You will enjoy a horse trek in the loop with the departure and arrival at the stables in Diabat. This trail is open to intermediate and experienced riders. You will spend the first and last nights in a riad in Essaouira and the second night in camp in Sidi Kaouki. Days one and four will be dedicated to your transfers from Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK) or Agadir-Al Massira Airport (AGA) to Essaouira. On day two and three, you will spend about five hours a day in the saddle. Your first day on the horse will take place in the countryside and finish on the beach where the camp will be dressed. For the second day on the horse, you will share the journey between beaches, dunes, and cliffs.
Itinerary
Day 1
Your arrival will be at Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK) or Agadir-Al Massira Airport (AGA) and transfer to your riad in Essaouira for your overnight stay (2 hours and 45 minutes and 3 hours and 30 minutes respectively). You may enjoy dinner (not included) with your fellow riders and discuss the trail ahead. The night will be spent in a riad.
Day 2
You will have a meeting at 09:30 at the riad and transfer to the stables (15 minutes). The first contact with the staffs and horses will be in Diabat and then you will depart. You will have a first ride along a river or oued to reach the village of El Ghazoua that you will cross. Then, you will travel through the Moroccan countryside passing on small paths and crossing argan tree forests on your way. Lunch will be prepared by the cook and served in a field.
After some rest, you will go back in the saddle and take the direction of the small village of Sidi Kaouki. To do so, you will cross several small Berber villages and forests. You will arrive in Sidi Kaouki by the upper side which dominates the sea and the long beach. Arrival at the camp will be in late afternoon. After a good snack and some mint tea, you may enjoy the beach. The evening meal will be served in a traditional tent and prepared by the cook. The night will be spent in a camp.
Day 3
After a generous breakfast taken in front of the ocean, you will go back in the saddle and ride along the beach towards Essaouira. In the second part of Sidi Kaouki, you will see the Marabout. You will then cross huge sand dunes that are unique to the region, enjoying at the same time some gallops. You will cross a small fishing village and then take the direction of a small Berber village on a cliff facing the Atlantic. After a picnic in a small creek where you can swim, you will go towards the lighthouse of Cap Sim.
Then, you will take a small sandy path and go down the dunes. You will have the feeling to be in the desert but the sea is just behind them. You will see some very small fishing villages on the beach side. After some gallops on the beach, you will enter the forest of eucalyptus and mimosas located between the beach and Diabat and see the ruins of the former palace of the Sultan. Arrival at the stables will be in late afternoon. Then, you will be transferred to Essaouira and have a night in the riad. The dinner will not be included.
Day 4
You will have a meeting at the riad and transfer to Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK) (2 hours and 45 minutes) or Agadir-Al Massira Airport (AGA) (3 hours and 30 minutes). The meals will not be included, except the breakfast.
Note: Zouina Cheval can provide helmets.
Horses
All the horses are Arab barbs perfectly adapted for the Moroccan paths. They are surefooted and at ease on both the beaches of the Atlantic coast or the narrow, steep paths of the Atlas. The Arab barbs are gentle by nature and wish to be neither beaten nor threatened to prefer to be ridden with care and respect. The horses are not castrated in accordance with Islam religion. The stallions all have their own character but are nevertheless gentle and adapting their behavior according to each rider and are very docile with children and beginners.
Zouina Cheval's stables
The stables, located in Diabat, at three kilometers from Essaouira, are a pleasant and welcome environment for your comfort and that of the horses. All the horses are in individual spacious stalls, well-sheltered from the sun and wind, allowing them to relax between two rides.
Important information
Saddle bags will be provided to keep personal equipment (camera, sun cream, etc.) during the rides as well as transportation of material and equipment with a support vehicle. You will have an access to your luggage each day for lunch (except on the last day).
To take full advantage of your trek, you must be reasonably fit and in good health. To avoid irritations such as chafing, blisters, and bruising, it is recommended that you get in the saddle regularly in the weeks leading up to your trek and that you wear good quality riding jodhpurs.
Children are welcome but they must be accompanied and supervised at all times by a parent or guardian. They must be good riders and also be capable of spending long hours in the saddle. Zouina Cheval reminds you that helmets are obligatory for under 18 years old. If you have a riding helmet, please bring it along.
