Adventure vacations in Morocco

Middle Atlas Mountain

Overview

Spend 10 days on this ride through the Atlas Mountains, camping beside lakes and rivers, enjoying fast gallops across grassy plains.

The first and last nights are spent at a riad in Fes. The other nights are spent camping. While camping, accommodations are in 2 person dome tents.

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. There is some walking on foot, leading the horses. 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.

Fes.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Fes. Transfer to Riad. Dinner and night in the riad.

Day 2

In the morning you will visit the Medina of Fes. This old medina is very spectacular. Built in 808 by Moulay Idris de II, you feel like in the middle age. You will see the old University, the Souk with its small shops, the magnificent Mausole of the founder of Fes Moulay Idris II, the huge mosque of Karaouin, the tannerie, among other sights. Later an hour drive by car will bring you up to the Atlas Mountain, where you will have a picnic beside a lake. Locals comes here to enjoy nature.  Afterwards continue to Ifran, a town that was built in 1929 by the French. This little town, with its pointy rooftops and flowery alleys is at a height of 1700m above the sea. Ifran is very popular for its agreeable climate in the summer. The horses are staying outside Azrou. Go on a short ride to get to know your horse. Spend the night in tents.

Day 3

Start on the high plain, with views to the big Atlas mountain. Gallop over fields, climbing down to the valley of Azrou to follow small roads through little villages and farm houses. It s a region for fruit trees. Then ride up the higher Atlas mountain, stopping for a picnic in a wood of oak trees, which will provide shade. In the afternoon continue on the volcanic ground, but soon the big forest of cedars will put you in a other world.
On the high plains will find the natural reservoir of Afnourir with its lake. The lake gets its water only from the rain, so late in the year it is not too high and the birds can easily find frogs and fish. Set up camp on the banks of lake Afnourir.

Day 4

Ride across the plains until you reach the forest and descend to the river of Zaouiet Ifran. Monkeys live in this region, and you might find them jumping from tree to tree. Many locals spend their summer holidays by the mountain river. Cross the pretty village of Zaouiet Ifran and climb up on the other side through the oleander bushes, which are in bloom in summer. Take a break and enjoy a picnic. In the afternoon ride up the next plain, cross through beautiful forests and arrive at Lake Wiwane. Camp close to the lake.

Day 5

Ride around the lake in the morning. Then ride through green pastures with streams passing through. Soon the river turns salt, and the ground looks like ice. Final you reach the forty springs of Oum Erbia. This place is very touristic. Many people stay here to enjoy the freshness of the cold water. After a cool drink we climb the hill to the top where we will picnic beside the salt river.
In the afternoon follow the river through the forest and again over green pastures with sheep, cows, horses and mules. Then cross through an other beautiful forest with cedar trees and climb down to the lake of Aguelmam Aghiza. Camp beside the lake.

Day 6

Leave the lake in the morning, riding again through lovely forests. You may see the monkeys playing there or asking for food. Beautiful grassy fields invite you for gallops. Picnic on the way in the forest, before coming to beautiful views over the valleys and the mountains. In the afternoon you reach another green valley and soon you will find camp beside the river.

Day 7

Climb up to another high plain, then follow animal paths through the forest. Later long gallops brings us over grassy fields. Stop at a well so the horses can drink the fresh water, with the sheep of the farmers waiting for a drink. The picnic today will be on a mountain. There is not a lot of shade, but a cool wind will blow. Then climb down to the lake of Aguelmam Sidi Ali. This is the biggest lake in this region and is spring-fed. The camp is beside the lake.

Day 8

In the morning there’s time to enjoy the lake and swim, even with the horses. After the lunch will ride through a lonely valley with very old tuya trees. It looks like a forgotten place. Open plains invite gallops, before crossing over rivers. See horses eating the short green mountain grass with their foals. The camp will be beside a smaller lake where there are other equines grazing.

Day 9

On the last riding day climb up the mountain. Another small salty spring is on the other side. Then we cross a huge valley where there are big herds of sheep are grazing. Soon the footing changes to volcanic stones and it is best to stay on the paths. Pass by a few lonely farmhouses. As you near Azrou you will say good by to the horses and the car will bring you back to the riad in Fes.

Day 10

Transfer from the riad for your onward travel (transfer not included in trip cost).

Itinerary Addendum

This itinerary is flexible and may be changed at the guide's discretion due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

Trip Map

Trip Dates & Pricing

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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Preferred Trip Dates

Middle Atlas Mountain
November 13, 2024
January 1, 1970
January 1, 1970
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All the staff were so wonderful. I felt intimidated traveling to a country where I do not speak the language or know the local cultures, however the guide and everyone she had around her were so welcoming and warm, I immediately felt at home. From the moment she picked us up at... Read more  

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