Wednesday 12th October  Arrival in Marrakech. Transfer to hotel. In the heart of the old town, Hotel Ali is a budget hotel in a fabulous position. It overlooks the Djemaa el Fena, a huge square with food stalls, snake charmers, horse drawn carriages, fresh juice stalls, dancers, drummers, street entertainers. The hotel has its own bureau de change, pizzeria and restaurant. The shared rooms have their own and en suite bath/shower rooms and there is a hammam (steam room and massage parlour) in the basement. There is a rooftop terrace with a grandstand view of the square and a view of the illuminated Koutoubia mosque and the adjacent gardens. Out of respect for Islamic culture you are asked to dress modestly and cover arms, legs and breasts!

Thursday 13th October  Depart 7am by Mini Bus for Dar Sidi Bounou, our desert destination. It is an 11 hour journey but we think you’d prefer to spend time in the desert than two days on the bus! It is a stunning journey through the High Atlas Mountains, then the Anti Atlas Mountains and finally the Palmeraie, the date palm plantation following the path of the river Draa 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 with desert locations were shot. We will arrive early evening for dinner, on the assumption that you will want to crash out nothing has been arranged for this evening, but it will be an opportunity for you to get to know your fellow guests. You may need to know there are cats, dogs (and sheep!) on site in case you are allergic. 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. Our first night in the heart of the Sahara desert.
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. Breakfast then relaxation.
Lunch. Sunset in Mad Nomad Dune 5 min walk from the house. Dinner, campfire and relaxation.
Monday 17th October. Early rise, breakfast there is a chance to visit the local market of M’hammid Elghezlane 5 kilometres from Dar Sidi Bounou. Hammam (optional extra) is available for those willing to have relaxed morning. Lunch and siesta. Sunset in the dune with Trance drumming. Dinner. A relaxed evening around the fire and counting the stars

Tuesday 18th October  Return journey to Marakech (I promise you the view looks altogether different in reverse!). Return to Hotel Ali.

Wednesday 19th October  The day to explore Marrakech, either browsing in the medina and spending the last of your dirhams or visiting the Bahia Palace, the Saadian tombs, the Medersa (ancient and fascinating Koranic School) or a trip out to the fabulous Majorelle garden. Visit to La Maison de la Photo, photos of Morocco between 1870 till 1950, prints are available to buy. Private, farewell meeting on the hotel terrace. Transfers to Marrakech airport for the flights home depending on flights times.

Teachers are:
Anne Kingston - Folkloric bellydance and Emotrance dance
Lizzie Robinson - Shamanic healing
Allal Yamine - Sunrise and sunset trance drumming and movement