New London-based travel company Sunny Side Up, launched in February of this year, is the first outfitter focused on wellness retreats in Morocco.
By combining world-class yoga teachers with Moroccan cultural experiences, Sunny Side Up caters to a growing audience of wellness travelers that seek more than just yoga in their retreats and look for cultural discovery and exploration.
Co-founders Nisma Benani & Charaf El Mansouri have been deeply involved with travel in Morocco since 2007 and have since developed an authentic and purely wholesome way to experience Morocco. The wellness travel company has just announced their lineup of wellness retreats running from September of 2018 through to May of 2019 and they include the following two:
Hiking x Yoga with Mona Lisa Godfrey (November 21st – 25th, 2018, Atlas Mountains)
From the breathtaking heights and sights of the Kasbah Bab Ourika, this yoga adventure is led by Mona Lisa Godfrey to the heart of Morocco’s ancient Berber culture for an inspiring 4 nights of yoga, hiking, and meditation.
Meditation & Yoga with Michael James Wong (May 26th – June 2nd, 2019, Marrakech & Atlas Mountains)
Michael James Wong delves into the magic of Morocco with daily yoga classes, guided meditation, an Atlas Mountain hike, a wholesome Moroccan cooking class and cultural experiences.
In addition to offering set group wellness retreats, Sunny Side Up can also organize private trips and retreats for travelers.
In an effort to give back to the local community, Sunny Side Up has partnered with Education for All (EFA) to help combat illiteracy with Moroccan women. In Morocco, 84% of women living in rural areas are illiterate. Very few girls from rural communities in Morocco get the opportunity of continuing their education after primary school. Every trip Sunny Side Up hosts funds one year of housing and education support for a girl from the Atlas Mountains. Through their partnership with Education for All (EFA), Sunny Side Up is able to provide a safe space, food and room and board close to schools, as well as tutor support to ensure all girls are able to complete their education. EFA builds and runs high-quality boarding houses for girls from 12–18. The program provides the girls with three nutritious meals a day, hot showers, beds, access to computers, study support via an international volunteer program and dedicated, local housemothers.
