Agafay Desert Trail
Ride through the High Atlas Mountains, renowned for being the most beautiful region in Morocco. Pass through Berber villages to discover the traditions of the region, far from the metropolitan life of Marrakech. The trail's goal is to reach the Agafay desert; the terrain gradually opens up and you will ride at a varied pace with lots of trots, canters and full gallops when the terrain allows. This trail is only suitable for intermediate and experienced riders.
The colors of this region gradually change depending on the time of year, going from lush green to hay yellow around October. The landscape will radically change shape as you approach the Agafay desert, the open horizon perfect for letting go of the reins.
The pace for this trail is mixed: during the mountainous passages the pace is walking and technical, allowing you to relax and fully enjoy your surroundings. There is also the opportunity some faster paced riding when terrain allows
- Ride Morocco's most beautiful landscapes: High Atlas mountains, Berber villages & the dramatic Agafay desert
- Stunning Barb-Arab horses
- Luxury 5* riads, a lakeside spa hotel & a desert camp with pool
- Big skies, open horizons & fast gallops when the desert terrain opens up
- Immerse in Moroccan culture
- Just 45 minutes from Marrakech airport
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itinerary
Day 1
Morning transfer from Marrakech airport to the Terres d'Amanar equestrian centre (around a 45 minute drive). You'll meet the guides and horses and hear about the route you are about to begin. There will be a short assessment to check all riders are happy with their horses before departing the equestrian centre. This first ride will take you through the hamlets of the valley, then through gentle hills on a track where you can enjoy a faster pace before crossing the olive groves. You'll end the day under Souktana, the highest peak in this region. Overnight in a 5* riad in Oumnast.
Riding time: 4.5 hours
Day 2
It's a beautiful day and after a delicious breakfast at your accommodation, you'll saddle up the horses and head out. This morning you'll cross a small plateau (Anwor), a vast area of fertile land. In the afternoon you'll ride up and over small hills and then cross small villages and plateaus to return to your riad accommodation.
Riding time: approx. 4 hours
Day 3
We leave our accommodation after a typical Berber breakfast. We crosslarge desert plateaus and overlook the Oued N'Fiss ( a beautiful river valley). The water flows all year round, allowing lush greenery to grow along its banks. Once we've crossed the river it's time for the final climb to the Agafay desert! The evening light brings out the best in the unique desert colours. You can enjoy a faster pace in the middle of these hills before arriving at a luxury desert camp complete with swimming pool. Take advantage of the last rays of sunshine to have a dip in the pool before dinner in the on site restaurant.
Riding time: approx. 4h30
Day 4
Morning and first light make this place magical. Enjoy a superb breakfastwith a view! Your horses are waiting for you for a day of discovery in thismagnificent setting. Depending on the season, we'll go into the remote valleys of this famous desert.
Day 5
We continue to enjoy this superb setting before climbing back on the saddle and heading due west. We cross the hills that make up this desert before returning to a more wooded landscape. More and more olive groves make up the landscape before you descend towards Lake Takerkoust. The final hotel of the trip is tucked away in the magnificent lakeside pistachio groves. You can enjoy the pool and terraces for aperitifs and dinner. We recommend booking into the spa or hammam to fully relax after your fifth day of riding!
Riding time: Approx. 4-5 hours.
Day 6
Breakfast in the first rays of sunshine, and we're back in the saddle for your final morning's riding. The riding time today is around 3 hours before lunch and heading back to Marrakech.
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Agafay Desert Trail
Mini-brochure PDF
know before you go
This trail is suitable for intermediate to advanced riders. Riders should be confident in the saddle, in control at all gaits and have experience riding on open terrain. Riders should be in good physical condition, happy to be in the saddle for 4-5 hours per day. The weight limit is 90 kilos.
You will be guided by a Moroccan local from the Sport Travel team whose local knowledge is second to none. All guides speak Arabic, French and English fluently and are friendly and enthusiastic horsemen and women, keen to show visitors rural Morocco at it's best. An experienced and passionate equestrian support team will meet the group for meals and at overnight stops.
The maximum group size is 8 riders.
Morrocco may well win the prize for the most stunning-looking horses! Known as Barb-Arabs, this breed was created almost a century ago to produce the perfect war horses by crossing fine Purebred Arabians and Barb (Berber) horses. This crossbreeding provides horses perfectly adapted to the mountainous and desert environment of the region, they are strong and robust, with the speed and beauty of Arabian horses. The horses stand at approx. 15hh and almost every possible colour is represented. All the horses used on the trail are owned by your hosts and are well cared for and loved. They live a happy lifestyle, as evidenced by their willing, friendly temperaments and when not on the trail, they live as nature intended in a large herd.
The tack used is English style, with high quality English leather saddles with comfortable suede or sheepskin padding. Leather bridles and saddle bags are provided for participants to carry water and equipment for the day. The rest of your luggage is transferred between overnight stops by vehicle.
Price includes
- 6 days trail riding (between 3 and 5 hours per day)
- 5 nights accommodation
- Trail riding horse, tack and saddlebags
- All meals from lunch on arrival day to lunch on departure day
- Tea, coffee, soft drinks and water
- Airport transfers
Price Excludes
- Flights
- Alcoholic drinks
- Optional spa/hammam at the final hotel
Accommodation
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This trail is unique for our Moroccan trails in that it offers much more luxurious accommodation than is usually used, especially considering this is a desert trail. All the hotels have swimming pools and on your final night, the hotel offers a hammam and spa. Accommodation is based on two sharing although single rooms are available for an additional supplement. Click on the links below to view the accommodation options.
Please note these are the usual options but your hosts reserve the right to use alternative accommodation (of a similar standard) should these be fully booked.
Day 1: 5* Riad with swimming pool (Riad Sougtani)
Day 2: 5* Riad with swimming pool (Riad Sougtani)
Day 3: Luxury desert camp with swimming pool and restaurant (Inara Camp)
Day 4: Luxury desert camp with swimming pool and restaurant (Inara Camp)
Day 5: Lakeside hotel with spa and swimming pool (Kasbah Beldi)
This trail includes all meals from lunch on your arrival day to lunch on your departure day. You can expect traditional Moroccan cusine, breakfast is served at your accommodation each morning and is usually a selection of bread, preserves, cakes, fresh fruit, eggs, tea, coffee and juice. Make sure to sample msemen, a delicious crepe served in this region. 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. Lunch is usually lighter, with fresh salad, pasta, rice or couscous and a selection of seasonal and delicious fruits. Allergies and special diets can be accommodated if communicated in advance. One of the loveliest features of riding in this part of the world is the delicious sweet mint tea served throughout the day, incredibly refreshing and worth getting used to as English-style tea with milk is not widely available here!
Agafay Desert Trail
Booking Conditions
See the full booking conditions specific to this trail here.Single room supplement: £647 (not payable if happy to share and a sharer can be found)
Small group supplement applies for a group of 2 riders : £385
Flights & Transfers
Do NOT book flights until you have received the 'Booking Confirmation Email' from saddletravel.com
You should fly into Marrakech airport and book a flight that arrives before midday. The airport transfer time is between 45 minutes and one hour. Your departure flight on the final day should be after 6:30 pm or we recommend staying an additional night in Marrakech.