Morocco - Sacred Women’s Spaces

Marrakech • Essaouira • Sahara Desert • Fez • Casablanca
October 12 - 26, 2027

From medinas to mountains, discover Morocco’s women-led traditions and timeless rituals on this culturally immersive road tour exploring connection, craft and community.

Reserve Your Place

Morocco offers a rare opportunity to witness and participate in traditions of women gathering that are still alive today:

From the sacred rituals of the hammam, where women come together weekly to cleanse, connect, and care for one another, to multigenerational artisan communities preserving ancient crafts.

These spaces reveal how deeply community is woven into daily life.

People walking through a lush, green area with various trees and vegetation, including a large palm tree with yellowish fruit, under a bright blue sky. One person wears a wide-brimmed straw hat and a pink floral shirt, carrying a pink backpack.

Trip Overview

From the bustling souks and intimate riads of Marrakech and Fez to the sweeping Atlas Mountains and golden Sahara dunes, Morocco invites us into a world rich with texture, tradition, and beauty.

Wander medinas, share meals prepared with generations of care, and gather beneath desert skies where stories have been passed from woman to woman for centuries.

This is a journey across Morocco—a moving, immersive experience where every transition becomes part of the story. From the Atlantic coast to the desert, we witness subtle shifts in landscape, culture, and tradition, deepening our understanding of the country and its women. Along the way, moments between destinations become opportunities for reflection, conversation, and connection with both the land and your fellow travelers.

Through meaningful encounters with Moroccan women—artisans, community leaders, and young girls learning leadership—we explore the universal threads of womanhood: belonging, voice, resilience, and connection.

Guided by The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, this journey blends outer exploration with inner reflection, leaving you inspired, connected, and transformed.

2027 Itinerary

  • Moroccan tea

    Pre-Trip: Begin the journey before we even depart.

    We will host an online Welcome Call to share intentions and get to know each other, as well as review your questions about trip logistics.

    A second online gathering will explore the novel The Red Tent and the themes we’ll carry with us, as well as the sisterhood and culture that we’ll immerse ourselves in. We hope you arrive as sisters, not strangers!

  • morocco marrakech riad

    Day 1: Marrakech Arrival

    Arrive in Marrakech and settle into your riad. We’ll gather at 4pm for a welcome circle and opening dinner to begin our journey together. (D)

  • marrakech women run cafe

    Day 2: Gardens to Coast

    Visit Marrakech’s famed Majorelle Gardens followed by lunch at a women-run non-profit cafe and educational initiative.

    Travel west toward the Atlantic coast to the breezy seaside port town of Essaouira–a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its wind, waves, and soulful trance music. Stay in a chic and charming riad and enjoy a sumptuous dinner together. (B,D)

  • essaouira medina

    Day 3: Restoration & Rejuvenation

    Experience the traditional women’s hammam—one of Morocco’s most sacred and enduring spaces of community and care. Get scrubbed, soaped and shampooed before a relaxing massage.

    Relax over a spa lunch before exploring the medina on foot, including its Portuguese ramparts and a traditional beauty boutique. (B,L)

  • moroccan women musicians

    Day 4: Reset, Reflect & Celebrate!

    Join a cooking class to get hands-on experience in one of the top-ranked cuisines in the world. Or opt to walk the expansive beach, explore the colorful medina further or pop down to the bustling port.

    In the evening, experience a special gathering with sacred women musicians outside Essaouira. (B,D)

  • morocco women group marrakech medina tour

    Day 5: Return to Marrakech

    Journey back inland to Marrakech, noticing the shift from coast to city. Enjoy free time exploring followed by a guided evening through the vibrant night markets. (B,D)

  • morocco non-profit soar women

    Day 6: Women Rising & Atlas Mountains

    Visit, a thriving international non-profit program empowering young Moroccan girls to become confident leaders. A powerful opportunity for connection, perspective, and shared inspiration.

    Travel across the high Atlas Mountains, where the pace slows and the air shifts. Arrive at a UNESCO World Heritage kasbah and settle into the quiet beauty of the landscape. (B,L)

  • unesco world heritage kasbah

    Day 7: Route of the Kasbahs

    Take time to explore the UNESCO World Heritage kasbah or soak up the sunshine and views from the rooftop terrace.

    Continue along the road of crumbling kasbahs and old film landscapes to appreciate the raw beauty of the high desert, its rock formations and varied oases. (B,D)

  • sahara desert women camel train

    Day 8: Sahara Bound

    Travel deeper into the desert as the terrain transforms dramatically.

    Arrive at the edge of the Sahara, where a camel trek carries you into the red sand dunes for an unforgettable overnight desert camp experience. (B,D)

  • morocco palm oasis laundry

    Day 9-10: Oasis Immersion

    After breakfast, emerge from the desert and travel to a peaceful oasis guesthouse. Spend time connecting with our Berber women hosts, learning traditional farming, cooking, and experiencing the rhythms of daily life in this remote setting. (B,L,D)

  • countryside retreat

    Day 11: Countryside Retreat

    Travel northward toward the Middle Atlas Mountains to a serene cherry orchard lodge in a bucolic setting, offering space to rest, reflect, and integrate all that has been experienced so far. (B,L)

  • morocco button making

    Day 12: Craft & Fez

    Head into a small historic town famous for its traditional button-making. Participate in a hands-on button-making workshop with the local women before continuing on to Fez, one of Morocco’s most spiritually rich and historically layered cities. (B,L)

  • morocco fes tannery

    Day 13: Fez Exploration

    Explore the ancient medina of Fez with a local guide, discovering its traditions, artisanship, and deep cultural roots. Spend a special evening celebrating our journey in a unique Fez-inspired manner. (B,L)

  • fez morocco riad dining

    Day 14: Free Day in Fez & Final Dinner

    Enjoy a free day to fill up on treasures from Fez, enjoy the stillness of the riad or venture further afoot to charming villages and ruined palaces.

    We’ll reconvene for a final dinner together and Honest Heart closing conversation. (B,D)

  • casablanca mosque

    Day 15: Casablanca & Departure

    Depart for Casablanca by train, enjoying views of the countryside in a leisurely manner.

    Head to the imposing Hassan II Mosque for a final Moroccan spa experience in its opulent baths. Purify and rejuvenate in preparation for your departure from Morocco.

    Say goodbye over a post-spa teatime, and carry with you your experiences, reflections, and newfound friendships! (B,L)

  • morocco group

    Continued Community

    After returning home, we host a virtual reunion gathering—a space to reflect, integrate, and share insights and highlights from your journey.

    The connection doesn’t end there. You’re invited to continue the joy, support, and inspiration of your fellow travelers through the Honest Heart Community online—a place to stay connected, share insights, and carry the spirit of play and wonder forward.

Highlights

A harbor filled with blue boats docked at the pier during sunset, with lampposts lining the waterfront and a cloudy sky overhead.

Immersive Place & Culture

Explore Morocco’s most iconic and soulful landscapes, from Marrakech’s vibrant markets to the coastal calm of Essaouira, the stillness of the Sahara, and the spiritual depth of Fez. Each destination is thoughtfully chosen for both beauty and cultural richness.

Book cover for 'The Red Tent' by Anita Diamant, depicting a woman in a red robe with a mountainous landscape background.

The Inner Journey & The Red Tent

Guided by the themes of The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, we’ll engage in self reflection and group dialogue—exploring what it means to gather as women, create sacred space, and carry these traditions forward in our own lives. Above all, soak in the spirit of community and hospitality here.

A group of ethnically diverse women and girls engaged in a discussion outdoors, with trees and natural surroundings in the background.

Connection, Sisterhood, & Shared Traditions

Experience authentic connection within our group and with Moroccan women. Highlights include an intimate evening dancing with sacred women musicians.

Outside Essaouira, visits with artisan communities, and time with the inspiring young leaders of Project Soar.

The Experience

Tour group standing on a narrow street surrounded by colorful buildings, some with blue window frames, listening to a guide, while one woman with long blonde hair and a hat gestures with her hand.

Let Us Host Your Journey

Join Honest Heart Journeys Founder & Host Jennifer Dale with Trip Host Summer Davis, who brings over three decades of global travel experience and deep local knowledge of Morocco.

Together, they carefully create a space for connection through storytelling, rare immersion into daily life, and shared inquiry.

Meet Your Hosts »

Book cover for 'The Tenants' by Anita Diamant, showing a woman in a red dress standing with her head tilted back and eyes closed, mountains in the background, and a sky with clouds.

Our Trip Book:
The Red Tent

This beloved novel on so many women’s bookshelves illuminates the ancient tradition of women gathering in sacred spaces for community and tradition. Its themes will guide our conversations and reflections throughout the journey. How do we connect deeply and care for one another? How do we define true sisterhood?

Learn More »

A group of smiling tourists posing at an ancient archaeological site with a large earthen mound and surrounding desert landscape in the background.

Activity Level: Moderate & Flexible

Our journey includes walking tours through medinas, uneven terrain, narrow staircases in multi-floored guesthouses, light hiking and swimming opportunities, and an 1.5 hour camel ride.

We change accommodations frequently in our tour from Essaouira to Fez. Be prepared to shuttle for periods up to 2.5+ hours in our private tour van, fitted with air conditioning and ample luggage space. Along the way, you’ll hear stories from your hosts, learn about the land and culture, and deepen sisterhood!

Group of women and girls smiling outdoors in a garden.

A Land of Living Traditions

As travelers, we arrive with curiosity to listen, learn, and reflect. Through shared experiences, conversations, and side-by-side participation, we see both the beauty of cultural differences and the profound similarities in women’s lives across the world. These moments of exchange often become the most meaningful - expanding our perspective and deepening our compassion.

Each day offers opportunities to engage deeply, both with Morocco and within yourself. 

A cozy restaurant room decorated with Moroccan style hanging lanterns, colorful patterned chairs, and a fireplace with shelves of books and decorative items. Tables are set with plates, glasses, and silverware.

Intimate, Boutique Accommodations

Stay in carefully selected riads, guesthouses, and a desert camp that reflect Moroccan beauty, comfort, and authenticity.

A colorful plate of Mexican food with vegetables and grains, placed on a traditional patterned tablecloth, blurred in the background

Cuisine

Enjoy vibrant, nourishing meals rooted in tradition. From shared tagines to hands-on cooking experiences, food becomes a meaningful part of connection.

Group of women in traditional dresses walking through a field with palm trees under a clear blue sky.

Weather

October has warm, comfortable days and cooler evenings—perfect for exploring cities, mountains, and desert landscapes.

Temperatures range from (77–86°F) in the daytime to cooler evenings (54–63°F).

Two women participating in a donation or blood drive, exchanging a clothing item outdoors amid trees with green foliage in the background.

What to Bring

You’ll receive a planning guide six months prior to departure with a detailed packing list to help you feel confident and ready for every aspect of the journey. And bring your questions to our welcome call with Summer and Jen as well.

Your Hosts

A woman with long, curly blonde hair smiling and sitting at a table with a three-tiered tray of snacks in a room with red damask wallpaper and framed artwork behind her.

Summer Davis

Morocco & Costa Rica Host

Meet
Close-up of a smiling woman's face with light brown, wavy hair, wearing glasses on her head, earrings, and layered necklaces, in an indoor setting with yellow and colorful background.

Jennifer Dale

Founder, Visionary & Host

Meet

    • All accommodations (boutique riads, guesthouses, desert camp)

    • Most meals throughout the journey

    • All cultural experiences and entrance fees

    • Private transportation + luggage transfers

    • Local guides and translator

    • Hammam rituals and wellness experiences

    • Cooking class and artisan workshops

    • Desert camel trek and camp experience

    • Honest Heart Journeys journal + pen

    • Pre-trip workshops + post-trip integration gathering

    • International airfare to Marrakech and from Casablanca

    • Travel insurance (required)

    • Meals during travel days

    • Some meals during travel planned for eating preferences and flexibility

    • Alcoholic beverages

    • Personal expenses

    • Gratuities

Colorful building with a blue facade and green trim, surrounded by various tall cacti and palm trees under a bright blue sky. People are walking and gathered near the building.

Morocco - Sacred Women’s Spaces

Marrakech • Essaouira • Sahara Desert • Fez • Casablanca —
October 12 - 26, 2027

Our journeys often fill well in advance due to limited group size, so we highly recommend registering early.

Traveling solo? You're warmly welcomed!
Many guests join us on their own. When selecting double occupancy, we thoughtfully survey and pair roommates based on your preferences and comfort.

Book Your Spot

Double Occupancy
(shared room)

Single Occupancy
(private room - limited
availability)

7,495 USD


8,695 USD

Reserve Your Place
Questions? Schedule a Call
Orange tabby cat lying on a concrete surface with a historic brick city gate and palm trees in the background.

FAQS

  • Reserve your spot through our website, which links you to our WeTravel registration platform. We require a 50% deposit with full payment due 180 days prior to the departure date. We welcome payments via credit card or debit with a flexible payment schedule.

    Please keep your WeTravel reservation confirmation email to access your individual account information any time through the ‘Manage Your Booking’ button at the bottom. Everything regarding your trip – guest survey, waiver forms, visa/passport uploads, planning guide, etc. – lives here.

    If you have ANY questions, we'd love to talk with you! Reach out any time through our Contact page.

  • If a cancellation is made prior to 180 days before the trip date, the entire deposit will be refunded except for a $500 per person service charge.

    Itineraries are subject to change depending on weather, availability of activities, unforeseen circumstances, emergencies, etc. It is highly unlikely that we will cancel a trip, but we do reserve the right to cancel due to weather, natural disasters, emergencies or a lack of sufficient reservations. If we cancel a trip, a full refund of the trip deposit and any final payment will be given.

    Notification of cancellation must be received in writing via email to info@honestheartjourneys.com.

  • HHJ requires that you obtain travel insurance in case of unexpected medical circumstances. We also highly recommend you obtain cancellation insurance.

    We want you to make a decision that meets your needs. If you don’t already have your own insurance source, you can now book insurance directly on WeTravel registration platform.

  • Once your registration is complete and your trip is paid in full, you’ll receive a detailed Planning Guide designed to support your preparation. This includes:

    • A complete day-by-day itinerary

    • A curated packing list tailored to your destination

    • Hotel and lodging information

    • Important travel tips and logistics

    • An introduction to our selected trip book and related resources

    • Additional materials to help you feel confident and prepared

    At this time, we’ll also collect your emergency contact details, travel insurance information, and require signed release forms to ensure your safety and the smooth coordination of our journey together.

  • Arrive Marrakech by early afternoon arrival day in time for our welcome at the road at 4pm. Your arrival transfer will be waiting outside the airport in the pickup zone. Transfer time from the airport to the hotel is approximately 20 minutes.

    For departure day, we will travel from Fes to Casablanca that morning for our final lunch and hammam. For those departing from Casablanca airport, please plan to do so in the evening ideally 8pm or later. Transfer time from the center of Casablanca to the airport is approximately 40 minutes. Alternatively book an additional night in Casablanca and depart any time the next day. For those leaving from Marrakech it is recommended to book an additional night in Casablanca to depart the following day or depart after 11pm on departure day. Transfer time from Casablanca to Marrakech airport is approximately 2.5 hours.

  • The Moroccan Dirham is Morocco’s national currency and ATMs are readily available in the cities. Most have limits of 2000-4000 Dirham per day (roughly USD$200-400, occasionally you'll find one up to $800). You will need to be able to access enough cash for meals not included, personal expenses, tips, optional activities, etc.

    Meals average $10-20 at most places and up to $50 at fancier spots. Some places will be cash only, like local lunches and shopping, while hotels and higher-end restaurants usually accept credit cards. 

    A tipping chart will be provided. (About $60 for the duration of the tour should be sufficient.) 

  • Please check your passport well in advance of your departure date and make sure that it is valid. Your passport must be: 

    • Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the 'date of issue') 

    • Valid for at least 6 months after the day you plan to leave (check the expiration date).

    No visa is required for US citizens.

  • We curate our gatherings to support deep connection, clarity, and authentic joy within our sisterhood. In service of this, alcohol is not part of our shared group experiences. Guests are always free to make personal choices outside of scheduled activities.