Illustrative image5 days · 4 nights · Fez
Fez Heritage Retreat
A grounded introduction to the saints of Fez and its living tradition.
From €720 ppPrivate or group · devotional or open track
Retreat · Fez
Fez Signature Retreat
More comfort, more space for learning and reflection.
The same spiritual route with upgraded comfort, dedicated guest care and more room for bilingual interpretation, teaching and quiet reflection.
Retreat focusThe Dalāʾil al-Khayrāt, love of the Prophet ﷺ, the Shadhili lineage of Fez and the Idrisid heritage of the city.
- Duration
- 5 days · 4 nights
- Starts
- Fès–Saïss airport (FEZ)
- Departure
- Wednesday–Sunday · 10 places
- Tracks
- Devotional or open
Highlights
- The full Fez saints route, from Moulay Idriss II to the Shorfa of al-Silsila
- Dedicated bilingual guide and higher-comfort transport
- Curated Moroccan dining and a retreat booklet
- Join one place or request the full 10-person group
Day by day
Wednesday
Arrival, welcome and setting the intention
Fès–Saïss airport → private transfer → 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
The founder of Fez and the masters of the old medina
Fajr and wird → breakfast briefing → ziyara in Fès el-Bali → lunch and quiet rest → guided reading of Dalāʾil al-Khayrāt
- Darih of Moulay Idriss IIAccess by permission
- Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and UniversityAccess by permission
- Zawiya of Sidi Ahmad al-TijaniThe sanctuary of the founder of the Tijani order (d. 1815), visited by pilgrims from across Africa; access to inner spaces follows the custodian’s guidance.Access by permission
- Zawiya of Sidi ʿAli al-JamalThe master of Moulay al-ʿArbi al-Darqawi (d. 1779), a central figure in the Shadhili lineage of Fez.Access by permission
Evening. A calm circle of dhikr, blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ and guided reflection on sincerity, service and presence.
Friday
Ihsan, Jumuʿah and the heart softened by remembrance
Fajr and wird → breakfast briefing → the shorfa of Bab al-Ftouh → Jumuʿah prayer → shared lunch → rest and ʿAṣr
- Shorfa of Bab al-FtouhThe collective sanctuary of the sharifs and scholars of Bab al-Ftouh; the custodian and the form of the visit are confirmed for each departure.Confirmed per date
- Jumuʿah prayer at al-QarawiyyinMosque choice and prayer 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 Shadhili lineage of Fez and the beauty of prophetic character
Fajr and wird → breakfast briefing → Bab al-Ftouh and the outer loop by Sidi ʿAli al-Dawwar al-Sanhaji → lunch → the Shorfa of al-Silsila (Sidi al-ʿArabi, Sidi Ahmad and Sidi Muhammad ibn ʿAbdallah, Sidi ʿAli al-Andalusi, Sidi Qasim al-Khassasi, Sidi Abu al-Mahasin, Sidi ʿAbd al-Rahman and Sidi Yusuf al-Fasi) → Bou Inania Madrasa → Maghrib at al-Qarawiyyin
- Sidi ʿAbd al-ʿAziz al-DabbaghAccess by permission
- Sidi ʿAli ibn Hirzihim (Sidi Harazem)Access by permission
- Shorfa of al-SilsilaAccess by permission
- Bou Inania MadrasaEntry included
Evening. Maghrib at al-Qarawiyyin, 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 → airport transfer
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.
- Confirmed per dateDepends on a host or custodian agreeing for your date. We confirm it before you book and describe any alternative.
- Entry includedEntry is part of the price.
Labels: Access by permission, Confirmed per date, 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 along the way
- The Dalāʾil al-Khayrāt read together, and the tombs from inside where permitted
- Full participation in the ṣalawāt evenings
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 of the tombs, and readings from al-Jazuli 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
- Five nights in a named riad chosen for quiet, 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 boutique Fez property, 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. 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 along the way, the Dalāʾil al-Khayrāt read together, and the tombs from inside where permitted and full participation in the ṣalawāt evenings. Open track: prayer times kept as moments of quiet, guided exterior visits of the tombs, and readings from al-Jazuli 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, five nights in a named riad chosen for quiet, 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 €1,140 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: Darih of Moulay Idriss II, Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University, Zawiya of Sidi Ahmad al-Tijani, Zawiya of Sidi ʿAli al-Jamal, Jumuʿah prayer at al-Qarawiyyin, Sidi ʿAbd al-ʿAziz al-Dabbagh, Sidi ʿAli ibn Hirzihim (Sidi Harazem) and Shorfa of al-Silsila. At those places everyone gets a guided exterior visit.
Is the visit to Shorfa of Bab al-Ftouh guaranteed?
It depends on the custodians and on road and access conditions for your date. We confirm it before you book and describe any alternative.
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. Access to zawiyas and hosted majalis is confirmed for each date.
- 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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