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Letter Randocheval

Why travelling with Randocheval ?

MOROCCO : BERBER RIDE FROM AGADIR TO ESSAOUIRRA...

Itinerary - Extensions - Horses and required riding level
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking

You will discover another Morocco to the rythm of Barb horses, from the Atlas Mountains close to Agadir, to the magic city of Essaouira on the atlantic coast. Following tracks in the mountain, or galloping sandy beaches, you will ride accross Berber villages and nomads' camps among sand dunes. If you are searching for the "nomad spirit", we will respond to your "desert call" with our other trail in western Morocco : the Sahara Trail toward Ouarzazate and Zagora (departure from november to march). Or maybe would you like a mountain trail, join us on a 8 days ride in the Atlas Mountains.

ITINERARY

Day 1
Pick up at Agadir airport. Meeting with the guides and the tour leader of your trip. Night at the hotel.

Day 2
This morning, you meet your fellow traveller, a proud Barb or Barb-Arab horse. We will leave for a short test ride in the foothills of the High-Atlas, so that everybody can settle in its saddle. Then the afternoon is at leisure to let you enjoy the beach, go for some shopping or wandering in Agadir... (you can ask for a taxi to Agadir, about 25 euros by vehicle). Night at the hotel

Day 3
Today we are up to more serious things ! Our journey will lead us further away to the north. Picnic is organised on Aghrod's beach, with the opportunity of a last swim before aiming straight into the mountain. You will discover the first Atlas foothills, with "Western" landscapes in addition to a splendid ocean view.
Bivouac in a thuja forest.

Day 4
After breakfast, we get back in the saddle for a spectacular day, on the "Ridge Track". Great panoramas and breathtaking views over the valley and its typical villages. We'll be riding down towards the Tichkjit valley. This evening, we will stop in a particularly pleasant place : camp under the palm trees by the river.

Day 5
We follow a wadi along the bottom of a canyon and then, ride up towards the mountains. We will travel through landscapes of limestone rocks and across local villages preserved from mass tourism. We arrive finally in the valley of Souk Tlata Tankert. Bivouac under the Argan trees which are regularly climbed by goats looking to fresh leaves to eat. From those trees the famous Argan oil is produced, it is edible but it is also a traditionnal beauty and medicinal oil.

Day 6
This morning, we ride down to Timsine plateau, passing by the Ksar of Amrane. Today's picnic is taken within a charming setting, among oleander bushes in a wide wadi. We continue our ride on the afternoon before establishing our bivouac after Souk Ida or Trouma.

Day 7
Today's ride reveals a new type of landscape while coming back towards the ocean. We admire superb views of the wild and rocky coast of this part of Morocco. After crossing some sandy dunes, we will not resist to the pleasure of a canter on Cap Tafelnay beach...
Bivvy by the wadi.

Day 8
Halfway of our trek, today is rest day for horses and riders in order to recover and start the second part of the trail in the best conditions. You can choose to rest sunbathing or go for a swim and beach games, or you might prefer a visit to the fishermen village.
Second night in the same bivouac near the wadi.

Day 9
For the second part of our trek, we leave the ocean behind and come back to Atlas' foothills. We change of landscape by a sinuous track through the forest, leading us to the top of a spur with an amazing view.
Bivouac close to Amistten Tower.

Day 10
Today, we go down towards Imintlit souk. The highlight of the day is the visit of a traditional market and the discovery of a Kasbah set high up the top of a spur. We set camp for the night at the edge of Takendout Wadi in the "Genius Valley".

Day 11
After breakfast, we leave for Ait Zelten, and then continue to the village of Moulay Lahcen. Landscapes are composed of wadis and valleys, contrasting with the "mineral" tracks we have discovered the past days. Then, we will have to ride faster in order to arrive before sunset at our camp site near the small village of Sidi Hamd ou Hamd.

Day 12
Today, a new scenery change : the track becomes sandy again. We will probably meet several herds of goats and camels, rather numerous in the area. Arrival on Sidi Kaouki Beach for lunchtime. The afternoon ride will lead us back to Essaouira by the seaside. Here, the dunes are covered with bushes and shrubs's maquis. Our ride ends at he entrance of Essaouira, the ancient city of Mogador. Our horses are going back by van to the riding centre, and we are now pedestrians. Transfer to the hotel, visit of the lovely and impressive docks of the city. Dinner and night at the hotel.

Day 13
Day at leisure in Essaouira. We recommand that you explore this splendid city which has a great history heritage with its ramparts dominating the ocean, its wooden Art and Craft... With a very pleasant authentic atmosphere, Essaouira is a very appreciated place for holidays for Moroccans. Lunch and dinner not included this day, to let you enjoy and discover. Overnight in hotel in Essaouira. (meals not included)

Day 14
Today, we go back by bus to the south to reach our basecamp towards Agadir (about 3 hours drive). Lunch on the raod in Tamanar or Smimou. Back to Agadir, you can have some rest or enjoy a last swim in the ocean. Night at the hotel.

Day 15
According to your flight schedule, transfer by taxi or minibus to Agadir airport. (Breakfast not included)

Important
All programmes above are indicative. They can be modified or rearranged for technical, safety or weather reasons.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL

Horses and tack
In the most difficult ascents or slopes, on the rocky tracks, we will ask you to dismount in order to let your companion get its breath back. All our horses are barb horses, admirably suited to the mountain tracks. They have English or trail riding saddles.

We will ask you to contribute to the cohesion and the harmony of the group, that will assure the success of your trip, thanks to a positive and active participation to the inevitable tasks: grooming, harnessing and feeding the horses, taking down the camp in the morning.

Required riding experience
Our trail rides are dedicated to riders with good equestrian mastery. It is necessary to be confident at all paces. In the most difficult ascents or slopes, on the rocky tracks, we will ask you to dismount in order to let your companion get its breath back.
Sample day organization : after breakfast and collection of luggage and equipment, every day is usually structured as follows : 2h30-3h on horseback in the morning, picnic and 2h30-3h on horseback again. Children over 12 are accepted if accompanied by a riding adult.

YOUR GUIDES

Guide
Our guides in Morocco are really experienced, with a real passion for their job and horses, conscious of their responsibilities. The whole staff speaks french and some of them english. Above 8 people a second Moroccan guide supervise the group.

Logistics
The following logistic car allows to carry your personal effects, the supplies and the equipment you will find each evening at the bivouac and from time to time at midday. Saddlebags are provided to put some of your personal effects in it (sun cream, gourd, camera, picnic lunch...)
A cooker will serve you a copious and varied food in accordance with the Moroccan tradition. A driver, for who the tracks have no secrets, dispatches the equipment for the camp.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation
Most of the nights are spent in bivouac with basic comfort. In Agadir, you will sleep in the riding centre. Depending on dates, you may also spend some nights in guest houses.
For the Berber trail, you will be accommodated in hotel for two nights spent in Essaouira. Riders booking alone will share a twin room with another person of the group. Accommodation in single room is possible at the hotel at additional cost to be paid directly on the spot (option to be asked at booking).

Provided gear
Tents and rubber mattress, plates and place settings, saddlebags (holsters), these are fragile equipment of which we ask you to take great care. Please note, the sleeping bags are not provided.
A detailled list will be provided prior departure.

Meals
A copious breakfast in the morning, picnic for the lunch (grills, mixed salads, omelettes…). On the evening, you will eat, most of the time, typically Moroccan meals.
According to your arrival flight, you may be served a light meal at the ranch on first day.

We will ask you to contribute to the cohesion and the harmony of the group, that will assure the success of your trip, thanks to a positive and active participation to the inevitable tasks: grooming, harnessing and feeding the horses, taking down the camp in the morning.

DATES AND RATES

Flights to Morocco

Please contact us to check the best available rate from your country.

RATE INCLUDING

RATE NOT INCLUDING

BOOKING - INFORMATION

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PRATICAL INFORMATIONS

COUNTRY

LENGTH

LANGUAGE

GROUP SIZE

ACCESS

CLIMATE

The weather is really nice, especially in spring and autumn. As we will spend some nights in the mountains, do not forget that night can be quite fresh.

During daytime, the weather is warmer, especially in june, july and august. Despite the ocean wind, you will meet temperatures over 30°C.

Formalities
Check with your local Embassy according to your nationality.

Vaccines-Health
None vaccine is mandatory, however the tetanus and the typhoid vaccines are recommended. A collective first-aid kit is provided, but each participant will have to allow an individual little first-aid kit according to his habits and tolerance concerning certain medicines.
It is necessary to be up to date concerning your usual vaccinations, in particular for the tetanus vaccine. Remember that a repatriation travel insurrance is compulsory.

These informations are given for French citizens for information purpose only. For citizens of other countries, please ask your embassy. You must hold identity and sanitary elements necessary for the entrance in the visited country.

REFERENCE :CH60-morocco