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This six-day horse trek in Morocco crosses day by day argan tree forests, small traditional Berber villages, a dam and its lake, gorges and valleys, small mountains, fields of dunes, wide beaches, and cliffs along the Atlantic coast to offer huge views on the ocean, punctuated of small fishermen villages. This trail is only open to intermediate and experienced riders, beginners are not allowed. The cavalcade in Morocco starts and ends in Essaouira!
During this holiday, two nights will be spent in a charming riad in Essaouira on your first night and last night and five nights will be spent in a camp under the Berber tent with access to toilets and a shower with hot water every evening. There will be no electricity at the camp nights in tents at wild spots.
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 with closed shoes like trainers (avoid smooth soles) and trousers (flip flops and shorts should be avoided).
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/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 and may be provided on site.
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.
After breakfast, meet at 9:45 a.m. in the riad and transfer to Diabat (15-minute drive). Meet with the staff and have first contact with the horses. After departure, follow a river (Ksob oued) surrounded by abundant vegetation and take the direction of the village named El Ghazoua that you will cross. You will then reach the largest forest of argan trees of the area which extends from Essaouira to Agadir.
Have a picnic at the bank of a river, in the shade of the argan trees and after some rest, continue to cross the forest and go up and down by small mountains, being careful not to walk on the turtles! Take the direction of Ida Ou Gourd and see some traditional Berber houses and fields.
After a gallop on the paths, arrive at the camp (bivouac), which is located close to the ruins of an old sugar factory, made from mud and straw. Have dinner and spend the night in a tent.
In the morning, cross a small village and take broad paths bordered of argan trees and fields. According to the season, you will be able to attend the ploughings, still carried out with donkeys and/or cows. Arrive towards a charming valley and take a path to ascent a small mountain. Lunch will be served up the mountain and you will have a beautiful view of the valley.
In the afternoon, cross a mountainous area and a splendid plateau with a lot of fields and cultures. Direction Neknafa, ride along Zerrar dam and its lake surrounded with luxurious flora. The final stop will be in Aïntizeril, where the bivouac is located.
Wake-up early today because this will be the longest day on horseback of the week! In the morning, climb a mountain, passing through a riverbed and see a marabout, a small Berber village located at the top of a small mountain, which is also famous for its marabouts and traditional healers, then, walk and gallop along the paths bordered by fields.
A short walk will take place to get down the mountain and have a last gallop on a path and arrive in a little village with a source to make the horses drink during lunchtime. In the afternoon, alternate gorges, canyons, and fields in the direction of Argana where your bivouac is. Visit a feminine argan oil cooperative where you will learn how to produce it and discuss it with the women.
In the morning, cross a small Berber village and a plateau located between small hills, along the coast. After being gone down in the middle of a small valley, join “the source” where you will have lunch with the team. After lunch, spend time in the fields, on paths; in the late afternoon, appreciate an extraordinary panorama with an unspoilable view on the sea.
Arrive at the small village of fishermen of Ifthane. Go on the beach and enjoy walking in the sea with the horses, after a good gallop on the beach (small deserted creek), go up on the cliff dominating the sea where the camp is located.
In the morning, cross fields and small villages located all along the sea. Take the direction of the cascades of Sidi Embark where you will have lunch; the latter flows into the sea, with a possibility to swim (in the falls or the sea). After lunch, go along the superb deserted beaches and the immense dunes of sand, where you appreciate long gallops.
Cross a small village of fishermen and arrive at the camp early in the afternoon, located on one of the beaches of the village of Sidi Kaouki. If the weather is nice, there is a possibility to swim with the horses or alone. Spend the night in a tent.
After breakfast in front of the sea, return towards Diabat while going along the beaches. Pass in front of the small lighthouse of the Cap Sim. After having left the beaches, cross the dunes and a forest of eucalyptus and mimosas. Arrive in Diabat in the late afternoon while passing by the ruins of the palace of the Sultan. Transfer to the riad in Essaouira and have dinner (not included), spend the night in a riad.
Meet at the riad and transfer to the airport in Essaouira (20 minutes), Marrakesh/Marrakech (3 hours) or Agadir (3.5 hours).
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 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! Our stables, located in Diabat, at 3 km 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.
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.
Hassan was born and grew up in the region of Ouarzazate. He's working with horses for about 10 years. He's very gentle, has a great sense of humor and very helpful. He will help you to feel confident and at ease during the trail. He speaks French, English, Arabic and Berber.
Zouina Cheval's stables are located in Diabat, a small Berber village three kilometers from Essaouira. Before and after the trail, you will sleep in a charming riad located in the old medina of Essaouira. You will have some free time to visit Essaouira, do some shopping, and admire its fortifications. During the trail, you will discover the countryside of Essaouira and the Atlantic coast.
Daily breakfast is included on all days. All meals during the trail ride are included. The meals on Day 1 and the dinner after the trail (evening of Day 7) are not included. During the trail, in addition to the three usual meals, you will have a snack after the afternoon ride. The cook will freshly prepare daily traditional Moroccan meals to make you discover the numerous local flavors.
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, 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 a 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:
Agadir–Al Massira Airport
132 km
Transfer included
Marrakesh Menara Airport
164 km
Transfer included
Essaouira-Mogador Airport
12 km
Transfer included
Please arrange your flight to arrive at Essaouira AIrport (ESU), Agadir–Al Massira Airport (AGA) or Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK). From these airports, 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.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookHorseRidingHolidays.com. All major credit cards supported.
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