presents
Khalwa
خلوة
The sacred withdrawal — a deliberate stepping-out of ordinary time. A six-night solar eclipse retreat in the Rif Mountains of Morocco.
Apply for Founding Circle
The sacred withdrawal — a deliberate stepping-out of ordinary time. A six-night solar eclipse retreat in the Rif Mountains of Morocco.
Apply for Founding CircleOn August 2, 2027, a total solar eclipse will pass over northern Morocco. The path of totality will cross Tangier, Chefchaouen, and the Rif Mountains. The moon will fully cover the sun for nearly five minutes — the second-longest total solar eclipse of the entire 21st century.
The last total solar eclipse visible from Morocco was in 1900. The next is in the 2400s. This is a once-in-multiple-lifetimes moment, and one of the most accessible places on Earth from which to witness it.
Chefchaouen is a small mountain town nestled in the western Rif of northern Morocco. Its old medina is famously washed in countless shades of blue, surrounded by olive groves, river springs, and the peaks of Talassemtane National Park.
It is also, by the calculations of eclipse meteorologists, one of the best places in Morocco from which to view the August 2 eclipse — inland enough to escape the coastal marine clouds, with the highest probability of clear skies on eclipse morning.
Our private property sits just outside the medina in a quiet residential edge of town. Seven rooms, exclusive use for our group, a spacious rooftop terrace, indoor pool, and a kitchen serving three traditional Moroccan meals each day.
The eclipse will be viewed from the terrace at the property. No early-morning drives, no scrambling for a viewing spot. We wake up, eat together, and watch the sky in stillness.
A seven-room riad on the quiet edge of Chefchaouen, held privately for our group across the six nights. Moroccan plasterwork, deep blues, hand-carved wood, and a rooftop terrace that catches both the sunrise and the sunset — and the eclipse on August 2.
All photos: our property in Chefchaouen — exclusive to our group for the six nights.
The day-by-day arc is being shaped now — paced gently around the eclipse at its center. Full schedule shared with confirmed guests closer to the retreat.
Coming soon
This retreat is co-hosted by three facilitators, each bringing a distinct practice to the container.
Founder of Metanoia. Southern California native, current digital nomad DJ and event organizer. Michael (Maikol) curates experiences to remind people what makes life worth living for, and this retreat is the culmination of his life experience thus far. Regardless of where he is in the world, he's a true purveyor of sound vibrations and a lover of a wide variety of music — which informs the Metanoia Sound Experience sonic journey.
Finding ways to get himself and the people around him out of our "loops," usually somewhere away in nature, is what he has always strived for in one form or another.
Co-host. Name and bio coming soon.
Co-host. Practice in ceremony facilitation, cosmology, and human design reading. Name and bio coming soon.
"Khalwa is not a retreat in the language of escape. It is a deliberate stepping-out — a returning to deeper time, in the company of those walking beside you."
Exclusive group use of a seven-room riad in Chefchaouen with rooftop terrace, indoor pool, and garden.
Traditional Moroccan breakfast and family-style dinner served on-site. Lunches are guest-discretionary — eat out in town, on excursions, or with the group. All dietary needs accommodated (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergies).
A DJ booth surrounded by cushions where everyone lies or sits. The euphoric sonic journey is eclectic, psychedelic, heartfelt — and stays under 110 BPM. Held by Maikol. The signature ritual of the week.
ISO-certified solar viewing glasses, optimized terrace setup, safety briefing, and uninterrupted view from the property.
Group transport from Tangier (TNG) airport on arrival day and back at departure.
Half-day waterfall hike in Talassemtane National Park with a local guide on the post-eclipse integration day.
Hand-curated welcome kit including journal, candle, tea, and a handwritten note. Opening circle on arrival.
A photographer-videographer captures the week's moments. Each guest receives a curated set of images afterward.
Khalwa is offered in three tiers based on the timing of your commitment. The Founding Circle is the first six guests to confirm — those who join early receive the deepest pricing and the closest involvement in shaping the program before the experience has social proof. Beyond that, the Early Bird and Standard tiers are timing-based.
Deposits by September 15, 2026
First 6 guests to confirm. Includes a pre-trip group call with the hosts to help shape the experience.
Deposits by December 31, 2026
10% off standard. Open after Founding Circle fills or after Sep 15.
Deposits by April 30, 2027
Full rate. Subject to remaining availability.
Pricing is per guest in USD and includes all listed items. A 30% non-refundable deposit holds your spot, with the balance due 90 days before arrival. Full refund 120+ days out; 50% refund 60–120 days out; no refund within 60 days, transferable to a future Metanoia retreat.
Fly into Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport (TNG), the closest international airport to Chefchaouen. Royal Air Maroc, Ryanair, EasyJet, Transavia, and Air Arabia all serve TNG from major European cities.
For US guests: best routings are typically via Paris, London, Madrid, or Casablanca with one connection. Plan to arrive on July 30 with a target arrival window of 11 AM – 4 PM local time so we can do a group transfer.
Alternative routing: fly to Málaga (AGP) and ferry across to Tangier-Med port — often cheaper for European guests.
Citizens of the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand can enter Morocco visa-free for stays up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates.
Other nationalities: check Morocco's eVisa portal at acces-maroc.ma. Allow 2–3 weeks processing.
International travel always carries some risk. Trip insurance protects against cancellation, medical emergencies, baggage loss, and travel delays. We strongly recommend every guest secure coverage before arrival.
Metanoia does not receive commissions from any insurance provider. These are recommendations based on industry reputation and coverage suitability for this retreat. Compare plans yourself before purchasing.
This is a small, intentional gathering. We ask a few short questions about what brings you here and what you hope to find. Once your application is approved, you'll receive booking instructions and the deposit form. Most applications are reviewed within a week.
The retreat itself is low-impact — yoga, breathwork, meditation, group meals, sitting on terraces. The Akchour waterfall hike on Day Six is moderate (about 2–3 hours total, well-graded). If you can walk for 90 minutes on uneven terrain, you'll be comfortable. Anyone with mobility limitations is welcome to skip the hike.
The opposite, actually. Most retreat guests come solo. The retreat is designed around shared meals, ritual, and contemplative time together; couples integrate into the group rather than the other way around. Roughly half of past Metanoia guests have come alone.
Khalwa is alcohol-aware but not alcohol-centered. Mealtimes are not drinking occasions. Some guests may have wine with dinner; many won't. The retreat container is fully welcoming for sober and sober-curious guests, and you'll never feel pressure to drink.
The kitchen can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and most allergen-aware diets. We collect dietary information at booking. If you have a very specific need, mention it in your application.
Chefchaouen has the highest August clear-sky odds in Morocco (~79%) and is on the eclipse meteorology recommendation list specifically for inland viewing safety. The property has a clear east-facing rooftop view confirmed via topographic analysis. In the rare case of obscured weather, alternate nearby vantage points are within a short walk.
Full refund (less a $200 administrative fee) if cancelled 120+ days before the retreat. 50% refund if cancelled 60–120 days before. No refund within 60 days, but your deposit and payments can be transferred to a future Metanoia retreat. We strongly recommend travel insurance for last-minute changes.
Morocco is generally a safe destination for international travelers. The US State Department travel advisory is Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) — the same level as France, Spain, Italy, and Germany. The Tangier-Tétouan-Al Hoceima region, including Chefchaouen, is well-policed and tourism-friendly. Standard travel awareness applies.
Fifteen seats. If this resonates, write to us with a few sentences about who you are and what you're bringing to the eclipse.
Apply for KhalwaOr write to us directly at maikol@metanoiaretreats.co