Two retreats. Essaouira. September.

16 – 20 September 2026 · 10 places

Five days of music therapy, group work, and creative workshops at Dar Souiri in Essaouira's medina. Led by Chris Soloman — accredited psychotherapist, trained in Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention. Small group, max 10. For people in recovery who want to explore music as a therapeutic path.

What we share

• Morning meditation and yoga
• Music therapy with local Essaouira musicians
• Group therapy and creative workshops (art, writing, cooking)
• Three Moroccan meals daily — evenings cooked collectively
• Free evenings: medina, beach, hammam, or rest
• Shared rooms in a traditional riad

Practicalities

• Not included: flights, insurance, personal expenses, single room supplement
• Confidentiality: everything shared stays within the group (BACP ethical framework)
• Not suitable for active detox — medical supervision required. Unsure? Get in touch.

Dar Souiri — the venue

A historic cultural centre in Essaouira's medina. Traditional riad with courtyard, quiet rooms for group work, and a library. One bedroom adapted for wheelchair use.

21 – 25 September 2026

Five days on foot, on horseback, and beside the Atlantic — from Cap Sim's dunes to the Smimou salt flats. Walking strips away the noise; the trail does the talking. Moderate pace, with rest, swimming, music, and shared meals woven through.

The five-day programme

1. Day 1 — Horses to Cap Sim

   Depart ~9:30 AM. Three hours on horseback from Al-Diyabat to Cap Sim Lighthouse — its workings and its history. Descend through the dunes to Cap Sim Cave (~1h on foot). Lunch in the cave, swimming, yoga, and meditation. Late afternoon, walk up to Wassen village to shower and rest. Back down to the beach for sunset, dinner around a campfire, and stargazing. Return to village accommodation by 10 PM.

2. Day 2 — Camel caravan along the coast

   Breakfast at the house. We join a camel caravan to carry the luggage — riding is optional. Around four hours of walking along the coast before we reach our beachfront camp at ~2 PM. Lunch, rest, sunset yoga on the sand, a Gnawa music concert, and dinner under the tents.

3. Day 3 — Sidi Kaouki to Sidi Mbarek waterfalls

   Four hours walking through the countryside to the Sidi Mbarek waterfalls. Lunch and overnight stay with a Berber family. Dinner on the beach under the stars.

4. Day 4 — Sidi Mbarek to Iftan fishing village

   A walk to the fishing village of Iftan. Lunch at fisherman Hassan's café. An evening fishing experience with the local fishermen, then sleep in a village house.

5. Day 5 — Smimou salt flats and return to Essaouira

   Breakfast, then a short drive (~30 min) and ~3 hours on foot to the Smimou salt flats — the culture, history, and craft of salt extraction in the region. Lunch in a cave around 4 PM, then return to Essaouira.

Practicalities

• Fitness: comfortable walking 3–4 hours on varied terrain. Full kit list sent after booking.
• Included: guides, horse and camel handlers, all meals, accommodation, transfers
• Not included: flights, insurance, personal expenses
• Confidentiality: everything shared stays within the group (BACP ethical framework)

16 – 25 September 2026 · 10 days

The music week opens you up; the trekking week settles you. Ten days from inner stillness to outer movement — enough time to really arrive. Extra discount on top of the launch offer.

What you get

• Everything in both the Music & Creative and Trekking retreats
• Seamless transition between Dar Souiri and the trek — we handle logistics
• Single deposit, single booking
• Extra combo discount: £655 vs £700 booked separately

Practicalities

• Getting here: fly to Essaouira (ESU) or Marrakech (RAK, 2.5 hr transfer). Airport transfers on request.
• Language: English. Chris and local partners also speak French and Spanish.
• Accommodation: shared rooms at Dar Souiri (week 1), riad or guesthouse on trail (week 2). Singles available on request.