Sahara Desert, Morocco
Village 2026
Thursday 12th – Wednesday 18th November 2026
Village is a coming together of people in the Sahara Desert, shaped by participation and shared life. It is co-created: those who attend are invited to contribute through workshops, movement, meditation, conversation, and through how they take part in shared camp life.
The Village
Shaped by the Desert, the People, and What We Bring
The desert sets the conditions. Distance, quiet, and the absence of distraction change the pace of the days. There are contrasts everywhere. Heat and cold. Light and shadow. Sky and sand. The people who live and work there, including our Berber hosts, are part of that landscape and part of what shapes the week.
What shapes it just as much are the people who arrive. They come from different backgrounds and stages of life. Some may be used to leading, some may be more comfortable supporting. What we share is a willingness to take part and carry responsibility for how the week unfolds, to be part of rather than apart from.
All who come to the Village are invited to offer something if they wish, a workshop, movement, meditation, conversation, or another contribution. These sit alongside shared meals and time in camp. No one delivers the experience on behalf of the group. It develops through how we step forward and respond to one another, and by the end of the week what has taken shape belongs to everyone who was part of it.
The Rhythm of the Week
When in camp, a rhythm settles in. There is a hum of community across the site. Early risers move quietly at sunrise, sometimes gathering for movement, sometimes watching the light shift across the sand. Days include the sessions and experiences offered by fellow Villagers, with breaks for mint tea, rest, or walking the dunes. We eat together at long tables, shared plates passed by hand, with no rush to leave. In the evening we sit by the fire, talk, dance, sing, or simply take it all in.
Dates and Travel
Village runs from Thursday 12 November to Wednesday 18 November 2026.
We leave Marrakech early on the morning of Thursday 12 November, travelling by road to the desert. Participants will need to arrive in Marrakech by Wednesday 11 November to be ready for departure. Accommodation in Marrakech is not included, though guidance can be offered if helpful.
We return to Marrakech in the early afternoon of Wednesday 18 November, approximately 1pm. Flights should be booked accordingly.
Why Village?
A village does not arrive ready-made. It grows out of the land, out of the people who gather, and out of the energy created between them. It depends on participation. It depends on contribution. It depends on people being willing to give and to receive.
Village creates the conditions for community to form in real time.
The intention is simple: to gather people in a landscape that slows the pace, remove unnecessary distraction, and allow shared life to take priority. When people eat together, contribute to the week, and remain alongside one another for long enough, something begins to organise itself that cannot be scheduled in advance.
Village is built on that. No one carries the whole thing. No one remains outside it.
What Past Participants Are Saying
Practical Details
Dates
Departure from Marrakech to the desert: Thursday 12 November 2026 (early morning)
Return to Marrakech: Wednesday 18 November 2026 (approximately 1pm)
Accommodation
We stay in three locations over the week:
- One night at Palais des Dunes in Merzouga, on the edge of Erg Chebbi.
- Four nights in shared desert tents with proper beds and en-suite shower and bathroom facilities.
- One night in a riad or hotel in Ouarzazate on the return journey to Marrakech.
Because we leave Marrakech early on day 1, you will likely need to stay in Marrakech on Wednesday 11 November. We can support you in finding suitable accommodation, however you will be responsible for booking this yourself.
Meals
All meals are included from dinner on Thursday 12 November through to breakfast on Wednesday 18 November, excluding lunches on travel days. Meals and drinks in camp are freshly prepared by our local Berber hosts, with vegetarian options available. Drinks are not included.
What’s Included
- ✓ Accommodation from 12–18 November as outlined above
- ✓ Transport within Morocco
- ✓ Daily workshops and participant-led sessions
- ✓ Guided practices and facilitated circles
- ✓ Camel trek into the desert camp
- ✓ Evening reflections, campfires, sunsets, and stargazing
What’s Not Included
- ✗ Flights to Morocco
- ✗ Accommodation in Marrakech
- ✗ Lunches on travel days
- ✗ Drinks
Pricing
Payment for Village is made in two parts: £550 payable in advance, and €625 payable in cash on arrival in Morocco.
Payment Schedule
£150 non-refundable deposit to secure your place
£400 due by 1 September (instalments are possible)
€625 payable in cash on arrival in Morocco
The cash payment enables direct payment to our local partners and hosts.
Additional contributions are welcome and help support accessibility and the ongoing sustainability of Village.
A Journey Worth Saying Yes To
Village 2026 is coming together, and we are keeping it intentionally small to create a meaningful, shared and connected experience. Reservations close on September 1 2026. Confirming earlier supports planning and allows us to organise travel and camp arrangements responsibly. As always, if you have any questions or need flexibility, please do reach out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dates?
Village 2026 begins on Thursday 12 November 2026 approx 8am, in Marrackech and concludes on Wednesday 18 November 2026 approx 1pm, also in Marrakech.
Is food included?
Yes. All meals are included from dinner on Thursday 12 November through to breakfast on Wednesday 18 November 2026. Meals are freshly prepared, with vegetarian options available. We will do our best to accommodate special dietary requirements. Please get in touch before booking to confirm that we can cater for you.
How do I get to the camp?
Village begins in Marrakech. Most people arrive via Marrakech airport and arrange their own accommodation in the city.
Because we leave early on Thursday 12 November, you will need to arrive in Marrakech by Wednesday 11 November.
On Thursday morning we travel together by road towards the desert. The journey itself is part of the experience. We leave the city and begin climbing into the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the Tizi n’Tichka pass and moving through small mountain villages before the landscape gradually opens toward the south. The pace shifts as we travel, and the distance from everyday life becomes more tangible.
That night we stay at Palais des Dunes, followed by four nights in desert camp. On Tuesday 17 November we leave the camp and travel together to Ouarzazate, where we stay overnight in a riad.
On Wednesday 18 November we continue to Marrakech, arriving at the airport at approximately 1pm.
Transport within Morocco as part of the programme is included. Full meeting details and guidance will be shared once your place is confirmed.
Will I be safe?
Yes. The camp is safe and secure, with trusted local guides staying with us throughout the retreat. When you book, and again on arrival, you will receive clear information on all matters related to safety and wellbeing.
Because the desert is a remote environment, we recommend that you bring a small personal first aid kit. You are also required to have your own travel insurance to cover health, travel, and personal needs during your time in Morocco.
What about water?
You will be able to buy drinking water at the camp which is about £2 for 2 litres.
Are there toilets?
Oh yes! There are toilets in each tent.
What are the tents like?
The desert tents are far from basic. Each tent is en-suite, with proper beds and bedding provided. Tents are shared between two or three people. If you are travelling with a friend, we will ensure you are placed together. Single occupancy is not available.
What should I wear?
We will send a full packing list when you book. As a guide, daytime temperatures reach around 20-25°C, while evenings and nights are cooler, 4-10°C. Once upon a time, we woudl have recommended modest clothing – shoulders, stomach, and thighs need to be covered. Seems like times are changing however in some areas it might be best to keep this in mind. You will need extra layers for the evening.
Good walking shoes or sandals with thick soles are important, as some terrain is stony. A large cotton turban, known locally as a shesh, can be purchased easily in Morocco and is very useful in the desert. We also recommend bringing high-protection sunscreen and a hydrating cream for your skin.
Do I need to contribute a workshop or session?
No. There is no requirement to lead anything.
Those who come to Village are invited to offer something if they wish — a workshop, movement session, meditation, conversation, or another contribution. Some arrive knowing what they would like to bring. Others choose simply to participate.
Shared life in camp includes both stepping forward and taking part. Both are valued.
How much does it cost to attend Village 2026?
Payment for Village is made in two parts: £550 payable in advance, and €625 payable in cash on arrival in Morocco.
This includes accommodation, meals during the programme (excluding lunches on travel days), facilitation, workshops, and desert activities.
To confirm your place, a non-refundable deposit of £150 is required. The remaining £400 is due by 1 September 2026. Instalments are possible for the sterling payments.
€625 is payable in cash on arrival in Morocco. This enables direct payment to our local camp team and hosts.
For those who wish to contribute above the standard fee, additional contributions support accessibility and the ongoing sustainability of Village.
Impressions From Before
Are You Ready?
Village is a week in the desert shaped by participation, shared life, and the willingness to take part.
To join, you can secure your place with the £150 deposit. Your place is confirmed once payment is received.
If cost is the only barrier, please get in touch.