6 Day Loop of Ifthane Horse Riding Tour in Morocco
Morocco Horse Riding Tour
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If you are looking for a horse riding break with guaranteed sunshine combining the discovery of the countryside and a cavalcade along the Atlantic coast, this horse trail is for you! Three nights will be spent in a camp under a Moroccan tent, one in the countryside, and two at the seaside, far from the city so that you will feel like you are in a different world!
Key information
- Riders Weight Limit: 85 kilograms / 188 pounds
- Horse Height Range: 1.55 meters
- Tack type: English saddles
- Horse Breed: Barb-Arabic Stallions
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- 4 days of horse riding
- Approximate daily riding time: 5 to 6 hours
- Discover the countryside and ride along the Atlantic coast
- Visit a women's cooperative of argan oil
- Enjoy canters on the beach
- 5 nights accommodation
- Airport transfers
Skill level
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Styles
Agadir–Al Massira Airport (US$ 23 per person)
Accommodation
Your first and last nights will be spent in a charming riad at the old medina of Essaouira. You will have some free time before and after the trail to discover the charm of Essaouira, its shops, and its fortifications. Nights two, three, and four will be at camps in the countryside and on the seaside, in the surroundings of Essaouira, three different spots with hot water or shower and toilets at your disposal.
The camp during the trail is on a high-standard level (pleasant dining tent, shower tent with hot water, chemical loo in a separate tent). There is a possibility to sleep in groups under the big Moroccan tent or isolated in igloo tents. Foam mattresses are supplied but you will need to bring a sleeping bag and camping pillow. The departure and end of the horse trail will be from the stables, located in Diabat, a small Berber village located three kilometers from Essaouira.
Program
What you will like
- Horse riding holiday to do with family and friends
- A horse trek suitable for intermediate and experienced riders
- A horse trail running all year long from two participants
- The tough and gentle Arab-barb horses
- A trek mixing two days in the countryside and two days on the Atlantic coast and its beaches to show you different landscapes
- The nights in camp in Argana, Ifrane, and Sidi Kaouki
- Swimming with the horses between May and September
- Canter on the beach
You will take part in a highly diversified trek combining the discovery of the hinterland and small traditional Berber villages and a ride along the Atlantic coast with cliffs, dunes, cascades, and long beaches. You will spend the nights in camp, especially seeing the sunset in Ifrane. You will have a stop during the trail to visit a women's cooperative of argan oil and taste the local products. One of the highlights of the trail will be the long gallops on the beaches, the dream of each rider. To relax before and after the trail, sleep for two nights in a charming riad in Essaouira.
Horse treks are usually recommended for intermediate and experienced riders. Beginners are welcome on Zouina Cheval's short treks but the longer riding holidays should be avoided due to the related physical fatigue. If you are a beginner and would like to experience horse trekking, you are recommended to start gently with a two-day and one-night trek. 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, you are recommended to 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 over 14 years of age and good riders and also must be capable of spending long hours in the saddle.
Zouina Cheval reminds you that helmets are obligatory for those under 18. If you have a riding helmet, please bring it along. Saddlebags will be provided to keep personal equipment (camera, sun cream, etc.) during the rides. Transportation of materials and equipment with a support vehicle. You will have access to your luggage each day for lunch (except on the last day).
Daily itinerary
Day 1
Arrive at the airport, either in Essaouira (20 minutes), Marrakesh (Marrakech) (3 hours) or Agadir (3.5 hours), and you will be transferred to your riad in Essaouira for your overnight stay. Enjoy dinner (not included) with your fellow riders and discuss the trail ahead, afterward, spend the night in the riad.
Day 2
Meet at 9:45 a.m. at the riad and transfer to the stables (15 minutes). Have your first contact with the staff and horses in Diabat then depart. You will first ride along a river or out 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 is prepared by the cook and served in a field.
After some rest, you will go back in the saddle and take the direction to Argana where the first camp is located. You will cross several traditional Berber villages; visit a women's cooperative of argan oil and have a tasting of local products (oil, honey, and amlou). You will spend the night under the oldest and largest argan tree in the area; spend the night in a tent.
Day 3
In the morning, you will cross a small Berber village then a plateau located between small hills, along the coast. After being gone down in the middle of a small valley, you will join the source where you will lunch with the team. After lunch, you will ride on small paths surrounded by fields and cultivations. In the late afternoon, you will appreciate an extraordinary panorama with an unspoilable view of the sea. You will arrive at the small fishing village of Ifrane. After a gallop on the beach (small deserted creek), you will go up on the cliff dominating the sea where your camp is based.
Day 4
In the morning, you will cross fields and small villages located all along the sea or ride along cliffs dominating the sea if the day is not too windy. You will take the direction of the cascades of Sidi Embark where you will lunch. The cascades flow directly into the sea. After lunch (two-hour break and time for swimming), you will take the direction of Sidi Kaouki by the beaches and cliffs and enjoy some gallops. Arrival at the camp based in Sidi Kaouki in mid-afternoon. You will have some time to swim before dinner. Night in tent.
Day 5
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 beachside. 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. Arrive at the stables in the late afternoon. Transfer to Essaouira and night in the riad. Dinner is not included.
Day 6
Meet at the riad and transfer to the airport in Essaouira (20 minutes), Marrakesh (2 hours) or Agadir (3.5 hours).
The horses
All of Zouina Cheval's 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, they prefer to be ridden with care and respect. The horses are not castrated in accordance with Islam's religion.
The stallions all have their own character but are nevertheless gentle and adapt their behavior according to each rider and are very docile with children and beginners; it’s a pleasure to ride them! The stables, located in Diabat, 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.
Horse riding center in Essaouira
Zouina Cheval welcomes you all year long in its facilities and offers to make you discover horse riding and camel riding with its instructors and guides who know the horses and camels perfectly. For both horse and camel rides, horse riding holidays, quad biking, or hiking, Zouina Cheval will welcome you in a pleasant setting where men, horses, camels, and dogs live in complete harmony. If you do not want to ride and prefer to wait for your family or friends at the stables, you will enjoy the shady patio.
The riding center has a pleasant setting and quality facilities. For horse riding, you will pass through the saddlery upon arrival and Zouina Cheval will provide you with helmets and mini-chaps for your safety and comfort. The center provides helmets of any size (for children and adults). You are recommended to ride in closed shoes like trainers (avoid smooth soles) and trousers (flip flops and shorts should be avoided).
Included excursions
- Visit and tasting of an argan oil cooperative on day two
Instructors
Najib Es-Samlaly
Najib is riding since he was 12 years old. He organizes and accompanies horse trails in Morocco for about 15 years. He is very patient and calm and likes to transmit his passion to the riders. With him, you will feel confident and really enjoy your riding.
Location
The tour will take place in Morocco.
Distances
- Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK) - 2 hours and 45 minutes
- Agadir–Al Massira Airport (AGA) - 3 hours 30 minutes
Food
All meals except for lunches on days one and six and dinners on days one, five, and six are included in the price and will be prepared by a Moroccan cook. He will make you discover the tasty local dishes including tagines, couscous, Moroccan salads, etc. At lunch, the meals will be served by the cook (except on the last two days where there is a picnic) in the shade. The break is long enough to recover. Bottles of water are provided daily by the staff.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Snacks
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Gluten Free
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Hallal
Things to do (optional)
Quad biking tour in Essaouira
Quad biking with departure from Diabat, a small Berber village three kilometers from Essaouira. Notice to the thrill-seekers: Zouina Cheval also offers quad biking tours to discover the surroundings of Essaouira. From the introduction or training essential for the beginners to the confirmed practice, there is something for everyone. For this purpose, Zouina Cheval created another company, Quad Attitude, which specialized in quad biking in Essaouira. You can book directly via Zouina Cheval to avail of this activity.
You will be coached by an instructor who will teach you the basics of the quad so you can enjoy your activity. The instructors will adjust to your level and they will accompany you on all your rides. You will drive your quad in the forests, on the beaches, and in the heart of the beautiful dunes along the coast between Essaouira and Sidi Kaouki through Diabat and the Cap Sim.
For the most passionate of you, you can also enjoy treks with nights in a camp that will give you the opportunity to discover the charms of the countryside as well as the traditional Berber villages. Zouina Cheval can organize personalized programs on demand. If you fancy a sporting adventure, feel free to book for training, a ride, or a trek on a quad. You have the choice to be one or two persons in the same quad. For one or two persons per quad, here are the rates:
- One-hour quad biking: 30 EUR per person | 50 EUR for two
- Two-hour quad biking: 50 EUR per person | 70 EUR for two
- Three-hour quad biking: 60 EUR per person | 85 EUR for two
- Four-hour quad biking: 75 EUR per person | 100 EUR
- Day in Sidi Kaouki quad biking with lunch: 105 EUR per person | 145 EUR for two
- Day in Sidi Kaouki and falls quad biking with lunch: 135 EUR per person | 165 EUR
Camel riding in Essaouira
- 1-hour ride: 15 EUR
- 2-hour ride: 25 EUR
- 3-hour ride: 35 EUR
What's included
- 4 horse riding days
- 5 nights accommodation
- 5 breakfasts
- 4 lunches
- 3 dinners
- Roundtrip airport transfers
- Helmets (may be provided)
What's not included
- Lunch and dinner (day 1 and day 6)
- Dinner (day 5)
- Airfare
- Personal expenses
- Tips for the staff
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Agadir–Al Massira Airport
132 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 23 per person
Marrakesh Menara Airport
164 km
Transfer included
Essaouira-Mogador Airport
12 km
Transfer included
Arrival by airplane
Please arrange your flight to arrive at the airport of Essaouira (ESU), Marrakesh Menara (RAK) or Agadir (AGA). From this airport, you will be picked up and transported to Essaouira according to your flight schedule, transfers are already included in the package. Please provide your flight number and exact arrival and departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 100% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
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