10-24 February 2025
(Please register by the end of January.)
Walking with the Lord
‘And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”’ Mark 6: 31
A Roman Catholic walking retreat (pilgrimage) in the beautiful and diverse Sahara Desert in Morocco.
Simply living and walking in the desert has a soothing and balancing effect on our beings.
The chance to take a step back from our daily activities and reflect on our spiritual life. The pilgrimage in the desert is a chance to disconnect in order to reconnect with ourselves and with God and to enjoy the bonding of a community.
To strengthen our relationship with Jesus, the source of true happiness, and to be renewed in Him.
Led by Fr Arnaud, Parish Priest of St Antony of Padua, Forest Gate, London. Preached by Fr Mattheus, Superior of the Brothers of Saint-John in The Hague, Netherlands.
Date
10th February (evening)
to 24th February (morning)
2025
(Possibility to fly back on Sunday 23rd February evening if needed.)
Place
Desert in southern Morocco, Drâa Valley, South East of Ouarzazate.
Aim
The chance to take a step back from our daily activities and reflect on our spiritual life. To strengthen our relationship with Jesus, the source of true happiness, and to be renewed in him. Also recharge physically and build friendship with other participants.
Price
£ 994 (Possible to split in 2 payments.)
Price includes accommodation (hotel in Marrakesh - double or triple rooms, tents in desert), food (except meals in Marrakesh), and small incidental expenses (e.g. guided tour of Marrakesh). Please note that this price does not include flights nor insurance ; each person is responsible for booking his/her own flight. Flights cost in the region of £75 return from London. Each person must also get a personal travel/repatriation insurance.
Programme
We will spend one day settling in Morocco and visit Marrakesh, then travel by minibus and 4x4 to the desert. We will spend 9 full days in the desert. Part of the walk will be in silence. Our Berber friend Hassan will guide us, and a team of camel drivers will help with logistics, such as cooking great food and settling the camp, thus allowing us to fully enjoy the place. Luggage will be carried on camels. We will walk in silence in the Morning and walk again (in silence or with the possibility to talk) in the afternoon. We will celebrate Mass everyday. There will be other times of prayer, introductions to the day in the desert, a few teachings, and some social times around a meal or a tea at lunch and in the evening.
Day 1 : in the afternoon/evening : arrival in Marrakesh, night in hotel.
Day 2 : Visit of Marrakesh, night in hotel.
Day 3 : Travel in minibus, then 4x4 to the Desert
Days 4 -12 : Hike in the desert, night in tents. (Tents, food and luggage carried on camelback).
Crossing of the desert on a variety of terrain and stunning landscapes (dunes, flat area, oasis, rocky area). Experience of Berber life and culture.
In the Desert, we will celebrate Morning prayer, Mass, and sometimes have a time of Eucharistic Adoration (when and where possible).
Day 13 : Ride toward The Atlas Mountains in minibus, night in home hostel in the Atlas Mountains.
Day 14 : Minibus transfer to Marrakesh, night in Hotel
Day 15 : Breakfast, transfer to the airport.
Requirements
Participants must be able to hike 4 - 6 hours a day for 9 full days in the desert. They also need to be able to sleep on the ground (a light mattress will be provided but there are no beds). A reasonable general physical condition is required. The heat at this time of year is not too intense; the average daily temperature reaches a high of around 21°C.
Mon, 10 FebSahara Desert, departing from Marrakesh10 Feb 2025, 19:00 GMT+1 – 24 Feb 2025, 10:00 GMTSahara Desert, departing from Marrakesh, Marrakesh, Morocco10 Feb 2025, 19:00 GMT+1 – 24 Feb 2025, 10:00 GMTSahara Desert, departing from Marrakesh, Marrakesh, MoroccoDisconnect, refresh, walk, recharge, reconnect with the essential. Discover Morocco, contemplate nature, listen to the silence, receive the Word of God, go deeper, Adore the Blessed Sacrament, praise the Lord, meet new friends. Come back renewed.
