Horseback riding in Morocco: Between Aghroud and Essouira (formerly called Mogador), this horseback ride will introduce you to two aspects of Morocco. In a first part, on the foothills of the High Atlas, you will discover vast panoramas on the surrounding valleys and a vegetation composed of thuja, carob trees, and lower, a succession of palm groves, almond gardens and olive trees. In the second part, on the Atlantic coast, the relief is softened and the hills are dotted with argan trees. You will finally reach Essouira by large deserted beaches. Rocked by the trade winds, Essaouira is the favorite place of artists and musicians of all nationalities, city of artisans and headquarters of the annual music festival "Gnoua".
Day 1: Arrival in Morocco at Agadir airport. Overnight in Agadir in a guesthouse or a hotel.
Day 2: Aourga - Ait Ameur. Bivouac. Your ride begins with hills covered with argan trees. Then you cross the Tizi pass which offers a panoramic view of the foothills of the High Atlas. Descent by the sea to the Berber village of Imiwadar and first gallop on the beach before the picnic break in Aghroud. In the afternoon, you cross the plateau of Igui Oufrni to the entrance of the Ait Ameur valley. 5 hours on horseback.
Day 3: Ait Ameur - Imessouane. Camp or guesthouse. You ride along the valley to the mouth of Tamri wadi and continue along the coast, in a landscape of sand dunes and pink sandstone rocks. In the afternoon, you go around the cliffs to Assaka. New crossing of Berber villages before entering a forest of argan trees. The day ends near the fishing village of Imessouane. 5-6h on horseback.
Day 4: Imessouane - Tafdna. Bivouac. After breakfast, visit the fishing village. Take the Legionaires Trail on cliffs overlooking the ocean, in a stunning panorama of rugged rocky coastline. At the end of the day, you descend the dunes of Tafdna towards a deserted beach for a big gallop, before arriving at the fishing village where you make stage. Camp at the foot of the dunes. 5-6h on horseback.
Day 5: Tafdna - Sidi Ahmed Saih. Bivouac. You start riding through the fields and orchards of argan trees, then cross several Berber villages. You arrive at Marabout Sidi Ahmed Saih for the picnic break. In the afternoon, a small stage that ends with a gallop on the Iftane beach. Camp above the beach facing the ocean. 5-6h on horseback.
Day 6: Sidi Ahmed Saih - Sidi Kaouki. Bivouac. Departure inland among villages and cornfields. Picnic break next to the waterfalls of Marabout Sidi M'Barek. The ride leaves by large beaches only frequented by seabirds, suitable for some good gallops, until Sidi Kaouki. 5-6h on horseback.
Day 7: Sidi Kaouki - Essaouira. Bivouac. The continuation of the ride is a series of deserted beaches and fishing villages like that of Taguenza, which you see first. After crossing the Cape Sim and its dune, you reach the large beach before Essaouira, the end of your trip on horseback. Arrive early in the afternoon in Diabat where you have lunch. Transfer to Agadir and visit of the city. 5-6h on horseback.
Day 8: Transfer to Agadir airport and return flight, or continuation of your stay in Morocco.
* Indicative program that can be modified if necessary.
Day 2: Aourga - Ait Ameur. Bivouac. Your ride begins with hills covered with argan trees. Then you cross the Tizi pass which offers a panoramic view of the foothills of the High Atlas. Descent by the sea to the Berber village of Imiwadar and first gallop on the beach before the picnic break in Aghroud. In the afternoon, you cross the plateau of Igui Oufrni to the entrance of the Ait Ameur valley. 5 hours on horseback.
Day 3: Ait Ameur - Imessouane. Camp or guesthouse. You ride along the valley to the mouth of Tamri wadi and continue along the coast, in a landscape of sand dunes and pink sandstone rocks. In the afternoon, you go around the cliffs to Assaka. New crossing of Berber villages before entering a forest of argan trees. The day ends near the fishing village of Imessouane. 5-6h on horseback.
Day 4: Imessouane - Tafdna. Bivouac. After breakfast, visit the fishing village. Take the Legionaires Trail on cliffs overlooking the ocean, in a stunning panorama of rugged rocky coastline. At the end of the day, you descend the dunes of Tafdna towards a deserted beach for a big gallop, before arriving at the fishing village where you make stage. Camp at the foot of the dunes. 5-6h on horseback.
Day 5: Tafdna - Sidi Ahmed Saih. Bivouac. You start riding through the fields and orchards of argan trees, then cross several Berber villages. You arrive at Marabout Sidi Ahmed Saih for the picnic break. In the afternoon, a small stage that ends with a gallop on the Iftane beach. Camp above the beach facing the ocean. 5-6h on horseback.
Day 6: Sidi Ahmed Saih - Sidi Kaouki. Bivouac. Departure inland among villages and cornfields. Picnic break next to the waterfalls of Marabout Sidi M'Barek. The ride leaves by large beaches only frequented by seabirds, suitable for some good gallops, until Sidi Kaouki. 5-6h on horseback.
Day 7: Sidi Kaouki - Essaouira. Bivouac. The continuation of the ride is a series of deserted beaches and fishing villages like that of Taguenza, which you see first. After crossing the Cape Sim and its dune, you reach the large beach before Essaouira, the end of your trip on horseback. Arrive early in the afternoon in Diabat where you have lunch. Transfer to Agadir and visit of the city. 5-6h on horseback.
Day 8: Transfer to Agadir airport and return flight, or continuation of your stay in Morocco.
* Indicative program that can be modified if necessary.
ACCOMMODATION:
1st and last night in a hotel. Other nights: camping. A large tent to take dinners, individual tents to sleep with ground sheet available. Outdoor shower available. A team is following the ride with vehicles, carrying luggage and preparing great dinners made with local products. Some dates available with hotel accommodation every night.
MEALS:
Evening meals are prepared on site by the cook, Moroccan meals (couscous, tagine chicken with vegetables, meat with vegetables, grilled meats ... dessert soup, mint tea, coffee. Trekking drinks: mineral water, tea, coffee. Alcohol is not provided but it is possible to buy some before the start of the ride (purchase in shops in town). At noon, picnics are carried in saddlebags, often various Moroccan salads.
1st and last night in a hotel. Other nights: camping. A large tent to take dinners, individual tents to sleep with ground sheet available. Outdoor shower available. A team is following the ride with vehicles, carrying luggage and preparing great dinners made with local products. Some dates available with hotel accommodation every night.
MEALS:
Evening meals are prepared on site by the cook, Moroccan meals (couscous, tagine chicken with vegetables, meat with vegetables, grilled meats ... dessert soup, mint tea, coffee. Trekking drinks: mineral water, tea, coffee. Alcohol is not provided but it is possible to buy some before the start of the ride (purchase in shops in town). At noon, picnics are carried in saddlebags, often various Moroccan salads.