We offer Nature Immersion and Forest Therapy sessions in the Atlas Mountains. A typical session will either be a half-day, or a full-day with picnic lunch.
What is Forest Bathing?
Forest Bathing, or shinrin yoku, is a wellness practice that seeks to enhance health holistically through mindful use of the positive effects of forest environments on human health.
Since the emergence of this practice in Japan in the 1980s, the preventive and curative effects of forests and natural environments have been increasingly explored and documented in scientific literature. Spending time in the forests, even without performing any physical exercise, has been shown to have a considerable positive effect on human health and happiness. Closeness to nature creates positive affect, vitality, and life satisfaction. Nature connectedness can be fostered through simple awareness and connection exercises.
How does Forest Bathing help?
Psychologically, through the reduction of stress levels, anxiety, etc., acting on the decreasing of stress hormones (salivary cortisol and urinary adrenaline)
Physiologically, through observing a significant improvement in:
Cardiovascular and hemodynamic systems: forested spaces stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, thereby reducing heart rate and blood pressure.
Immune system: forested environment increases the number and activity of natural killer (NK) cells, those cells responsible for immune response to threatening bacteria and viruses. NK cells are crucial in the fight against cancerous proteins, suggesting that spending time in forests can help to prevent cancers.
Metabolic system: green spaces can enhance the presence of adiponectin hormones in the blood, and this may play a crucial role in protecting against metabolic syndromes such diabetes or obesity.
Who are we?
I’m Marc, a mountain guide and certified Forest Bathing Guide. In 2021 I qualified with the Forest Therapy Hub, and my desire is to help people to experience Nature on a deeper level. If we notice and enjoy the natural world and the beauty around us, it will help us to de-stress and feel connected to something greater. It will also naturally help us to love our planet more, and want to protect it.
Three ways to enjoy Forest Bathing:
Half-day connection
A typical forest bathing session lasts on average two to four hours, and we offer it to you as a half day experience. During this time we will immerse ourselves in the natural environment using our five senses. The session will help us to engage with nature through guided activities and invitations, and is both calming and deeply connecting.
Day Nature Immersion
For a longer esperience we propose a full day of nature connection. This will cover similar activities to the half-day, but some activities will be given more time so that you can really immerse yourself in the environment. We will provide a picnic lunch at midday. If you desire, the day experience could also involve more walking so that is becomes a journey interspersed with nature-connection.
Forest Bathing multi-day Mountain experience
It is possible to integrate a half-day or full-day of nature immersion into one of our multi-day treks. This is available on all our village-to-village treks and also some of the higher mountain ascents. We will take you to remote forest or wilderness environments as part of your trek, and then lead you through the sequence of Nature Connection activities in these beautiful locations. Please make an inquiry for more information.
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I really enjoyed trekking with Marc Gallagher. I'm a combat veteran who has little use for a guide or "leader" dictating my every move along a potentially dodgy or dangerous mountain path; Marc was perfect for this. He knew what he was doing and was...More 
jonathanlN8177CH
10/15/2018 Marc was the guide during the trek through the atlas mountains. His expertise and care made the trek such a memorable experience. The pace of the trek was perfect for all participants and all needs were taken into consideration. The traditional tagine lunch was fantastic....More 
aunovation
5/06/2019 Marc took me trail running on a day trip from Marrakesh. The information he provided in advance was clear, thorough and very professional. He was flexible when my dates changed and accommodated my slow, injured running with a smile. I really appreciated his knowledge of...More 
Tanya M
9/19/2018 - Trying to escape the noise and dust of Marrakesh for a few hours, I went on a trail run today. I enjoyed every minute of it. Highly recommendable! Marc really did a great job in discovering this lap which is a nice mix of gravel...More
Tom T
3/29/2019 I contacted Wild Goose the day before I arrived in Marrakech and Marc (an English guy now based in Morocco) and the team were able to accommodate me - amazing. They were happy to call me at 10pm my time the night before I flew...More 
Scoobjob
7/01/2018 I really enjoyed trekking with Marc Gallagher. I'm a combat veteran who has little use for a guide or "leader" dictating my every move along a potentially dodgy or dangerous mountain path; Marc was perfect for this. He knew what he was doing and was...More Jonathan L
10/15/2018 - A great time trekking Mount Toubkal in Morocco. We did the 3 day trek, with Wild Goose Adventures and had a fantastic experience. Trek was fairly tough but well worth it, with stunning scenery the whole way up. A big thank you to Marc and...More
Passport00972942462
11/12/2018 I made the trip from our family holiday in Marrakech to run with Marc. He kindly organised a taxi which worked out smoothly. We ran 18k in a circular route through the hills taking in some lovely views and passing through Berber villages. Marc was...More 6overlongon
10/27/2019 Marc, what can me and my partner say about Marc. Anyone who states not to get a guide, get Marc. His knowledge of the local culture, contacts and variety of languages spoken means that you will get a seamless trip. No hassle, he arranges everything...More 
Jason S
12/30/2018 - This is a trek you don’t want to miss! The beautiful mountains of Morocco and the people you’ll encounter are worth every sore muscle. As someone who had never trekked before, Marc was a knowledgeable guide which made me feel comfortable and safe. I’d highly...More
2388irenem
6/29/2018 My husband is training for Marathon and so organized to trail run with Marc in Atlas Mountains, less than hour from Marrakech. He arranged taxi there & back & was a great guide showing me plants & wildlife along the trail. Beautiful scenery. Marc sets...More 
BernyS
4/22/2019 Marc was a wonderful guide. He arranged our accommodation and was very helpful with packing, equipment and general advice. We had two days running with him from near Amizmiz and they were both brilliant. He took us to amazing remote places in the mountains and...More 
CatrionaRamsay
10/10/2018
We can arrange a private taxi to pick you up from your hotel and return you there afterwards. You will need to pay the taximan directly, in dirhams (local currency). We suggest this as our taxi drivers know exactly where to bring you. However you may also ask your hotel to arrange a taxi for you, in which case please ask your taximan to call us for instructions where to go. For more information please get in touch!
Includes:
- Qualified Forest Therapy Hub Guide
- An amazing nature immersion experience
- Peace & tranquility
Does not include:
- Tips
- Accommodation
- Transport (We can arrange this though
- please ask)
Thankyou for booking with Wild Goose Adventure!
Availability
Our booking availability is shown below, please select the date you are interested in, fill in the form and then click “send”.