Zouina Cheval
Zouina Cheval

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The Knights of Essaouira

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A horse riding holiday open to experienced riders

A highly diversified and quite technical horse trail

A horse trail running all year long from 2 participants

The tough and gentle Arab-barb horses

A trail combining a discovery of the hinterland and small traditional Berber villages and a ride along the Atlantic coast with cliffs, deep gorges and valleys, dunes, cascades, dam, small fishermen villages and long beaches

Zerrar dam and it lake surrounded by a luxurious vegetation

Swimming with the horse between May and September and canter on the beach

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
6 days in the saddle / 5 nights in camp		 from €820
Horse riding holiday with return transfers and 2 nights in riad
8 days / 7 nights, including 6 days in the saddle / 5 nights in camp		 from €940 for Marrakech airport

  • 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

    After the breakfast, meeting at 9.30 am in the riad and transfer to Diabat (15 min drive). Meeting with the staff and first contact with the horses. Departure. We will follow a river (Ksob oued) surounded by abundant vegetation and we will take the direction of the village named El Ghazoua that we will cross. We will then reach the largest forest of argan trees of the area which extends from Essaouira to Agadir. Picnic at the bank of a river, in the shade of the argan trees. After some rest, we will continue to cross the forest and go up and down by small mountains, being careful not walk on the turtles!! We will take the direction of Ida Ou Gourd and see some traditional berber houses and fields. After a gallop on the paths, we will arrive to our camp (bivouac) which is located close to the ruins of an old sugar factory made from mud and straw. Diner and night in tent.

  • Day 3

    In the morning, we will cross a small village and we will take broad paths bordered of argan trees and fields. According to the season, we will be able to attend the ploughings, still carried out with donkeys and/or cows. We will arrive towards a charming valley, and take a path to ascent a small mountain. Our lunch will be served up the mountain and we will have a beautiful view on the valley. In the afternoon, we will cross a mountainous area and a splendid plateau with lot of fields and cultures. Direction Neknafa, we will ride along Zerrar dam and its lake surrounded of luxurious flora. Our final stop will be in Aïntizeril where our bivouac is located.

  • Day 4

    Early wake-up because this will be the longest day on horseback of the week! In the morning, we will climb a mountain, passing through a river bed and see a marabout, a small berber village located on the top of a small mountain which is also famous for its marabouts and traditional healers. Then we will walk and gallop along the paths bordered by fields. A short walk will take place to get down the mountain. A last gallop on a path and we will arrive in a little village with a source to make the horses drink during lunch time. In the afternoon, we will alternate gorges, canyons and fields in direction of Argana where our bivouac is. Visit of a feminine argan oil cooperative where we will learn how to produce it and discuss with the women.

  • Day 5

    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.

  • Day 6

    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.

  • Day 7

    After breakfast in front of the sea, return towards Diabat while going along the beaches. We will pass in front of the small lighthouse of the Cap Sim. After having left the beaches, we will cross the dunes and a forest of eucalyptus and mimosas. Arrival in Diabat in the late afternoon while passing by the ruins of the palace of the Sultan. Transfer to the riad in Essaouira. Diner not included, night in riad.

  • Day 8

    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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