Sufi by the Sea | CalmCamp | 3-7 April 2025
Join Big Bottom Begums and Illuminate Retreats for a transformative and enriching journey near the enchanting coastal town of Essaouira, Morocco. This Sufi-inspired women-only retreat offers a unique blend of spiritual practices, cultural exploration, and wellness, creating the perfect environment for self-discovery and deep inner peace. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Essaouira, where the Atlantic Ocean meets serene sandy beaches and the ancient medina buzzes with vibrant life, this retreat provides a peaceful escape to rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul.
Led by a remarkable team of luminaries—Atiya Khan, Yasmin Whittaker-Khan, and Suniya Qureshi—this retreat harmoniously combines the wisdom of Sufi traditions with modern wellness practices. Participants will experience the healing power of Sufi chanting, movement meditation, and reflective discussions, guided by Atiya’s deep knowledge and presence. Yasmin and Suniya add cultural richness to the experience, offering personal storytelling, community-building exercises, and cultural immersion that invites guests to connect more deeply with themselves and the world around them.
The retreat’s itinerary is carefully designed to balance introspective practices with moments of relaxation and cultural discovery. From the cleansing rituals upon arrival to a Moroccan feast under the stars, each day unfolds with nourishing meals, healing rituals, and meditative practices. The mornings begin with peaceful dream journaling, breathwork, while afternoons invite cultural excursions, such as visiting local shrines or a traditional Hammam. Evenings are filled with Sufi ceremonies, including Zikr, Hadra, and music, creating a sacred space for reflection, connection, and healing.
This retreat is not just a getaway—it’s a profound experience that invites you to reconnect with your true essence, cultivate gratitude, and embrace self-love. Whether you are seeking spiritual growth, emotional healing, or simply a pause from daily life, this retreat offers a sanctuary for your soul to thrive in the timeless beauty of Morocco.
What's included in the Sufi by the Sea CalmCamp?
This 4-night retreat – includes the following:
- Accommodation
- Sufi sessions
- Guided meditation
- Villa Meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner*
- Airport transfers** in Essaouira
See further details below.
**Transfers included are on a group basis only, please consult before you book your flights.
NOT Included
- Flights – see below
- Local transfers (UK, etc.)
- 1 lunch and dinner at a restaurant*
- Excursions
- Optional Activities
Price Options
Early Bird / Regular prices per person:
**Early Bird rate should be fully paid by 30th November 2024
**Regular amount can be paid 50% advance and remaining 50% by the end of January 2025.
- Single bed in a Shared Eco-dome – £775 / £875
- Shared bed in a Shared Eco-dome – £725 / £825
- Single bed in a Shared Twin bedroom – £800 / £875
- Shared double bed in a Private bedroom – £750 / £850
- A Single bed in a Private bedroom – £850 / £950
Please note this is an Eco-resort where they make conscious efforts to save water. Therefore several rooms have traditional Moroccan ‘Dry’ toilets. Others have regular ‘Western’ ones. Though there are regular ones in the main villa also. Please book early to reserve the latter, should you have a preference. First-come-first-served.
Getting There
Flights
Illuminate provides a complimentary travel concierge to advise and help you book your flights. Before booking your flight, we recommend consulting with us. Our team can help you source the best options available.
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Villa Location:
Essaouira
Distance between the Essaouira Airport (ESU) and the accommodation – 23 km (27 min by car)
Retreat Location
A stunning Eco-lodge just a stone’s throw from Sidi Kaouki Beach, near Essaouira. The comfortable accommodation is arranged across 2 Domes, 4 double bedrooms and 2 single bedrooms. There’s an open kitchen from where we’ll deliver nutritional meals all day, apart from when you venture to Essaouira town for restaurant meals. The breathtaking terrace view is an inspiring space for writing and creative sessions and it provides a perfect backdrop for morning and evening yoga or meditation. A well-stocked library, table games, and nearby horse-riding activities mean you’ll always have something to do or relax in your free time.
Join us for an unforgettable retreat experience where every moment is infused with serenity, beauty, and boundless possibility.
Accommodation Details
Eco-lodge in Essaouira
Accommodates up to 13 people
· 2 eco-domes with 3 beds each
· 2 double bedrooms & 2 twin bedrooms
· 2 single bedrooms
· Dry Toilets (Regular toilets available at first come basis)
· WiFi
· Outdoor terrace furnished with sunbeds
· Beachfront & ocean views
· Hammam
· Jacuzzi
About the Luminaries
Atiya Khan is a skilled and insightful Sufi guide, Atiya has spent over two decades exploring the beauty of Sufi traditions and guiding others on their spiritual paths. With her deep knowledge and gentle presence, Atiya leads participants through Sufi chanting, Hadra (movement meditation), and reflective discussions, helping them find clarity and inner connection. Her calm, wise demeanour offers beginners and seasoned spiritual seekers a serene, welcoming environment.
Yasmin Whittaker-Khan is the Director of the Insaan Culture Club and a prolific cultural organizer. She is also a writer, film producer, and social entrepreneur. Her dedication to celebrating South Asian culture and bridging communities is central to her work. Through creative ventures like the Insaan Culture Club, Yasmin passionately explores identity, human rights, and heritage, often through visual storytelling and cultural projects. Her compassion and vision bring warmth and depth to every retreat she leads.
Suniya Qureshi is known for her inspiring spirit and profound connection to Sufi teachings, Suniya brings years of experience in fostering community and well-being. With a background in cultural projects and social activism, she uses her insights to craft unique experiences, encouraging participants to reconnect with themselves and cultivate inner peace. Suniya’s empathy and passion for uplifting others make her a guiding force in the Big Bottom Begums community.
Meriem Bendahmane is a massage therapist who can help you embrace your true self and cultivate contentment in our incredibly competitive society. Meriem is very organised, and doubles up as our Retreat Manager, taking care of all logistical coordination with our remote team, vendors and venue hosts, and looking after our Luminees.
*Please note that luminaires may be subject to change based on availability. Please confirm once before booking. Illuminate Retreats is not responsible for any harm or loss caused by this representation.
Schedule: Activities, Wellness and Meals
SCHEDULE
Thursday, April 3, 2025:
- AFTERNOON
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Arrival and Check-In: Between 1-6 PM. Each guest receives a goody bag as a starter kit for the cleansing rituals.
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Welcome Briefing: Overview of the retreat schedule, introductions, and setting intentions.
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Lunch In: Light Moroccan Mezze meal served in the garden.
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Free Time: To explore and settle in.
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EVENING:
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Moroccan Feast: Classic menu featuring Tagine/Cous Cous.
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Before Bed:
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Energy Clearing Ritual
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Purification Bath
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Energy Healing Session
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Prayer for Guidance
-
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Friday, April 4, 2025:
- MORNING:
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Dream Diary: Write down dreams upon waking.
- Breakfast: Enjoy a healthy breakfast to get you ready for the day
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Breathwork and Tapping for lymphatic drainage.
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Dream Sharing & Analysis.
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Movement Dance Session.
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AFTERNOON:
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Visit a local shrine for meditation.
- Lunch Out: Have lunch at a restaurant – choose between Sidi Kaouki (nearest beach) or Essaouira town (25 mins).
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EVENING:
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Zikr (Sufi Chanting).
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Hadra (Sufi Movement).
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Sohbat (Talk and Discussion).
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Sama (Music).
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Dinner In: Moroccan meal featuring Seafood BBQ, Tagine, and salad.
Saturday, April 5, 2025:
-
MORNING:
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Fast and Silence: A day of fasting and silence for personal reflection.
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Inner Zikr Reflection and Meditation.
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Cultivating an Observer Mindset (Detachment from the Ego).
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AFTERNOON:
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Visit to a local Hammam (Traditional Moroccan Bath)
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EVENING:
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Wisdom Circle & Sharing.
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Womb Healing Session.
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“Birthing a New Me” Ritual.
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Dinner Out: Dinner out at a local restaurant.
Sunday, April 6, 2025:
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MORNING:
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Cultivating Gratitude, Joy, Forgiveness, and Love.
- Breakfast: Enjoy a healthy breakfast to get you ready for the day
-
-
AFTERNOON:
-
Free time or optional visit to an Argan farm.
- Lunch in: Relish the beautiful delicacies of Morocco in the villa.
-
-
EVENING:
-
Zikr (Sufi Chanting)
-
Hadra (Sufi Movement)
-
Sohbat (Talk and Discussion)
-
Sama (Music) with an invited local Sufi music group.
-
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Dinner: Special farewell dinner featuring a variety of Moroccan dishes, concluding with a ceremonial burning and dance celebration.
Monday, 7 April, 2025:
- MORNING:
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Farewell Breakfast.
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Leisure Time for last reflections or shopping in the local souk (an option for luminees taking late flights out)
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Transfers: To the airport for flights home.
-
Cancellation and Travel Insurance Policy
Cancellations
You can cancel your retreat booking for free up to two weeks before it starts. If you cancel within two weeks, you’ll get half of your money back. Plus, if we find someone else to take your spot, you’ll get 75% back. We know plans can change, so we’re here to help. Just ask if you have any questions about our cancellation policy. We want you to feel happy and relaxed about your booking!
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that our luminees get travel insurance to mitigate any unforeseen losses that may occur. This goes a long way to securing your travel and ensuring that your experience is as hassle-free as possible. Illuminate Retreats will not be held responsible for any travel-related damages.