The Route of the 1000 Kasbahs: Horse Riding Holiday in Morocco

Feb 23 to Mar 2, 2025

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The Route of the 1000 Kasbahs: Horse Riding Holiday in Morocco
  • About
  • Gallery
  • Itinerary
  • Location
  • Things to keep in mind

Embark on a thrilling horse riding tour in Morocco, ideal for intermediate to advanced riders. Available from November to April, this adventure requires a minimum of 3 participants.

The tour begins and ends in the enchanting palm grove of Skoura in the Ouarzazate region. Experience the magic of encounters with nomads and their herds, ride through a valley bursting with almond blossoms from late January to late February, and marvel at the stunning Kasbahs. Traverse palm groves with views of the snow-capped Atlas mountains in the distance, and explore the surreal moonscapes of stone deserts.

Enjoy a high level of comfort and performance in the bivouacs, which include a food tent, shower tent with hot water, and a toilet tent. This tour promises an unforgettable adventure through Morocco’s diverse and breathtaking landscapes.

About

Airfare

Recommended personal equipment

1 big and strong luggage.

A warm sleeping bag, 4-5 T-shirts, a long-sleeved shirt to avoid sunburn, 1 or 2 warm layers for the evening, waterproof jacket, light cotton trousers, swimming costume, hat and sunglasses, scarf or shawl, casual shoes/sandals (to wear when you’re not in the saddle), toiletries, first aid kit, torch with spare batteries, 1 liter flask for drinking water (preferably thermos), toilet paper and lighter for its elimination. For your comfort, please ensure that your towel is not too thick so it will dry quickly.

Jodhpurs or tracksuit bottoms elasticated under the feet. We do not recommend that participants wear jeans. Trainers/Sneakers to wear whilst you are in the saddle avoid bulky styles because of the stirrups!

From November until mid-March, some rain is possible. It is thus recommender to bring waterproof clothing.

Provide some pocket money in dirhams for your personal expenses (tips, souvenirs, craft in the argan oil cooperative).

For the night 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.

"Incredible experience. Very professional team, while being relaxed and knowing how to put you at ease. The place is incredible, the horses magnificent, perfectly maintained. Only one desire, to repeat the experience."

- Lemetayer F, As seen on TripAdvisor

Gallery
About The Host
Sophie and Najib

Sophie and Najib

Sophie

She discovered Morocco on horseback and has never left it since! She practiced horse riding at club level for 15 years and then started to discover the world on horseback. She has also led many horse rides along the bridle paths of France. She ensures coordination and logistics, takes on the role of Webmaster, and accompanies some trials. She will be able to inform you about the camps, the trails, the team, and the horses (their character, what you need to know when riding a stallion …). She manages all booking requests and will help you to organize your stay with us.


Najib

Najib was born and grew up in a small village on the outskirts of Essaouira and has an unrivaled knowledge of the area. His training and passion for horses began at the age of 14 when he began working for the French society, UCPA. During this 4year period, he gained experience leading many horse riding holidays. He then furthered upon this experience by working at The Palmeraie horse riding center in Marrakech for 3 years. It was there where he gained his professional qualifications. He then decided to return to his home town where he now organizes horse rides and trails around the local area. With his calm and gentle nature, he will astonish you with his professionalism and local knowledge which he will impart to you through the course of your activity.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival at Marrakech or Ouarzazate Airport. Pick up and transfer to Skoura Palm Grove - 4 hours drive from Marrakech or 1 hour drive from Ouarzazate (lunch not included). Dinner and overnight in Skoura at the Kasbah Ait Abbou.

Day 2

Meet the horses and start the tour early in the morning. Cross the pal grove of Skoura with its numerous wonderful palm trees. From the palm grove you can see the mountains with their snow-capped peaks in the distance. This contrasting landscape is truly unique. There are numerous kasbahs worth seeing along the route. We have a picnic in Ait Said. Your bivouac is in the heart of the Tamassinte oasis.

Day 3

You ride towards the Atlas Mountains and can discover a very wide variety of landscapes on your way with the varied and contrasting colors of the mountains. Picnic in Tamsoulte, the valley of the almond trees. The almond trees bloom there at the end of February - beginning of March and you will enjoy the beauty of this little paradise with its beguiling scents. On winding paths you explore small villages scattered throughout the mountains. The bivouac is in Atagragra.

Day 4

On this day you will meet the nomads and pass through their camps full of children, sheep, and goats. Picnic in Assaghmou at an altitude of 1600 meters. You will ride down steep paths to your bivouac, which will be set up near the small fortified village of N'Aij just behind Ghassat at an altitude of 1,450 meters.

Day 5

You will cross the beautiful Assif Izerki valley, in habited by nomads and dotted with very old picturesque villages. Picnic in Taferghouste. In the afternoon, the road climbs the course of the Wadi Dades, lined with ksours nestled in the green of the oases and dominated by the imposing silhouette of the Atlas Mountains. The Wadi Dades feeds the reservoir of the Mansour ed Dahbi dam, which allows the irrigation of the Draa Valley. The bivouac is located on the banks of this lake.

Day 6

You ride along the Dades to the village of Afra, where you have lunch very close to the beautiful Kasbahs. In the afternoon you head towards the Sarho mountains. The bivouac is on the Maouste plateau opposite the village of Sidi Flah. This village is located next to the Wadi Dades and consists of 3 different hamlets: 2 Arab hamlets surrounding a Berber hamlet.

Day 7

Ride along various paths to the palm grove of Skoura. Dinner in the Kasbah Ait Abbou. Departure to Marrakech or Ouarzazate in he early afternoon. Free time to explore Marrakech or Ouarzazate to end the day. Dinner at leisure. Overnight stay in the hotel.

Location
Things to keep in mind

If you have to cancel your booking, Activ Retreats will keep a part of the amounts already paid as follows:

– more than 30 days before departure: 30% of the total amount will be kept

– 30-21 days before departure: 50% of the total amount will be kept

– 20-10 days before departure: 75% of the total amount will be kept

– 9 days before departure up to the departure day: 100% of the total amount will be kept

Not being present at the meeting time or place will be considered a cancellation. In this case, 100% of the total amount will be kept.

If you abort or stop a trail for any reason, you will not be refunded.

Price:

Our prices are VAT included.

This price includes:

– Your return transfers from/to your arrival airport (Marrakesh / Marrakech, Agadir or Essaouira) / Essaouira and 2 nights in a riad in the medina of Essaouira (meals not included except breakfasts).

– A horse trail/hike with full board and bottles of water, the provision of the equipment for the camps, the assistance of a guide during the trails and a driver who will transport all personal equipment and material and the presence of a cook throughout the circuit. The rental of a horse or a camel and all related equipment (saddle, bridle, saddlebags, helmet).

Booking:

The booking is confirmed after receipt of a non-refundable deposit of 30% of the total amount for your stay, the reminder should be paid at least 3 weeks before departure. For last-minute booking (i.e., one month before departure, we will ask the payment of the total for your stay at the time of booking. We will provide our bank details at this time. The fees related to the bank transfer of money are for the sender (fees to be checked with your bank).

Insurance:

You are liable of your participation in sport activities and you should check before departure whether you are able to participate depending on your physical condition or riding experience. Our prices do not include an insurance with medical assistance and repatriation. You can take an insurance for sport trips in foreign countries from numerous companies in your country before departure from 10 euros so do not hesitate to contact your insurer before departure.

Weight of the riders limited to 85 kg