4-Day Atlas Mountains Yoga and Desert Relaxation Retreat in Morocco

The retreat runs for four days and three nights at Atlas Haven, a small guesthouse in Imlil at the end of the road that leads up to Mount Toubkal. Days start around 8am with a 75-minute yoga class on the terrace or in the indoor shala, depending on the weather. Breakfast follows — usually msemen (flaky Moroccan pancakes), fresh bread, olive oil, amlou, eggs, and fruit — and then the day is yours until late afternoon. Some people hike to the nearby waterfalls or up to the village of Armed, others walk into Imlil for coffee, and a few just stay on the roof with a book.

The middle day typically includes a full-day excursion toward the desert side of the mountains. You'll drive over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, stop at a cooperative where they make argan oil, and continue to Ait Benhaddou, the fortified village you might recognise from films like Gladiator. Lunch is included on that day. You're back at Atlas Haven by early evening, in time for a restorative yoga session before dinner.

Evenings are low-key. Dinner is a set menu of Moroccan salads, a tagine (chicken with preserved lemon, or a vegetable version), and fruit. There's no bar, but you can bring your own wine if you want. Most nights people are in bed by 10pm — the altitude and the quiet see to that.

What makes this different from a standard Moroccan yoga holiday is the location. Imlil isn't a resort town; it's a working Berber village at 1,740 metres, and Atlas Haven is run by a local family who've lived there for generations. The yoga teacher is usually Hannah Henry, who leads most of Atlas Haven's retreats and has been teaching in the Atlas for several years. She's not a guru type — she'll correct your alignment if you want, but she's just as happy to let you freestyle in the back of the room.

Group sizes are small, typically six to ten people, and the mix is usually solo travellers in their 30s to 50s, with a few couples. It's a good first solo trip if you're nervous about going somewhere on your own — everything is arranged, and the family who run the place look after you without hovering. The overall feel is more guesthouse than retreat centre: simple, clean, and genuinely warm.

What's included

- 3 nights accommodation at Atlas Haven - Daily yoga sessions (morning and evening, except arrival day) - All meals: breakfast, lunch on excursion days, and dinner - Full-day desert excursion to Ait Benhaddou with transport, guide, and lunch - Guided walk to the Cascades waterfalls - Filtered drinking water and mint tea - Wi-Fi in common areas

What's not included

- International flights - Travel insurance - Airport transfers (can be arranged for an extra cost) - Drinks other than water and tea - Optional activities such as hammam, extra hikes, or Marrakech tours - Personal expenses and tips