Morocco·8 - 14 September 2022
A coastal wellness + cultural retreat in northwestern Africa for the adventure seeker (+ beach bum) in all of us.
If you're in need of a reset for body, mind and soul - there's no better place than in the sunshine of the beautiful beaches of Morocco. Enjoy several included excursions to fully experience the unique culture and stunning scenery of the western coast of this North African country. If surfing or riding a camel are on your bucket lists -- here, you can do both! If you're ready to explore the far corners of the globe and don't want to go it alone; this is one of our most popular retreat experiences to do just that. You'll leave our week together refreshed, revived and with an entirely new sense of the world. *Please note we are requiring proof of COVID vaccination (including a booster shot) and a pre-retreat test for all 2022 retreat guests * - Group Size: 12-16 Guests - Luxury Score: 3 (out of 5) - Activity Score: 3 (out of 5) - Moderately Active - Cuisine: Plant-Based / Vegetarian
Enjoy a week cultivated for rest at the stunning beaches and villages of the Moroccan coastline. As you step into our private villa oasis built for wellness (in every sense of the word), you will instantly feel yourself relax and unwind. Watching the sun set into the ocean is the perfect end to every day.
Several opportunities to explore local Moroccan coastal villages including Taghazout (just 10 minutes away) known for a Boehmian and surfer culture as well as a visit to the expansive markets in Agadir - filled with spices, pottery, lanterns and rugs.
Start your mornings with a fresh wake up juice and end your day with a mint tea on the roof. In between, enjoy multiple meditation areas and a relaxing sauna. On the ground floor you’ll find a glimmering pool surrounded by tower cacti. Everything you need for wellness is here!
All our meals will be vegetarian and will reflect Mediterranean and yogic influences to make you feel great from the inside out. Live a healthier and more vibrant life with a week of clean eating that combines spices and herbs that have therapeutic value and delicious traditional Moroccan flavors.
Enjoy morning flow yoga classes in our dedicated yoga shala with ocean views. In the late afternoon they'll be an offering for a slower style class like restorative, yin or slow flow yoga. The yoga space is stocked with the highest quality mats and props for your practice. Learn from experienced, kind and inclusive teachers.
One day we'll head out for a guided hike through Paradise Valley and enjoy new scenery and unexpected corners of beauty and culture. We'll also visit a women-run argan oil cooperative to learn how this essential local product (only grown in Morocco!) is harvested and made into beauty + health products.
You can also book several additional excursions like surfing lessons and horseback riding with our preferred partners in the region. Some guests even went sand surfing in the desert dunes on our last Coastal Morocco retreat!
You'll enjoy plenty of free time to journal, read, nap explore on your own, or visit the expansive beach that's just 2 minutes walk away from our villa. We'll also have 2 optional journaling workshops to help you get the most out of your retreat experience.
In addition to our owner and Chief Zen Officer Anna, each Above Yoga retreat has one or two additional certified yoga teachers on-site who will lead a portion of the classes and support students in their practice. We find that an opportunity to participate in a variety of classes with various teaching styles adds to our guests’ overall retreat experience.
Anna is Above Yoga's Chief Zen Officer and lead yoga instructor. Anna handles all retreat planning and logistics on-site. She aims to hold space for others to experience personal growth, transformation and community through wellness travel. She loves to teach yin, restorative, slow flow and vinyasa flows that are accessible to every level of student but that offer challenges in an inclusive and warm environment.
Maricel is a graphic designer by trade but a yogi by night. She's been teaching yoga for more than 7 years and teaches at several studios (and Standup Paddleboard yoga) in the Charlotte, NC area. She enjoys leading all kinds of classes from deep stretch to powerful vinyasa flows. Maricel was also the co-teacher on our Tulum, Mexico retreat way back in 2017 and we are thrilled to welcome her back to Above Yoga!
Kena found yoga as a way to balance out the weightlifting she did as an adult. After taking her yoga teacher training in Chicago, she's now back in her hometown of Indianapolis, where she teaches Baptiste style yoga. She focuses on not only the physical practice, but also on meditation and spiritual growth. When she’s not teaching, Kena works as a pharmacist in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit of a local hospital.
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DAY 1
*Everything on our retreats is 100% optional. While multiple excursions are included in the price, there will be plenty of free time built into the schedule to book your own excursions, walk the beach or read by the pool.
Wake Up Juice
Morning Vinyasa Yoga
Hearty Brunch
Unlimited tea and filtered water
Multiple cultural excursions
Afternoon snacks + tea
Evening gentle yoga
Multi-course vegetarian dinner
Unlimited use of pool, sauna and hot tub
Round trip ground transportation from the Agadir airport
Daily yoga and/or meditation practices
Daily fresh morning wake up juice before yoga
An extensive late morning breakfast buffet after yoga
Late afternoon tea and healthy snack
2 guided journaling workshops
A Mediterranean + Moroccan inspired plant-based multi-course dinner.
Day trip to the charming surfing village of Taghazout
Guided hiking excursion to Paradise Valley
Visit to expansive Agadir market for shopping
Visit to a women-run argan oil cooperative
Unlimited filtered water, coffee and famous Moroccan mint tea.
Round trip airfare from the US to Morocco (Agadir Al Massira Airport)
Optional activities: eg. additional spa treatments, surf lessons, etc
Pre + post trip COVID tests if required by US gov't
VIEW GALLERY
Morocco is a conservative, Muslim country where respectful dress is important. While these coastal towns are much looser and more open on this, part of being a good traveler is adapting to your host country. Therefore we recommend that knees and chests are covered with light flowy clothing while in town. On the beach or at the retreat center: shorts, bathing suits and yoga clothes are absolutely fine. Please note that as with all of Morocco, alcohol is minimally available, however we will offer a glass or two of the lovely local wine with a few of the retreat center dinners. Most guests have found that the extensive tea options are a wonderful substitute. If having an alcoholic beverage every day is important to your vacation experience, we would suggest a different retreat choice.
You will need to arrive between 11:00 am - 5:00 pm at the Agadir Al-Massira Airport (AGA) on Sept 8, 2022 in order to use the included ground transportation. If you arrive outside of those windows, we will assist you in booking transportation to the retreat center, which you can pay on your own (about $20). You may also find flights into the Casablanca Airport (CMN) or the Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) and then either take a small local flight on Royal Air Maroc from those airports to Agadir (AGA) or we can help you set up ground transportation to the retreat center. American Airlines flies directly from the US (JFK Airport to Casablanca). We are happy to help you find appropriate flights, however you will need to book them on your own. For departure plan to have a flight between 7:00 am and 2:00 pm out of the AGA airport on Sept. 14, 2022. Or, may of our guests on the last retreat made plans to continue to travel within Morocco or Europe and kept the fun going even longer!
All Above Yoga retreats in 2022 will require proof of a COVID vaccination for all guests, including a booster shot. Currently, we are also requiring guests take a pre-retreat COVID test (either a rapid test within 48 hours of the start, or a PCR test with 72 hours). Please note, depending on your flight path and current regulations, your requirements for testing may be stricter than the above. As of January 2021, the U.S. government also requires a negative rapid COVID test prior to return to the States, this can be taken at the villa. Masks will be required for ground transportation to and from the airport and to any off-site activities accessed by car (and wherever required by local authorities). We highly recommend that you buy comprehensive travel insurance in case you are not able to travel or have issues while abroad. Allianz is a well-respected travel insurance brand that also has reasonable annual plans if you travel often.
All yoga classes, group meals and tours are completely optional. You may participate in as much or as little of what is offered as you would like. There will be ample free time to enjoy additional excursions such as riding camels on the beach, spa appointments, surfing lessons, horseback riding and more. We can help you book these on-site and will pair you with other guests who may wish to join. All yoga and meditation offerings will be accessible to all levels of practitioners. All Above Yoga retreats are adults-only. All guests much be 21 years or older.
This is my 3rd retreat with Anna and Above Yoga and I can say that they have all been wonderful! Morocco was magical. It was so different from any other place I have ever been. I appreciate Anna's previous scouting to make sure the accommodations and location are a good fit for her retreat guests. I always love how these retreats are "have it your way" and there is no pressure to do all or any of the activities planned. This trip was so hard to decide what to do during my time off because there were so many good options available such as massage, horseback or camel riding, surfing, or relaxing by the pool. I am continued to be amazed at the connections I make during these retreats and this one was especially amazing.
Katie, Charlotte, NC (Coastal Morocco 2021)
This retreat was amazing. I traveled by myself, but was never alone. What an incredible way to meet new friends and practice yoga in a exotic space with the ocean right out our window. The food was so delicious and I cannot say enough of the staff at the Villa. Anna was the best host- she provided extremely detailed information pre trip so that nothing was forgotten, kept us informed during the trip and even post trip to make sure we all made it home safely. We traveled with the risk of COVID but she kept us informed of all travel requirements and took care of testing and any concerns along the way. This is a wonderful experience that I would absolutely recommend and I cannot wait to do it again!
Kat, Bakersfield, CA (Coastal Morocco 2021)
What a wonderful way to explore a country! Honestly a great balance between yoga and exploring the local towns and culture. The included transportation made exploring easy and inexpensive. The meals were nourishing and diverse. I felt very safe the entire trip, excursions and all. Also, as an introvert, I felt I had plenty of moments of free time where i could choose to go on a walk, hang at the pool, or relax on the rooftop to decompress. Overall such a pleasant experience! I look forward to my next retreat!
Ally, Atlanta, GA (Coastal Morocco 2021)
One of the best trips of my life! No planning on my part and come out of it with 12 new friends from around the world. Thank you for being the best organizer / tour guide / leader and new friend! I had a blast, thank you!!
Nicole, Wausau, WI (Coastal Morocco 2021)
I loved every part of the retreat. Anna communicated clearly about what to expect, there were no any surprises when I arrived, the place was even better than in the pictures. I would not change anything about the villa, the excursions, meals and the staff. Overall it was a lovely time. I really enjoyed my room, it was spacious and very pretty. I felt welcome and comfortable the whole time I was there. Plus, I know that Anna was always there ready to help me with anything I needed.
Ana, Washington, DC (Coastal Morocco 2021)
If you’re hesitating about travelling internationally in this confusing and ever-changing COVID landscape, you can go blindly with Anna and Above Yoga. Anna is there to offer her vast amount of knowledge to help guide you. She is an expert organizer, communicator, and one of the best souls I know. And the retreat itself- where to even begin?! The most amazing week I’ve had in a long time, with the most amazing group of women. An extremely busy working mom with not much time to myself, I was so looking forward to not having to think about any plans or meals, and this week was heaven. Yoga twice a day, meditation, journaling, healthy meals, lovely conversation, interesting excursions in amazing places, time to relax, massages, and alllll the tea. I wouldn’t change a thing (except maybe staying longer ;)
Meghan, St. Paul, MN (Coastal Morocco 2021)
Morocco·8 - 14 September 2022·6 nights
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