WELCOME TO WALKING THE SAHARA SANDS
Morocco, October 23rd-30th, 2024
I have been offering this trip for the past 7 years, along with Habib, our desert guide and myself, we will walk you through the desert for 5 days sleeping under stars. Habib has been guiding me and my groups over the years and we have built up a strong relationship. Habib and his family are very grateful that I bring people to the village of M'Hamid and work closely with the village.
Now I live in the small village (M'hamid El Ghizlane) which is in the desert and not far from the place I was born in. Most of the population (which is around 4000) came from the desert. The people were nomadic and moved to the village for the same reason which is school and lack of water. People now depends on agriculture and tourism. Even though the village is in the desert, I so often feel homesick, I miss sleeping in the tent, which is made of goat fur, I miss the quietness and the peace of the desert. I will always love the desert as it is my first mother''
Desert guide: Habib
''My name is Habib El Ouahida, I am 28 years old. I was born and raised in the desert. I was born as a nomad, a sheperd and also taking care of camels. When I was 7 years old, I had to move with my family to the nearest village (M'hamid El Ghizlane) in order to go to school. I went back to the desert whenever I had a holiday, because I loved the desert so much and still do. Life in the desert is so simple and difficult sometimes, but it is so peaceful and quiet, full of mental comfort and charming aspects of the nature. The quietness, the stunning sunset and the wide sky which is full of twinkling stars, all these made me so connected with the desert, thus I can't imagine my life elsewhere.
The Western Sahara near M'Hamid is where we begin our journey together.
The sands of time conjure up many images and walking through this uncorrupted landscape puts one back in touch with a deep place within that in the busyness of the Western culture we can overlook and forget.
Making bread in the sand, watching as the belly of the desert rises by the fire as the dough warms. The heart sings, lying back and breathing in the night skies and stars, close enough to reach out and touch it seems.
The magic of the stillness and the vastness penetrates deeply and we can bring this home. Home to the body to the heart and it roots within never to be forgotten, though remember it we must. On our last trip the Dakini of the Air element honoured us with her presence. The "twister" came out of what seemed, nowhere, and crossed our path as we walked in the intense heat. She came as a gift and a sign of endurance.
THE DAKINI
In Tibetan Buddhism is a feminine principle, as are all the elemental energies of Earth, Air,Fire, Water and Space in this Tantric cosmology. Dakini literally means "Sky dweller " or "Sky dancer". Dakinis may appear in various contexts.
She may appear as a human being, as a Goddess, either peaceful or wrathful, or she may be perceived as the general play of the energy of the phenomenal world. It was in this context that she showed herself to us as the elemental wind energy, arising as though from nowhere and disappearing again into the nothing. She was a welcome guest at that moment as we were coming to the end of quite a strenuous moment on our walk where the heat was intense and the legs were tired.
Therefore a certain degree of physical wellbeing and heart health is necessary to come on this journey.
This year the annual world music festival falls on November 1/2/3rd. So if you feel like staying for the festival afterwards.
Our journey together will end on the 30th October and there will be a drive back to Marrakech for those who do not wish to stay for the festival.
Day 1. October 23rd. Arrive marrakech. Stay in the Medina that night
Day 2. Oct. 24th Drive to Ouarzazate, stay in an Eco Lodge.
Day 3. Oct. 25th Drive to M Hamid and begin our walk into the desert together with our guides and Camels.
THESE NEXT DAYS ARE THE WALKING DAYS
Day 4. Oct.; 26th
Day 5. Oct. 27th
Day 6; Oct; 28th
Day 7. Oct. 29th
Day 8. Oct. 30th. Return M'Hamid
The days walking in the desert, well each one will have a different flavor. The walking will be 2 to 3 hours at a time. Options to ride on the Camels are possible should you feel tired etc.
But the walking is encouraged as a certain momentum arises as the days pass. It always amazes me how the guides know exactly where to head to for the midday shade and In the evenings rest up. As it gets cooler we will practice some meditations and practices connecting to the vastness and embodying the silence . The sahara is its own medicine and has its own unique way of whispering to you. Some who have travelled, including myself, have prophetic dreams, visitations etc. The dream time, unobstructed by artificial light and noise allows for the magic of the inner world to come alight to messaged from the deep self.
Please contact me to book your place on this journey. This year you can choose to stay on for the World Music Festival, held annually in M'Hamid. Where all kinds of music and magic combine.
On October 30th you can choose to return to Marrakech, get your flight or stay another night in the Medina in Marrakech.
If you choose to travel on the 30th your drive back is included in your fee and another night to stay in the Medina in Marrakech. I will have this booked for you.
I will be staying in M'Hamid for the music festival
You are welcome to stay, but this will be at your own expense, but I can assist in accommodation bookings etc
The vast open stillness of the Sahara, the intense silence and the days of walking bring something undefinable to the heart.