Horseback Riding in Morocco

Royal Cities Ride

Overview

This horseback riding tour in Morocco will take you through a rich and beautiful country, to the very historic heart of the country, a heart that is still very much alive and beating.

You will see the Roman ruins of Volubilis, Meknes, the town of the great king, Moulay Ismail, and the walled city of Fez, the medieval capital of Morocco, who’s Medina has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Discover a Morocco that is fertile and green with rich soil where fruit and olive trees grow in abundance. To ride here is to enter a new and yet unexplored world.

Morocco is only a 7-hour flight from the US, and has long been a favorite winter destination for Europeans who revel in its vital and colorful traditions. The spectacular landscape has not escaped the attention of the film industry which has taken advantage of the varied and beautiful terrain to shoot many films here, including “Lawrence of Arabia.” Many streams rush down from the mountains, and wherever water is available oases verdant with olive trees, date palms and terraced wheat fields flourish in sharp contrast to the bleak surrounding desert.

The first and last nights are spent in a 3-star hotel in Rabat, and you will enjoy a beautiful riad in the old Medina of Fez. While on trek, accommodations are in 2 person dome tents. Itineraries with hotel accommodation may be available at certain times.

Meals are taken in a large dining tent while on the trek and are a sampling of the Moroccan cuisine. The cook will prepare dishes such as tagines and couscous. Tagines are stewed or steamed dishes traditionally cooked over a small charcoal brazier with olive oil or butter, liquids and spiced meat to which vegetables are added. The picnic lunches feature prepared salads. Breakfast is simple, continental style.

  • Overview:
    As is the custom in Morocco, the horses are Arab / Barb mares and stallions, 14.2 - 15.2hh. They are strong, calm and well trained for trekking. The horses are accustomed to traveling together, however, riders must be aware of the stallions and not allow them to come too close to each other. On Day 2, time is spent matching each rider with a suitable mount. English saddles and snaffle bits are used.
  • Horse Breeds:
    Arab / Barb stallions and mares
  • Trip Pace:
    moderate to fast
  • Tack:
    English
  • Weight limit:
    185 lbs (85 kg)

This is not a recommended choice for non-riders.

Hotel in Rabat.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Casablanca and transfer by train or taxi to your hotel in Rabat (transfer at your expense) to meet the group at 8pm. If you have time to visit Rabat you can walk in the Medina, the garden of Oudiya, or the Hassan tower. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Rabat.

Day 2

Early breakfast in the hotel. Drive about 2 1/2 hours from Rabat to Meknes where you will have a chance to try out the horses, arrange saddle bags and coats etc., and make any changes necessary to horse and rider combinations this morning. The horses are Berber-Arabs, small but strong with good stamina.

Your first ride takes you to the foot of the Zerhoun mountain range. You will ride through many small villages with clay houses and olive trees, sunflowers and cornfields. Follow along the direction of a small river to the village of Sainte de Sidi Ali where you have wonderful views of Meknes and the surrounding area. There will be good opportunities for gallops before reaching the ancient Roman city of Volubilis. There you will find ancient temples, bath houses and a palace. Beautiful mosaics offer you a glimpse into the past. Your camp is near the ruins, beside a small river.

Day 3

Today you ride to Moulay Idriss, across orchards of olive trees and up to the peak of Zegota. There will be magnificent views of the Rif Mountains and up to the sources of Nzala Des Ben Ammar. Few crops can grow in this rocky ground with only a few olive trees subsisting in the rare open space. The stark countryside is devoid of almost all life, with the well where our animals are watered being the only location for local peoples to meet and exchange rumors. You will sleep in tents nearby.

Day 4

Ride across the white mountains of the Rif where you will see small villages tucked in the bottom of a valley, or small houses made of clay. Here agriculture is still done in the ancient way with bare hands and hard work. Many women can be seen working in the fields. After lunch on the trail you descend toward the Oued Mikkes. Follow a stream with many small, windy roads, and cross Arab villages to reach where you will spend the night near a stream. Here there are wonderful views of the Rif mountains.

Day 5

Today you ride into ‘Dead Valley’, which derives its name from the salty river that is not suitable for drinking water, or water for the fields. Water for the local people must be brought from areas up to three hours away. White, beige and yellow are the only colors you will find in this sterile land. Ride through small Berber villages and sandy fields to Fez where the horses will be left at the gates of the city. Transfer by car to your hotel in the city. In the afternoon, visit Fez, the Medina, the old university, and the souk with its small shops. The whole Medina of Fez was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981. Spend the night in Fez in a riad.

Day 6

Leave the royal city of Fez and rejoin your horses. Ride through a different countryside that is varied and interesting, but very flat. You may find turtles diving into a nearby stream to avoid the horse’s hooves as you ride along. Lunch will be on a hilltop amongst fig trees. Further along you find a water source for animals and locals that is also a popular washing place. From here you can see the entire Fez region and the Atlas Mountains. In the afternoon you ride near the beginning of the Atlas Mountains, crossing creeks and stony hills to arrive at a large plain where you enjoy canters. Camp for the night will be on a hill with views to Fez. Here too is an old French farm that is now a government agricultural location.

Day 7

Ride from hill to hill today, and occasionally through a small village. There will be opportunities for long gallops alongside fields of grapes and melons. You reach the stables through a quiet valley by noon. Say good-bye to your horses and travel by car to the Medina of Meknes for a short visit of the souks. Afterwards transfer to Rabat where you spend your final night.20kms.

Day 8

The trip ends today after breakfast at your hotel in Rabat. We recommend returning to Casablanca by train for your flight home. It is suggested you do not book flights departing Casablanca prior to mid-afternoon.

Itinerary Addendum

This itinerary is flexible and may be adjusted at your guides' discretion due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

Trip Map

Trip Dates & Pricing

You can book either camping or in hotels.

Departure Dates

Trip Starts
Trip Ends
Apr 13, 2024
Apr 20, 2024
Apr 20, 2024
Apr 27, 2024
Apr 27, 2024
May 4, 2024
May 4, 2024
May 11, 2024
May 11, 2024
May 18, 2024
May 18, 2024
May 25, 2024
May 25, 2024
Jun 1, 2024
Jun 1, 2024
Jun 8, 2024
Jun 8, 2024
Jun 15, 2024
Sep 7, 2024
Sep 14, 2024
Sep 14, 2024
Sep 21, 2024
Sep 21, 2024
Sep 28, 2024
Sep 28, 2024
Oct 5, 2024
Oct 5, 2024
Oct 12, 2024

Pricing & Options

  • Base Price
  • $1,275Per person price with 3-9 guests camping.
  • Pricing Variation
  • 2 guests 3-9 guests
    Camping $1,500 $1,275
    Guest Houses $1,875 $1,650
  • Single Supplement
  • $135Camping itinerary
  • $270Guest house itinerary
Additional Pricing Information:
Age limit: 11 yrs. for experienced rider traveling with an adult. Prices are based on the dollar/euro exchange rate and are subject to change. Ride price is set, guaranteed, and final at the time the deposit is paid.


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Do you have questions about this ride itinerary? Do you want to make sure that this it is the right ride for you? Or are you ready to book? Please call or email our experienced and friendly ride consultants for more detailed information. With first-hand knowledge of the exciting tours we offer, the ride consultants at Equitours look forward to answering any questions you might have

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Contact Megan Barrett

I had an absolutely perfect week riding these strong, eager, fit, friendly horses. Every aspect of the trip was truly perfect. This is definitely an adventurous trip for fit, experienced riders. I rode 5 different horses during our week, and each one was fantastic and unique - I loved them all, and was so happy to get to see beautiful Morocco from the backs of these amazing horses. The host is wonderful and it was such a pleasure to spend the week with her and her team. I can't recommend this trip highly enough - it's definitely my new favourite place to ride!

Naydani, 2017