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Horseback riding tours
Rides in
Morocco
Intro to Morocco
Morocco
Tunisia
Egypt
Jordan
Oman
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Africa Overview
Africa North
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Tata Akka Expedition
Morocco
Morocco
Let your horse guide you through desert
sands, endless plains, immense oases of palm trees, salty rivers and mountain
chains in orange, red, and brown. Stop to enjoy the scene of the red sand of
the Sahara meeting black mountain passes. This ride explores a remote area
still unused to tourism and we will see many local people in typical settings.
The Tata Akka Expedition departs from
Agadir and transfers to our first title city, Tata, situated on the Sahara
plain close to the Algerian border. As our journey begins we ride through kasbah villages and canter across white
sand. Forward going horses take us deep into the desert to Akka, our second
titular city. Akka is an oasis marked by clusters of red houses and villager
going about their daily life. This was a stop on an ancient caravan route and subsequently
became an area of Jewish settlement in Morocco.
From Akka we travel on to camp on river
banks and under palm groves. We venture across mountains, refresh at waterfalls
and carefully navigate narrow paths. Chances for quicker paced rides appear as
we reach endless sand plains. As we reach the palmary of Foum Zguid, whose
remoteness is an attraction in itself, we are satisfied with the Tata Akka
Expedition and its wonderful sites and experiences.
Wonderful landscapes!
"Thanks for the great adventure and trip across this beautiful
landscape. I'll always remember the long gallops and what it felt like to be a
little jockey on the horse (Raouia) who always wants to be the first. What a
great first equestrian vacation, and hopefully I'll be able to make it back for
another ride one day."
Michelle Carmichael NY USA
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Camping Ride with vehicle support Progressive Ride (no camping)
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Meeting:
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Agadir
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Airport:
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Agadir
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Transfer:
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Agadir
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
Max
8 riders
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Trip Brochure (PDF)
Trip Rating
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Rates and Dates for 2013
Rates include:
Accommodations - 5 nights hotel and 9 nights camping, meals and 11 riding days
| A | 2013 | 15 day expedition | 15d / 14n | €1695 | $2215 |
| Single supplement | €125 | $165 |
Transfer and Other Options:
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2013
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Transfer from Agadir included
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Rates do not include:
Drinks in the hotels, alcoholic beverages, gratuities
Day 1 Arrival in Agadir, dinner and overnight accommodation in a hotel. Day 2 Transfer by car to Tata, approximately 4-5 hours. The horses wait for us in the palm gardens of Tata. In the afternoon we start the first stage of our journey. During a 2-3 hour ride we familiarize ourselves with our horses. We ride along the Kasbah villages and do long gallops across the white sand. A black mountain range rises before us, almost disappearing under the Sahara sand. At a river bed under palm, oleander and tamarisk trees we set up camp for the night. Day 3 A white sand plain stretches before us and invites to long gallops. Later the white sand changes to fine black stones. Isolated acacia trees grow here and we arrive into a broad valley framed by black, serrated mountains. At noon, we picnic under a group of palms. We follow the valley in the afternoon, it is dotted with lonely palm trees. Along brownish mountains we ride towards pale plains. Long gallops lead us to the only well in the desert. Here the camp lies under a group of palms. Day 4 In the white sandy plain isolated palm trees grow. Soon the soil changes to black fine stones. Here forgotten acacia trees stand. Closer to Akka the stones get bigger and we advance more slowly. We approach Akka through its extended palm gardens. Possibly we have lunch in a restaurant in this small town, if we find a place where we can tie up the horses. Akka is a newer town, with an important military presence. We camp for the night, next to the river Adaka that runs through the palm tree gardens. Day 5 We ride for a short way along the edge of the palm tree gardens. Behind them lies a more yellowish plain, completely eroded, and riddled with thousand small ravines and valleys. Riding here is like riding in a maze: will we ever find the exit? But soon we can gallop again through a flat, sandy desert valley. We climb over a stony pass with beautiful views into the infinite valleys beyond. Picnic by the roadside. Towards the evening we ride along a brown mountain range with innumerable folding. Camp near the village Imitek. Day 6 Along the palm trees we cross the village Imitek. On donkey paths we skirt a mountain range that reflects the sunlight in many different colors from pink to ocher, brown or yellow, depending on the position of the sun. Behind it granite mountains rise high. Hidden in a valley close to the village Agoulouz, we find a small romantic waterfall. Here we have a short picnic, because the afternoon ride promises to be a long one. Narrow mule paths leads us across the mountain range. Finally we reach the edge of Tata. A last long canter brings us to the hotel in Tata. Dinner and overnight accommodation in the hotel. Day 7 Today the horses have time to rest and we have time to look around this beautiful desert oasis town. Tata is the largest of the Bani oases. The population is very friendly and the place is calm. Dinner and overnight accommodation in the hotel. Day 8 Today we rejoin our horses and ride over a large plain where acacia trees grow. The ground is covered partly with stones, partly with fine flints and we advance through a long valley framed by slanted, black-brown mountains. mid-day rest is in the middle of green slate mountains. In the afternoon we pass between the mountains to come into the valley of Akka Iguern. Today our camp lies in an empty river course in the proximity of the village. Day 9 Over a stony, black plain we ride on to pale brown pyramid-shaped mountains. Between the mountains, through and sometimes over hills we reach our mid Day camp. In the afternoon we cross a last mountain range and finally reach an endless sand plain. Long canters bring us to the green palm gardens of Kasbah. Camp under the palms. Day 10 Today we gallop over the wide white sands to isolated palms and reach a caved-in black mountain range. Soon follows a yellow plateau with thousands of small eroded canyons. Again we look for a way out of this maze onto the white high plain. After a long gallop we descend down to the river valley where palm trees grow. We follow the river course of clear, blue water. By a ravine we reach the waterfalls of Atiq. At the large natural pool with clear bluish green water we have our midday rest. Here it is even possible to bathe. The water is slightly salty and very cool. In the afternoon we continue our ride in the palm gardens of Tissint. Suddenly a large, white sand plain framed by black rock stretches before us. Here we can canter as much as we like . Soon we reach the river course again, with bushes and isolated palms. The salty river continues here, its water can be drunk by the animals. Over a black plateau we ride to the palm gardens of Mghirima, where the Camp is. Day 11 Today we ride through what was once a dry artificial lake, though it almost never holds water now. We continue following the drained river course. Despite the absence of flowing water shrubs and bushes still grow here. Soon many small sand dunes accumulate, and we have a lot of fun riding over them! In the background black, folded mountains half sunk in red sand stretch away. Now a black pebbled plain extends itself before us. Isolated acacias grow here, between them rise small mountains, which are nearly covered with red Saharasand. Here we look for a place to picnic. In the afternoon we ride far in the direction of a tajine-shaped mountain. Towards the evening we enter the broad valley that leads to a no man's land. The ground here is ideally suited to long gallops. In the distance a line of shark fin like mountain rises. The camp is at a lonely palm oasis with springs. Day 12 Today we ride over the large plain towards the shark fin mountains. Other strange mountain forms developed here, like teeth or the tajine mountain. We ride between them and reach an endless sand expanse. We picnic somewhere along the way. In the evening we reach the camp at the foot of the tajine mountain at a desert spring with isolated palms. The nomads bring their camels here to drink. Day 13 Our last riding day leads us across a sandy plain with small bushes. More and more acacia trees grow here. Stony surfaces alternate with sandy oueds. Finally we reach the palm garden of Foum Zguid. The horses are stabled next to the hotel and we enjoy a good shower. Overnight accommodation in the hotel. Day 14 Today we can sleep in again. After a leisurely breakfast we discover the little town Foum Zguid, the gate to the desert. In the afternoon we return to Agadir. Dinner and overnight accommodation in the hotel. Day 15 Departure.
Meeting:
Agadir
Airport:
Agadir
Transfer:
Agadir
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Tack:
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English trekking
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Horses:
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Arab, Berber stallions & mares
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Pace:
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Up to 8 hours and up to 50 km. Riders must have at least 5 years experience
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
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Level:
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(3.5
to
5
out of 5) Strong Intermediate
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Weight:
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Max
90 kg
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
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Max
8 riders
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Tack: Mostly English and some military tracking saddles. Some people bring their own gel-cushion or sheep-skin cover to put over the saddle.
Horses: Mares and stallions of Arab-Berber origin. They aren’t as big as European or American horses, but they are very surefooted and strong and are used to our climate. The stallions are just horses that have a natural leadership urge for "group care" and they do not like to stray too far from the group. When you ride a stallion, you should also pay attention not to get too close to another stallion. They are just as soft in the mouth as the other horses but we would only ask you to pay attention to the other horses. Pace: Fast with many trots and canters
Daily Riding: 5-6 riding hrs
Level: Good Intermediate We ride between 5 and 8 hours per day with mares and stallions, so basically you should be a rider with a good stamina and have some common sense
Horses and Guides: Driss and Rena Erroudani started their riding tours with Hidden Trails in the year 1993, but have been organizing treks on horseback in Morocco since 1982. Rena, once a schoolteacher in Switzerland, came to Meknes in the year 1984 to realize her dream of living in harmony with horses and nature. In love with Morocco and its inhabitants, she'll help you discover another Morocco, away from the beaten track, authentic and enchanting, as your guide on the treks. Driss is a riding instructor who used to work for the National Studfarm of Meknes. He has more than 25 years of experience with horses and he has taught a great many students (a lot of them French) who for the most part have gone on to be high level riders). Together they will help you to realize your passion for horses.
The horses are of Arabian Berber descent: small but shurefooted and possessing great courage and stamina. In Morocco you ride with fairly severe bits -- please ride with a soft hand, but constant contact !
Passport and Visa Requirements:
PassportsPassport valid for at least six months from date of entry required by all nationals referred to in the chart.Passport NoteVisitors should ensure that their passports are stamped when they ent. more
What weather can I expect? Sunny weather all year! Isn't that great! Actually, you can expect warm to hot weather with a nice breeze in the open country. At noon, we typically foresee siesta's to stay out of the sun. Except sunny weather most of the time, so bring light yet comfortable clothes with you. Nights can be chilly however, so take some warm clothes as well. but i any moment of the year you might have a thunderstorm. so better you bring a rain coat with you.
How hot can it be? Very hot! You should always have a good suncream with you all the time. It is also strongly recommended to wear something on your head to avoid a sunstroke. The most comfortable clothes in warm environments are covering your body yet are light and airy to make sure that the air can circulate
Morocco has a subtropical climate that is tempered by oceanic effects resulting in moderate temperatures. In January, these average 16°C (61°F) and 22°C (72°F) in August.. Towards the interior, winters are colder and summers warmer. Thus, in Fès the mean temperature is 10°C (50°F) in January and 27°C (81°F) in August. Some mountain peaks are covered with snow during most of the year.
Rain falls mainly during the winter months and is heaviest in the northwest and lightest in the east and south. The average annual precipitation is about 955 millimetres (about 38 inches) in Tangier, 430 millimetres (17 inches) in Casablanca. Spring and fall are very pleasant. Temperatures from March to May and from September to October are between 19-29° C or 66-84 F. Summers are very hot with temperatures up to (and over) 35° C or 95 F (nights are considerably cooler!).
Recommended List:
pocket light
rain gear
hat/helmet (sun) - it is not mandatory to wear a helmet.
sun lotion
warm pullover and wool socks (nights are chilly)
batteries for the camera
better clothes for the hotel days*
comfortable shoes, there are a few short passages where you walk horses
towels and bikini/bathing suit
water bottle
For the camp:
You just need to bring a sleeping bag.
Toilet paper is provided.
*Nights 1, 6, 7, 13 and 14 are in a hotel.
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
** No trip reports found
with the tour ID you provided.
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..view other reports for different trips
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Tack:
|
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English trekking
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Arab, Berber stallions & mares
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Up to 8 hours and up to 50 km. Riders must have at least 5 years experience
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
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Level:
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(3.5
to
5
out of 5) Strong Intermediate
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Weight:
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Max
90 kg
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Riders:
|
|
Min
4 riders
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Max
8 riders
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|
Tack: Mostly English and some military tracking saddles. Some people bring their own gel-cushion or sheep-skin cover to put over the saddle.
Horses: Mares and stallions of Arab-Berber origin. They aren’t as big as European or American horses, but they are very surefooted and strong and are used to our climate. The stallions are just horses that have a natural leadership urge for "group care" and they do not like to stray too far from the group. When you ride a stallion, you should also pay attention not to get too close to another stallion. They are just as soft in the mouth as the other horses but we would only ask you to pay attention to the other horses. Pace: Fast with many trots and canters
Daily Riding: 5-6 riding hrs
Level: Good Intermediate We ride between 5 and 8 hours per day with mares and stallions, so basically you should be a rider with a good stamina and have some common sense
Horses and Guides: Driss and Rena Erroudani started their riding tours with Hidden Trails in the year 1993, but have been organizing treks on horseback in Morocco since 1982. Rena, once a schoolteacher in Switzerland, came to Meknes in the year 1984 to realize her dream of living in harmony with horses and nature. In love with Morocco and its inhabitants, she'll help you discover another Morocco, away from the beaten track, authentic and enchanting, as your guide on the treks. Driss is a riding instructor who used to work for the National Studfarm of Meknes. He has more than 25 years of experience with horses and he has taught a great many students (a lot of them French) who for the most part have gone on to be high level riders). Together they will help you to realize your passion for horses.
The horses are of Arabian Berber descent: small but shurefooted and possessing great courage and stamina. In Morocco you ride with fairly severe bits -- please ride with a soft hand, but constant contact !
Passports
Passport valid for at least six months from date of entry required by all nationals referred to in the chart.
Passport Note
Visitors should ensure that their passports are stamped when they enter the country.
Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to three months.
Visa Note
(a) Visa extensions are possible upon request at the nearest police station. (b) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements.
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
Yes |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
No |
| Other EU |
No |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
No |
| Other EU |
No |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
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Tata Akka Expedition
Tour Code:
PG-MRTA
15 days /
14 nights
~$2,215.00
Dates :
Difficulty :
Riding Level Explained | A | Beginner  | Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter. | | B | Novice
 | Novice A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of
applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting
trots, and short canters. | | C | Intermediate
 | Intermediate A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces
(including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly. |
| D | Strong Intermediate
 | Strong Intermediate An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day. | | E | Advanced
 | All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country. |
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