t e x t i l e s in
M O R O C C O
June 11 - 15, 2024
SOUTHERN MOROCCO
$1,950 - $2,450 USD
Join Thread Caravan in southern Morocco as we work alongside the team of Atelier Talasin and cooperatives of Amazigh textile artists working to preserve heritage textile traditions in the region.
This textile retreat includes immersive workshops in traditional wool washing techniques, spinning, natural dyes with henna, and weaving using the traditional Berber knot.
Accommodation will be in a rural and charming country home, situated about 45 minutes outside of Marrakech, with farm-to-table meals and the opportunity to slow down and connect to the surroundings.
our partners, atelier talasin
Talasin, an Amazigh name meaning ‘woven tales’, is a wholistic attempt to preserve, revitalize and elevate Morocco’s ancient craft of weaving handmade rugs.
A form of tapestry in its origins, Amazign rugs are deeply enmeshed with the lands, people and fauna of the northern Maghreb. But due to mass production and commodification of the rug industry, the Moroccan “Berber” rug exists today as a shadow of a reflection of itself.
Built from its very own soil at the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains, Talasin’s purpose is to go deep to the source of this heritage craft. Rich with its ancient materials and processes, it seeks to reinvent, reintroduce and bring to light this loving art.
Talasin operates as an interdisciplinary team of weavers, dyers, artisans and designers dedicated to refining and developing Morocco’s rich heritage of rug weaving.
Located in the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains, Talasin’s atelier of over 70 weavers is run as a women-led cooperative enterprise. Having honed their craft through an organically passed down set of traditions for generations on end, they not only receive further training upon joining the atelier, but also social security, completely flexible working conditions, pensions and remuneration three times larger than the national average.
The above both compensates them for their invaluable work and sets the framework for a self-sustaining community of rural artisanry, non-disruptive to their current lives. Central to the vision of Talasin is thus a simultaneous uplifting and economic empowerment of this community of women-weavers.
accommodation,
dar tasmayoun
In a preserved and authentic rural setting, Dar Tasmayoun is a 600m2 house built in traditional earthen construction style.
The home is surrounded by a two hectare wooded park which includes an orchard, olive trees, vegetable garden, lower courtyard and swimming pool
Meals at the house are prepared using mostly fresh organic ingredients from the garden.
Six quaint bedrooms are distributed around 4 patios.
Guests will share meals in the dining room or garden, and can gather to converse in the living room or library.
itinerary
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Private transportation from Marrakech to our rural home.
Group welcome dinner.
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Group breakfast.
Private transportation to a nearby community. Connect with local artisans to learn the processes of wool washing in the river, and spinning sheep wool. Group lunch with the artisans.
Free time in the late afternoon to rest or explore.
Group diner
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Group breakfast.
Private transportation to Atelier Talasin. Natural dyeing workshop coloring wool threads using henna plant dye.
Group lunch.
Visit weaving studio to meet cooperative of women and learn about traditional Berber knot technique.
Optional henna hand tattoos.
Return to hotel; free time to rest or explore.
Group dinner.
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Breakfast at the hotel.
Private transportation to the atelier.
All day intensive weaving workshop. Each guest will create a textile to take home. All levels may participate in this experience.
Free time to relax or explore the community.
Final group dinner.
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Final group breakfast.
Private transportation to Marrakech.
TRIP
DETAILS
GROUP
This trip is limited to 8 guests, who will accompanied a Thread Caravan trip facilitator and the Atelier Talasin team.
PRICING + PAYMENT
Pricing is $1,950usd per person for a shared room (separate beds, can reserved as an individual), and $2,450usd for a private room (only 1 available).
A non-refundable deposit it required in order to reserve your space on this trip. The remaining balance can be made at your convenience on this page at least two months prior to the trip.
When making a reservation, there is the option to Pay it Forward. These contributions are directed exclusively towards our Artisan Exchange Program, in which we invite our indigenous craft collaborators to participate in retreats in other regions, thus weaving a larger web of this global artisan community.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation will be in a rural and charming home, Dar Tasmayoun. The home has a pool, expansive gardens, comfortable common areas, option for private or shared room and access to nearby walking trails.
GETTING TO MOROCCO
This trip takes place in Aït Ourir, about 45 minutes outside of Marrakech. Our team will arrange transportation from and back to Marrakech.
We ask that guests arrive by 3pm on the trip start day, and depart after 12pm on the trip end day. If you choose to stay in Marrakech before or after our time together, we are happy to share suggestions for the city.
This trip has conveniently been scheduled alongside our Morocco ceramics experience, should guests choose to opt in for both.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Vaccinations: The CDC recommends preparing for Moroccan travel with routine vaccinations, covid vaccination, as well as Typhoid and Hepititis A.
VISA: A visa is not required for US citizens visiting Morocco for less than 90 days. If you plan to spend more than 90 days in Morocco, or are a citizen from a country other than the US, please look into visa requirements or contact us to help you.
Passport Validity: Passport must have at least 6 months validity at time of entry as well as at least one empty page.
Clothing: Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country. While a hijab is not required for female travelers, we request that everyone in our group wear conservative clothing (covering shoulders, chest, and legs completely).
Trip Preparation: We will send a trip preparation packet to you one month before the trip. It will include things like an exact itinerary, a suggested pack list, useful country information and more.
COST INCLUDES
Artisan Experiences: This retreat includes a day of wool washing and spinning, a natural dyes workshop, and a one day weaving workshop.
In-Country Transportation: We’ll bring guests from Marrakech to Aït Ourir, and then from our hotel to the artisan visits.
All Meals: All meals are included starting with welcome dinner on the first night and ending with breakfast on the final morning. As this is a more rural trip, all meals will be either at our hotel or in the communities.
We can accommodate some dietary restrictions. Please write to us in advance if you have a serious food allergy.Accommodation: Single, double or triple occupancy in Dar Tasmayoun.
Support: A Thread Caravan trip facilitator will guide this experience in partnership with the Atelier Talasin team. Additionally, our team will be available in the months leading up to the trip to help you prepare.
Carbon Emissions Offset: We’ve partnered with Sprout to plant 50 tress on your behalf in order to offset the carbon emissions of your travel to Morocco.
ADDITIONAL EXPENSES
Alcoholic Drinks: Thread Caravan does not cover the cost of alcoholic beverages (and they will not always be available in Morocco).
International Travel Expenses: To and from the Marrakech airport or train station.
Personal Travel Insurance: Personal travel insurance is required for this trip. Please find an insurance that covers medical emergencies, theft, and trip cancellations. We recommend World Nomads or Allianz.
Extra Excursions: During our scheduled free time in the afternoons, guests will be responsible for any incurred expenses.
Personal Expenses: Shopping, medicine, snacks, etc.
QUESTIONS? CONTACT US.
