On this adventurous horse riding holiday, you penetrate the heart of the High Atlas, in the superb valley of Aït Bouguemez and the foothills of the Djebel M’ goun (4068 m). Riding along the tracks and bridle paths used by the mules of the mountain people, the superb Arab X Barb horses take you from one valley to another over high passes with panoramas on the highest Moroccan mountains. This will suit an adventurous person who enjoys camping and remote mountainous and desert scenery.
No supplement if rider is willing to share and a sharer can be found.
2012: £65/€75/$99
SAMPLE ITINERARY - CENTRAL ATLAS SUMMER
Day 1
Arrive in Marrakech. From the airport you will transfer to a small riad in the medina of Marrakech. Overnight at the riad.
Day 2
Marrakech / Imelghas / Tizi-n’tssalli
5 hour road transfer to Imelgahs. On arrival we get to try out our horses and make sure we are happy with our mounts. In the afternoon for our first leg on horseback along the lane which takes us to the beautiful surprise valley of Ait Bouguemez, we camp the other side of the pass of Tizi-n't tssalli 2763 m, outstanding views of the Atlas! (3 hours riding)
Day 3 Tizi-n’tssalli / Taghbaloute / Talmest
We follow a small track and view the valleys before descending following the river up to the village of Imi-boukhald, picnic in Taghbaloute at the edge of the river, in the afternoon we are going to cross the pass of Issderm-Awragh the pass is hard but the horses have astounding of suppleness, we go back towards the terraces of Talmest down to enjoy a long gallop to our camp (6 hours riding)
Day 4 Talmest / Cathédrale (rocher) / Tifwina
Today we see absolutely extraordinary landscapes. We approach the middle of the Atlas. Picnic at the foot of the cathedral of rock. In the afternoon we follow the valley with a superb view to the river Ahançal and the crops on the terrasse.
We camp in Tifwina (6 hours riding)
Day 5 Tifwina / Zawyat Ahançal / Asmsouk
Our group of adventure riders continue along the valley of Ahançal with villages in stony architecture and traditional earth hanging on the side of mountain. Picnic at the top of Zawyat Ahançal. In the afternoon among the pine trees covering the slopes of the central Atlas we continue our climb towards the summits of the Atlas.
The camp near Asmsouk village at the foot of Djebel Azourki 3677m (5-6 Hours riding)
Day 6
Asmsouk / Tizi-n’yllaz 2905m / Zawyat
Today a long uphill climb along a passage of muleteers up to the pass of stunning Yllaz Tizi-pas was seen on the terrace of Izoughar, we use the splendid backdrop of this special place, Picnic at the bottom of the pass, in the afternoon we enjoy a long gallop by the lake of Izoughar before the decent by the pass of Tizi-pas Taghfist 2540 m that enjoys views of all valley of Ait Bouguemez
We in Zawyat Oulmzi. (5 hours riding)
Day 7
Zawyat Oulmzi / Imelghas
We ride our last leg with our equine Arab companions to get back down the valley with these villages in berber architecture, picnic in Imelghas or await our transfer to Marrakech.5h of road. (2-3 hours riding)
Installation in the hotel
Free dinner
Day 8
Marrakech. After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the airport for your departure connections.
Please note: This itinerary is given for your guidance only and it may be altered in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.
NOTES - CENTRAL ATLAS SUMMER
As with many horse 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. The route may also be ridden in reverse. 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 on this ride. A sense of humour and common sense are essential as well as the capacity to enjoy camping and remote mountains.
Logistics: The camping is in 2 person dome tents. 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.
Alchohol Alchohol is not provided on this trip. You are welcome to bring your own from your country of origin or purchase in Marrakech before the trip.
The weight limit for this ride is 15st /210 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
All accommodation and riding on the trail. Meals and soft drinks during the trail, 4WD back up and luggage transport, transfers to and from Marrakesh.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
International flights, alcoholic drinks (you can take along your own), drinks in Marrakesh on Day 1 and Day 7, dinner in Marrakesh on Day 1, flights to and from Marrakesh, tips and single supplement if not willing to share.
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What you see on our web site is exactly how much your invoice will come to and this will not change once booked. Unlike some other companies the prices on our web site are fully inclusive of often hidden extras such as: VAT, Sales Tax, state taxes, city taxes, service charges, non-optional tips, fuel surcharges which can add 20% or more to the advertised cost. Prices are available in £ sterling, Euros and US$. Once invoiced, prices are guaranteed against adverse currency fluctuations. Contact us for package prices which include flights from the UK and see each ride for exact details of all items in individual itineraries.
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