Berber Villages
Discovering an ancestral culture riding Arab Berber breed
910
8 d 7 n (saturday-saturday)
Saturday 11 May 2024: Available
Saturday 5 October 2024: Available
Saturday 7 December 2024: Available
Eight-day trekking, including six on horseback, which winds its way through four days in the mountains and two between wonderful beaches and cliffs.
The route is located between Agadir and Essaouira, within a total radius of 180 km, to be travelled with your faithful steeds.
Departure from the Agadir region, passing through the hills of the High Atlas to arrive in Essaouira.
You will have the opportunity to see several Berber villages along the way, and to observe the local population in their rhythms of life of other times, such as going to the well for water with donkeys and jars, seeing a farmer working the land with a plow pulled by a pair made up of a dromedary and a mule together, a lady will make bread and cook it in an oven built by hand with earth and straw and perceive the smells that taste of nature. Children who walk for miles on foot all together to go to the village school, or faithful to the exit of the mosque after having prayed.
Gestures of everyday life, so far away and yet so close to us.
In the evening you will gather in front of the bonfire at the bivouac to talk about all the experiences you have had during the day, and our cook will delight you with delicacies of Moroccan cuisine, all freshly prepared. Every day a different menu in accordance with your possible food allergies and your tastes, which you can write to us in the registration form.
They will be magical moments of group sharing and personal reflection, moments of contact with your horse who will be able to listen to you and perceive what you want to communicate to him.
At the end of this wonderful experience, arriving on the beach, you will have the opportunity to do some fantastic and intense gallop. The arrival in Essaouira will be an unforgettable sight.
Program
Day 2-6: Departure by car early in the morning to reach the starting point of the trek located near Agadir. Upon arrival you will find the horses waiting for you for the departure, which starts from a dirt road that winds through the hills covered with Argan trees and cactus plants.
In a very mineral and colourful landscape, you will cross the valleys of the traditional and lively souks, before reaching the Argan forests.
We approach the territory of the Ida ou Tanane tribes at a faster pace and exit the foothills of the High Atlas across long agricultural plains.
You will ride along numerous beaches, you will go around the cliffs on foot, you will cross the fields of Argan trees to arrive at sunset on the great cliffs overlooking the sea.
At the end of the day you will find the atmosphere of the nomadic bivouac, installed away from the wind. You will enjoy a Moroccan meal around the fire and spend the night under the Berber tent.
Dinners and overnight stays in the bivouac.
Day 7: Sequences of deserted beaches, small fishing villages, cliffs and headlands to reach the large beach before Essaouira. Arrival in the early afternoon and lunch at the Ranch Diabat .
Visit the city of Essaouira, you can make your last purchases and enjoy a relaxing steam bath and a massage (hammam, massages and other treatments are at your expense).
Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Essaouira.
Day 8: Transfer to Marrakech or Essaouira airport and departure.
Get ready
- 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)
- Please book a flight that arrives at Marrakech airport until 14:00 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.
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.
Our clients recommend Mondial Assitance (Allianz Partners) or Nomad Insurance or Amex insurance.
The Ranch De Diabat is equipped with its own insurance, nevertheless each customer is obliged to have his own personal.
- 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.
- Accommodation for the first and last night is in the hotel. In case of single travellers: 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.
- Meals : 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.
- 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.
The perfect suitcase
- 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.
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