Morocco ~ Camping Adventure Rides
7, 9 and 14 night adventure rides, using simple lightweight camps and simple hotels. Various locations in Morocco at different times of year. Suitable for confident, independent riders.
Where Different routes in distinct areas of Morocco, including the Middle Atlas, the Atlantic Coast and the northern edge of the Sahara Desert.
What is it like Morocco is a melting pot of African and Arab cultures with a landscape ranging from barren mountains, cedarwood forests and lush valleys in the Atlas, to huge sand dunes, date palm oases and endless empty beaches in the south and west. Exotic Arab cities with their colourful souks and Kasbahs contrast with remote desert villages of the Berber people whose farming culture is very much linked with the horse and boasts its own unique breed, the Berber Arabs.
Who does it suit All rides are progressive, following a route from one camp to another with occasional nights in a simple hotel. Days include long riding hours, often at a fast pace and terrain can be rocky and challenging. The areas you ride through are remote and you are often many miles from the nearest small town or village. The rides are aimed at adventurous, confident and independent riders.You are expected to cope, helping with your horse, sleeping outside in a simple camp at night and doing without frills! If you relish a challenge, they will give you a real sense of achievement.
Why we love it For the restorative rhythm of riding all day, camping out at night, of being physically tired but mentally refreshed by the exercise, outdoor living, open space, peace and good food. For the feeling of achievement when you've done something that stretches you. For the long gallops on flat, endless sand!
SUMMARY
Riding: 5-8 hours a day
Horses: Arabs and Berber Arabs
Pace: moderate to fast with plenty of long canters, but varies with itinerary
Riding ability: confident intermediate to experienced riders
Weight limit: 85kg (13st 5lbs)
Accommodation: 3∆ camping, simple auberge, 2* & 3* hotels
Group size: maximum 9
Season: year round
Price: 7 nights from 1075 Euros (approx £950) per person
HORSES & RIDING
Horses: The horses used are mostly pure and cross bred Berber Arabs of between about 14.2hh and 16hh. They are of a fairly narrow build, but are strong and sure footed. They are a forward going, responsive and enjoyable to ride and there is a good selection of horses for riders of different abilities. Both mares and stallions are used on the rides - stallions need to be kept away from the group but they are all easy to control and responsive and if you have a preference as to what you prefer to ride (mare or stallion) then you need only ask. There is a weight limit of 85kg (13st 5lbs) though some experienced and fit heavier riders may be taken by prior arrangement - please call to check if you are close to this. Groups are maximum of 10 guests.
Hours: There is usually about 6 hours riding a day, riding from camp to camp. Rides are broken up with rests for lunch etc. but on some rides there may be days when you ride 4 or 5 hours or so without a break.
Pace and experience required: To join a ride you must be a fairly experienced rider who is comfortable on a horse at all paces from a walk to fast canter in open country. You will be riding over varied terrain and in open country. The going on these rides does vary from area to area, with some parts quite rough or rocky but where the going is good the pace is often fast, with long canters across open plains and riders are encouraged to spread out. Generally you will cover 40 to 50km a day and you are expected to cope, keep up and stop when required, so you need to be confident and fit.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation on all rides is in a mixture of hotels and camps which are set up ahead of you. Hotels are comfortable, generally about 3* and bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms - they often have a swimming pool. Camping is fairly basic - small 2 man dome tents are used, with foam mattresses (about 3" thick) provided to sleep on. There is a general mess tent for eating, a 'short drop' loo tent, and also a washing tent. Jugs of hot water are provided on request for washing in the wash tent. Luggage will be transported by back up vehicle which will also meet you for lunch where possible. When it is not possible to meet the back up then a picnic lunch will be carried in the saddlebags.
RATES & DATES
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Rates 2024 |
(prices assume 4 or more riders) |
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Rates include - all riding, twin accommodation, all meals and equipment, transfers as indicated and the services of local and an English speaking guide. |
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Dates 2024 |
Golden Sands, Agadir and Atlantic Ride |
Average temperature guide
ITINERARY
Itinerary in Brief (Golden Sands Agadir & Atlantic Ride)
| Day 1 | Met at Agadir airport and transfer to a hotel in Agadir for dinner & night. |
| Day 2 |
Set off in the early morning, driving to meet the horses. Cross the fertile plain of Souss on sandy tracks good for long canters. Dinner and night at an auberge in the village of Massa. |
| Day 3 |
Ride on along dirt tracks that connect the Berber villages. The land here is poorer with few crops and the clay houses are surrounded by hedges of cactus. In the afternoon reach the canyon of the Massa river where you find many Argan trees which produce a uniquely flavoured cooking oil. Dinner and night in an auberge. |
| Day 4 |
Breakfast in camp and set off, descending from the high plains into rocky deserted hills.You may see nomadic tents with flocks of sheep, goats and sometimes camel herds. Stop for lunch and here you lLeave the horses and drive to Tiznit.In the afternoo visit the Medina, the city is famous for it's silver work. Dinner and night at a hotel in Tiznit. |
| Day 5 |
Re join the horses and set off across big sandy plains, There is a little cultivation around small villages and also nomads with herds of camels and sheep. You may also see the bee-nomads who travel with their hives , stopping where they find flowers -the region is famous for their honey.Many long canters take you to an Auberge near the town of Aglou where the night is spent. |
| Day 6 |
Set off riding, climbing over a hill to feel the fresh wind from the Atlantic. Follow the coast, sometimes on the beach, in the waves or through the dunes. Stop for a picnc lunch and in the afternoon long canters along the the beach to the auberge of Sid Rbat. |
| Day 7 |
Today is the longest ride of the week - the morning ride follows the coastline, with long gallops along deserted beaches. Once in a while you will ride into the sand dunes and low hills just inland. Picnic in a eucalyptus forest close to the "oued Souss" bird reserve. In the afternoon ride on towards civilisation. Farwell to the horses and drive to the hotel in Agadir. Dinner and night in Agadir. |
| Day 8 |
Breakfast and own arrangements for onward travel. |
| Contact us at info@rideworldwide.com or on tel (+44) (0)1837-82544 / 825440 for further information, detailed itineraries, dates and answers to questions. |
TRAVEL
Each ride itinerary has a different meeting point - either Fes, Agadir, Ouzarzate or Rabat (please see the individual itinerary or ask for more information).
Royal Air Maroc fly daily to Casablanca from London and have onward flights to Fes, Rabat, Agadir and Ourzazate.
Easy Jet fly from Gatwick to Agadir two or three a week and to Marrakech daily. Ryan Air fly from London Stansted to Fes and Rabat (and Marrakech). British Airways fly from Gatwick to Marrakech. You can also fly via Paris with Air France who fly from Paris CDC to Rabat and Casablanca. There is a good train service in Morocco (www.oncf.ma) and there is a station at Casablanca airport with mainline connections between Meknes, Fes, Rabat and Marrakech. You can also travel by train all the way from the UK (see- www.seat61.com)
