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from £785 or €895
Suitable for fit intermediate riders who are comfortable on forward going horses and secure in the saddle.
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Includes – All riding, guiding, full board accommodation, camping equipment, drinks with meals, transfers from Ouarzazate airport.
Excludes – Flights, tips & alcohol.
How To Get There
Valley of the Roses & The High Atlas Mountains rides
International flight to Marrakech and domestic flight to Ouarzazate.
The Middle Atlas Ride
International flight to Fez-Saiss Airport
Transfers
Valley of the Roses & The High Atlas Mountains rides
You will be picked up at Ouarzazate airport on day of arrival and transferred to your hotel.
You can also arrive in to Marrakech but you must be scheduled to arrive before 2pm to allow for the four hour transfer (extra cost) to Ouarzazate.
Arrival at other times is available but at an additional charge of €65 each way per car payable directly in Euros or Turkisk Lira.
The Middle Atlas Ride
You will will be picked up from Fez-Saiss Airport and transferred to your hotel.
Note: Rates are subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations, please refer to our Terms & Conditions for full details.
Valley of the Roses
Within the High Atlas Mountains, this horseback trail ride takes you to the gorges of M’goun and Dades, famous for their rose blossoms, oases and kasbahs, which are considered to be amongst the most beautiful in Morocco. Varied landscapes – canyons, snow-capped mountains, and valleys full of flowers. Traditional architecture of the kasbahs (fortified buildings) and ksours (castles), amongst the most beautiful in Morocco. Experience traditional Berber culture, villages and rose essence industry.
The High Atlas Mountains
Discover a horseback ride in the heart of the Moroccan High Atlas at the foot of Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa (4167m). On barb stallions, docile and balanced, you cross the most alpine landscapes of Morocco. Discover the high plateaus and forgotten valleys of Morocco. Numerous earth and stone villages clinging to the mountainside welcome a Berber population with centuries-old traditions. The contrasting landscapes of the High Atlas : green valleys, dry plateaus, red mountains, snowy peaks and dense woodland.
The Middle Atlas Ride
Riding in the Middle Atlas will allow you to discover a region with little tourism, yet with an unusual charm and many attractions: the emblematic cedar forests of course; bare plateaus where pastoralism dominates and where cereal crops are still cultivated in an archaic way, with peat and sickle; and beautiful small mountain lakes on the edge of which lunch is taken. The magnificent cedar forests. The lakes along the route.
Horses –Barb Arabian horses, made up mostly of stallions who are very well behaved.
Level of Riding & Pace – Intermediate to Advanced. There are long days in the saddle and the riding can be technical.
Tack – English style, with good quality tack, English Saddles and mostly snaffle bridles.
Weight Restriction – 90kgs / 198 lbs / 14 stone. Please do still contact us if you are over this weight as there may be some bigger horses available on the dates you request, depending on the group.
Group Size – Maximum 10.
On the first and last night of the Valley of the Roses and The High Atlas Mountains Ride you will stay in comfortable hotel near to the historic Kasbah, it has good sized rooms and a swimming pool.
For the Middle Atlas ride you will stay in a hotel in Fez close to the Medina.
The rest of the nights are spent in simple tent accommodation, which is moved each day by the support team and transported in the support vehicle.
The tents are 2-man dome tents, with porch. You are provided with a foam mattress and need to bring your own sleeping bag. The camping site also includes a mess tent, a shower tent and a chemical loo. Everyone pitches in when setting up the camp site for the evening.
The food is good quality and freshly prepared each day. You can expect the following.
Breakfasts with cereals, bread, cheese and jams, tea & coffee.
Lunches are salads with couscous, rice, potatoes & fruit.
Snacks include dried fruits, tea, coffee and juice.
Dinners are always hot, typical Moroccan dishes like Kefta, Lamb Tagine and Tagine Makhoul.
Drinks include water, sodas, tea & coffee. Alcohol is not provided but you can bring with you.
The following is the proposed itinerary but please note that changes are possible due to weather and local conditions. On occasions the itinerary may run in reverse.
Valley of the Roses
Day 1 – Arrival
Arrive at Ouarzazate. If flying to Marrakech guests must be scheduled to arrive before 2pm to allow for the 4-hr transfer (extra cost) to Ouarzazate. If one can only get an evening flight to Marrakech, then they should plan to arrive the previous day. Meet at Ouarzazate and be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in a riad in Skoura palm grove.
Day 2 – Skoura to Aghbalou
Meet at the horses’ winter base just outside Skoura. First there is an evaluation of riding levels and the allocation of horses.
After a ride briefing, set off through the Skoura palm grove and onto the arid plateaus of Aït Saïd Oumanssour. Camp at the foot of the mountains. (approx. 4 hrs riding)
Day 3 – Aghbalou to Aguerd
In the morning, cross the Tamassent plateaus to reach Toundount. Here the riders will have a beautiful view over the valley with its almond trees. In the afternoon there should be the opportunity for some long canters on the plateau until reaching Tiflit village. Climb up through steep gorges to the camp situated next to Aguerd village. Overnight in camp (approx. 5 hours riding)
Day 4- Aguerd to Taoujgalt
Today, ride along Nait Tounert and past many villages with beautiful views over the cultivated terraces. After a picnic lunch, ride across a plateau and then to a pass that overlooks the Azaghar-N-Aiguer valley. Finally, ride along a narrow path that leads to the camping spot. (1900 m) Overnight in camp (approx. 5.5 hrs riding)
Day 5 – Taoujgalt to Agouti
Today in the Assif El Qati Valley riders can see many examples of the beautiful architecture of the typical ksour (castle) of southern Morocco. These look spectacular against the green background of their gardens and the ochre cliffs behind which perhaps were once lived in by troglodytes. Camp in Agouti (approx. 5 hours riding)
Day 6- Agouti to Boutaghrar
Well-preserved traditional villages will be part of the scenery as the route leads along the El Qati Valley. The paths followed are fenced with wild rose bushes, and in May the scent of the blooming roses fills the air. The kaleidoscope of colours – pink of the roses, green of the plantations & ochreof the rocks- form a delightful show. The rose essence is used in well-known perfume brands and is exported worldwide. Overnight in camp on the way to Boutaghrar. (approx. 6.5 hrs riding)
Day 7 – Boutaghrar to Timstiquite to Ouarzazate
Leave the refreshing area of the M’Goun River and ride along mule-paths until arriving in Timstiquite village. After lunch in the valley, return to Ouarzazate and the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight in a hotel in Ouarzazate. (approx. 2.5 hrs riding).
Day 8 – Ouarzazat/ Marrakech
After breakfast transfer to Ouarzazate airport for the return flight. If departing from Marrakech the flight should depart after 4pm (to allow for the four hour transfer).
The High Atlas Mountains
Day 1
Meet and greet at airport and immediate transfer to the riding centre. Depending on the arrival time, riders may get to meet the horses. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 2
Saddle-up for an evaluation of each rider before the horses are allocated for the week. There is a briefing and equipment double check before setting off. The first day’s route heads to the first foothills of the Atlas Mountain, along a ridge trail until reaching the first overnight camp site next to Tatult village. 3.5 hours riding.
Day 3
Today the trail climbs up a path in the direction of the N’Kik plateau for a remarkable view on Amizmiz Valley and Takerkoust Lake. After crossing the Tizi N’Ousaud pass, stop for a picnic break. In the afternoon, the trail descends and follows a path across a forest of Thuya and green Oaks until reaching the camp site near the village of Tassa Wourgane Saline. 5.5 hours riding
Day 4
After breakfast, ride across the Tassa Ouirgane valley and enjoy the fresh air at Azzadne Oued (river) with its pretty Berber villages. The lunchtime picnic will take place beside a river in Azerfssane. The afternoon will be spent in Azzadne valley along mountain paths before taking the trail to Tiziane village. Overnight with a local family. 5 hours riding
Day 5
This morning the group climb out in the direction of the Tizi N’Oudide pass (2100 m) before heading down to Matate village overlooking Gheghaya valley. Today the picnic lunch is beside the river in Aguerssiwale. In the afternoon, ride up to the Aguerssiwale pass and then along the superb D’Imnane valley with its pretty villages nestled at the foot of the mountains. Overnight with a local family in Ounskra down the Toubkal summit (highest in Morocco). 6 hours riding
Day 6
Today the route gains altitude from one pass to another. Reach Tizi N’Addi (3100 m) which offers a spectacular view over the High Atlas and the Toubkal Summit (4167 m) before riding through the Oukaïmeden plateau (a winter sport resort in another season). Enjoy our picnic near the Tizi ‘N Ouka pass (2800 m). In the afternoon, ride down the trail overlooking the Haouz plain until reaching Tiselit, where the camp site is already prepared and snacks are waiting. 5-6 hours riding.
Day 7
The last day of riding takes the group to the village of Asni, through a forest of oaks and junipers. Enjoy a picnic in the shade of the Alep Pine trees at the foot of Djebel Choucht. Enjoy the last canters in the afternoon and back to the starting point for dinner and overnight in the hotel. 4 hours riding.
Day 8
Breakfast and airport transfer (3 hours before departure) Depending on flight schedules, an optional extra visit to Marrakesh can be arranged on request.
The Middle Atlas Ride
Day 1: Arrival and welcome in Fez
Guests are met at the airport and transferred to the city centre hotel, just a short distance from the Medina. Depending on arrival times, guests may be able to discover this 12th century imperial city with its medina of 9000 lanes, the largest in the Maghreb.
Overnight: 3 star hotel in Fez.
Day 2: Fez – Transfer from hiking – Boumzil: 3 ½ hours riding
Transfer by minibus from Fez to Khenifra, crossing an agricultural region where arboriculture is highly developed. Short stop in Ifrane, the Moroccan version of Switzerland. After joining the backup team and enjoying lunch, the horses are allocated. This half-day, 3.5hrs ride winds through cultivated hills, up to the camp which is set up near the hamlets of Boumzil. There is electricity and internet reception, but no running water, but no worries – water runs from everywhere in the Middle Atlas, nicknamed the “water tower” of Morocco.
Overnight: Mountain Camp.
Day 3: From crops to the magnificent cedar forests: 7 hours riding
Approximately 7 hours of riding today, equally divided between morning and afternoon. The ride crosses a series of agricultural valleys before approaching a forest with centuries-old cedars. Lunch is taken at the edge of the three lakes of Tiguelmamine, the waters are so clear that swimming is a must. Afterwards, cross a serene agricultural area, with a landscape dotted with sheep, cows, donkeys and mules, (and sometimes hobbled mares which can put the stallions in turmoil). There is tough climb to cross the mountain and it opens into a magnificent forest of Cedars, Holm Oaks and Junipers, before reaching the Ajdir plateau, the site for tonight’s camp near a vast flat grassy area, ideal for the last gallops of the day.
Overnight: Mountain Camp.
Day 4: Ajdir – Aït Atmane: 5 hours riding
The morning is spent in the cedar forest, some up to 600 years old, and up to 70m high. Unfortunately many of them have been mutilated by Berbers who have made a habit of lighting fires at their base to collect honey. This short stage of 2.5hrs brings the group to the edge of the great lake Aguelmame Azigza, where the group are welcomed by a colony of monkeys who come to get food and let themselves be photographed. After lunch there is a long afternoon stage (4hr) through a huge agricultural basin where the steep plots are worked by hand, being too steep for mechanised equipment and vehicles. Cross small villages, where numerous storks can be seen. The campsite is near the village of Aït Atmane.
Overnight: Mountain Camp.
Day 5: Aït Atmane – Plateau d’Ounane: 5 hours riding
A 3-hour trail in the morning, mainly through a beautiful forest on a gentle path where Cedars predominate. Lunch next to Aguelmame Wiwane lake and take a break to enjoy this beautiful area before continuing for 10km on flat high plateaus bordered by sheepfolds. Gallop while passing countless flocks of black-headed sheep and poultry of all kinds around Lake N’Ifaghrioune. Camp on the plateau of Ounane with small pond in the middle to water the herds. Another superb place, ideal for galloping and to spend a great evening.
Overnight: Mountain Camp.
Day 6: Ounane Plateau – Azaghar: 5 ½ hours riding
After crossing the plateau of Ounane, start a long descent through a forest of Holm Oaks, via a wide track, where vultures can often be seen. After a 3hr ride the trail reaches a beautiful valley where water springs and flows from numerous points, and where beautiful oleanders abound. Have lunch on the edge of a river, near the village of Zaouit Ifrane. The afternoon section of the ride takes riders up through a forest on a high plateau and the opportunity to gallop on the way to Azaghar and the campsite for the night. The hike ends in an ideal campsite in a beautiful area with lush grass for the horses.
Overnight: Mountain Camp.
Day 7: Azaghar – Fez: 3 ½ hours riding
The last half-day ride is along the crest of the long plateau of Azaghar, a vast area of grassland with sheep aplenty; there may be the chance to witness the shearing of the sheep when passing the villages. Approach the big lake of Aguelmame Afenourir where the backup team is waiting with lunch. This natural lake is at an altitude of 1800 m is part of the Ifrane National Park, an important stopover for migratory birds. Say goodbye to the horses and return to Fez by minibus in the afternoon, via a different route from the outward journey, through the Cedar forests. A free evening before
Overnight: 3-star hotel in Fez.
Day 8: Fez – Airport
Breakfast and transfer to the airport.
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