STRENGTHS
- - The beauty of the landscape and the comfort of the lodge nestled below Toubkal mountain.
- Ideal for non-riders as plenty of different activities on offer: mountain bikes, yoga, hiking, climbing...
- Tasty Moroccan cooking
- Ride traditional Moroccan Barb and Arabian horses which are well schooled and well balanced
- The lodge is an eco-lodge which respects the local traditions, follows a strict environmental charter and employs local staff wherever possible.
- Children are welcome at the lodge from 6 years but please bear in mind that there are no ponies and so riding children should be experienced and used to riding of horses of c.15hh.
ITINERARY
Day 1 : LONDON - MARRAKECH - ATLAS MOUNTAINS - 2 hours riding
Accommodation : LODGE
Daytime flight to Marrakech - flight is not included but we can assist with this on request.
You will be met in the airport and transferred c. 40min to the lodge. If you arrive in time for lunch then this can be provided by the lodge but is payable locally.
In the afternoon you will meet the horses and set out on your first ride - this ride is a chance to get to know your mount and for your guide to assess your ability. Return to the lodge before sunset for dinner and to overnight.
If you arrive too late to ride the you will be simply transferred to the lodge in time for dinner and to overnight.
Day 2 : TOUBKAL AND HAOUZ PLAIN - 4-5 hours riding
Accommodation : LODGE
After breakfast you will meet at the stables for a full day ride. Head out on a path through woodland until join a pass which offers panoramic views of the Toubkal massif on one side and the plain of Haouz with the plateau of Kik on the other. Descend on a track to the Asni river where you have lunch beside the river.
In the afternoon you ride high to the summit of Djebel Khalout (1,545m) which towers above the town of Moulay Brahim. Descend by a steep path to join a track where you can experience a succession of trots and canters.
Day 3 : FOREST AND VALLEY OF IRAKEN - 4-5 hours riding
Accommodation : LODGE
After breakfast, you ride in the direction of the high mountains of Toubkal. A small twisting path takes you into the valley where you cross several traditional small towns built of dry stone. Then you follow a wide path, ideal for some trots and canters, which rises uphill to a beautiful forest of Alep pine. Lunch is taken on the summit under the shadow of pines, with a fantastic view over the valley of Tahnnaoute and the plain of Haouz.
The afternoon begins by following a mule path under the pines before emerging onto a track which follows the valley to Outghal village, from where there is a nice view of the Oukaimeden mountain range. Ride back to the stables along the riverbank.
Day 4 : ATLAS MOUNTAINS - MARRAKECH - LONDON -
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to London.
If you arrived late on Day 1 then it is possible to have a final short ride on horseback this morning. Lunch can be provided by the lodge at extra cost - payable locally.You will then be transferred back to the airport in the afternoon.
Extensions : If you wish to extend your time in Morocco to include a hotel or riad in Marrakech, or to explore the country further then we would be happy to assist you.