ceramics + weaving in
morocco
September 8-14, 2025 | sold out
September 23-29, 2025 | sold out
June 9-15, 2026
June 16-22, 2026
September 1-7, 2026
September 8-14, 2026
REGISTRATION FOR 2026 TRIPS OPENS ON AUG. 10
$3,250 USD per person, SHARED ROOM
$3,850 usd per person private room in fez, shared room in the mountains
One of our most unique offerings, the Thread Caravan Morocco trip involves deep cultural immersion in northern Morocco as we connect with local families practicing age-old regional crafts.
We’ll start in the 1,000+ year old walled city of Fez Medina, where we’ll stay in riad-style boutique hotel accommodation and orient ourselves for our journey to the scenic Rif mountains. Once in the mountains, we’ll join master potter Mama Aïcha in her homestay atop Mount Sidi Masoud to learn about the ceramic practices of the Sless tribe.
With expansive views of the surrounding mountains and the Al Wahda Dam, we’ll take inspiration from the rugged landscape as we build, paint, and fire earthen ceramics alongside Mama Aïcha, experimenting with natural pigments and goat hair brushes. We’ll enjoy home-cooked, family-style meals and learn about other regional crafts, all while immersing ourselves in the lifestyle of Northern Morocco.
Returning to Fez Medina, we’ll engage in a weaving workshop and have time for a traditional hammam.
ITINERARY
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Group arrival to Fez
Guided walking tour of the historical medina, visiting with top artisans in the town.
Group welcome dinner and trip orientation.
Settle into our beautiful rooms at Jardin des Biehn. -
Breakfast in the garden at Jardin des Biehn.
Private transportation to the Rif mountains (a scenic rural drive that is approximately 2-3 hours).
Settle into the home of pottery artist Mama Aicha. Homemade lunch prepared by Samira.
Afternoon building earthen ceramics pieces.
Group dinner.
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Spend the morning continuing to build ceramics pieces. In the afternoon, take a 20-30 minute scenic walk down the hill to visit extended family members who weave palm baskets.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included today, home-cooked meals with Mama Aicha and family. -
Morning visit to the local town market, to shop for trinkets and learn more about the agricultural lifestyle of northern Morocco.
Spend the afternoon back at the home studio painting ceramics pieces with earthen pigments and horsehair brushes.Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included today, home-cooked meals with Mama Aicha and family.
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Early morning firing of ceramics pieces we’ve created together.
Breakfast and lunch home-cooked with Mama Aicha and family.
In the afternoon, return to Fez. Option for a traditional hammam.
Group dinner at a favorite restaurant in Fez.
Overnight Jardin des Biehn. -
Group breakfast in the hotel gardens.
Walk through the medina to visit a weaving cooperative. This cooperative unites weavers across Morocco in a weaver-owned project. Here we will take a 3 hour workshop to learn how to create rugs using the knotting technique traditional to Morocco, each guest creating a small piece of their own.
Group lunch on a rooftop nearby.
Free afternoon to explore the medina and do last minute shopping and visits.
Farewell group dinner at another wonderful restaurant.
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Final group breakfast in the hotel garden.
Farewells and departures. We hope you join us again!
TRIP
DETAILS
DATES
September 8-14, 2025
September 23-29, 2025
June 9-15, 2026
June 16-22, 2026
September 1-7, 2026
September 8-14, 2026
GROUP
This trip is limited to 8 guests, who will accompanied by 1-2 Thread Caravan trip facilitator(s).
PRICING + PAYMENT
Pricing is $3,250 USD per person for a shared double room, with two beds, and $3,850 USD per person for a private room in Fez.
*All nights while in the mountain accommodation will be shared double occupancy rooms.
A non-refundable deposit of $1,475 USD is required in order to reserve your space on this trip. The remaining balance can be made at your convenience at least 60 days prior to the trip start date.
Custom payment plans are available upon request. Please contact us if this is something you'd like to set up.
When making a reservation, there is the option to Pay it Forward. These contributions are directed exclusively towards our Artisan Exchange Program.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation for our three nights in Fez will be in a centrally-located boutique hotel, Jardin des Biehn, in the Fez Medina. In this hotel, there is the option for a private room upgrade.
In the mountains, we will be staying in a rural homestay. There are modern western toilets and shower, but limited wifi. This is part of the charm of the place and experience, and the only way people can have the opportunity to connect with master potter Mama Aicha.
GETTING TO MOROCCO
This trip starts and ends in Fez. We ask that guests arrive by 5pm on the trip start day, and depart any time on the trip end day.
Oftentimes guests opt for purchasing a roundtrip flight from their home country to Casablanca, and then domestic flight or train from Casablanca to Fez.
Please be in touch if you’re interested in our flight reservation concierge service.
COST INCLUDES
Artisan Experiences: This trip includes a multi-day ceramics course (complete with building, glazing and firing pieces), led by an ~85 year old master female ceramicist. It also includes a one-day weaving workshop, visit with basket weavers, guided medina tour and optional hammam experience.
In-Country Transportation: We’ll be taking a mix of private shuttles and taxis.
All Meals: All meals are included and will offer a range of home-cooked to fine dining experiences.
Accommodation: In boutique hotel in Fez and homestay in the Rif mountains.
Support: A Thread Caravan trip facilitator will guide this experience in partnership with local guides and hosts. Our team will be available in the months leading up to the trip to help you prepare.
Carbon Emissions Offset: We’ve partnered with Trees for the Future to plant 50 tress on your behalf in order to offset the carbon emissions of your travel to Morocco. If you’d like to plant additional trees to offset carbon emissions, there is an option for that at check out.
ADDITIONAL EXPENSES
Alcoholic Drinks: Thread Caravan does not cover the cost of alcoholic beverages (and they will not always be available in Morocco).
Airfare: To and from the Fez 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.
Extra Excursions: During our scheduled free time, guests will be responsible for all incurred expenses.
Personal Expenses: Shopping, medicine, snacks, etc.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFO
Vaccinations: The CDC recommends preparing for Moroccan travel with routine vaccinations 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.
QUESTIONS? CONTACT US.
TRIP REVIEWS
“I had been dying to return to Morocco having visited 17 years ago and falling in love with it and who better to experience it with than Thread Caravan? There are few people I am happy to hand the reigns over to when I travel, but Caitlin and team are one of them. Through the textile and ceramic retreats I partook in (and documented): one working with a collective of female weavers from the Amazigh region and one in the Rif Mountains working with Master Potter Mama Aicha and her family, I was able to connect with the country on a deeper level and access places I wouldn't have discovered on my own. Not to mention the curation of accommodation, food and activities outside of the workshops themselves - always so thoughtfully chosen and inspiring in every regard. Thread Caravan places a real emphasis on collaboration and celebration of ancestral craftsmanship in all corners of our beautiful planet.”
— kate b.
“Thread Caravan is the best! They really create unique, detailed and very immersive experiences! I participated in the trip to Morocco to learn ceramics from Mama Aïcha, a great teacher. We spent some wonderful days of tranquility, introspection and learning in the Rif Mountains. We ate delicious dishes prepared by Samira and enjoyed walks and sunsets with the penetrating views of the mountains. Also, we spent a few days in the energetic Medina of Fez, where we stayed in a wonderful boutique hotel. We went to a rug-making workshop in Anou, a very special cooperative created by artisans for artisans. In conclusion, the trip was very well designed and balanced, I really enjoyed the other people who signed up and Johanna, the host of Thread Caravan, accompanied us and served us very sweetly and efficiently. I will repeat happily!!”
— Clara p.
“The Thread Caravan trip to Morocco I took was unforgettable, and an all-around incredible experience. The curation of activities, restaurants, accommodations, and experiences was top notch and I am certain I would never have found such gems on my own. There is a perfect mix of group activities and free time, which I found to be a refreshing take on group travels. Cannot recommend Thread Caravan enough, and cannot wait until my next TC trip!!!”
— katie d.
