The Loop of Iftane

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.

The morning will be shared between the argan forest, cultivated fields and small traditional Berber villages. Lunch in the shade of the argan trees. In the afternoon, we will alternate between countryside and small Berber villages before finally reaching the coast. We will then ride over the superb dunes to the beach, where you will enjoy cantering. We will reach the camp located on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at Takaouchte in the late afternoon.

We will ride along spectacular cliffs with breathtaking ocean views to reach the small fishing village of Iftane. After a gallop along the beach, we will climb the hill for lunch. In the afternoon, we will ride back across inland Berber villages and beaches to the fishing village of Sidi Kaouki. Our camp will be located on a small plateau facing the beach.

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