Zen Sand

Sifting the Self

A Walking Meditation Retreat in the Moroccan Sahara
January 28 – February 6, 2027

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The Journey

The desert is a place where silence becomes an ancient teacher and peace reveals itself as a quiet, enduring presence. It is one of the most powerful landscapes for contemplation — vast, simple, and timeless. Its sacred stillness invites us to return to what truly matters: mindful breathing, deep listening, walking in presence, and touching the wonders of life within and around us.

In the wide, unbroken horizons of the Erg Chigaga Desert, every mindful step becomes a journey home to the present moment. The rhythm of our breath will merge with the rhythm of the land as we walk together in silence through dunes, plains, and starlit nights.

This 10-day retreat is facilitated by Peter Corbett and Joanna Riquet, with a local team outfitter with decades of experience in their ancestral deserts. Over 7.5 days, we will make a supported pilgrimage through the heart of the Moroccan desert — a path of stillness, connection, and inner clarity. We will observe silence during most portions of the day, and some evenings, though this is not a full-time silent retreat.

“There is a desert I long to be walking, a wide emptiness: peace beyond any understanding of it.” Rumi

The Desert

The Erg Chigaga and Maidr Desert lie south of Morocco’s Anti-Atlas mountains, a pristine expanse rarely touched by mass tourism. Its vast plains, sculpted dunes, and ancient rock formations offer a raw beauty and a sense of boundless space. Tamarisk groves and traces of nomadic life punctuate the horizon, yet much of the desert remains untouched, carrying a deep stillness that feels both intimate and infinite.

South of the immense Anti-Atlas chain, our crossing leads us from “gateway to gateway” as the nomads say, discovering ever-changing landscapes. The terrain of the Great South — vast plains and ribbons of dunes — is interspersed with small mountain chains and ridges, remnants of geological folds from the Mesozoic era. We alternate between stony plains bordering rocky ridges, depressions, and golden sand ergs where great herds of over 100 camels roam.

Golden dunes at sunset with mountains in the distance Wind-sculpted sand ripples stretching to the horizon
“We don’t go into the desert to escape people but to learn how to find them.” Thomas Merton

Who Is This For

For those who seek peace and reflection deep in nature. Step into the desert for an adventure in silence and presence. This retreat invites you to pause daily noise, practice zen, and rediscover the joy of being alive. In the vast stillness of the Sahara, we will walk, breathe, share silence, and let practice unfold with ease and joy.

No proir meditation experience required. Peter has instructed over 1,000 people in the seated (zazen) and walking (kinhin) froms of zen meditation and our group will learn this form together. You're welcome to practice any other silent forms of meditation on the trip if you have a preexisting practice.

This experience is by invitation only. Participants will be curated by Peter and Joanna to create a group most likely to deeply enjoy each others company.

We are calling:

What this journey calls for: Stamina. Openness. A spirit of adventure. It will be a vigorous trek, not a beach vacation.

Feet walking across desert sand with a walking stick

The Journey

Day 1 January 28, 2027

Arrival in Ouarzazate via group transfer. Welcome and opening circle. Visit the Tifoultoute Kasbah and the palm grove to the village of Talmasla. Sleep at Dar Daif guesthouse.

Day 2 January 29, 2027

Transfer through the Draa Valley. Cross the Anti-Atlas at Tinifift pass. Drive through Agdz, the Draa palm groves, Zagora, and visit Tamgrout's 13th-century library. Continue to M'hamid El Ghizlane. Local 4x4 to Sidi Naji — ruins of the ancient caravanserai. Meet the camel drivers, load the caravan, and walk 1 hour south. First bivouac (camp).

Day 3 January 30, 2027

Dune plains to the southwest, Erg Zmila. 4 hours walking.

Day 4 January 31, 2027

Southern plain to the wadi edge and Sidi Ahmagh marabout. Dunes of Zair Srigh. 4.5 hours walking.

Day 5 February 1, 2027

A day among the dunes heading north toward the Draa wadi, past Erg Smar. 4 hours walking.

Day 6 February 2, 2027

Crossing plains and dunes to reach Khald Guerzimi. 4.5 hours walking.

Day 7 February 3, 2027

Reaching the south of the Boutilla dunes. 5 hours walking.

Day 8 February 4, 2027

Arid plain through the small dunes of Hassi L'milh. Bivouac at 550m altitude. 4–5 hours walking.

Day 9 February 5, 2027

Dawn crossing due west to Lake Iriki. Final hour of walking — end of camel trek. Transfer by 4x4 through Foum Zguid and Taznakht back to Ouarzazate. Closing circle. Evening at Dar Daif.

Day 10 February 6, 2027

Breakfast at Dar Daif. Group transfer to Marrakech. Departure (or stay!).

Daily Rhythm in the Desert

3–5 hours of walking meditation per day. 1–2 hours of seated meditation by day and night. Star gazing. Mindful meals prepared by a dedicated cook — fresh, generous, vegetarian-friendly with vegetables and grains. Teachings and sharing circles. Rest under the stars. Tea with nomads along the way.

What might you discover when silence becomes your guide?

Guidelines

Retreat Guidelines

All electronics (phones, computers, tablets, cameras) will be left behind — strongly encouraged. Expect a space free from distractions. Emergency contacts will be provided for families. Guides carry satellite communications for emergencies.

Physical Requirements

Ability to walk 3–5 hours per day on varied desert terrain in good physical condition.

Living Conditions

  • Seven nights in shared nomadic tents (private option available)
  • Bathing under the open sky, with simple shower structures in camp
  • A return to elemental, minimalist living — simple, but not without basic privacy
Camel caravan crossing the vast desert plain

Your Facilitators

Peter Corbett

Peter Corbett

Peter Corbett is a facilitator and executive coach who guides high-performing leaders into the disciplined, transformative practice of Zen as a path to clarity, resilience, and authentic power. Blending decades of experience building a company, advising founders, CEOs, and Fortune 500 executives with deep roots in meditation and contemplative practice, he creates immersive environments where insight is not intellectualized but directly experienced. His retreats integrate zazen, nature immersion, and carefully designed group processes to help leaders quiet the noise of achievement, confront their inner patterns, and return to their lives with greater precision, presence, and compassion. In the past 2 years he's lead over 500 people on retreats in the Amazon, the desert, and forests of North and South America.

Joanna Riquet

Joanna Riquet

Joanna is the founder of La Sultana Tea House and the creator of A Mindful Tea. She weaves together tea rituals, writing, and mindfulness practices to create spaces of beauty and reflection. As a facilitator, Joanna will accompany the group throughout the journey, supporting both the inner and outer adventure with care, creativity, and presence.

Local Outfitter

Our local outfitter is a family-run organization with decades of experience leading journeys through the Sahara. Their desert guides bring deep knowledge of the land, warm hospitality, and the wisdom of nomadic traditions. They provide full logistical support: guide, cook, assistants, camel caravan, tents, and all equipment.

Investment

10 days · Erg Chigaga Desert, Morocco · Price per person in USD

Shared Accommodations $3,950 Early Bird — until September 1 $4,500 after September 1 Early Bird
Solo Accommodations $4,950 Early Bird — until September 1 $5,500 after September 1 Early Bird

What’s Included

Included

  • Group roundtrip private transfer from Marrakesh to Ouarzazate
  • 2 nights at Riad Dar Daif Hotel
  • 7 nights in the desert in shared (or solo) nomadic tents
  • Full board from Day 1 dinner to Day 10 breakfast — fresh, cooked meals & mineral water throughout
  • All desert logistics: guide, assistants, cook, camel caravan for baggage and assistance
  • All group equipment: tents, foam mattresses, kitchen tent, shower tent, WC tent, first aid kit, meditation rugs
  • Facilitation by Peter Corbett and Joanna Riquet

Not Included

  • Flights to/from Marrakesh
  • Travel/repatriation insurance (mandatory — details provided before arrival)
  • Lunches on Day 1 and Day 10 / Dinner on Day 10
  • Personal expenses (drinks, wine, tips)
Two figures silhouetted on a dune ridge at moonrise

Safety & Ecology

Safety

Walking and camping in the desert has inherent risks. Our facilitators and local team have decades of experience guiding groups safely. All participants are asked to follow the instructions of the trek guide at all times. Avoid unnecessary risks so the focus remains on mindfulness and presence.

Ecology & Community

We will travel in a fragile natural environment. All waste must be collected and brought back to town. Do not leave anything behind in the desert. Tips for camel drivers and guides are customary and can be pooled and shared at the end of the retreat. Donations of useful clothing or gear are also welcome.

The journey begins with a single step

This experience is by invitation only. Request yours below.

Request an Invitation
Cancellation Policy
Timeframe Charge
Before November 1 Full refund
After November 1 50% of total

Full payment due upon approval.