Trail guide leading  a horse through the Moroccan countryside

Moroccan escapade

Escape your daily life with a riding holiday to discover the Berber culture. Close to Marrakech, this short-break in the Atlas mountains offers you charm and varied scenery. The lodge blends into the landscape and the area traversed on horseback is magnificent and wild. An ideal option for mixed groups of riders and non-riders.
Book now Print the details for this ride
Centre based holidays
4 days / 2.5 days riding -
From £0
Family holidays
from 6 y.o
Open to non-riders
  • Terres d'Amanar eco-lodge for a riding holiday
    The eco-lodge is beautifully located with great views of Marrakesh!
  • Short riding break in the Atlas Mountains, Morocco
    Short riding break in Morocco
  • Trail guide leading  a horse through the Moroccan countryside
    Enjoy riding Barb and Barb Arab horses on this short equestrian break
  • Yoga by the pool at Terres d'Amanar
    Enjoy yoga by the pool for a break from the saddle
  • Riders riding in the Atlas mountains near Marrakesh
    A great riding holiday for low intermediate to experienced riders
  • High ropes course at Terres d'Amanar
    The high ropes course and zipline are very popular with children
  • Non-riding activities at Terres d'Amanar
    Something for everyone!
  • Cycling the Atlas mountain for non-riders on a riding holiday
    Lots of non-riding activities at available, making this a great family holiday

Itinerary

Highlights

- 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.
  • Day 1 1 : ARRIVE IN MARRAKECH - ATLAS MOUNTAINS - 2 hours riding

    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 2 : TOUBKAL AND HAOUZ PLAIN - 4-5 hours riding

    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 3 : FOREST AND VALLEY OF IRAKEN - 4-5 hours riding

    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 4 : ATLAS MOUNTAINS - DEPARTURE FROM MARRAKECH

    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.

Dates & prices

Price details

No departure for this destination. Please contact our travel advisers for more information.
- Flights to your destination (international/domestic) are not included, but can be booked on request - please contact us for rates.     

- You can arrive and depart on any day and stay for as long as you like - the above dates are purely to give you an idea. Additional day: approx from €125-205 per day (£110-£180/$145-$240) and per person (in a standard double room), depending on season. Please contact us for a detailed quotation.

- Groups are composed from 1 rider to a maximum of 8 riders. If there is only one rider in the group, a small group supplement applies (transfers and single room): €120/£100/$140

- If you sign up to the ride as a solo rider and there are no other riders likely to share your room, you will be charged a single room supplement of approx. €120/£100/$140. You will then be reimbursed if a sharer is found for you at a later date. 

- Discounts are possible for children - please enquire for more details.

- Accommodation in Berber tents (shared toilets/bathroom) is also possible and this comes at a discounted price. Please contact us for a personalised quotation.

- There are many optional activities on offer and some are at extra cost, such as mountain biking and zip wires - these are paid locally.

- Please note that the horses are c. 15hh so if you weigh over 90kg or are taller than 6ft 5inches then please contact us before booking so that we can check there is a suitable mount for you.
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

Logistics

1 horse equipped with saddle and bridle per rider

Inland transport

Airport transfers

Accommodation

Double room - lodge

Meals

Full board from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 4

Price doesn't include

Meals

Potential lunches on D1 and D4 are not included in the price
Beverages and personal extras

Transports

International flights bookable on request

Extra

Non-riders activities

Extras

Tips to the local team

Insurance

Cancellation and travel insurance are not included in the above listed price. Please note that insurance is mandatory. We recommend taking out an insurance policy as soon as your trip is booked to cover you in case of cancellation

Optional

Accommodation

Single room supplement
We are currently updating our dates and prices they will be online soon. If you want details of this holiday, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Equestrian info

Horses

The horses are all Barb Arabs or Arabian geldings or stallions. They are tough and keen but sensible and sure-footed across the varied terrain. The stallions are suitable for experienced riders as they need be handled with softness and you have to maintain distance from the other riders, but the geldings are suitable for less confident riders. All of the horses are well schooled. Their average height is 15 hands.

Guide & local team

You will be guided by local Moroccan's who are familiar with the horses and the landscape. They will be accompanied by grooms. At least one of the guides will speak English but the grooms may only speak French and Arabic.

Minimum riding ability

Minimum riding ability

All abilities are welcome, from beginners to competent riders. Riding groups are split according to ability. Non-riders are also welcome as there are many activities available for them.

Please note that the horses are c. 15hh so if you weigh over 90kg or are taller than 6ft 5inches then please contact us before booking so that we can check there is a suitable mount for you. Please also bear this in mind when considering this destination for children as there are no small ponies.

Pace

The riding is mainly at walk due to the terrain, however, there are opportunities for trots and canters where the terrain allows.

Tacking ability and participation

You will be expected to assist with grooming, tacking up and untacking your horse each day but instruction and help is available if you are new to this. You are also welcome to participate in the general care of the horses such as feeding and watering if you wish.

Trip conditions and Requested experience

There are no particular difficulties on this ride - the ground is relatively easy and the climate is pleasant throughout the year.

No particular experience is required.

Visiting a new country offers the opportunity to meet other cultures with different mentalities, therefore it is important to accept these differences and respect the local way of life.


Equestrian equipment

There are saddle bags on some of the horses so that you can carry suncream etc with you during the day.
We recommend our riders to wear a helmet to the correct standard and you should bring your own to ensure a proper fit.

Travel info

Comfort

The lodge is one of the highlights of this trip - a charming lodge in the middle of the Atlas mountains - perfect for a change of scenery and a restful holiday.
- Simple lodge (64m2): 1 bedroom, a living room (with sofa bed if required), bathroom and private terrace.
- Double room (75m2): 2 bedrooms, a living room (with sofa bed if required), 2 bathrooms and private terrace.

The meals will be Moroccan with some European influences: usually a cold of lunch of salads, breads and fruit and a hot dinner comprising soup followed by tajine and dessert.

Accommodation in Berber tents is also possible. The tents are spacious and comfortable, although the bathrooms/toilets are shared.

Meals

Moroccan cuisine with some European influences. Lunch is usually light and served cold - salads etc, whereas dinner is usually three courses and served hot - soup, tajines and dessert.

Special diets can be accommodated, however please note that some foods can be difficult to find in Morocco. Certain diets may incur a supplement. All dietary requirements must be specified at the time of booking.

Climate

Marrackech as a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and cooler winters. The sky is usually clear blue.
In winter the mornings are fresh but temperatures have climbed to c. 20c by midday and then fall quickly as the sun sets. The evenings are cold and you will feel the difference, dropping to c. 6c
The best seasons to visit the city are Spring and Autumn when the temperatures are pleasant all day. Midday temperatures are c. 22-25c.
In summer the early mornings and evenings are pleasant but it can reach 40c by midday and the afternoons can feel hot and stuffy.

Tips

It is customary to tip the local team as a gesture of thanks and we would recommend c. £30 for the week, but you should give what you feel is right.

Packing list

Head
-Equus Journeys strongly recommend that you wear a riding helmet and 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

Upper body
- Long sleeved shirts provide protection from the sun and dust
- T-shirts
- Fleece, jumper or jacket - the evenings can be cold
- 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

Nightwear

Our Recommendations
- Please don't take a hard sided suitcase if possible as a soft sided one is easier for the team to handle.
- Take a second, smaller bag to pack things you may need during the day such as a book or suncream
- 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
- Towel. Camping towels will pack lighter and dry more easily
- Sarong (for going to/from the shower)
- Water bottle (1.5 litre or two x 1 litre)
- Camera and high capacity memory card. Spare battery
- Bumbag for carrying your camera and small items whilst riding
- 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...
- Rehydration sachets (dioralyte or similar)
- Spare prescription glasses/contact lenses
- Ear plugs, particularly if you are a light sleeper

Sustainable tourism

  1. Travel light. It's a little known fact, but the lighter you pack, the better for the environment as heavy bags will produce higher emissions (when flying a plane or driving a car!).
  2. Reduce plastic waste. Take your favorite reusable bottle with you. Avoid single-use bags, cups, or straws.
  3. Preserve nature. Always take your rubbish with you during the ride and recycle them. Leave all the flowers or plants as you found them, and never get too close when observing wildlife. Make sure to use eco-friendly products such as body wash or laundry detergent (if camping) to protect both your skin and the environment.
  4. Choose your experiences carefully. Respect animal life by not participating in any activities that abuse wild animals (shows, elephant rides, etc.).
  5. Support local populations. Buy local handicrafts, be respectful of customs, and learn about the culture of local communities.
  6. Share! Raise awareness among your family and friends about sustainable tourism.

For more information please see this page.

Did you know?

Did you know?


Our Moroccan Escapade is the ideal riding holiday for families or for group including non-riders, such as hen or stag parties. The lodge offers an incredible array of non-riding activities, as well as a beautiful pool, and you are sure to find something to do in addition to the riding. Activities include:

- Guided walks and trekking

- Mountain climbing

- Archery

- Zipline (the biggest in Africa!)

- High ropes course

- Mountain biking

- Arts and crafts workshops

- Team building games

- Orienteering

Some of these activities are at an additional and payable locally. Marrakesh is also 40 minutes away, and you may consider an extension to visit this beautiful and vibrant city! Contact us for more information.