Morocco 2025: Music & Mystery

Marrakech & The Sahara Desert

JB
Journey Beyond Destination
  • Email address verified
3 reviews
Apr 24 - May 4, 2025
Group size: 6 - 10
Morocco 2025: Music & Mystery
Marrakech & The Sahara Desert

Journey Beyond Destination
  • Email address verified
3 reviews

Apr 24 - May 4, 2025
Group size: 6 - 10

About this trip

Do you crave meaningful travel experiences that go beyond the predictable?


Do you long to immerse yourself in authentic cultural exchanges that forge lasting connections?


Are you curious about the folklore and deep roots of the world’s musical traditions?


Then say YES to this extraordinary journey to Morocco, where ancient melodies echo through the labyrinthine streets of centuries-old cities and vast desert landscapes.


Join me on this mesmerizing journey through the South of Morocco, where music and mystery intertwine to create an unforgettable adventure for musicians and music lovers alike. We will journey south from the bustling chaos of Marrakech, across the Atlas Mountains, through tranquil oases in the Draa valley, to the expansive desert skies of the Sahara.

Music will play the leading role in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.


This is more than just a trip; it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse yourself in the soul-stirring music and mystical allure of Morocco. I’d love for you to join me on this extraordinary journey.


Experience firsthand the trance-inducing rhythms of Gnawa music, and the haunting melodies of Berber folk songs. We'll delve into a tapestry of diverse musical genres that have been passed down through generations, many of which are unknown in the West.


During our journey, we will be treated to exclusive private concerts in intimate settings, allowing for personal interactions with various talented bands and musicians and creating unique opportunities to exchange musical ideas and insights. 


But the real magic awaits in the Sahara Desert, at our exclusive desert camp. From our camp, we will take a short ride on a camel caravan through undulating dunes. Our path leads to the tallest dune, which we’ll climb to take in the serenity and vastness of the desert landscape, soaking in the peaceful ambiance of the desert at dusk. It's a moment of profound beauty and stillness, which I’m sure will rank as one of your lifetime favorites.

    

After dinner, back at our camp, under the vast expanse of the desert sky, we'll settle in for a spectacular evening of stargazing. Our knowledgeable, and professional astronomer will guide us through an awe-inspiring stargazing session. We'll peer into the heavens through his telescope at the myriad stars and constellations that adorn it. It's going to be an unforgettable night, full of wonder and camaraderie as we soak in the beauty of the moment together. of pure enchantment. In this magical setting, sitting around a campfire, music, and rhythm will fill the night air and our souls.

Your Host

Hi, I'm Zani, founder of Journey Beyond Destination. 

Welcome to my world of slow, soulful, culturally immersive travel through Morocco. If you're a curious traveler or a wanderer seeking authentic experiences off the beaten path, you've come to the right place. 


I specialize in organizing intimate experiences for small groups of no more than 8 travelers at a time. These bespoke adventures are designed for individuals who crave hands-on cultural experiences and aren't afraid to mingle with local communities, embracing their traditions with open arms. Choose from themed journeys focusing on music, artisans, and local craftsmen to nature adventures that take you off the grid.


I understand the importance of privacy, tranquility, and personalized attention, which is why the accommodations are carefully selected, small to medium-sized boutique hotels, many of which are nestled within historic sites steeped in rich history.


Through my many years of experience living and traveling in Morocco, I’ve fostered strong,

trusting partnerships with local certified guides, drivers, shopkeepers, artisans, café owners, and restaurateurs, ensuring that you, the traveler, will always receive exceptional quality, service, and value throughout your journey.


FAQs

Things to know before you go.

Before embarking on your journey to Morocco, it's important to address some common questions to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip.


Firstly, be aware that alcohol consumption in public is strictly prohibited, and even in private settings, it is often only tolerated at best. You'll find that most restaurants and cafes do not serve alcohol of any kind, so it's best to be prepared for this cultural difference when planning your trip. Additionally, it's crucial to note that drug use of any kind is strictly prohibited and can result in severe penalties. In contrast to the strict prohibition of drug use, tobacco products are available in Morocco, and smoking is permitted in designated areas where allowed.


Secondly, respecting the dress code is essential. When venturing into religious or conservative areas, dressing modestly is not only appreciated but also a sign of respect for local customs and traditions. It's essential for women to cover their shoulders, knees, and chest when visiting mosques or other religious sites, and to avoid wearing revealing clothing in public spaces. For a complete list of suggested and appropriate attire, feel free to contact me for further guidance tailored to our specific itinerary.


When capturing moments in Morocco, it's important to be mindful of cultural sensitivities, especially when photographing ordinary people in their daily lives. Taking photos of locals without their consent, particularly in intimate or private settings, can be considered intrusive and disrespectful. It's essential to always ask for permission before taking someone's photo and to respect their wishes if they decline. Additionally, remember to approach photography with sensitivity and empathy, considering the impact your actions may have on the subjects and their communities. By showing respect for the privacy and dignity of the people you encounter, you can ensure a positive and meaningful experience for everyone involved.


Lastly, showing respect for religious traditions, such as refraining from public displays of affection and being silent during the calls to prayer, is extremely important.

Remember, we are guests in this ancient land, and it is essential to honor the cultural heritage of this vibrant country.

Keeping these considerations in mind will help you enjoy this journey through Morocco with ease and respect for its customs and traditions.


Dietary Options

Morocco boasts a rich culinary heritage with a diverse array of traditional dishes, many of which are centered around animal-based proteins.


For vegetarians and vegans traveling to Morocco, dining options vary depending on the location. In tourist areas, restaurants tend to be accommodating to diverse dietary preferences, offering a range of vegan and vegetarian options on their menus. From flavorful tagines bursting with aromatic spices and hearty vegetable stews to vibrant salads and couscous dishes, Moroccan cuisine offers a wealth of plant-based delights. 


However, in more remote or less visited areas, finding these alternatives may prove more challenging. To ensure you can maintain your plant-based diet throughout your journey, consider bringing along protein bars or other snacks to supplement your meals.

As a vegetarian myself, I've personally sought out eateries that cater to both omnivores and plant-based eaters, ensuring a satisfying dining experience for all of us. 





Terms & Conditions

Click here to view our T&C.

What’s included

  • Accommodations
    10 nights in mid-range hotels, most with private bathroom.*The Kasbah and desert stay have clean, shared bathrooms. All rooms are double occupancy, so it's best to travel with a friend or spouse.
  • Culture Immersion
    A private, guided tour of a 16th-century kasbah in the middle of an oasis. A cooking class and lunch with a local family. Storytelling with a local master storyteller.
  • Musical Connections
    Private, intimate concerts of various musical genres, including Gnawa, Chaabi, Desert Blues.
  • Music & Art Education
    A visit to Taman'art Space and the first and only Music Production School in Morocco. Taman'art is dedicated to art in all its expressions, from painting to music and photography, even culinary arts.
  • Sahara Desert
    A trip into the desert in a 4x4 across the sand dunes. Camel ride up the highest dune for sunset. Overnight in desert camp. Dinner & breakfast.
  • Some Meals
    All breakfasts, one lunch and two dinners are included. For meals that aren't included, you can expect to pay between 6 and 12 euros per meal, per person, drinks not included.
  • Airport/Hotel Transfers

What’s not included

  • Airfare & Insurance
    These are up to you.
  • Some Meals
    Most lunches and dinners are not included. Snacks, beverages, and tips are not included.
  • Extra Activities
    Extra activities such as the hammam (Arab Spa), henna tattooing. These are optional and can be scheduled in Marrakech. Price range for henna, 12 to 20 eruos. Price range for hammam, 45 to 60 euros.
  • Tips
    It is customary and expected to tip in Morocco.
  • Taxi fare
    In most places, we will walk or have a driver, but in your free time, if you want to explore on your own, the taxi fare will be up to you.

Available Packages

2100€
Deposit:€400
Available until February 5, 20256 left

Space is limited, so secure your place by leaving a deposit today. A payment plan is available for your convenience. 

€2,100
Deposit:€400
Save 200€
Available until January 31, 20254 left

I'm pleased to offer a deep discount for those who book and pay in full.

€1,900

Itinerary

April 24-26: Marhaba
مرحبا بكم في المغرب Welcome to Morocco!

Sensory Overload.


We'll arrive and get settled into our riad, where we'll be welcomed by our hosts with traditional mint tea and treats. This day is mostly for recovering from the long trip and getting heads, hearts, and souls aligned, rested, and ready for the days ahead. 


We will spend the first three nights in Marrakech, then head towards the desert.


Cultural and musical experiences while in Marrakech include:


1) A private Gnawa ceremony. The Lila is a mesmerizing ceremony of song, music, dance, costume, and incense that takes place over the course of an entire night, ending around dawn.  However, this special Lila, presented exclusively for our group, will be only 1.5 hours long, just to give us a taste of the real deal.


2) Exclusive Sightseeing Scavenger Hunt. Discover Marrakech in a fun way with a Scavenger Hunt walking tour. Solve riddles at your own pace and see the most iconic landmarks and hidden gems in the Medina*, such as the Bahia Palace, the Secret Garden, and the tanneries. 


In addition to these scheduled experiences, there will be time to explore the souks* for some shopping and to take in the vibrancy of this city.


*What's a medina? The medina is the old core of a city in Morocco, usually from the Middle Ages. It is surrounded by a wall, and you can only enter through the old city gates, called Bab. There are seldom proper roads, mostly, it’s more or less narrow streets that you share with motorbikes, donkeys, juice sellers, and, of course, lots of people walking. Sometimes it feels like walking through an elaborate maze.


*What's a souk? The souk is the market. In some places, this is an outdoor space where the souk is held once a week. The vendors come from near and far in their vans and lay out their wares on improvised tables. In the bigger cities, it is a permanent structure open every day. In the bigger, touristy cities, the word is also used for the parts of the medina that these days are mostly used for souvenir shopping. In Marrakech, for example, there are different parts of the souks for different goods. Carpet souk, spice souk, metal works souk, leather souk.

Your Organizer


JB
Journey Beyond Destination
3 reviews
If you're a curious traveler or a wanderer seeking authentic experiences off the beaten path, you've come to the right place. Hi, I'm Zani, the founder of Journey Beyond Destination, a soul-centered travel company dedicated to slow, culturally immersive travel. I believe that embracing diversity through firsthand experiences can build bridges of understanding, lead to lifelong friendships, and make our world a more inclusive and welcoming place for everyone.

Reviews

I love to travel with friends, family, and at times alone, but the task of planning a trip is overwhelming with the hours I work. So this is when journey beyond destination, is ideal for me. They plan individual or small group trips with experiences small workshops, tours and built in individual time to explore and soak in the culture and surroundings . My experience in Latvia was absolutely wonderful! It’s amazing how sometimes a destination that wasn't on my radar turns out to be such a gem. Latvia offered the perfect mix of culture, history, nature, and relaxation. The Art Nouveau architecture, cobblestone streets, and charming blend of old and new city vibes is really enticing. I also enjoyed the local cuisine especially the seafood. I appreciated that many local shops focus on authentic, Latvian-made products. Its a really rich cultural experience and the artists are enthusiastic about their products which many are handcrafted right in the area. The country is small enough that the trip includes travel to small towns and cities outside Riga which were fairytale like with castles and quaint streets. There were bread makers, shops with handmade goods and wonderful cuisine. The drive to the Baltic sea was beautiful and the added bonus of a magnificent sunset while walking along the shore was not to be missed. Being in a small group or individual trip works well for me and one can imagine how much easier it is to be able to immerse myself in the experience when all the details are thoughtfully planned out. Its a perfect balance of guided exploration and personal time to discover things. If you ever think about visiting other off-the-beaten-path destinations, check out journey beyond destination where the leg work , personal experience and connection has already been made in the planning of the trip. My recommendation is go because you will love it. Linda Davis Parsons 2024 MA, USA
By Linda P for Discover Lovely Latvia on Sep 16, 2024
It's always such a pleasure curating your trips! You are open to the adventure and soak it up with such enthusiasm and appreciation. You are my ideal client/traveler! We've had several so far (Morocco, Spain, and Latvia), and I'm looking forward to many more in the future!
By Journey Beyond Destination on Sep 20, 2024
JB
We had an unforgettable trip in Morocco with Zani. Zani introduced us to her friends in Morocco who opened their doors to us and invited us to several beautiful cultural experiences. Zani's a musician and took us to concerts, each steeped in traditions past and present and representing a different regional style of the country's music. An absolute highlight was staying in kashbah in the Atlas mountains and having a private concert in the kashbah's main hall. It was a surreal setting, and I'll never forget the beautiful music from the talented musicians and dancing with our friends. Zani showed us a truly special side of Morocco, thank you!
By Daniel M for Bucket List - Morocco on Jun 17, 2024
Dan, it was so great to have you on this trip! You have so many amazing travel stories yourself! And I'm so glad that you truly enjoyed this one as well. You're an openhearted wanderer and that makes the journey so much more profound for everyone. I hope you'll join me again someday in the future.
By Journey Beyond Destination on Sep 20, 2024
JB
WOW. This was one of the most magical trips of my life. Thank you so much Zani for an absolutely unforgettable adventure!!! This was my first time to Morocco and first time on a guided trip, and I can’t recommend going with Zani enough. Zani was the best guide and travel companion anyone could ask for! She poured her heart into putting together a beautiful trip filled with music and experiences I will remember for the rest of my life. We had delicious tajines, wandered the colorful souks in Marrakesh, participated in an incredibly special Gnawa musical ceremony in a friend’s home, saw breakthakingly beautiful desert sunsets, slept under the stars in the Saraha, and danced the night away to some of the most incredible live music I’ve ever heard in a casbah over 600 years old. Even more special was getting to share all of this with an intimate group of friends. Zani connects with anyone authentically, and is so full of life, laughs, and stories that there was never a dull moment. This isn’t just a trip, it is soul food. A celebration of the beauty of the people, music, land, and mysticism of Morocco with people who will feel like family by the end of it!
By Laura H for Bucket List - Morocco on Jun 11, 2024
Awe, Laura! What amazing words and sentiments! I'm deeply moved. You kind of spearheaded this trip and got your close friends onboard, and the whole group was just an awesome experience for me too! Your curiosity, excitement, childlike wonder, and appreciation are so refreshing. I'm so very happy that this trip made lasting memories for you, and I look forward to traveling with you again some day.
By Journey Beyond Destination on Sep 20, 2024
JB

References

I traveled with Zani as part of her first ever Morrocco tour. Zani has a rich knowledge of place, incredible charm and authenticity and a sense of awareness that can safely shepard you through a country and allow for rare and privilege access to culture, people and place. While I primarily book my own travel and organize my own trips, I found that the most beautiful and profound moments of my trip with Zani were because of Zani’s authentic relationships with people and were experiences I could not have had on my own. Some stand out moments include a private music performance in an ancient Kasbah, bats flying overhead at sunset, and a private gnawa session. Highly recommend!
By Phoebe R on 28 Jun, 2024
SM
Our journey through Morocco with Zani was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we signed up for the 2023 Bucket List - Morocco trip, Zani promised us magic, and she more than delivered. Travel is about those rare moments of connection and understanding, and Zani orchestrated countless such experiences for us. With her deep cultural knowledge and extensive local connections, she introduced us to the authentic heartbeat of Morocco, far beyond the typical tourist trails. Under Zani's guidance, we found ourselves welcomed into local homes for intimate concerts and conversations, and we explored everything from lively bazaars to serene desert dunes. Dining on tagine in an ancient kasbah and tasting fresh dates in a picturesque oasis were just a few highlights of our unforgettable adventure. What truly sets Zani apart is her unique blend of meticulous planning and boundless creativity. Her passion for Morocco is not only enriching but also contagious; she infused every moment with enthusiasm and genuine joy. Zani didn't just lead a tour—she created a tapestry of memories and connections that will stay with us forever. If you're considering a trip to Morocco, look no further than Zani. Her expertise, charisma, and love for this beautiful country will not only enrich your experience but also leave you grateful for the opportunity to have met someone as remarkable as Zani.
By Shane M on 23 Apr, 2024
I traveled with Zani through Morocco in September 2023 and it was such and incredible journey. We had two stints in Marrakesh and an excursion to the Sahara and stayed on the way at the exquisite Kasbah des Caids. Zani has such a deep connection to the local culture and residents that meant we didn't just get the classic tourist experience. We connected with locals and got a chance to have private concerts with some incredibly talented musicians. Zani had a special love for music and, in a way, it felt a little like a tour through the various Moroccan music cultures including Gnawa and Chaabi. Truly a trip of a lifetime.
By David R on 21 Apr, 2024