ESSAOUIRA BEACH TRAIL - MOROCCO

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Picturesque and traditional Essaouria is situated some hours west of Marrakech. This week long trail along the coast features plenty of riding along endless beaches interspersed with date palms and sand dunes and rocky peaks with views over the ocean. The horses are fit Arab X Barb stallions, responsive and fit ridden in English tack - an ideal summer break for good riders. The accommodation comprises of camping with a night near Essaouira at the start and Marrakech at the end in a small guest house.

Trip length 8 days/7 nights Ride price detailed prices price promise From: 2010 30 May, 13 Jun: double pp £699/€739/$1,049 Departure dates 2010: Low season - 23, 30* May; 13*, 19 Jun. High season - 4, 25 Jul; 1, 15, 22 Aug, 5 Sep. Approximate riding time per day 4 to 6 hours Riding ability required Intermediate onwards, min age 12. Group size 4-12 Meeting point (getting there) Marrakech Airport Transfer Included from meeting point. Flight guide London - Marrakech return from £150 - £250. Single supplement detailed prices No supplement if willing to share. Otherwise: 2010 30 May, 13 Jun: £74/€78/$109

SAMPLE ITINERARY - ESSAOUIRA BEACH TRAIL

Day 1
Meet at the airport, transfer to your Riad in Marrakech and overnight. Enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow riders to discuss the trail ahead!

Day 2
Early morning transfer to Immesouana (about a 5 hour drive) and arrive in time for lunch. This afternoon you will start your riding by a short 2 hour trail to test the horses and level of the rider. The start of the trail takes us across a forest a forest of thujas (type of juniper tree). The terrain is variable - sometimes wide earthy tracks, ometimes sand, but we progress at all times through forest. We arrive eventually around midday at the Sidi Kaouki beach where we have our first canter across the sands. Night camping.

Day 3
Tissila to Tafedna. By beautiful little paths and tracks we alternate between beach and forest, and pass through sand dunes. Then in the afternoon we climb again into the Argans (a Morrocan timber tree with an oil-bearing seed) to set up our camp on the cliff of Iftane which domintaes the ocean. Night camping. 6hrs riding.

Day 4
We progress through the Argan forests, passing numerous typical villages. We pass little sacred rivers and forest glades until we arrive at the beach of Tafedna. Night camping situated to the left of a fishing village. 5 hrs riding.

Day 5
Iftane to Sidi Kaouki. A long ride high up on the cliff with the ocean our only horizon. Eventualy we descend towards the beach and the village of Timzguida where we have a picnic. Night camping. 5hrs riding.

Day 6
Sidi Kaiuki to Ghazoua. A shorter ride today of 4 hours 15 minutes. After a delightful lunch we will transfer by minibus to Essaouira (about 30 minutes) and the afternoon will be free for the beach. Night in a guesthouse in Essaouria.

Day 7
Today we rest from riding and have a free morning in Essaouira to enjoy the beach or to have a wander around the narrow streets. After lunch we will transfer to Marrakech and spend the night in a hotel.

Day 8
Transfer to Marrakech airport for return flight.

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 - ESSAOUIRA BEACH TRAIL

Should there be less than 4 pax booked one month prior to the departure date, the trip can still be confirmed for 2 or 3 riders wtih a supplement of £215 person.

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. They all have individual characters and are well schooled, of good temperament and no more difficult to handle than normal riding horses.

Logistics:
The camping is in 3 person dome tents with no more than 2 per tent. You may also have a tent to yourself. 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 as well as plentiful amount of Berber mint tea. It is also possible to buy the usual array of carbonated drinks for about 40p per bottle in local shops.

The weight limit for this ride is 15 st/209 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 either camping or in small hotel with shared bathroom, all riding with English speaking guide, meals as per itinerary, 4WD back up and luggage transport, transfers to and from Marrakech.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Drinks, items of a personal nature and tips.

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