakech Medina with a female guide
Explore souks and historic alleyways
Leisure time at Riad Touda
Dinner at a local restaurant
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accomodation: Riad Touda
Day 7: Marrakech Integration Day
*Optional sunrise hot air balloon experience
Pre-yoga coffee
Closing Circle & Yoga
Breakfast
Visit to YSL Garden
Optional activities (Free time for shopping with a guide or solo, visit to an animal sanctuary, hammam)
Group Farewell Dinner in the Medina
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accomodation: Riad Touda
Day 8: Departure Day
Breakfast
Private transfers to Marrakech Airport
Meet your Guides
Jordan Ashley
While embracing New York City’s fast-paced and driven yoga culture, our founder, Jordan Ashley, PhD, recognized a need for service-based yoga; a need for experiences which give perspective to the self through selflessness. Feeling extremely blessed to not only have the opportunity for education but also a voice in society, she felt it was imperative to raise both awareness and funds for girls around the world who are denied these essential human rights.
Joanne Silver
Joanne Silver has been certified in both reiki & reflexology since 2000 and vinyasa yoga since 2002. After training in vinyasa yoga, she went on to become qualified in prenatal, restorative, therapeutic yoga, Urban Zen and anatomy for yoga teachers. She teaches yoga to private clients around Manhattan, as well as at corporations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small startups. Joanne has taught and mentored in well-known teacher trainings and leads yoga retreats to places both near and far.
Important Info
PRICE: EARLY BIRD
(Available until May 10th, 2026)
*Sharing: $2,975
Single: $3,575
PRICE:
*Sharing: $3,250
Single: $3,850
INCLUDED
Private 4x4 travel throughout, including airport transfers (Errachidia arrival on October 9th and Marrakech departure on October 17th)
7 nights’ accommodation (2 Caravan Serai Luxury Desert Camp, 1 Riad Serai, 1 Lodge Hara Oasis, 3 Riad Touda)
Meals (7 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 7 dinners)
All scheduled workshops and tours (Henna & Tahruyt, camel trek, Ait Ben Haddou, guided Medina tour, Amal cooking class, and YSL Garden)
$200 tax-deductible donation to Association Amal
Yoga mat and blocks
Goody Bags featuring Mad Hippie
NOT INCLUDED
International Flights
Select lunches (Days 4, 5, and 6)
Optional add-ons (Hammam, rescue farm, or hot air balloon)
Gratuity
Travel Insurance (Mandatory)
*All participants must complete and submit the Retreat Waiver and Agreement before registering.
**Your $500 deposit is non-refundable to secure your space. Thank you!
***Two Separate Beds – Perfect for friends, family, or let us match you with a new travel buddy.
**** A Note on Camels – Camel trekking is one of the most iconic ways to experience the Sahara. For centuries, camels have been central to life in the desert, enabling trade, transport, and connection across vast landscapes. In Merzouga, camels remain essential to the local economy. As traditional nomadic ways of life become increasingly threatened by climate change and environmental shifts, many families now work with camels as a sustainable alternative livelihood. Responsible desert tourism plays an important role in supporting these communities and preserving cultural heritage. We partner with local handlers who prioritize the well-being of their animals. The camels we work with are treated with care, given proper rest, nourishment, and attentive handling. We are committed to ensuring that our experience is respectful - both to the animals and to the people whose lives are intertwined with them. For guests who prefer not to ride a camel, there will also be the option to travel by 4x4 vehicle to the desert camp. Our intention is to offer an experience that honors the land, its people, and the animals who have long made life in the Sahara possible.
****Please keep an open mind and a “go with the flow” attitude, as we will. When in a different country, things may be delayed or adjusted beyond our control. So, embrace the spirit of adventure and enjoy the epic journey that awaits you!
Arrival & Travel Information
Recommended Arrival Airport. We recommend flying into Errachidia Airport (ERH), the closest airport to Merzouga.
• Daily domestic flights operate between Casablanca and Errachidia with Royal Air Maroc.
• Domestic flights from Marrakech to Errachidia operate several days per week.
Alternatively, guests may fly into Marrakech International Airport (RAK) or Ouarzazate International Airport (OZZ) and arrange a ground transfer to Merzouga through Itran Travel.
Hotel Recommendation
For guests arriving early, we recommend staying at Kenzi Rissani, conveniently located just a 5-minute drive from Errachidia Airport. Complimentary Transfer.
Guests arriving at Errachidia Airport on 9th October will receive a complimentary private airport transfer to Kenzi Rissani.
For guests who wish to arrive in Morocco before the retreat begins, or extend their stay afterwards to explore more of this extraordinary country, our trusted local partner, Itran Travel, will be delighted to assist. They can arrange curated itineraries, accommodation, private transfers, and guided experiences at preferential rates. Please email them here: ella@itrantravel.com