The Loop of Argana

Arrival at Essaouira or Marrakesh airport and transfer to your riad in Essaouira for your overnight stay (20 min or 2h45 drive, respectively). Enjoy dinner (not included) with your fellow riders and discuss the trail ahead. Night in riad.

Meeting at 9.30 am at the riad and transfer to the stables (15 min). First contact with the staff and horses in Diabat. Departure. You will first ride along a river or oued to reach the village of El Ghazoua that we 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 our cook and served in a field. After some rest, you will go back in the saddle and take the direction Argana where is located our first camp. You will cross several traditional Berber villages. Visit of a women's cooperative of argan oil and tasting of local products (oil, honey and amlou). You will spend the night under the oldest and largest argan tree of the area. Night in tent.

Through the countryside, you will continue the trail across small Berber villages, valleys and fields. The ground is full of beautiful colors in this area. You will have lunch near a place called "The Source" where the horses can drink. The afternoon will show you other Berber villages but the ground is now changing and becomes more sandy as you have taken the direction of the ocean and cascades of Sidi Embark. The view of the sea between the dunes is magnificent. You will then arrive on the beach and enjoy galloping. The views will mix cliffs and beaches and you will finally arrive in late afternoon at the camp located in Sidi Kaouki. Night in tent.

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 in 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 in late afternoon. Transfer to Essaouira and night in the riad. Diner not included.

Meeting at the riad and transfer to Essaouira (20 min) or Marrakesh (2h45) airport.

On horseback:
- helmets are provided
- weight of the riders limited to ~ 85 kg

For the nights in camp:
- take your sleeping bag
- a camp authorization from the authorities is required and imposes us to close the bookings 2 weeks before departure. For last minute bookings, it is still possible to sleep in a guest house. Direct flights from London (Ryanair), Paris (Transavia), Brussels (Ryanair), Weeze (Ryanair), Bordeaux (Easyjet), Marseille (Ryanair), Madrid (Ryanair)