Footsteps of the Friends of Allah: Morocco Sufi Shrines Tour – Opening Tour – 15th June 2026 (Mix Gender)
From
Duration
Tour Type
Explore Tours
Footsteps of the Friends of Allah: Morocco is a guided spiritual journey through the sacred landscapes, saints, and living traditions of northern Morocco. Travelling in a small, like-minded group, you will visit revered shrines, zawiyas, and centres of learning in Tangier, Jabal al-‘Alam, Chefchaouen, Moulay Idriss, and Fes. Rooted in the Shadhili and Tijani traditions, the journey blends history, scholarship, and quiet reflection, offering space to reconnect with faith, lineage, and inner purpose while experiencing Morocco’s enduring spiritual heritage.
Travel Dates
15th June to 21st June 2026 (6 nights, 7 days)
Contact us for suggested flights. All tours are subject to minimum numbers so please do not book flights before you confirm your trip with us.
Price
£1295.00 per person (twin room basis)
Solo room: +£299
Flights are extra at around £127 currently but can go up and down. We have no control over flight prices.
Included/Exclude
Included
- 6 Nights accommodation in double or twin or single rooms
- Daily breakfast
- Modern transportation throughout the tour Wifi in the vehicle
- Bottled water during the drive
- Visit of Saints as mentioned in the program
- English speaking national guide
- Porterage at the hotels
- Airport transfers with suggested flights (transfers for other flights available at extra cost – ask for details)
- All Taxes
-
MarrakechHotel Meriem or similarStandard roomTangerHotel Kenzi Solazur or similarStandard roomFesBarcelo Medina or similarStandard room
Excluded
- International airfare
- Tips for driver, guides and hotel staff
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Personal expenses (snacks, drinks, souvenirs)
- Any extras in hotels (laundry, etc.)
- WIFI in the vehicle
- UK Representative (tour is led by local guides)
Tour Amenities
Tour Plan
Upon arrival at Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your local Tour Tribe representative, waiting in the arrivals hall with a Tour Tribe sign. Following a smooth meet-and-greet, you will be transferred by private vehicle to your hotel in Tangier.
After check-in, the remainder of the day is free to rest and settle in after your journey, or to take a gentle walk nearby and begin absorbing the atmosphere of this historic gateway city.
Overnight in Tangier.
Included meals: None
Included meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, meet your local guide in the hotel lobby and begin a guided exploration of Tangier’s spiritual heritage, a city long regarded as a gateway between Africa, Andalusia, and the wider Islamic world. Today’s visits introduce some of the most revered figures associated with Tangier’s scholarly and spiritual legacy.
Ibn Battuta – The World Traveller
Full name: Shams al-Din Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Battuta.
While widely known in the West as a great traveller and geographer, Ibn Battuta is deeply respected in the Muslim world as a scholar of fiqh and a seeker of spiritual knowledge. His legendary journey (Rihla) was undertaken not merely for exploration, but in pursuit of Hajj, knowledge, and the companionship of the Awliya across the Islamic world. Visiting his resting place is a reminder of the humility of even the greatest travellers, and of the unity of the Ummah that transcends borders and time.
Sidi Bouarrakia – The Patron Saint of Tangier
Full name: Sidi Muhammad al-Hajj al-Bouarrakia.
Revered as the spiritual protector of Tangier, Sidi Bouarrakia is remembered for his deep piety, asceticism, and devotion. Much like Sidi Bel Abbas in Marrakesh, he holds a special place in the hearts of the city’s people. Historically, he is associated with spiritual protection during periods of political and social uncertainty.
Shaykh Muhammad Sadiq – The Living Tradition
This name refers to a lineage of respected spiritual masters linked to the Alawi-Darqawi and Shadhili traditions, as well as the scholarly heritage of the Ghumari family. Their influence remains present in Tangier’s zawiyas, where Qur’anic recitation, daily awrad (litanies), and inner purification continue to be emphasised as core elements of the spiritual path.
Mohamed al-Hajj al-Bakkali – The Scholar of the North
A prominent figure from the distinguished Bakkali family, one of the most respected Sharifian lineages of northern Morocco. He represents the classical Moroccan tradition in which sacred knowledge and spiritual realisation were inseparable, embodying the balance between Shari‘ah (sacred law) and Haqiqah (spiritual truth).
Following the visits, the afternoon is left free at leisure, allowing time for rest, reflection, personal exploration of the Medina, or quiet contemplation.
Overnight in Tangier.
Approx. driving time: 3 hours 20 minutes
Included meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, depart Tangier and journey inland through the Jbala region, a landscape of cork oak forests, winding mountain roads, and remote villages. Today’s route is traditionally understood as a spiritual ascent, where the physical climb mirrors an inner journey away from the distractions of the dunya towards stillness and remembrance.
Shaykh Abd al-Salam ibn Mashish – The Master of the Mountain
At Jabal al-‘Alam, visit the sanctuary of Shaykh Abd al-Salam ibn Mashish, regarded as the Qutb (Spiritual Pole) of his era and the teacher of Imam Abu’l Hasan al-Shadhili. Though he authored no written works, his legacy endures through his student and through the renowned supplication As-Salat al-Mashishiyya. He lived a life of seclusion, worship, and deep humility on this mountain until his martyrdom in 1227. His teachings emphasised unwavering adherence to the Shari‘ah alongside the purification of the heart, representing the tradition of hidden sanctity that sustains the spiritual life of the Ummah.
The Well of Abu’l Hasan al-Shadhili
Nearby is the sacred spring associated with Imam al-Shadhili’s time at Jabal al-‘Alam. This is not his burial place—he rests in Egypt—but a site remembered for ritual purification. Tradition holds that Imam al-Shadhili performed ghusl here before meeting his teacher, symbolising the emptying of the self in preparation for receiving divine knowledge.
Following the visit, continue the journey north to the serene mountain town of Chefchaouen.
Upon arrival, visit the Zaouia Tijaniyya of Chefchaouen, a place of remembrance and spiritual retreat associated with the Tijaniyya path, one of the most influential Sufi traditions of the Muslim world. The zaouia reflects northern Morocco’s deep devotional heritage, offering a quiet space for reflection, prayer, and inward renewal.
The remainder of the day is free at leisure, allowing time to rest, explore Chefchaouen’s calm blue streets, or reflect on the day’s experiences.
Overnight in Chefchaouen.
Approx. driving time: 4 hours 30 minutes
Included meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, depart Chefchaouen and travel south through the rolling landscapes of northern Morocco towards Meknes and the sacred town of Moulay Idriss, one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in the country.
Moulay Idris al-Akbar – The Founder
A great-great-grandson of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through Imam Hasan, Moulay Idris al-Akbar arrived in Morocco fleeing Abbasid persecution. He was welcomed by the local Berber tribes, who pledged allegiance to him as their Imam. He is widely regarded as the spiritual and political founder of Morocco, having established the foundations of Islamic life and devotion in the region. His legacy lies not only in governance, but in planting the love of the Ahl al-Bayt firmly in the soil of North Africa.
Muhammad Ibn Habib – The Modern Master
A leading 20th-century spiritual authority and master of the Shadhili-Darqawi-Habibi path, Muhammad Ibn Habib is among the most influential recent saints of Morocco. His Diwan of spiritual poetry continues to be recited and sung across the Muslim world, particularly in the English-speaking West. He is remembered for conveying profound spiritual realities with clarity, dignity, and accessibility, bridging classical Sufi wisdom with the modern age.
Following the visit, continue onwards to Fes, the spiritual and intellectual heart of Morocco.
Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and take time to rest and freshen up before heading out for a truly special experience.
Moulay Idris II – Thursday Night (Jum‘ah Eve) Gathering
Visit the shrine of Moulay Idris II, the founder of Fes and a central figure in the city’s spiritual life. On Thursday evenings—the night before Jum‘ah—the shrine becomes the focal point of communal devotion. Scholars, students, and local residents gather for the recitation of the Qur’an and traditional qasa’id (Sufi poems), creating an atmosphere of reverence, remembrance, and continuity with centuries of living tradition.
This gathering is widely regarded as one of the most authentic spiritual experiences in Fes.
Overnight in Fes.
Included meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, meet your guide in the hotel lobby and begin the first part of your exploration of Fes, long regarded as the spiritual and intellectual heart of Morocco. Today focuses on saints whose legacies are rooted in knowledge, transmission, and inner realisation, reflecting Fes’s role as a centre of sacred learning for over a millennium.
Abdul Aziz al-Dabbagh
A renowned 18th-century saint and the author of Al-Ibrīz (“Pure Gold”), a seminal work recording his spiritual insights. Though unlettered in the formal sense, Shaykh Abdul Aziz al-Dabbagh was granted al-Fath (spiritual opening), enabling him to speak with depth on the inner meanings of the Qur’an and the reality of the Prophetic inheritance. His life exemplifies the Moroccan tradition of inward knowledge grounded in sincerity and devotion.
Abdul Wahab at-Tazi
The foremost student of Shaykh Abdul Aziz al-Dabbagh and later the teacher of Ahmad ibn Idris. He served as the vital link through which the Dabbaghian teachings were transmitted beyond Fes, carrying this spiritual legacy across North Africa and into the wider Muslim world.
Sidi Ali Bin Hirzihim
A 12th-century master and teacher of Abu Madyan, the foundational figure of North African Sufism. Sidi Ali Bin Hirzihim was known for harmonising strict adherence to the Shari‘ah with deep spiritual practice. He represents the “old masters” of Fes, whose presence evokes the city’s formative era of sacred scholarship and discipline.
Muhammad Bin al-Qasim al-Qandusi
A 19th-century saint famed for his unique “spiritual calligraphy” and writings on the Ism al-A‘ẓam (the Greatest Name of Allah). He lived a life of humility as a herbalist in the markets of Fes, embodying the union of inward illumination and outward simplicity.
Following the visits, return to the hotel to rest and freshen up.
Later, proceed to the University of al-Qarawiyyin and its adjoining mosque for Jum‘ah prayer, at the world’s oldest continuously operating centre of learning and one of the most sacred institutions in the Islamic tradition.
The remainder of the day is free at leisure.
Overnight in Fes.
Included meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, meet your guide in the hotel lobby and continue your exploration of Fes’s spiritual heritage, focusing on the city’s sacred spaces and the saints whose teachings continue to shape devotional life across the Muslim world.
Al-Attarine Madrasah – The Jewel of Knowledge
Founded in the 14th century and located at the entrance to the Attarine spice and perfume market, Al-Attarine Madrasah is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful madrasahs in Fes. Its intricate zellij tilework, carved cedar wood, and balanced proportions reflect the Moroccan tradition of sacred geometry, where architectural harmony is intended to mirror divine order and beauty. The madrasah stands as a testament to Fes’s legacy as a centre of both outward learning and inward refinement.
Abdur-Rahman al-Kattani – The Guardian of Hadith
A prominent 20th-century scholar and spiritual guide from the noble Kattani family, Shaykh Abdur-Rahman al-Kattani was renowned for his mastery of Hadith sciences. The Kattani family has long served as custodians of Fes’s scholarly and spiritual traditions, preserving vast libraries and maintaining a lineage rooted in knowledge, devotion, and service to the Ummah.
Moulay Ahmed Saqalli – The Master of the Khalwatiyya
An 18th-century spiritual master and descendant of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Moulay Ahmed Saqalli played a significant role in the spread of the Khalwati and Idrisi spiritual paths in Morocco. He was known for his intense devotion and emphasis on the ‘ilm al-qalb—the science of the heart—teaching that true knowledge must transform the inner state as well as outward conduct.
Sidi Ahmad Tijani – Founder of the Tijaniyya
Visit the resting place of Sidi Ahmad Tijani, the 18th-century founder of the Tijaniyya order, one of the most widespread Sufi paths in the Muslim world, particularly influential in West Africa and parts of the Arab world. His teachings emphasised gratitude to Allah, constant salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ, and istighfar as a means of spiritual purification and closeness to the Divine.
Following the visits, return to the hotel or enjoy free time to reflect, rest, or explore the surrounding areas of the Medina at your own pace.
Overnight in Fes.
Included meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, enjoy some free time depending on your flight schedule. At the appropriate time, you will be transferred by private vehicle to Fes–Saïss Airport for your onward journey.
This marks the conclusion of Footsteps of the Friends of Allah: Morocco, a journey of reflection, remembrance, and connection with Morocco’s sacred spiritual heritage.
Important Information – Opening Tour
This itinerary is being operated as an opening (pilot) tour. As with any first-time operation, unforeseen minor issues or variations may occur during the tour. These do not affect the overall intent or quality of the experience.
The tour price has been set accordingly at an introductory rate. Standard pricing for subsequent departures will be higher once the itinerary has been fully established.
Booking this tour confirms acceptance of its pilot nature.
