The Loop of Iftane

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A horse riding holiday in Morocco open to intermediate and experienced riders

A horse trail running all year long from 2 participants

The tough and gentle Arab-barb horses

A highly diversified trail combining a discovery of the hinterland and small traditional Berber villages and a ride along the Atlantic coast with cliffs, dunes, cascades and long beaches

The nights in camp, especially seeing the sunset in Iftane

Visiting the women’s cooperative of argan oil and its tasting

Swimming with the horse between May and September

The high standard level at the camps (pleasant dining tent, shower tent with hot water, chemical loo in a separate tent).

At night, you’ll have the choice between sleeping all together in the large Moroccan tent (set up by the team) or separatly in a small 1-2 person Igloo tent (to be set up by you each night). Don’t hesitate to ask the team for a small Igloo tent at the camp if you want some privacy!

PRICES
Horse riding holiday alone
4 days in the saddle / 3 nights in camp
from €495
From January 2025: 550€
Horse riding holiday with return transfers and 2 nights in riad
6 days / 5 nights, including 4 days in the saddle / 3 nights in camp
from €615 for Marrakech airport
From January 2025: 670€
  • Day 1

    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.

  • Day 2

    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.

  • 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 a unspoilable view on the sea. You will arrive at the small fishing village of Iftane. After a gallop on the beach (small deserted creek), you will go up on the cliff dominating the sea where our camp is based.

  • Day 4

    In the morning, we will cross fields and small villages located in all along the sea or ride along cliffs dominating the sea if the day is not too windy. We will take the direction of the cascades of Sidi Embark where we will lunch. The cascades flow directly into the sea. After lunch (2h 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 midafternoon. You will have some time to swim before the 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 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.

  • Day 6

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

  • Useful information

    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. Direct flights from London (Ryanair), Paris (Transavia), Brussels (Ryanair), Weeze (Ryanair), Bordeaux (Easyjet), Marseille (Ryanair), Madrid (Ryanair)

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Calendar of riding holidays with guaranteed departure