Transfer Option:

Day 1 Arrival at Casablanca airport. Travel by train to Rabat (not included), providing a glimpse into the rich diversity of the Moroccan countryside (1.5 – 2 hours). If you have the time, you can visit Rabat to get a first impression of the Eastern lifestyle. You can take a walk in the Medina, the garden of Oudaiya. We meet at the hotel with the guide and spend the night there.
Day 2 In the early morning a private car takes you to the city of Meknes where your horse awaits. They are Berber-Arab, small but very strong with a lot of stamina. A first trip takes us to the foot of the mountain range of Zerhound. The road winds through many small villages with clay houses and olive trees, sunflowers and cornfields. We follow alongside a small river with beautiful flowers up to the village of Sainte de Sidi Ali. From here we have a splendid view of Meknes and its surroundings. Lots of sandy fields offer chances to canter before we reach Volubilis, an ancient Roman city with houses, like those found in Pompei, ancient temples, bath houses, and a palace. Beautiful mosaics provide a picture of what life was like in those days. We eat and sleep close to the Roman ruins, beside a small river.
Day 3 Today, the road takes us to Moulay, across olive tree forests, up to the peak of the Zegota. We have a magnificent view of the Rif Mountains up to the springs of Dezala Des Ben Ammar. The rocky ground does not allow many crops to grow here: only a few olive trees can grow in a rare open space. Before we arrive at the springs we travel through a country so devoid of human life and completely deserted that it is hard to believe. A few human beings can always be found around a water well where animals drink. Culturally, these places are the Moroccon version of western ‘water coolers’ and provide a gathering place to discuss current rumors. We sleep in tents.
Day 4 Today we ride across the white mountain range of the Rif. Here and there you see a small village at the very bottom of a valley or small houses made out of clay. Agriculture here is done in an old fashioned way: with bare hands and we see many women doing hard work on the fields. After the picnic, we descend towards Oued Mikkes to follow a stream that leads us across many winding roads and near numerous Arab villages. After this we reach our place for tonight and we sleep here at the border of the stream in an olive tree forest.
Day 5 Today we enter the Death Valley which is named for its river: the water is so salty that it cannot sustain the plants, animals or humans in the area. To get water in this area, local people are forced to fetch water at places that are up to three hours away. The land here in the Death Valley is completely sterile and the color is always changing between yellow, white and beige. The road takes us through many small Berber villages via sandy fields from Moulay Yakoud up to Fez. The horses wait at the gates of the city and a car takes us to Fez to our hotel. In the afternoon we will visit Fez, the Medina, the University, and the Souk with its small shops. We sleep at a hotel in the city.
Day 6 We leave the royal city today and continue our path through a very different countryside than the beginning of the trip. It's very flat but offers many interesting sights as it is varied. At a curvy stream that passes close by we see many turtles ducking under water to avoid the horses’ hooves. We enjoy a picnic at the top of a hill amongst the figs and a short distance away a spring provides water for us and the horses – this is also a popular washing place. From here you can see the entire Fez region and even the Atlas Mountains. In the afternoon, we ride close to the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. We cross over little creeks and stony hills to arrive on a big plane where we can canter. Our camp is on a hill with a beautiful view towards Fez. On this hill is an old French farm which is now a government agriculture area.
Day 7 The ride continues from hill to hill and occasionally passes through a small village. Once in awhile we have the opportunity to race in a long gallop alongside fields where grapes and melons grow. Finally, a lonely valley brings us back to the riding stables (we arrive around noon). After an emotional goodbye with our horses, a private car takes you to the Medina of Meknes where you have a short time to go through the souks. Afterwards the car brings us back to Rabat where you spend the night in the hotel.
Day 8 Return by train to Casablanca to catch the flight home.

(Note: You can also go directly from Casablanca to Rabat by plane)

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!).

The clothes and items that you need should be taken in a soft duffel bag and will follow you in a van while you are riding.

Ideal for riding are breeches and high boots. We do not recommend rubber boots due to the heat, although jeans and cowboy boots are fine. Bring long-sleeved cotton shirts as protection from the sun; it is nice to wear a T-shirt underneath so that the long sleeved shirt can be removed if it gets too hot. All riders should have a wide brimmed hat or cowboy hat with a chin strap to keep it on while riding. Gloves for protection against sunburn and blisters from the reins and sunglasses, sun cream and chapstick are recommended. While camping you will need a sleeping bag, flashlight, a pocket knife is handy, warm up suit, tennis shoes, warm sweater and canteen or water bottle. Don't forget your swim suit! A towel and soap should also be brought along.

ATTENTION LADIES: IN ORDER NOT TO OFFEND MUSLIM CUSTOMS, PLEASE DO NOT WEAR SEE THROUGH BLOUSES, TANK TOPS OR SHORTS IN THE CITIES AND VILLAGES. SHORTS ARE OKAY WHEN IN CAMP. Basically, dress modestly. Especially when going to the cities, you should try to cover your arms and legs as much as possible.

Men can wear shorts anywhere. We find it handy to bring a belt pack in which to put small items and camera while riding. Some saddle bags will be provided (1 saddle bag for every 2 to 3 persons) for the necessaries such as paperback book and cards which you may want during the long lunch breaks, water bottle (very important that you bring a water bottle). A 'seat saver' may add to your comfort while riding.

Everyone should plan on having a clean pair of pants and shirt or dress for Fez.

 

The camps have a cooking and dining tent and individual 3 person tents for 2 people each.
Hotels:
Rabat:  HOTEL Bougreg
F E S:  Hotel Riad El Yacout

What are the hotels like?
The people in the hotels are always very friendly. The rooms are mostly naturally air-cooled and most of the hotels have their sun-warmed swimming pool! The average hotel has a small bar but there is no club or dancing foreseen. In general, tap water should not be used for drinking but only for washing.

Will a cold beer await me at the end of the day?
Morocco is a muslim country so they do not have a rich alcohol culture. Basically, mint tea is the national drink but beer and beverages can only be found in the large cities. On the rides we typically go shopping for some bottles of wine to accompany dinner. Should you wish for beer in the evening, we can always buy some in a large city and take it with us.

Tack:		English trekking
Horses:		Arab, Berber stallions & mares
Pace:		Fast with many trots and canters. 5 riding hrs. per riding day | Walk | Trot | Canter | Gallop |
Level:		(3 to 4 out of 5)    Good Intermediate
Riders:		Min 4 riders	Max 8 riders

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.