Daily itinerary
Day 1
Arrival at Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK) or Essaouira-Mogador Airport (ESU). Welcome and transfer to Essaouira where you will have a briefing with the head of the equestrian trek. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Days 2 - 6
The Atlantic Ocean trek takes you through the eucalyptus and mimosa forests, to the beautiful deserted beaches along the southern coast. Narrow paths, small Berber villages, sand dunes, and waterfalls are linked together. After climbing the cliffs and passing through fishing villages, you ascend inland to meet isolated villages and plateaus with scattered Argan trees.
The Atlantic coast program is a succession of deserted beaches, cliffs, and paths that cross the barren and rocky land inland. Every evening, you will live the life of the Berber nomads with the bivouac to discover the Moroccan meal prepared by a chef, before enjoying a good night's rest in the Berber tent.
Day 7
The excursion ends with a half day on horseback along the coast, crossing a valley of palm trees and a river that irrigates all the vegetation in the area. Here, the Atlantic Ocean opens up before your eyes. Arrival is relatively early so that you have time to drive back to Essaouira, do the last few purchases, and shop before leaving. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Essaouira. This route can be taken from the south to the north or vice versa, without changing the direction of the itinerary. The organization will decide before departure where to start.
About the program
During this week, you will have the opportunity to meet fishing villages, small wild private beaches, and freshwater springs gushing from the beach at low tide. The wonderful view from the top of the cliffs towards the ocean will leave you speechless. Every day, a different landscape and a different terrain, where you can experience the three gaits: step, trot, and gallop together with your faithful travel companion who, during this crossing and day after day, will trust you more and more and with whom you will have the opportunity to establish a special connection relationship.
You can take care of your horse during the lunch break. In the evening upon arrival at the bivouac, you will give it water and a ration of food. It will be a special part of this unique experience. You will have the opportunity to make beautiful encounters along your path, shepherds grazing with their animals, beekeepers struggling with the hives, and farmers working in the fields, some with agricultural vehicles and others helped by mules, donkeys, or dromedaries for the plowing of the land. You will meet fishermen who from the cliffs, or from the rocks, will offer you the fresh catch of the day.
Or ladies washing clothes by the river, who will offer you a cup of tea at their home and fresh homemade bread. The culinary and food aspect is of great interest, the cook will be able to give you delights and make you taste the typical cuisine of Morocco, offering you a different dish every day, freshly prepared and attentive to your possible food allergies or preferences, which you have communicated to you previously. Tastes, flavors, and smells will accompany you throughout the week and will be part of your travel memories.
This horse trekking on the Atlantic Ocean is not only a unique equestrian and culinary experience, but a way of traveling slowly to rediscover the contact with nature, the ancient and current crafts and repopulate the rural areas of authentic Morocco with responsible tourism. All with the logistical support of the Ranch de Diabat, which with all the years of experience behind it, will be able to ensure you a unique stay with attentive people, and with the best Arab Berber horses at your disposal. Ranch de Diabat reserves the right not to admit to the trek who does not declare the real weight if this exceeds the limit, and no refund will be allowed. The health of the horses takes priority.
Equestrian level
In order to participate in treks, you must be comfortable in the three gaits and have the habit of being outdoors. It would be better if you had already done a full day on horseback. If you wish, it is possible to come to Ranch de Diabat a few days before the trek to benefit from lessons and to know your level. The different equestrian levels will be managed with more guides in order to guarantee fun for every rider both beginner and with a good equestrian level.