Illustrative image5 days · 4 nights · Marrakech
Shadhili Heritage Retreat
A grounded introduction to Marrakech’s saints and living tradition.
From €720 ppPrivate or group · devotional or open track
Retreat · Fez and Meknes
Fes Heritage Retreat
A grounded introduction to the saints of Fes and its living tradition.
A carefully hosted five-day retreat through the spiritual heritage of Fes, with time for prayer, learning, rest and the ziyara of the city’s saints, from Moulay Idrīs to the masters of the Shadhili chain.
Retreat focusThe ziyara of the saints of Fes, the Shadhili chain of its masters, remembrance and spiritual companionship.
- Duration
- 5 days · 4 nights
- Starts
- Fès–Saïss airport (FEZ)
- Departure
- Wednesday–Sunday · 10 places
- Tracks
- Devotional or open
Highlights
- Ziyara of the saints of Fes with a licensed local guide
- Moulay Idrīs II, Sidi ʿAlī al-Jamal and Sidi Aḥmad al-Tijānī
- The eight masters of the Shadhili silsila sanctuaries
- Individual places or a complete 10-person group departure
Day by day
Wednesday
Arrival, welcome and setting the intention
Fès–Saïss airport → private transfer to Fès el-Bali (17 km, about 25 minutes) → welcome tea and lunch → rest before the evening prayers
Evening. Maghrib in congregation, the evening wird, ʿIshāʾ, then an opening majlis of madīḥ and ṣalawāt. The guide introduces the adab of ziyara, the Shadhili principle of keeping remembrance alive within ordinary life, and the rhythm of the retreat.
Thursday
Moulay Idriss, the Old Medina and the Shadhili silsila
Fajr and wird → breakfast briefing → the Old Medina circuit on foot → lunch and quiet rest → the sanctuaries of the Shadhili silsila
- Moulay Idrīs IIThe founder and patron of Fes, where the ziyara of the city begins.Access by permission
- Sidi ʿAlī al-JamalA great master of the Shadhili path, a short walk from Moulay Idrīs.Access by permission
- Sidi Aḥmad al-TijānīThe founder of the Tijāniyya, revered across the Muslim world.Access by permission
- The sanctuaries of the Shadhili silsilaEight masters of the chain rest in two adjoining walled sanctuaries: Sidi al-ʿArabī, Sidi Aḥmad and Sidi Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdallāh, Sidi ʿAlī al-Andalusī, Sidi Qāsim al-Khaṣāṣī, Sidi Abū al-Maḥāsin, Sidi ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Fāsī and Sidi Yūsuf al-Fāsī.Access by permission
Evening. A calm circle of dhikr, blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ and guided reflection on sincerity, service and presence.
Friday
Bab al-Ftouh, Jumuʿah and the heart softened by remembrance
Fajr and wird → breakfast briefing → the sanctuaries of Bab al-Ftouh → Jumuʿah prayer → shared lunch → rest and ʿAṣr
- Sidi ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz al-DabbāghAmong the most celebrated saints of Fes; his teaching was gathered in al-Ibrīz.Access by permission
- The Shurafāʾ of Bab al-FtouhThe resting place of noble shurafāʾ and scholars at the eastern gate, visited in the same loop.Access by permission
- Jumuʿah prayerAt al-Qarawiyyīn or a nearby mosque; the mosque and timing follow the local schedule and the group’s needs.Access by permission
Evening. After ʿAṣr, a majlis of Shifāʾ al-Qulūb, Qurʾan, ṣalawāt and duʿāʾ; then Maghrib, the evening wird, ʿIshāʾ, madīḥ and a shared dinner. Friday is held as a day of gratitude, generosity and gentle companionship.
Saturday
The outer sanctuaries and the scholarly heritage of Fes
Fajr and wird → breakfast briefing → the sanctuaries outside the medina walls → lunch → al-ʿAṭṭārīn Madrasa → Maghrib at al-Qarawiyyīn
- Sidi ʿAlī ibn Ḥirzihim (Sidi Harazem)One of the founding spiritual masters of Fes, in a sanctuary outside the medina walls.Access by permission
- Sidi ʿAlī al-Dawwār al-ṢanhājīClosely tied to the Shadhili milieu; visited on the same outer loop.Access by permission
- Al-ʿAṭṭārīn MadrasaEntry included
Evening. Maghrib at al-Qarawiyyīn for eligible guests, the final wird, then a majlis of al-Shamāʾil al-Muḥammadiyya and madīḥ nabawī. The retreat closes with ʿIshāʾ, duʿāʾ and a farewell dinner prepared with care.
Sunday
Closing gratitude and departure
Optional Fajr and final wird → breakfast → farewell gifts and personal time → transfer to Fès–Saïss airport
Evening. The journey ends with gratitude rather than haste: a final salām, a reminder to carry the wird and good company home, and a private airport transfer timed to the flight.
What the labels mean
- Access by permissionSome interiors are reserved, for example to Muslim visitors, or close at prayer times.
- Entry includedEntry is part of the price.
Labels: Access by permission, Entry included
Two tracks on this retreat
Same route, same places. You choose how you take part when you book.
Devotional track
For Muslims walking the path.
- Prayer
- The five prayers in congregation along the way
- Dhikr
- Full participation with the zawiya
- Sanctuaries
- Inside the shrines open to Muslim visitors
- Readings
- The Mashīshiyya, the Dalāʾil al-Khayrāt and the Ḥizb al-Baḥr recited together
On this retreat
- The five prayers in congregation, in the mosques of the medina where permitted
- The sanctuaries of Moulay Idrīs II and the masters of Fes from inside, where permitted
- Full participation in the evenings of remembrance
Open track
For every seeker, of any faith or none.
- Prayer
- Prayer times kept as moments of quiet
- Dhikr
- Attended as a quiet guest, where the zawiya welcomes visitors
- Sanctuaries
- A guided exterior visit where the interior is reserved
- Readings
- Readings from the Shadhili tradition in English, with time to reflect
On this retreat
- Prayer times kept as moments of quiet
- Guided exterior visits where a sanctuary is reserved, with readings in English
- The evenings attended as a quiet guest
A retreat here is a journey with set times for prayer, dhikr, reading and silence. It is not a formal khalwa under a sheikh.
Included
- Airport pickup on arrival and your transfer back on departure
- Four nights in a riad chosen for quiet in Fès el-Bali, confirmed before you book
- Three meals a day, from dinner on arrival to breakfast on departure, and drinking water throughout
- All ground transport in the programme, with a private vehicle and driver
- A local guide, and a qualified spiritual facilitator for the sessions agreed in your programme
- Time and space each day for prayer, Qur’an recitation, dhikr, ṣalawāt, journaling and rest
- Private devotional evenings with Moroccan madīḥ, where arranged
- Entry to every monument marked “Entry included”
- A local contact number throughout
Not included
- International flights
- Visas, where needed
- Travel insurance
- Personal purchases
- Extensions and day trips you add
Where you stay
Four nights in a selected riad or hotel in Fes, confirmed with the proposal.
Meals
Three meals a day, from dinner on arrival to breakfast on departure. Tell us your dietary needs when you enquire.
Dates and departures
Choose your month and week
One Wednesday–Sunday departure is planned each month. Each departure is held for 10 pilgrims; individual guests may join a shared circle, or a larger circle may ask us to open a dedicated date.
Prices are calculated from the accommodation level, group size, transport and confirmed programme, and sent with your proposal.
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Questions about this retreat
How long is this retreat, and where does it start?
5 days, 4 nights, in Fez and Meknes. Start: Fès–Saïss airport (FEZ).
Is it a private retreat or a group retreat?
Both. Book it privately for your own party on any date, or join a scheduled 10-place departure one place at a time. Group dates are listed on this page as they are scheduled.
What changes between the devotional and the open track?
Devotional track: the five prayers in congregation, in the mosques of the medina where permitted, the sanctuaries of Moulay Idrīs II and the masters of Fes from inside, where permitted and full participation in the evenings of remembrance. Open track: prayer times kept as moments of quiet, guided exterior visits where a sanctuary is reserved, with readings in English and the evenings attended as a quiet guest. The route and the places are the same.
What is included?
Airport pickup on arrival and your transfer back on departure, four nights in a riad chosen for quiet in Fès el-Bali, confirmed before you book, three meals a day, from dinner on arrival to breakfast on departure, and drinking water throughout, all ground transport in the programme, with a private vehicle and driver, a local guide, and a qualified spiritual facilitator for the sessions agreed in your programme, time and space each day for prayer, Qur’an recitation, dhikr, ṣalawāt, journaling and rest, private devotional evenings with Moroccan madīḥ, where arranged, entry to every monument marked “Entry included” and a local contact number throughout. Not included: international flights, visas, where needed, travel insurance, personal purchases and extensions and day trips you add.
How much does it cost?
From €720 per person. The booking panel shows an estimate for your group; your proposal confirms the final price.
Can non-Muslim visitors join the visits to mosques and shrines?
Yes, every guest joins every visit. Some interiors are reserved for eligible (Muslim) visitors or close at prayer times: Moulay Idrīs II, Sidi ʿAlī al-Jamal, Sidi Aḥmad al-Tijānī, The sanctuaries of the Shadhili silsila, Sidi ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz al-Dabbāgh, The Shurafāʾ of Bab al-Ftouh, Jumuʿah prayer, Sidi ʿAlī ibn Ḥirzihim (Sidi Harazem) and Sidi ʿAlī al-Dawwār al-Ṣanhājī. At those places everyone gets a guided exterior visit.
How do I book?
Choose private or group, your track, your date and guests in the booking panel, then send your name and email. You receive a reference immediately and we confirm availability. No payment is taken online.
Good to know
- Each scheduled departure is limited to 10 places. Sacred access and hosted gatherings are confirmed for each date.
- The Fès-Meknès regional heritage association documents the Moulay Idriss II and Tijani zawiyas and notes restrictions on entering mosque and zawiya interiors. Each stop says whether it is an exterior visit or an interior visit for eligible guests.
- Visits inside sacred spaces, taking part in zawiya gatherings and meetings with resident teachers are confirmed individually for each date. If one cannot happen, we tell you before you book and describe the alternative.
Enquire
Plan this retreat.
Send your dates and preferences. We reply with a confirmed programme and price.
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