The Argan Trek Horse Riding Holiday in Morocco

8 Days, Multiple Departures

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The Argan Trek Horse Riding Holiday in Morocco
  • About
  • Gallery
  • Itinerary
  • Location
  • Things to keep in mind

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During these eight days in Essaouira, of which you are on horseback, you will delve into the hinterland of the Essaouira region. You will cross the largest area of ​​Argan and cedar forest. Trees have created the area's reputation for craftsmanship, thanks to inlays and oil with multiple properties.

You will have the opportunity to visit a cooperative of women who produce Argan oil, observe the processing that is still carried out by hand, and taste the edible oil which has excellent health properties.
You will visit the local souk (market), and the old sugar factories, you will pass by the largest Argan tree in the region.

Do not forget the wonderful canyons that you will cross along the Ksob River, which with its branches provides nourishment to local crops and the many wild palm trees.

You will have the opportunity to meet many camels in semi-freedom along the way, grazing cows, goats, and sheep with shepherds, donkeys, and mules working the fields.
The friendliness of the locals is a strong point of this horse trekking, stopping for a cup of tea at the home of someone you meet and eating homemade, improvised bread. These are activities on the agenda, which are part of the wonderful unexpected events that this route offers.

You will cross the great dunes of Cap Sim, the very long beach that connects Sidi Kaouky to the city of Essaouira, where you can gallop in serenity and finally experience the feeling of freedom, running with our faithful Arab Berber steeds.

The circuit starts and finishes at the Ranch de Diabat equestrian center in Essaouira.

About

Transfer from and to the airport of Marrakech or Essaouira to the starting point of the trek, all meals (check if the meal on arrival and departure is possible depending on the arrival and departure times), accommodation in collective Berber tents and several igloo tents, rental of horses equipped for trekking, equestrian guides, cap, transport to and from Essaouira city

Airfare

Please book a flight that arrives at Marrakech airport until 2:00 pm on the day of arrival so that other participants do not have to wait too long. If your flight arrives after 2pm, you will be charged a small fee for extra transportation to Essaouira, carried out by bus instead of taxi. If the bus times are not compatible, you can take advantage of a private taxi for €80 to be shared with those arriving late.

For departure, please book a flight from Marrakech that leaves from 10 am onwards, for those who must fly earlier, they can take advantage of a private taxi for €80 to share with those who leave early. From the flight departure time, count 6 hours in advance, of which 3 for the road from Essaouira to Marrakech and 3 to be at the airport on time. 

Food

Your meals are prepared by our chef, who will make you discover the richness of Moroccan cuisine. The menu takes into account participants' special diets or food allergies, which will all be communicated in the registration form.

Accommodation

Accommodation for the first and last night is in the hotel. In case of single travelers: if we do not find the second person for a double room, we have to ask for a supplement for a single room.

The accommodation during the trek will be in collective tents for 6 people, or if you wish, in a 2-person igloo tent.

Your bivouac is equipped with a warm water shower.

Soft and non-rigid suitcase.

Take t-shirts, cotton clothes, long sleeve shirt against the sun, fleece against the wind, two / three riding pants, waterproof poncho.

Hiking boots or shoes, gaiters or leggings, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen.

Don't forget your sleeping bag, night light, tissues, underwear and medication to prevent intestinal infections.

Each horse is equipped with a trekking saddle and bags that will allow you to carry your lunch and the personal effects necessary for your day on horseback. Sensitive people are advised to wear sheepskin as protection over the saddle, which is readily available in horse riding shops in Morocco and abroad.

Don't forget the water bottle.

Regarding the charging of your mobile phones and cameras, we recommend that you have a good Power Bank with a lot of battery, because electric charging via the truck will not be available every day.

Travel insurance required

To book the trek, travel insurance is required to cover cancellation before the trip, illness and covid included And an insurance that covers during the trip for any illnesses or accidents. 

"Amazing experience. The staff was friendly and can see the horses was well taken care of. Ayoub and khassim were great, they made sure I was safe and chose a nice horse called Rohan( he seemed to like to stare at the wall of the barn wondered if he was a shy horse or just don’t like the sun/ heat). Rohan the horse was so patient with me as I’m a beginner and he just felt I was nervous, he made sure to walk slowly with me.
My husband had more experience and rode Etoille, another beautiful horse!

The way to the beach was also beautiful we pass through a nice day e with trees and old ruined palace.

The quad bike was a bit annoying creeping from the back but they were respectful to the horse riders."

Overall very nice ranch"

- Kaori S

"The ranch is like my family for many years, and I trust them with my life. I know them since I am a child but started horse riding trekkings with them back in 2018, and have been trying to do 1 trekking per year or more with them, as much as I can. Also I spend most of my summers with them entirely. You can trust them 100% on everything : treatment of horses and camels, they are perfectly taken care of, and complete care and daily checkings for quad bikes. The whole team of the ranch is perfectly trained for their jobs. Regarding trekkings : all trekkings proposed by the ranch are amazing, but I just finally have been able to go for the Sahara one, last week, in beginning of February 2024. I don’t have words to explain to you how unbelievable this week has been for me. It is actually impossible to explain the beauty of the Moroccan Sahara. Also going with the ranch team will guarantee you perfectly trained horses for this difficult trekking (you need to be experimented rider of course), will guarantee you some Moroccan food you will never forget about, a lot of comfort during your bivouac nights (big tents, super good shower with new material…) and also, one of the most important thing : the team will give you a lot, a lot of fun and good humor during the whole week. I still can’t believe what I have been through during this week, the vibe was perfect, the horses and people were perfect, and Moroccan Sahara is just unbelievable."

- Irène, Tunisia

"I did a 4 days trekking (The Pearl of Essaouira) and it has been AMAZING.
The ranch is welcoming, clean and very well kept.
The team was caring and qualified, always ready to answer to our requests. You could see that they really take great care of their horses. Indeed the horses were all beautiful, healthy and well behaving.
We saw beautiful places and slept in breath taking spots.
I will definitely go back for another tour."

- Dianora R, Italy

Gallery
About The Host
Erika, Omar, and Mohamed

Erika, Omar, and Mohamed

Erika, Omar, and Mohamed began to work hard because they had a dream in common, to bring horse trekking in Morocco to the world.
So began appearances at all the international trade fairs, lots of one-week treks, more horses and equestrian equipment added, logistical experience acquired, an invaluable asset, and the staff began to increase in number, as well as the national and international collaborations.
The three partners, however, had the dream of making the ranch a reference point in Morocco, not only for national and international equestrian tourism but also for a multi-sport center.

Following this idea, they gradually added several dromedaries, designing a comfortable saddle for trekking over several days. They began to study routes suitable for trekking on foot, accompanied by logistics that had been tried and tested for years.
They began to acquire a large number of quads, even though it was an environmentally unfriendly sport, but using this means to help their customers discover the beauty of the unspoiled nature around Essaouira, with the utmost respect for nature and the animals encountered along the way.
Other activities were added over the years, such as treasure hunts in the medina of Essaouira, yoga in nature, and angling.

The desire to go further, to progress, and never stop, spurred the three young people to acquire a lot of material for the organization of Luxury Bivouacs and Weddings in nature. From here a big jump in the world of cinema, in the work of assistance and logistics and supply of films, musicals, video clips, and presentations of new brands of cars/motorbikes, shot in the region of Essaouira, as well as the assistance of Rally and cars/motorbikes passing in the region.
Although this journey has brought us much satisfaction, the desire to create new experiences is always at the forefront, and even now after this strange year of the Pandemic, there are many new things in the pipeline.

We will still be able to surprise and amaze you.
Thanks to the staff who always work hard and never give up.

Itinerary

Day 1

Reception at Marrakech or Essaouira airport, transfer to Essaouira. Briefing on the progress of the trek. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 to 6

Horse trekking to discover the Essaouira region with 5 hours a day on horseback, during which you will walk, trot and gallop.

After leaving the city of the trade winds towards the beaches and the dunes you will cross the wadis (rivers), agricultural lands, fields of Argan trees to meet unspoiled and wild landscapes. This ride is a succession of hills, gorges carved by the river, where the water allows the presence of olive trees and oleanders. During the horse trekking you will have the opportunity to visit the ruins dating back to the Portuguese era, an Argan oil cooperative held by Berber women, and ancient villages built in stone. At the end of each day you will find yourself privileged in the heart of a nomadic bivouac.


The bivouac is established sheltered from the wind, where you can enjoy a typical Moroccan meal before spending the night under the Berber tent. Dinner and overnight in the bivouac.

Day 7

Last day dedicated to the discovery of the coast: the dunes, fishing villages and some cliffs and headlands to go around.

Lunch at the Ranch and free afternoon dedicated to shopping in the Medina of Essaouira or to a relaxing massage in a hammam (Turkish bath, massages and other treatments are at your expense). Dinner and overnight at the hotel in the city of Essaouira.

Day 8

Transfer to Marrakech or Essaouira airport.

Location
Things to keep in mind

Cancellations will be charged a fee on the following basis:
More than 61 days before arrival 50% per booking
Less than 60 days before arrival: 100% of the total reservation

Terms of payment:

Bank transfer to a Moroccan bank (mandatory to send proof of payment by email at least 7 days before the activity start).
International credit card (Mastercard, Visa, American Express - with Stripe).

50 % pay the deposit online and the balance upon arrival.

Important notes:

Let us start by saying that to book this type of experience, we require the customer to take out insurance that covers the cancellation of the experience itself, in order to benefit from a possible refund which we will not take responsibility for.

The advance paid at the time of booking is non-refundable, and the chosen date of the experience cannot be changed.

The balance will be requested two months before the start of the experience.

It is also required to take out health and accident insurance that covers the customer during the booked experience.

The customer who undertakes the booking declares to accept and follow the rules written here

Equestrian Level: In order to participate in our treks, you must be comfortable in the three gaits and have the habit of being outdoors. It would be better if you had already done a full day on horseback, if you wish, it is possible to come to us a few days before the trek to benefit from lessons and to know your level., The different equestrian levels will be managed with more guides in order to guarantee the fun for every rider both beginner and with a good equestrian level.

Maximum weight allowed 90kg (the organization reserves the right not to admit to the trek who does not declare the real weight, if this exceeds the limit, and no refund will be allowed. The health of the horses takes priority)

Tip: It is customary at the end of the trip to leave a tip to the staff who took care of you during the experience, which can vary from 7 to 10% of the value of the trip.

This retreat is a minimum of 3 people and maximum of 10 people.