Sable d'Or - Southern Morocco Morocco Morocco Morocco covers 2,900 km of little explored and underappreciated Atlantic coastline. From Agadir we ride across the fertile plain of the Souss with many beautiful sandy roads allowing many gallops from one Berber village to the next. Houses are made from red clay and the walls are mostly hidden by cactus bushes, but behind every cactus a pair of curious eyes watch us wherever we go. We descend into the rocky and deserted hills before climbing over the hills of Tachilla that give us one more view of the blue waters of  a lake before we head for the region of Tiznit. The landscape varies between dry sand dunes, big rocky plains and a deep canyon that we cross. Finally, a fresh wind blows over from the Atlantic. Long gallops over the sandy plain bring us to the ocean. Here we follow the coast across sand dunes and rolling hills. The ride ends on an enormous deserted beach where we have the chance for a real horse race. Only the cries of the seagulls and the sound of the waves break the silence in this area. Flocks of birds, seagulls and pink flamingos will make way as our horses races neck and neck. Highlights - Agadir - Tiznit, city of silver artisans - Fertile plain of the Souss river - Galloping across sandy beaches - Bird reservation at Oued Souss Camping Ride with vehicle support Progressive Ride (no camping) Meeting: Agadir Airport: Agadir-Al Massira Airport (AGA) Transfer: Agadir Riders: Min 4 riders Max 9 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

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Transfer and Other Charges:

Pick-up is available from Agadir Al Massira Airport (AGA) after 9:00am on Day 1 of the trip. On the departure day, our partners will assist clients in finding their way. Drop-off transfers are not included on the last day of the trip.

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival in Agadir
Please tell us your hour of expected arrival so we can collect you at the airport. Tonight we have dinner at the hotel and sleep there.
Meals included: //
Overnight at Hotel in Agadir

Day 2: Ride across plain of Souss
Before starting the ride, we meet our horses. After introduction we start the day by riding across the fertile plain of the Souss where many beautiful sandy roads allow gallops. In this region, the vegetables are grown in greenhouses to protect them against changes in temperature. Due to this practice, you can have tomatoes, potatoes and zucchinis all year round, even in winter. Between the greenhouses are some open fields where dry bushes grow that the local people use to feed their sheep and goats. The camp is outside the last villages where an immense plain stretches towards the mountains on the horizon.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camping

Day 3: Ride to Souk Sept Ait Milk
Never ending sandy roads take us from one Berber village to the next. Here, made out of red clay, the walls are mostly hidden by cactus bushes. However, you may see that behind every cactus a pair of curious eyes looks at us wherever we go, as horse and riders are very a very unusual sight in these regions. Under the hot sun, the farmers here are only capable of growing a few crops and live most of the time off their livestock of sheep and goats which are taken care of by young children or old people. Our camp for tonight is located at Souk Sept Ait Milk (Souk means that a market is held here once a week).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camping in Souk Sept Ait Milk

Day 4: Souk Sept Ait Milk to Lake Youssef Ibn Tachafine
Today we leave the fertile plains of the Souss to descend into the rocky and deserted hills, filled with cactus fields and bushes. The Berber people in this region live off the production of oil from the nuts of the local Argantrees and off the sheep that they raise. It's surprising to see the little goats being able to climb in the bushes here to get the few leaves that are still left. Our lunch time stop is at the side of a lake located between the mountains. In the afternoon we continue our way between the hills under the pleasant chatter of birds.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camping near Lake Youssef Ibn Tachafine

Day 5: Lake Youssef Ibn Tachafine to Tiznit
Today we climb over the hills of Tachilla that give us one more view of the blue waters of the lake before we head for the region of Tiznit. The landscape varies between dry sand dunes, big rocky plains and a deep canyon we have to cross. We leave the horses in a small village and a car takes us to the city of Tiznit, which is very famous for its silverworks. In the afternoon we visit the Medina of Tiznit and you have time to check out the infamous silver work.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at a Hotel in Tiznit

Day 6: Ride to Atlantic Coast
Return to the horses that spent the night outside Tiznit. In the morning we cross the stony plain towards the Atlantic. After the first hour we reach woods of succulents and cacti. This wild part is very impressive and often we have to search for the way. Finally we come to the last hill. A fresh wind blows over from the Atlantic and long gallops over the sandy plain bring us to the ocean. We follow sandy paths and ride along the beach enjoying the waves. We enjoy a picnic beside the Atlantic on top of the coast. In the afternoon, many long gallops brings us to the camp on the Atlantic coast.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camping near Tifnit

Day 7: Ride back to Agadir
The entire morning we follow the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, going once in a while into the dunes and low hills nearby. The morning ride ends on an enormous deserted beach where we have the chance for a real race. Only the cries of the seagulls and the sound of the waves break the silence in this area. Flocks of birds, seagulls and pink flamingos will make way as our horses race neck to neck. In the afternoon, we reach the Oued Souss, which is also a bird reservation. The birds’ chants will accompany us for a long time. Slowly we travel back to civilization. After an emotional goodbye with our horses, we are driven back towards the hotel where we will share our last meal and sleep for the night.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at a Hotel in Agadir

Day 8: Departure
Individual return.
Meals included: Breakfast

                                                Agadir area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	69	70	73	72	74	75	79	80	81	77	75	70
Average Low Temperature (°F)	46	49	52	54	58	62	65	65	64	59	54	49
Average High Temperature (°C)	20	21	23	22	23	24	26	26	27	25	24	21
Average Low Temperature (°C)	8	10	11	12	14	17	18	19	18	15	12	9

Source: NOAA


Seasons
Winter is usually bright and crisp, while autumn brings delicious fresh produce in the markets. Sometimes there is mist in the morning and on rare occasions some rain. Nights can be cold around that time.

Spring sees the Atlas Mountains covered in flowers, while the summers are hot but remain bearable thanks to the ocean breeze.

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 siesta to stay out of the hottest sun. Expect sunny weather most of the time, so bring light yet comfortable clothes with you. The most comfortable clothes in warm environments are covering your body yet are light and airy to make sure that the air can circulate.

Nights can be chilly however, so be sure to take some warm clothes as well. Any moment of the year you may have a thunderstorm - so better you bring a rain coat with you too!

Morocco is a country where almost everybody is Muslim. They are very welcoming towards foreigners, but still it might be better to dress modestly and not to show a lot of uncovered skin, especially when you're a woman.

Recommended equipment
- Warm sleeping bag
- Comfortable riding clothes
- Flashlight
- Multipurpose shoes (riding and walking)
- Non-revealing city clothes for occasional visits to towns and hotels
- A warm sweater and coat
- Raincoat
- Sunhat
- Sunscreen
- Swimsuit
- Towel
- Water bottle
- Pocket knife

Note that old clothes and riding equipment you no longer need are very welcome.

Average ratings from 2 tour feedbacks (see details below) Horses: (5) Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1) Not Satisfactory Saddle/Tack: Accommodations: Meals: Host/Guide: other Riders: Name Date tammy tsuiping huang 3/19/2018 alma kennedy 1/22/2008

Accommodations
This is a wilderness ride, so nights will be a mixture of hotels and camping.

Description
Laundry can be arranged in hotels. Inquire at the hotel for price.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 7: Hotel in Agadir
Night 2: Camping in Belfaa
Night 3: Camping in Souq Sebt Aït Milk
Night 4: Camping in Youssef Ibn Tachfin
Night 5: Hotel in Tiznit
Night 6: Camping in Tifnit

Hotel in Agadir
Perfectly located in the center of Agadir, just 400 m from the beach. It offers 2 outdoor swimming pools, a snack bar and a nightclub. The rooms are en-suite with air-conditioned and have satellite TV and private balconies. WIFI is available in public areas and is free of charge.

Hotel in Tiznit
It is a 3 star hotel offering rooms with en-suite bathrooms. There is a swimming pool where guests can relax after a long day in the saddle.

Camping   
You will overnight in comfortable dome tents with ground mats. There are rustic portable toilets (no flush) on site and no showers. There will be some rivers along the ride where you can bathe and wash up. Make sure to being your own sleeping bag!

Room Occupancy
Single supplement is mandatory if we are unable to find another rider to share.



Meals
All meals are included on the ride except for dinners in hotels (days 1, 5 and 7). 

You will enjoy a mix of food: some "western food" and some very good local specialties!
Some days a car will meet us for lunch and on some days we will have a picnic on the trail - you will take the food with you in your saddle bags.

Drinks in hotels or restaurants and alcoholic drinks on the ride are not included.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to dietary restrictions if given prior notice.

This trip can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		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 |
Level:		(3.5 to 4 out of 5)    Stong Intermediate
Weight:		Max 190 lbs
Riders:		Min 4 riders	Max 9 riders

Horses
You will ride small but very surefooted Arabian Berber horses with a great courage and stamina. Mares and stallions go together on the ride. Stallions and mares go well together, but some of the stallions need extra space when two are in the same area. A whip is suggested for the stallions, as they need strict orders. This does not make them difficult to ride, they just require more firm direction and more attention. These horses can get very attached to their riders and are always ready to please.

Tack
Mostly English and some military tracking saddles. Some people bring their own gel-cushion or sheep-skin cover to put over the saddle since we ride for long hours.

Staff
Driss and Rena 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 will 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).

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.