HIGH ATLAS CROSSING - MOROCCO
more photos | enquiry | availability check | ride reviews
The very adventurous two week long High Atlas Crossing takes us from Berber country near the desert oasis of Ourzazate on a route high into and over the Atlas Mountains and to Marrakesh. This route was used by the old caravaners before the road was built and is now part of the history of Morocco. You will meet the nomadic Berbers and be warmly welcomed into their homes and lives to feel the culture. This horse riding holiday will suit an adventurous person who enjoys camping and remote mountainous and desert scenery. This route explores some of the most remote and spectacular parts of the Atlas Mountains. The trail is possible twice a year, once in spring and the reverse again in autumn. Our May date in 2004 was the first ever ride traversing the Atlas Mountains. This was a huge success and since been establsihed as a must do ride for adventurous riders. Join us in exploring the real Morocco on horseback.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - HIGH ATLAS CROSSING
Key Points: - The palm plantation of SKOURA and the south of Morocco - our starting point - The Kasbah of AÏT BEN HADDOU - The Kasbah of TELOUET - The crossing of TIZI-N-TICHKA (2400 meters) - The plateau of YAGOUR and the rock drawings - The valley of SITI FATMA - The Berber country, its villages and customs - The arrival in MARRAKECH
Day 1
Arrival - Marrakech airport. Transfer to the palm plantation of SKOURA. Dinner and night in a gite in the palm plantation. The accommodation will be shared neat multi-bedrooms with bathrooms and toilets in a shower block. The horses stay in the garden of this old Moroccan Kasbah with us for the night. It is a lovely place, like a garden of Eden in the middle of the palmeraie; a lovely way to start your horse riding holiday.
Day 2
Choosing the horses and preparation before departure. Here we can ride the horses to try them, find comfortable saddles, arrange saddle bags and coats etc. Lunch in SKOURA and departure at the beginning of the afternoon towards our first camp site. This is a tradition for all the caravaneers of the desert. They would always leave in the evening to go and sleep in the open at a short distance from the oasis in order to finalise the leave-takings and the desert convoy in a more relaxed way. The next day departure was then more efficient and early. Camp in IDELSSANE - 2 hours horse riding away.
Day 3
Departure of the desert convoy at dawn in the direction of the Lake of OUARZAZATE. 2 hours and a half horse riding followed by a lunch break. Then we head in the direction of tonight's camp : isolated oasis of NAGGA, a further 2 hours riding away. Crossing of the last foothills of the desert we ride along the bottom slopes of the mountains . As a backdrop we have the Atlas towering with its snow-covered peaks.
Day 4
Today, we're going to begin our entrance in the Atlas Mountains: the Kasbah of AÏT BEN HADDOU. This is a large Kasbah and a shrine for the caravaneers. It is the gate that used to protect the route across the Atlas Mountains. The history of these times is still alive in the walls of that fortress. We set up our camp not far from this shrine. 5 and a half hours horse riding today along a fairly easy track.
Day 5
The long corridor of the Atlas Mountains: the valley of WAOUNILA. This is the only valley which goes right up to the high slopes of the Atlas Mountains and helps the caravaneers to get across the Atlas Mountains. A fairy-tail of light, colours and shapes accompanies our every step. Tonight we camp in TAGUENDOUCHT, last village before we come out on to the last flat space at the bottom of the summit ridge of the Atlas: the valley of TELOUET. 6 hours horse riding today.
Day 6
Once we have passed by the last thresholds of the wadi (oued ?), we reach the Kasbah of TELOUET. This was an indispensable rendezvous for the old desert convoys of the Atlas. Today is a short day of 4 hours horse riding. We set up our camp for 2 nights.
Day 7
Today we have a day off to make the most of the magnificent surroundings of this exceptional site. We visit the Kasbah and look after our horses who will carry us to the summit tomorrow.
Day 8
With our refreshed mounts, we cross the Atlas! A great day. The track is difficult and we have to dismount from time to time. After the crossing we face a vertiginous descent towards the village of ZERKTEN. Imposing landscapes; atmosphere of another age; we are the heroes of the day! It is easy to imagine we are in a bygone age. We camp not far from the village and the wadi (oued). 6 hours horse riding.
Day 9
The route across the Atlas mountains is not over simply because we have crossed the peak! We still have a few ridges to ride across. We go back up along the track to come down to the valley of OUED ZAT. This is a remote and not much visited valley. Camp towards the oued not far from the villages. 5 hours horse riding.
Day 10
Today the traverse of the plateau of YAGOUR. We take advantage of the place to go even further back in time, contemplating the cave drawings. Then we continue along an easier track on the plateau which allows us to have a few canters. Camp right opposite ANAMAR, an example of the beautiful Atlas villages. 5 hours and a half horse riding.
Day 11
After descending to the bottom of the valley of the OURIKA, we will ride along the valley to set up our last camp towards the village of ASGUINE. 4 and a half hours horse riding.
Day 12
A relaxing morning on our horses. We make the most of the last lights and colour's of that magnificent valley to finally come out of the Atlas and put a beautiful end to that mythical traverse. We leave our horses to our guides in the village of ET-TNINE. Transfer to MARRAKECH. Here we make ourselves at home in a little hotel of the Médina. We visit a lovely hammam (bath house) to take some rest after the rigors of our trip.
Day 13 & 14
Two days free in MARRAKECH to explore the Medina, admire the architecture and shop for oriental goods such as rugs. While in Marrakech we stay in a very clean 3 * hotel with twin bedded rooms with en suite shower and toilet. The hotel is situated in the middle of town - very handy for exploring the city. Meals free choice (not included).
Day 15 Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport. Flight back to England.
NOTES: As with many riding holidays, this itinerary is given for your guidance only and it may be altered in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team. There is a full backup team with vehicle for the length of your stay. Cooking will be done for you but you will be requested to assist with grooming and saddling your horse.
Level required: One must be a good horseman and fairly fit. The horses are all stallions as it is customary not to castrate riding horses in Morocco. They all have individual characters and are well schooled, of good temperament and no more difficult to handle than normal riding horses. Certain stages may force us to have longer days than usual. Certain passages in the mountains force us to dismount. There still is a pioneer spirit in this traverse. A sense of humour and common sense are essential as well as the capacity to enjoy camping, remote mountains and desert scenery.
Logistics: The camping is in 3 person dome tents with no more than 2 per tent. You may also have a tent to yourself for the trip for a supplement of £36. Foam mattresses are supplied, you need to bring sleeping bags. You are asked to give some help with the setting up of your tents. There is a shower tent with a large bucket of hot water for washing every day. There is one shower tent and one toilet (chemical). Meals are taken in a large restaurant tent around a round table with stools for seats. We recommend you bring 2 water bottles, mineral water will be supplied. It is also possible to buy mineral water for about 40p per bottle in local shops as well as the usual array of carbonated drinks. On the 3 nights in Marrakesh there is a single room supplement of £40 for the 3 nights.
NOTES - HIGH ATLAS CROSSING
GETTING TO Marrakech
As a fully ATOL bonded and registered agency we would be delighted to book your flights for you. Should you wish to book your own flights please see our flights page for some options.
Prices
4 people - £1239
6 people - £1109
8 People - £1065
10 people - £1025
The weight limit for this ride is 15st /210 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
All accommodation, riding, meals, a limited amount of alcoholic drinks, 4WD back up and luggage transport, transfers to and from Marrakesh.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Choice of alcoholic drinks (can be purchased on your behalf at a reasonable price), flights to and from Marrakesh and tips.
more photos | enquiry | availability check | ride reviews
