Knights of Essaouira Coast & Country Ride in Morocco

Argan forests, Berber villages and Atlantic beaches, camping by the sea on Arab-barb horses

Zouina Cheval, based in the village of Diabat near Essaouira, runs a six-day coast-and-country trail on hardy Arab-barb horses. The route crosses the world's largest argan forest, traditional Berber villages and the Zerrar dam before reaching the Atlantic, riding its cliffs, dunes and long beaches. Nights are spent in well-equipped bivouac camps, and between May and September riders can swim with the horses in the sea.

Highlights

Ride through the world's largest argan forest, dodging the tortoises
Traditional Berber villages and a women's argan-oil cooperative
The Zerrar dam and its lake, then gorges, canyons and open plateaus
Reach the Atlantic and ride the cliffs, dunes and long beaches to Sidi Kaouki
Swim with the horses in the sea between May and September

The riding

Ability

Experienced

Tack

Trail tack; helmets are provided

Terrain

Argan forest, small mountains, gorges and canyons, dunes and Atlantic beaches

Pace

Full days with plenty of canter and gallop

Rider weight limit

85 kg

Group

Runs all year from just two participants

A diverse and quite technical trail open to experienced riders. Expect long canters and gallops where the going allows, so you should be fit and comfortable at all paces in open country.

The horses

Arab-barb

Tough and gentle Arab-barb horses, well suited to the varied terrain.

A typical day

From Diabat the trail follows the Ksob river and climbs into the argan forest, crossing Berber country to camps near old sugar-factory ruins, the Zerrar dam and Argana, before turning to the coast on day five to ride the dunes onto the beach. The final days trace the cliffs past the fishing villages of Iftane and Sidi Kaouki, camping each night within sight or sound of the sea.

Accommodation & food

Well-equipped bivouac camps set up by the team: a dining tent, a hot-water shower tent and a separate chemical-loo tent, with the choice of a large shared Moroccan tent or a small one- to two-person igloo tent.

All meals prepared in camp.

When to go

Best months: Year-round

The trail runs all year; swimming with the horses is possible between May and September.

Getting there

Nearest airport: Essaouira (ESU), about 20 minutes; or Marrakech (RAK), about 2h45

Transfers: The eight-day option includes airport transfers and two nights in a riad in Essaouira.

What's included

Included

Six days' riding on Arab-barb horses
Five nights in bivouac camp
All meals in camp
Helmets, guides and support team

Not included

International flights
Travel insurance
Riad nights and transfers (included on the eight-day option)
Sleeping bag

Good to know

Six days riding with five nights in camp; an eight-day version adds transfers and two riad nights
Rider weight limit 85 kg; helmets provided
Bring your own sleeping bag; a camp permit means bookings close two weeks before departure
Priced from about €820 for the ride only, or about €940 for the eight-day version with transfers and riad nights
Direct flights to Essaouira or Marrakech from several European cities