Sable d'Or Ride

Introduction
Morocco Morocco
Morocco covers 2,900 km of little explored and underappreciated Atlantic coastline. From Agadir we ride across the fertile plain of the Souss with many beautiful sandy roads allowing many gallops from one Berber village to the next. Houses are made from red clay and the walls are mostly hidden by cactus bushes, but behind every cactus a pair of curious eyes watch us wherever we go. We descend into the rocky and deserted hills before climbing over the hills of Tachilla that give us one more view of the blue waters of  a lake before we head for the region of Tiznit. The landscape varies between dry sand dunes, big rocky plains and a deep canyon that we cross. Finally, a fresh wind blows over from the Atlantic. Long gallops over the sandy plain bring us to the ocean. Here we follow the coast across sand dunes and rolling hills. The ride ends on an enormous deserted beach where we have the chance for a real horse race. Only the cries of the seagulls and the sound of the waves break the silence in this area. Flocks of birds, seagulls and pink flamingos will make way as our horses races neck and neck.

Highlights
- Agadir
- Tiznit, city of silver artisans
- Fertile plain of the Souss river
- Galloping across sandy beaches
- Bird reservation at Oued Souss

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive ride, so nights will be spent at various hotels and guesthouses.

Description
Laundry can usually be arranged in hotels. Inquire at the hotel for price.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 7: Hotel in Agadir
Night 2: Guesthouse in Massa
Night 3: Riad near Youssef Ben Tachfine Dam
Night 4: Hotel in Tiznit
Night 5: Guesthouse in Aglou
Night 6: Guesthouse in Sidi R'bat

Hotel in Agadir
Perfectly located in the center of Agadir, just 400 m from the beach. It also has 2 outdoor swimming pools. The rooms have private facilities with air-conditioning and satellite TV. WIFI is available in public areas and is free of charge.

Guesthouse in Massa
This small guesthouse offers a warm welcome and comfortable rooms. There is also a small pool to cool off in the evening.

Riad near Youssef Ben Tachfine Dam
This charming Riad offers colorful rooms with free Wi-Fi. There is an outdoor pool where guests can relax.

Hotel in Tiznit 
This 3 star hotel offers rooms with en-suite bathrooms. There is a swimming pool where guests can relax after a long day in the saddle.

Guesthouse in Aglou
There are only 4 rooms in this cozy guesthouse. Each room is unique and features a beautiful décor as well as a private bathroom and free Wi-Fi.

Guesthouse in Sidi R'bat
This seaside accommodation has 7 guestrooms. All rooms have their own bathroom as well as a terrace with beautiful ocean views.

Room Occupancy
Single supplement is mandatory if we are unable to find another rider to share. During one night (on day 5) it might not be possible to get a single room as the accommodation is really small.



Meals
All meals are included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on the last day. 

You will enjoy a mix of food: some "western food" and some very good local specialties!
Some days a car will meet us for lunch and on some days we will have a picnic on the trail - you will take the food with you in your saddle bags.

Drinks in hotels or restaurants and alcoholic drinks on the ride are not included.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to dietary restrictions if given prior notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Horses
You will ride small but very surefooted Arabian Berber horses with a great courage and stamina. Mares and stallions go together on the ride. Stallions and mares go well together, but some of the stallions need extra space when two are in the same area. A whip is suggested for the stallions, as they need strict orders. This does not make them difficult to ride, they just require more firm direction and more attention. These horses can get very attached to their riders and are always ready to please.

Riding ability
You should be able to ride for 5-8 hours per day. You do not need to have experience riding in an outdoor setting.
As we will have stallions and mares on the ride you should follow the instructions of your leader. Stallions are well mannered with mares, but need distance with other stallions.

Tack
Mostly English and some military tracking saddles. Some people bring their own gel-cushion or sheep-skin cover to put over the saddle since we ride for long hours.

Staff
Driss and Rena have been organizing treks on horseback in Morocco since 1982.
Rena, once a schoolteacher in Switzerland, came to Meknes in the year 1984 to realize her dream of living in harmony with horses and nature. In love with Morocco and its inhabitants, she will help you discover another Morocco, away from the beaten track, authentic and enchanting, as your guide on the treks.
Driss is a riding instructor who used to work for the National Studfarm of Meknes. He has more than 25 years of experience with horses and he has taught a great many students (a lot of them French) who for the most part have gone on to be high level riders).

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival in Agadir
Please tell us your hour of expected arrival so we can collect you at the airport (pick up possible before 6pm only). Meet at the hotel for dinner for 7 pm (meeting is in the hotel lobby).
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Agadir

Day 2: Ride across plain of Souss
Before starting the ride, we are transferred to the horses (about 40 km away). After introduction we start the day by a short and slower morning ride. We stop for lunch is by the Atlantic coast, with a beautiful view over the ocean.
In the afternoon, we ride away from the coast into the fertile Souss plain with many beautiful sandy tracks allowing many canters. In this region, vegetables are grown in greenhouses to protect them against major changes in temperature.
In order to reach our accommodation in the village of Massa, the last hour riding will be at a slower pace, as the terrain is very rocky.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Massa

Day 3: Sandy Tracks
Today, the first hour takes us over a stony plain, through villages. Then we reach an endless sandy plain. Long sandy roads that never end take us from one Berber village to the next. Houses are made out of red clay and the walls are mostly hidden by cactus bushes, but you may see that behind every cactus a pair of curious eyes will look at us wherever we go, as horses and riders are a very unusual sight in these regions. Under the hot sun, the farmers here are only capable of growing a few crops but they are living most of the time on their livestock of sheep and goats, taken care of by young children or old people.
Lunch will be taken somewhere in this sandy plain. Later on, we reach the canyon of river Massa. On its sides many cactus and succulents are growing in between Argan trees. Overnight in a Auberge.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Riad near Youssef Ben Tachfine Dam

Day 4: Desert Ride & Tiznit Visit
Our ride of the day starts among small sand dunes. It makes for fun canters as this region is deserted. We might see some nomads with their sheep and goat herd. After riding for about 3 hours, we stop for lunch. We then say goodbye to the horses as we are taken by car to the city of Tiznit. Tiznit was built in 1882 by Sultan Moulay Al Hassan I of the Alaouiten Dynasty. Tiznit was a originally a fort built by the Arab people against the Berber tribes.
Tiznit is very famous for its silverwork. In the afternoon we will visit the Medina of Tiznit.
We will have dinner and spend the night at a hotel in Tiznit.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Tiznit

Day 5: Sandy Plains
This is a long day in the saddle! In the morning, we drive back to the horses. Once back in the saddle, we ride across big sandy plains. Little bushes are growing and in between we still might see some sheep and camel herds of the nomads. But this region is also famous for its bee-nomads. These nomads travel with their bee houses and stay in places where the plants are in bloom. They produce succulent honey.
Many long canters will bring us to our guesthouse near Aglou.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at a Guesthouse in Aglou

Day 6: Ride to the Atlantic Coast
We start the day by climbing over a hill. At the top, we can start feeling the fresh wind from the Atlantic blowing over us. Soon we reach the coast.
We continue our ride on sandy tracks, sometimes on the beach. The view over the blue ocean is just magnificent.
Today's riding times vary depending on the tides, but we will ride for about 65 km. Either we have lunch before the long beach of Sidi Rbat or after. 
Our accommodation for the night is in Sidi R'bat, very close to the beach. The rest of the day is free to relax or take a walk beside the river Massa in the bird reserve.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Sidi R'bat

Day 7: Ride back to Agadir
Today is the longest riding day of the week. The entire morning we will follow the coast of the Atlantic ocean, going once in a while into the dunes and low hills nearby. The morning ride will end on a enormous deserted beach. Only the cries of the seagulls and the sound of the waves break the silence in this area. Before lunch, we will reach the oued Souss that is also a big bird reserve. Picnic will be in the middle of a big eucalyptus forest.
In the afternoon, we cross this huge eucalyptus forest. Then, the trees change into the Argan trees and slowly we will come back to civilisation. Finally, we enjoy some last canters over the white sandy plains.
After an emotional goodbye with our horses, we will be driven back towards the hotel where we will share our last meal.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Agadir

Day 8: Departure
Individual return.
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Sable d'Or Ride

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Agadir
Airport: Agadir-Al Massira Airport (AGA)
Transfer: Agadir

Climate:
                                                Agadir area