Horseback riding with overnight stay
Horseback riding with overnight stay
Full-day horseback ride and picnic with overnight stay in a Berber bivouac
Description
Conditions and price details
Notes / Booking Instructions
Please Note: The Bivouac is only possible with a reservation and submission of passports 2 weeks before the activity, as required by the competent authorities of Essaouira.
The horse ride with an overnight stay is an excursion option accessible to all types of riders. The route is adapted based on the group's riding level. We offer two versions: for beginners and for experts. Additionally, the programs may be modified according to tide times.
Beginner Riders
The 'for beginners' horse ride with overnight stay option begins with a ride along the river on Diabat beach, then enters the eucalyptus and mimosa forest. It continues to the Omar dunes, and then arrives at a fishing village to set up for a picnic lunch. The tour resumes southward to reach Cap Sim and its large sand dunes. After a short break to visit this place, the route crosses the forest to arrive at the Ranch, from where you will be transported by car to the bivouac.
Expert Riders
The 'for experts' horse ride with overnight stay option starts from the hill and, following the river's course, heads towards the village of Ghazoua, then descends the dunes for a picnic break in an enchanting forest. After lunch, the ride resumes towards Cap Sim, over the dunes. You will cross several fishing villages, reaching a freshwater spring where animals come to drink freely. You will then ride up the wild beaches of Diabat to arrive at the Ranch, from where you will be transported by car to the bivouac.
For both itineraries, the bivouac offers shelter from the wind, authentic mint tea, and pastries. Under the Berber tent, a 100% Moroccan dinner awaits you: meat, fish, or vegetable tagine, bread, and fruit.
The evening will be enlivened by a beautiful campfire, the sounds of drums, and stories from our staff.
After a night under the Berber tent, you can enjoy a hearty breakfast: bread, yogurt, cheese, orange’ juice, coffee, milk, and tea, before returning to the Ranch de Diabat.
The return trip will be by car. The bivouac is located 27 km from the Ranch de Diabat.
Program
Alternatively, if you have your own vehicle, it will be easy to reach the Ranch, 3 km from the city center. When you book the horse ride with overnight stay package, the map and GPS point will be sent to you via email. You can park securely in the Ranch's private parking.
Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by our staff, who will show you the equestrian safety instructions, and you can fill out the rental agreement and meet your instructor who will help you choose the right sized helmet.
You can carry your picnic in the saddlebags, which consists of: a varied salad, chicken skewers to be cooked at lunchtime, seasonal fruit, bread, water and soft drinks, and tea freshly prepared over a wood fire.
The vegetarian menu, instead, consists of: a varied salad, zaalouk (a Moroccan eggplant starter), zucchini patties, bread, water and soft drinks, and tea freshly prepared over a wood fire.
We will take into account your food allergies, which you should indicate to us at the time of booking.
Upon your arrival at the Berber Bivouac for the night, you will find the camp prepared for the occasion, your typical tent ready to welcome you, and your luggage, which you will have left at the Ranch reception in the morning.
You can take a warm water shower and will have time to relax and take a walk along the sea below the cliff where the bivouac is set up.
Dinner will be prepared by our cook, who will delight you with typical Moroccan dishes, taking into account any food allergies previously communicated.
After dinner, a joyful campfire awaits you with musical entertainment to the sound of bongo drums and improvised dancing.
In the morning, a specially prepared breakfast will be served before you say goodbye to the bivouac to return by car to the Ranch de Diabat. The horses will return with their dedicated transport, as the bivouac site is located 27km from the Ranch de Diabat.
This excursion can start at 10 AM to arrive at the bivouac at 4:30 PM, or it can end at the bivouac at sunset and start later in the morning, depending on the season and daylight hours.
How to Best Prepare
- Maximum weight allowed 90kg (the organization reserves the right to refuse participation in the trek to anyone who does not declare their real weight if it exceeds the limit, and no refund will be issued. The health of the horses is our priority)
- Equestrian Level: No specific equestrian level is required to take part in this excursion; beginners are also accepted, but in their case, we do not guarantee the opportunity to trot and gallop, which will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
- Your bivouac is equipped with a warm water shower.
- Meals: Your meals are prepared by our cook, who will introduce you to the richness of Moroccan cuisine. The menu will take into account special dietary requirements and any allergies, which must be communicated at the time of booking.
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To host you at the bivouac, we need an authorization from the tourism delegation, obtained via your passport, which requires a minimum of two weeks to be processed. Please plan your bivouac or activity + bivouac in advance.
The Perfect Backpack
- Clothing: To participate in this horse ride, please wear long trousers and closed-toe shoes.
- A long-sleeved shirt is recommended to protect you from the sun, as well as a sweater for the wind in the evening.
- Don't forget a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
- Each horse is equipped with a trekking saddle and saddlebags that will allow you to carry your lunch and personal belongings needed for your day on horseback.
- Regarding charging your mobile phones and cameras, we recommend you bring a good Power Bank with a full battery, as electrical charging via the truck will not always be available.
Min. 3 - Max. 10 people
Included in the price:
Rental of equipped horses, equestrian guides, cap, meals, overnight stay in collective Berber tents and various igloo tents, transport to and from Essaouira city.
Important notes:
Privatized activity possible upon payment of a supplement. Please note : weather conditions or illnesses are not taken into account by the organizer, but by your travel insurance.
Interruption of the requested activity by the customer for any reason requires dedicated assistance, which will incur an additional cost. This cost will be billed on-site and will be communicated at the time and depends on the location where the customer interrupts the activity. The customer agrees to pay this cost.
BOOKING CONFIRMATION
Your reservation will be confirmed upon receipt of the confirmation email, sent by our staff or by the booking system, upon payment of the balance.
PAYMENT METHODS
- Bank transfer to a Moroccan bank (proof of payment must be sent by email at least 7 days before the activity )
- International credit card (Mastercard, Visa, American Express – with Paypal or Factobox)
PAYMENT ON SITE:
For on-site reservations, the availability of which we cannot guarantee without advance payment, you can pay in cash in dirhams.
CANCELLATION
For cancellations (by the customer or the hotel) a fee will be charged on the following basis:
For all activities where the total price is less than 800.00 MAD, the activity is paid in case of cancellation from 10 days before or no-show.
For all activities exceeding 850.00 MAD, the activity will be paid in case of cancellation according to the following cancellation policy:
- More than 30 days before arrival €20 per booking
- Between 29 and 10 days before arrival: 60% of the total booking amount
- Between 9 and 3 days before arrival: 75% of the total booking
- Less than 48 hours before arrival: 100% of the total booking
CHILDREN'S CONDITIONS
Even small children pay full fare because they will be on a horse led by a dedicated instructor. They will be provided with safety vests and helmets. To avoid risks, it is forbidden to have a child ride the same horse as an adult. Only the instructor can, if necessary, take a small child on the saddle, but preferably should accompany the child while remaining at their side on foot.
CONFIRMATION OF THE BOOKING ACCORDING TO THE REGULATIONS
To participate in this horseback excursion, please wear long trousers and closed shoes.