Discover the foothills of the High Atlas and ride through the famous Agafay Desert on fabulous Arabes-Barbes horses on this luxury ride just a stone's throw from Marrakech. The ride gives you a fabulous taste of the region's most beautiful landscapes where the terrain is perfect for all paces i…
Discover the foothills of the High Atlas and ride through the famous Agafay Desert on fabulous Arabes-Barbes horses on this luxury ride just a stone's throw from Marrakech.
The ride gives you a fabulous taste of the region's most beautiful landscapes where the terrain is perfect for all paces including some faster riding.
You will stay in the best hotels of the area which are charming and luxurious.
Tack
English-style leather saddles are used for all the horses, along with practical saddle bags for your small items (camera etc). bridles are simple leather ones with either a snaffle or pelham bit. Each horse is also ridden in a martingale which can be attached to the front of your saddle to prevent slipping on climbs.
You will be asked to tack and untack your own horse at the beginning and end of each day. Help is on hand if required, but you should be fairly comfortable doing this yourself.
Horses
The horses are predominantly Barbs or Arab-barb crosses. They are mainly stallions although some have been gelded. The horses are forward-going, fit and eager to please, but their behaviour, especially when handled on the ground, may differ from what you are used to at home or on other trails. Your guides will be able to show you the correct way to handle the horses and provide help if you require it.
Riding
There is 1 itinerary:
Ages
None within reason - young riders are able to join this trail accompanied by a parent or guardian, provided they are fit, experienced riders who are confident handling a forward going horse (there are no ponies)
Health
You need to be physically fit and riding fit. If you are not riding regularly then you must get back in the saddle before joining the trails.
Weight
90kg / 198 lbs/ 14 st 2lbs
All meals are included during the riding tours, from dinner on your day of arrival until breakfast on your day of departure.
Dinners will be typical and traditional Moroccan fare featuring plenty of vegetables, chicken, beef, and lamb in the form of tagine, soups, stews and couscous. These are typically 3 courses, with soup to start, tagine or stew to follow and fresh fruit to finish. Lunch is usually lighter - prepared for you by the support crew on the trail - with fresh salad, pasta, rice or couscous and a selection of protein such as cheese or tinned fish. Breakfast will vary depending on the ride you are on but usually consists of a selection of bread, preserves, cakes, fresh fruit, eggs, tea, coffee and juice.
Traditional Moroccan tea will be served at breakfast, lunch and at the end of the riding day together with a selection of sweet and salted snacks. Water is provided but other drinks are payable locally. Some of the more touristic guesthouses will serve a selection of alcoholic drinks (beer and wine) for you to buy, but most will only offer soft drinks.
1st & 2nd Night: Guesthouse in Oumnast www.riadsougtani.com
3rd & 4th Night: Tented accommodation www.inaracamp.com
5th Night: Lodge accommodation www.kasbahbeldi.com
Luxury Atlas to Desert Luxury accommodation.
These riding trails are not suitable for purely non-riding guests. The riding days are long so there are also few opportunities to fit in other activities. There may be some free time in the evenings to walk amongst the dunes, listen to traditional music after dinner or swim in the pool if you are on the guesthouse ride (and there is one available).
For those wishing to extend their stay in Morocco, it is well worth taking some time to explore Ouarzazate; famed as the gateway to the desert, its Berber and nomadic culture as well as its film and television studios which have featured as a location for titles such as Gladiator, Ben Hur, The Mummy films, Game of Thrones, Cleopatra, Jewel of the Nile and many others.
Riding: 3 - 5 hours
Morning transfer from Marrakech to Terres D'Amanar. Here you will meet your guides and horses, discuss your riding itinerary, saddle up and set off for a short assessment ride through the hamlets or the valley, over gentle hills and on a tracks where you can enjoy your first gallop.
In the afternoon continue your ride through the countryside before ending the day below Souktana, the highest peak in the Kik Region. Enjoy a delicious meal in the comfort of your guesthouse, Riad Sougtani.
Riding: 3 - 5 hours
After breakfast your will prepare your horse and ride out towards Anwor which is a small agricultural plateau where the land is fertile and cereal crops and livestock are the locals only resources.
Enjoy a picnic lunch before riding across some undulating hills and through small villages and plateaus before returning to your guesthouse.
Riding: 4 - 5 hours
After your typical Berber breakfast you will prepare your horses for today's ride which takes you through large desert plateaus overlooking the Oued N'Fiss before crossing the wadi which flows all year-round allowing crops to grow along it's banks. After a long ride you will finally reach the Agafay Desert where the evening light is just spectacular.
The terrain here is perfect for some faster riding before arriving at your superb, charming camp for the next 2 nights. Perhaps you'd like to take a dip in the pool while the last rays of sunshine disappear for the night.
Riding: 4 - 5 hours
In the morning and you will wake at first light will realise what a magical place this is. Take the time to enjoy this superb view with a delicious breakfast.
Your horses are waiting for you for a day of discovery in this magnificent setting where you will ride into stunning remote valleys.
Your accommodation for the next 2 nights will be the luxury tented Inara Camp, something very special!
Riding: 4 - 5 hours
Wake up and continue to enjoy this superb setting before climbing back in the saddle and heading due west. You will cross the hills on the edge of the Desert before returning to a more wooded landscape, olive groves and crops.
You will then descend towards Lake Takerkoust and your last guesthouse, Kasbah Beldi, which is tucked away in magnificent "pistachiers de l'Atlas".
Enjoy the pool and terraces before enjoying aperitifs and dinner on your final night.
Riding: 3 - 4 hours
Enjoy breakfast before your final ride back towards Souktana where you will say goodbye to your horses.
After a picnic lunch your hosts will transport you back to Marrakech for your flight home - or perhaps stay on for a few more nights in Marrakech.
| Accommodation | You will stay for the 1st two nights in a guesthouse, luxury tents for the 3rd & 4th night and a lodge on your final night. |
| Experience | Intermediate / Experienced
You should be competent in all paces across open terrain, rising to the trot and cantering in a forward seat. You must be able to control your horse with a light hand whilst riding in a group/open order. |
| Minimum group size | 2 |
| Maximum group size | 8 |
| Departure windows |
Jan. 19, 2025 - Jan. 24, 2025 Feb. 16, 2025 - Feb. 21, 2025 March 16, 2025 - March 21, 2025 April 20, 2025 - April 25, 2025 May 18, 2025 - May 23, 2025 |
| 2025 Rider, Sharing |
£1970
$2475
€2375
For rides with 3 or more riders booked. |
| Included | 5 nights accommodation, all meals from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day, drinking water, transfers from Marrakech airport, 5 days riding. |
| Not included | Flights, personal travel insurance, drinks, sleeping bag, tips and other personal expenses. |
| 2025 - Single Supplement |
£455
$570
€550
Paid to Far and Ride |
| 2025 - Small Group Supplement |
£620
$780
€750
Paid to Far and Ride This will be refunded once 3 or more riders are confirmed. |
