Desert Healing Trip, 12th – 19th October, 2011

Wednesday 12th October 2011 arrival in Marrakech.  Transfer to Hotel Ali  in the heart of the old town overlooking the Djemaa el Fna, a huge square with food stalls, snake charmers, horse drawn carriages, fresh juice stalls, dancers, drummers and street entertainers.  The hotel has a bureau de change, pizzeria and restaurant.  The shared rooms have good en suite bath/shower room.   Out of respect for Islamic culture you are asked to dress modestly and cover up.

Thursday 13th October.  Depart 7am by Mini Bus for our desert destination in the south.  It is an 11 hour journey through the stunning High Atlas Mountains, then the Anti Atlas Mountains and finally the Draa River Palmeraie and the Valley of the Kasbahs (castles).  We will stop for comfort breaks along the way and a leisurely lunch in Ouarzazate (pronounced Waarzazat)  home of the film studios where Alexander the Great, The Sheltering Sky and many other films were shot.  We will arrive early evening at our destination Dar Sidi Bounou for dinner. After dinner there will be an opportunity for you to relax and get to know your fellow guests.  In case you are allergic, there are cats, dogs (and sheep!) on site.  Some food preferences and sensitivities can be catered for.  Please let us know in advance.

Friday 14th October.  A day of relaxation at Dar Sidi Bounou.   Shake and Stretch dance class in the morning.  Lunch.  Introduction to Shamanism Workshop during the afternoon.   Sunset, refreshments, supper and music.  Gnawa and other Trance Music from the local area.  Drumming and dancing for all.

Saturday 15th October. Sunrise meditation on the dunes.  Breakfast.  Individual dance and Shamanic Healing Workshops throughout the day.  Refreshments then Lunch. Campfire, dinner and dancing.

Sunday 16th October Morning sunrise meditation and Movement Workshop.  Breakfast then relaxation. Refreshments then Lunch.  Sunset View at Mad Nomad Dune, a 5 minute walk into the desert.  Dinner, campfire and relaxation.

Monday 17th October.  Early rise, breakfast and a chance to visit the local market of M’hammid El Ghizlane, 5 kilometres from Dar Sidi Bounou.  Hammam (optional extra) is available.  Lunch and siesta.  Sunset in the dunes with Trance Drumming.  Dinner.  An evening around the fire and an opportunity to count the stars

Tuesday 18th October.  Return journey to Marakech (the views look altogether different in reverse!).  Return to Hotel Ali.

Wednesday 19th October The day to explore Marrakech, browsing in the medina, visiting the Bahia Palace, the Saadian tombs, the Medrasa (the ancient Koranic School),  a trip out to the fabulous Majorelle Garden or a visit to La Maison de la Photo ( a Museum of photography in Morocco between 1870 till 1950,  prints are available to buy).

A private farewell meeting on the hotel terrace.  Transfers to Marrakech airport for the flights home.

Teachers are:

Anne Kingston- Folkloric bellydance and Emotrance dance

Lizzie Robinson- Shamanic healing

Allal Yamine - Sunrise and sunset trance drumming and movement

The price is £495. If you like to make a reservation for this desert adventure, this is what you have to do :

UK Residents – Non-refundable booking deposit of £100 to be paid by the end of July.  Payment in full by the 15th September.  Please make cheques payable to Per4m Rhythm and Art Workshops or to Allal Yamine.

Europe and other parts of the world -  Non-refundable booking deposit of 100Euros please use PAYPAL to  Allal Yamine.  The balance will be handed in on arrival at Marrakech.  There are 11 places only… confirm places by the deposit.

For booking email: madnomad@live.co.uk

A receipt will be emailed back to you to confirm your booking.

This is a Mad Nomad and Anne Kingston Adventure which will provide the opportunity for spontaneous fun and celebration in a place of timeless desert beauty.  It is an adventure opportunity not a tourist package.  There will be no posted program of entertainment or printed menus, but as those who have already visited us here at Dar Sidi Bounou already know, you can be sure that there will be an abundance of wonderful music, drumming, dancing and lots of the great food (including delicious vegetarian) that we are famous for, all presented with the traditional gracious Moroccan hospitality … but … expect the unexpected … be sure that, as ever in Morocco, there will be some surprises … some from us here … and others that will originate with our old friends, or our new guests.

Please bring a sleeping bag,  good walking shoes – flip flops and strap sandals are not suitable for walking as the desert, as it is not all soft sand,  light clothing with long sleeved coverups for the daytime, warmer, wind proof for the evenings and nights, (average October daytime temperature: 28C, night-time: 18C)  a windup torch, some basic personal medical supplies.


There are flights to Marrakech from Heathrow (Royal Air Maroc), Gatwick (Easyjet, Atlas Blue), Stansted (Ryanair), Luton (Ryanair) Manchester (Easyjet), Bristol (Ryanair ) and Edinburgh (Ryanair).  Please ensure you give Allal your flight details and if you wish to come earlier, or stay longer, contact Allal and he will help with your arrangements.

There are 11 places only…  confirmed by PAYPAL deposit to Allal Yamine.

Please contact Allal with your full flight details: madnomad@live.co.uk

What is included in the cost of the trip:

•          Transfers to and from the airport in Marrakech on 12th and 19th October 2011.

•          2 nights stay (in shared room) at the Hotel Ali.  Bed and Breakfast.

•          Coach to and from M’hamid Dar Sidi Bounou.

•          Shared (max. of 4 ) accommodation in tents,  5 nights in all.

.           All meals and refreshments at Dar Sidi Bounou and in the Desert

•          Dance and Shamanic healing workshops with Anne and Lizzie.

•          Three Trance Drumming lessons (drums will be provided).

•          Evening entertainment.

What is not included in the cost:

•          Flights.

•          Day trips from Dar Sidi Bounou, Mhamid.

•          Lunch and evening meals while in Marrakesh.

•          Holiday insurance.

•          Bottled  Water

We recommend that you:

-take as little luggage as possible as you will be responsible for carrying your own bags to and from the Mini Bus

-take a good book, enjoy the atmosphere and opportunity to relax and chill out at Dar Sidi Bounou,

- if you enjoy drinking alcohol, bring it with you as it is not available locally

- bring medication, for upset stomachs or travel sickness, also sun screen and lotion, insect repellent and antihistimine.

- there is an internet connection which you are welcome to use (when it is working)

See you in the desert!