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Nūr Morocco

Retreat · Tetouan, Chefchaouen and Tangier

The Shadhili Path

Mountains, remembrance and reflection.

An intimate retreat through northern Morocco, centred on the spiritual heritage of Moulay Abdessalam Ibn Mashish, the master of Abu al-Hasan al-Shadhili. From one riad in Tetouan you visit the zawiya of Sidi Muhammad al-Harraq, spend a full day on Jbel Alam, and close with Sidi Ahmad ibn ʿAjiba in the hills of Anjra.

Retreat focusThe Shadhili heritage, the Ṣalāt al-Mashīshiyya, spiritual character and remembrance.

Duration
5 days · 4 nights
Starts
Tangier airport (TNG)
Travel
Private, or a small group of 8 to 14
Tracks
Devotional or open
The tomb of Moulay Abdessalam Ibn Mashish on Jbel Alam.
Photo: Shaehd · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Highlights

  • The ziyara of Moulay Abdessalam Ibn Mashish on Jbel Alam
  • The zawiya of Sidi Muhammad al-Harraq in Tetouan
  • Sidi Ahmad ibn ʿAjiba in the Anjra hills, with a reading of his writings
  • The Ṣalāt al-Mashīshiyya, devotional poetry and remembrance

Optional extensionEnd by the sea: add Atlantic Serenity, two nights at Moulay Bousselham on the Atlantic coast (176 km from Tetouan, about 2 h 15).

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Arrival in Tetouan

    Tangier airport welcome → Tetouan (74 km, about 1 h 20) → check-in at your riad in the medina → rest

    Evening. Welcome dinner, and an introduction to the retreat.

  2. Day 2

    Sidi Muhammad al-Harraq and the medina

    The zawiya of Sidi Muhammad al-Harraq → Tetouan’s white medina on foot → rest at the riad

    • Zawiya of Sidi Muhammad al-HarraqThe zawiya of Muhammad al-Harraq (d. 1845), Darqawi-Shadhili master and poet. The visit is arranged with the zawiya for each date.Confirmed per date
    • Tetouan medinaA UNESCO World Heritage site.Guided exterior visit

    Evening. Devotional poetry and reflection.

  3. Day 3

    The ziyara of Jbel Alam

    Tetouan → mountain road to Jbel Alam (62 km, about 1 h 20) → a full day on the mountain, with time for prayer and contemplation → lunch in the hills → back to Tetouan

    • Jbel Alam — Moulay Abdessalam Ibn MashishRoad conditions and access are checked for each date. Devotional track: the Ṣalāt al-Mashīshiyya recited together. Open track: quiet time on the mountain.Confirmed per date

    Evening. A quiet evening at the riad.

  4. Day 4

    Sidi Ahmad ibn ʿAjiba

    Tetouan → Zmij in the Anjra hills (55 km, about 1 hour) → the resting place of Sidi Ahmad ibn ʿAjiba → a guided discussion of his spiritual writings → back to Tetouan for a quiet afternoon

    • Zawiya and tomb of Sidi Ahmad ibn ʿAjiba, ZmijIbn ʿAjiba (d. 1809), Darqawi master and author of a celebrated commentary on the Ḥikam, is buried at his zawiya near Melloussa. The visit is arranged for each date.Confirmed per date

    Evening. The closing gathering.

  5. Day 5

    Departure

    Breakfast → Tangier airport (74 km, about 1 h 20)

What the labels mean

  • Confirmed per dateDepends on a host or custodian agreeing for your date. We confirm it before you book and describe any alternative.
  • Guided exterior visitVisited with a guide from the outside, or on foot through the quarter.

Labels: Confirmed per date, Guided exterior visit

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 Ṣalāt al-Mashīshiyya recited together at Jbel Alam
  • Full participation in the remembrance and the poetry evening

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
  • Quiet time on the mountain, with a reading on Ibn Mashish in English
  • The evenings attended as a quiet guest, with the poetry explained

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 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

Route and driving times

  1. Tangier airport to Tetouan medina74 km · 1 h 19
  2. Tetouan medina to Jbel Alam62 km · 1 h 21 · mountain road
  3. Jbel Alam to Tetouan medina62 km · 1 h 21 · mountain road
  4. Tetouan medina to Zmij (Anjra)55 km · 52 min
  5. Zmij (Anjra) to Tetouan medina57 km · 56 min
  6. Tetouan medina to Tangier airport74 km · 1 h 19

Road estimates from OpenStreetMap, without stops or traffic.

Open in Google Maps

Where you stay

One riad in the Tetouan medina for all four nights, named in your proposal. Jbel Alam and the Anjra hills are each a day out by road, back to the same riad in the evening.

Meals

Three meals a day, from dinner on arrival to breakfast on departure. Tell us your dietary needs when you enquire.

Dates and prices

Private

Any date you choose: just you, your family or your companions.

Small group

Join other guests on one of the scheduled dates below, in a group of 8 to 14.

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 Tetouan, Chefchaouen and Tangier. Start: Tangier airport (TNG).

Is it a private retreat or a group retreat?

Both. Book it privately for your own party on any date, or join a scheduled small-group date with 8 to 14 guests at a lower price per person. 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 Ṣalāt al-Mashīshiyya recited together at Jbel Alam and full participation in the remembrance and the poetry evening. Open track: prayer times kept as moments of quiet, quiet time on the mountain, with a reading on Ibn Mashish in English and the evenings attended as a quiet guest, with the poetry explained. 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 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?

The price is quoted on request: send your date and number of guests with the booking panel and we reply with your itinerary and price. Prices are calculated from the accommodation level, group size, transport and confirmed programme, and sent with your proposal.

Is the visit to Zawiya of Sidi Muhammad al-Harraq 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

  • A retreat here is a journey with set times for prayer, dhikr, reading and silence. It is not a formal khalwa under a sheikh.
  • The Ministry of Habous documents Ibn Mashish’s connection to Abu al-Hasan al-Shadhili. The last stretch to Jbel Alam is a narrow mountain road: bring modest clothing and comfortable shoes.
  • 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.

Sources

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1. Your retreat

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2. Dates and guests
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4. Flights, private evenings and special needs Optional

Private evenings that interest you. We confirm the programme and hosts before quoting.

No payment is taken online.

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