The Iftane Loop - Horseback Riding in Essaouira

You will be picked up from your riad in Essaouira at 9:45 am and transferred to Diabat (a 10-minute drive), the starting point of the trek. There, you will meet the team and the horses before mounting and setting off.

You'll follow a river or wadi that leads you to the village of El Ghazoua, which you'll pass through. You'll then traverse the Moroccan countryside along small paths, encountering numerous argan trees along the way. Lunch will be prepared by our cook and served in an argan forest. After a short rest, you'll get back in the saddle and head, passing through small Berber villages, towards Argana, where your first campsite is located. You'll visit a women's argan oil cooperative. You'll spend the night near the oldest and largest argan tree in the region. Overnight in tents.

In the morning, you cross a forest crisscrossed by winding paths before passing through a small Berber village. The route then continues across plateaus situated between small hills, with the ocean as a backdrop.

Lunch is planned in the shade of argan trees, in a peaceful setting perfect for a break. After a rest, you'll reach a small valley where you'll find a place called "the spring." A short stop allows the horses to quench their thirst before continuing on.

In the afternoon, you progress between cultivated fields and small paths, until you reach the Atlantic beaches. You then enjoy a gallop on the beach, carried by the open space and the sound of the waves.

The day ends in Takaouchte, where your bivouac is set up on a cliff overlooking the ocean. You enjoy this view of the coast before the evening at camp.

Night in a tent.

In the morning, you progress between dunes, beaches and small paths that cross cultivated areas towards the Marabout and the natural waterfalls of Sidi Embark, whose water flows directly into the Atlantic Ocean.

You then continue along a winding path along the cliffs, offering beautiful views of the coast, until you reach the small fishing village of Iftane. This is where you stop for lunch.

In the afternoon, you'll continue your journey towards Sidi Kaouki, passing through the hinterland and several picturesque Berber villages. The route then leads to vast, unspoiled beaches, ideal for enjoying long, free-roaming gallops along the ocean's edge.

You arrive in the late afternoon at the bivouac set up on the beach of the small village of Sidi Kaouki, facing the Atlantic.

Night in a tent.

After breakfast, you resume your horseback journey towards Essaouira, riding along the vast, deserted beaches and sand dunes characteristic of the region. The route alternates between the seaside, fishing villages nestled on the beach, and small Berber villages.

You also pass near the Cap Sim lighthouse, an iconic landmark on the coast, before continuing your journey along the ocean.

Lunch will be a picnic in the shade of eucalyptus trees, overlooking the sea or in a small cove if the tide allows. You'll enjoy a break of about two hours before setting off again for the final part of the hike.

In the afternoon, you reach Diabat by crossing a forest of eucalyptus and mimosa trees as well as the ruins of the old sultan's palace.

A transfer then takes you back to the medina of Essaouira.

Dinner at leisure (not included) and overnight stay at the riad.

Transfer to Essaouira airport (20 min) or Marrakech airport (3 hours) depending on your departure time. Return flight (not included).