MOROCCO-Moroccan Ranch
8 days (6 riding) from 665£
Activity :
Level :
Comfort :
Family starting from 3 ans
Our beautiful traditional Moroccan ranch is conveniently located south of Agadir, along the Atlantic coast. You will appreciate the flexible programme that will leave enough time to relax or enjoy the surrounding area. On this centre-based riding getaway, explore the argan fields and traditional villages of the Moroccan backcountry on horseback, ride along beautiful beaches, and improve your skills with riding lessons. A perfect riding holiday for families and all levels of riding are accommodated.
Strengths
- A very flexible programme suited to any riding abilities
- Take a break from the hustle and bustle in a relaxing environment, between the Anti Atlas and the Atlantic
- The beach is only a 10 min walk, with exceptional gallops guaranteed!
- Enjoy the excellent Moroccan gastronomy in a traditional and relaxed environment
Itinerary
Day 1 - UK - AGADIR - SIDI BOU LFDAIL -
Accommodation : RANCH
Upon your arrival at Agadir airport (flight not included), a member of the team will be waiting for you to drive you to the Ranch.
After enjoying a cup of the traditional "thé à la menthe" (sweet mint tea) with the team, you are welcome to say hi to the horses before settling into your room. Depending on your arrival time, there might be time for a short riding lesson or ride in the surrounding area.
Return to the ranch for dinner and a delicious traditional meal.
Day 2 - ON THE RANCH - 4-5 hours riding
Accommodation : RANCH
After breakfast, head to the stables to get the horses ready for your ride. You are expected to look after your horse, an efficient team of grooms is always on hand to help out. Beginners will be looked after and showed how to groom and tack up a horse.
You can decide to take a riding lesson (lessons are tailored depending on your riding abilities) or head out on a trek through the countryside. Lunch at the ranch. In the afternoon, a 2-3h trek is your opportunity to explore the surrounding area.
The programme can be changed according to your wishes and riding abilities. It is a very flexible riding holiday, ideal for families and groups of friends.
Day 3 - ON THE RANCH - 4-5 hours riding
Accommodation : RANCH
In the morning, another riding session in the big outdoor arena will give novice riders the opportunity to start feeling more comfortable in the saddle. More experienced riders can enjoy dressage or jumping lessons.
After lunch, you will go on another trek. Today you might have a beach day: ride up to the coast for an exhilarating gallop along the beach, or ride across the sandy dunes. In the evening, maybe you'd like to treat yourself to a henna tattoo (c. £4) before dinner!
Day 4 - ON THE RANCH - 4-5 hours riding
Accommodation : RANCH
In the morning, you may choose to train some more in the arena or go for a trek. This afternoon, we suggest riding to Sidi Bou Lfdail along the Atlantic, where the rugged coast offer beautiful views over the cliffs.
Day 5 - ON THE RANCH - 4-5 hours riding
Accommodation : RANCH
Lessons and/or treks are planned for today. Our guides will be happy to take you for a relaxing ride through the rolling landscape of the back country, getting closer to the Anti Atlas mountains. You may prefer to ride to the beach and enjoy the cool water of the Ocean!
Day 6 - ON THE RANCH - 4-5 hours riding
Accommodation : RANCH
Again, the team is at your disposal to organise a flexible programme depending on what you prefer to do. Make sure to ask for options!
Day 7 - ON THE RANCH - 4-5 hours riding
Accommodation : RANCH
Your last day on horseback. You might want to go for another beach ride or ride to the foot of the Anti-Atlas. Tonight, before dinner, why not enjoy a relaxing message and spa treatment? An excursion to the Mirleft souks can also be organised (payable locally).
Day 8 - RANCH - AGADIR - FLIGHT HOME -
After breakfast, transfer to Agadir airport for your flight back home.
Price details
- Flights are not included.
- Transfers to and from Agadir airport are included in the listed price.
- Rates are per person, in a double room. There is a single supplement of c. £70 (£93 in 2019), no supplement if you are willing to share.
- Rates are based on a full-day riding. We can also offer a half-day riding pricing, starting at £660 for 6 days riding. Please contact us for details.
- Non-rider rate is £345 (+£105 single room supplement)
- Families - children of 9 or younger can benefit from a special programme, for instance:
- 5-7/8 yo: 45 min vaulting + 30 short ride outside
- 7/8 yo: 1h lesson + 1h trek
- Massages and treatments are available on-site, and payable locally.
Please Note
The itinerary may be modified at anytime for security reasons, meteorological or events beyond our control such as blocked roads, rivers in flood, drought, strikes and local holidays. Equus Journeys, our local partners and their local guides will always strive to find the best solution and will alter the itinerary as needed.
The names of the hotels and accommodation are given for information only and depending on availability, they may be modified without notice and replaced by another of a similar standard.
PRICE INCLUDES
Support Team
1 English-speaking horse guide or instructor
1 groom
Logistics
1 cook
1 horse equipped with saddle and bridle per rider
1 vehicle and driver
Inland transports
Accommodation
Full board accommodation at the ranch from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8
Meals
Full board from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8
Additional equipment
First aid kit
OPTION
Accommodation
Single room supplement
Extras
Massages and treatments, available at the ranch
PRICE DOESN'T INCLUDE
Meals
Beverage and personal extra
Transport
Transfers outside normal hours
Extra
Tips to local team
Insurance
Cancellation and travel insurances are not included. Please note that insurance is mandatory. We recommend taking out an insurance policy as soon as your trip is booked in case of cancellation
TIPS
Tipping is customary, and we recommend about £25-35 for the whole team.
HORSES
The cavalry is composed of about twenty horses, mares and geldings, barbs, Barb-Arabs and Arab x TB. Those are steadfast, voluntary and endearing horses, well used to the rocky and hilly terrain. There is a horse for every rider at the Ranch!
MINIMUM RIDING ABILITY
All abilities are welcome. Novice riders will start with lessons to learn how to control their horses. More experienced riders will be able to enjoy jumping lessons or a more exciting trek.
Rider weight limit: 80 kg / 12.6 stone / 176 lbs. Depending on the selected programme this is flexible, please contact us.
PACE
Lessons are tailored to your level.
Rides out are mostly done at the walk, with good trots and canters whenever the terrain allows it.
TACKING ABILITY AND PARTICIPATION
Each person is responsible for grooming, tacking and untacking their horse. Beginners will be shown how to care for their horse. You also have the option to assist with feeding and watering if you wish.
TRIP CONDITIONS AND REQUESTED EXPERIENCE
From beginners to experienced riders. No particular requirements are necessary as there are programmes to suit all abilities.
EQUESTRIAN EQUIPMENT
English tack, helmets are mandatory (limited amount at the Ranch, we recommend you bring your own).
COMFORT
The ranch is lovely, built in a traditional Moroccan architecture style. There is a big outdoors arena, a common room, a few shaded patios and beautiful terraces with great views over the stables and the ocean.
There are 8 comfortable rooms, all en-suites with a private rooftop. Private, twin and triple rooms are available.
Free wifi available.
Optional: massages
CLIMATE
The climate is most pleasant all year round and benefits from its proximity to the ocean. There are no really high temperatures during the summer (temperatures rarely go above 35°c) and winter temperatures stay mild. Nights in the winter can however be chilly and showers can happen: make sure to pack accordingly!
Meals
Excellent traditional Moroccan cuisine. Meals are varied and taken together in the common room.
The ranch does not have a license to serve alcohol.
Support Team
Guide and local team
Your hosts and guides are all experienced horsemen and trail leaders, who love their country and their horses equally. The ranch is predominantly French-speaking, although the team speak some English and a little bit of German.
Lahcen and Youssef accompany the rides, and are always quick to smile and share a joke with their guests. Lahcen also gives lessons for all ages and abilities, while Youssef is an excellent farrier. Mohammed recently joined the team as stable hand.
Packing list
Head
- Helmets are mandatory. Equus Journeys strongly recommend that you take your own to ensure a correct fit.
- Sunhat for when not riding
- Sunglasses - with a cord attached so they don't fly off when riding
- Buff or bandana to ride the sometimes dusty trails
Upper body
- Long sleeved shirts provide protection from the sun and dust
- T-shirts
- Fleece, jumper or jacket - the evenings can be cold in the winter
- Waterproof jacket - the rains can be difficult to foresee and it's better to be prepared. Layering is key to cope with the fluctuations in temperature between day and night
- Casual clothes for the evening
Legs
- Lightweight, comfortable riding trousers or jodhpurs - we recommend riding in them at home before taking them on holiday to ensure they don't rub
- Shorts for lazy lunchtimes
- Casual clothes for the evening
Hands and Feet
- Comfortable riding boots. We recommend short boots with half chaps as long chaps/long boots can get very hot.
- Sandals, flip-flops or trainers for when not riding
- Gloves - your hands are particularly exposed to the sun whilst riding
Our Recommendations
- Please don't take a hard sided suitcase if possible as a soft sided one is easier for the team to handle.
- A bumbag might be useful to bring a small bottle of water, camera, lip balm or suncream during the ride.
- We recommend travelling in your riding boots and carrying your hat and some riding clothes in your hand luggage - then if your luggage goes astray you are still able to ride!
Other useful items
- Swimsuit
- Water bottle (1.5 litre or two x 1 litre)
- Camera and high capacity memory card. Spare battery
- Headtorch or small torch for moving around at night
In your luggage
- Any liquids, such as shampoo, moisturiser, deodorant unless they are less than 100ml and all bottles can fit in a small, clear, plastic ziplock bag.
- Small penknife
In your hand luggage
- Any valuables, such as your camera, ipod, ipad etc.
- Your riding hat
Medical kit
- Sunscreen and lip balm - must be high factor
- Insect repellent
- Any medication you regularly take
- Blister plasters in case of any rubs
- Antiseptic cream, plasters, aspirin, anti-histamine, insect-bite salve etc...
- Spare prescription glasses/contact lenses
- Ear plugs, particularly if you are a light sleeper
ENTRY FORMALITIES
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the valid visa requirements for entry.
We will endeavour to keep this section up to date, but please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/morocco.html (US citizens) or https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/morocco/entry-requirements (UK citizens) for further information.
To enter Morocco, a passport valid for the duration of your stay is required by all British, American, Canadian and EU nationals.
Passport note:
You should ensure that your passport is stamped when you enter the country. Some tourists have experienced difficulties leaving the country because their passport bears no entry stamp. Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay in Morocco. No additional period of validity beyond this is required.
Visas
Visas are not required by British, American, Canadian and EU nationals for stays in Morocco of up to three months.
Addresses of consulates
- Paris | Ambassade du Maroc
5, rue Le Tasse
75116 Paris
Tél. : 01.45.20.69.35
Fax :
info@amb-maroc.fr
- Ambassade de France au Maroc
1 rue Aguelmane Sidi Ali Agdal BP 602
Rabat - Chellah
Tél. : +212 5 37 27 66 00
Fax : +212 5 37 27 67 11
webmestre@ambafrance-ma.org
- Moroccan Consulate
Diamond House
97-99 Praed Street, Paddington
W2 1NT London
Tél. : +44 020 7724 0624
Fax :
HEALTH
There are no legal requirements regarding vaccinations. Still, it's a good thing to get your vaccinations in order before travelling to Morocco. The general vaccination against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP) is recommended. Also both hepatitis A as well as typhoid would be recommended.
Malaria is very rare and present only in a few remote areas. Don't underestimate this tropical disease and take precautions. Buy repellent (preferably with 50% DEET), and sleep under a net.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
It is a condition of your booking with Equus Journeys that you have travel insurance which covers you for the riding activities to be undertaken. Your travel insurance should cover you for medical expenses and repatriation. Your guides will require your travel insurance details before they allow you to ride and may refuse to let you ride if you cannot provide them. You should take your insurance documents with you.
TELEPHONE AND JET LAG
The telephone dialling code is +212.
Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good in towns and cities, and across the west of Morocco, but a little more erratic east and further south.
Time zone: GMT
BUDGET AND MONEY
The official currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). One dirham is equivalent with 100 santimat (singular: santim).
- Banknotes 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 dirham
- Coins 1, 5, 10, 20 santimat; ½, 1, 2, 5, and 10 dirham
VOLTAGE
127/220 volts AC, 50Hz, depending on age and location of building. Plugs usually have two round pins or the standard three pin UK.
Nights in hotels, guesthouses, B&B's or homestays. Double or twin rooms with bathrooms.
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