Astrophotography
Retreat · Marrakech · Atlas · Sahara
The darkest skies on earth, 8 days of shooting from Marrakech to the dunes.
Erg Chigaga · Sahara
The retreat
When the desert becomes
your dark room.
Erg Chigaga has zero light pollution for a thousand kilometres. The Sahara sky on a moonless night is not something you photograph - it is something that happens to you. This retreat is designed for photographers of all levels: beginners shooting on a smartphone for the first time, and advanced DSLR users refining their long-exposure technique.
Three nights in Marrakech, one night in the Atlas, three nights at Umnya Dune Camp in the Sahara. Each evening brings a structured telescope and camera session guided by an expert in desert astrophotography. Each morning, yoga and recovery. Pottery and a cooking class round out the days.
Apply for this retreat“The darkest sky in Africa is not a destination. It is a state of mind you carry back.”
Zero light pollution at Erg Chigaga
The dunes by day and night
Traditional pottery workshop
The experience
What awaits you
Telescope workshop
Guided telescope sessions each evening in Marrakech, Atlas and Sahara. Setup, alignment, long-exposure technique.
Night photography
Learn Milky Way composition, star trails, light painting and long exposure technique under expert instruction.
Morning yoga
Daily sunrise yoga and breathwork session. Movement designed to complement the stillness of night photography.
Ice bath protocol
Cold immersion and breathwork sessions. Recovery that sharpens perception - essential for night shooting.
Pottery workshop
One full session with a Marrakech master potter. Clay work as meditative counterpoint to digital photography.
Moroccan cooking class
Cook a traditional Moroccan feast with a local chef. Spices, tagine, preserved lemon and argan oil.
Day by day
Eight days in Morocco.
Arrival in Marrakech
- Welcome dinner in private riad
- Introduction to night photography equipment
- First telescope session on the riad rooftop
Marrakech: medina and dark rooftops
- Morning yoga
- Medina photography walk with guide
- Evening: rooftop Milky Way session
High Atlas ascent
- Morning yoga
- Drive to Atlas lodge
- Altitude telescope session (2,200 m)
- Pottery workshop
Atlas shooting and transfer
- Dawn landscape shoot in golden hour
- Transfer south toward the desert
- Cooking class in transit village
Sahara arrival
- Arrive Umnya Dune Camp
- Ice bath protocol
- First desert night shoot: zero light pollution
Full Sahara dark sky session
- Dawn dune walk and yoga
- Rest and image processing in camp
- Sunset camel ride
- Full Milky Way arch shoot: 9 pm to 2 am
Sahara final shoot and hammam
- Star trails session pre-dawn
- Morning yoga
- Hammam and massage
- Image review and editing session
Return to Marrakech
- Farewell breakfast at camp
- Return transfer to Marrakech
- Departure
Included
Everything.
- 3 nights private riad Marrakech
- 1 night Atlas mountain lodge
- 3 nights Umnya Dune Camp (double)
- All meals and beverages
- Telescopes and tracking mounts
- Expert astrophotography guide
- Private transfers throughout
- Yoga and morning movement
- Ice bath and breathwork
- Pottery workshop
- Moroccan cooking class
- Single supplement on request
Getting there
How to arrive.
Accommodation: double rooms throughout. Single supplement available on request. Private riad in Marrakech, Atlas mountain lodge, Umnya Dune Camp in Erg Chigaga. All meals included, all transfers by private vehicle.
Photography equipment: bring your own camera and tripod. We provide telescopes, tracking mounts, and all accessories at camp. No prior astrophotography experience required.
Nearest airport
2027 Season
Receive the full programme
8 days · 8 to 14 guests · Morocco. We send the itinerary, dates and availability by return.
No newsletters. One email with the programme, nothing more.
Eight days under the Milky Way.
Submit your application. We respond within 48 hours.
Apply for this retreat