PARADISE VALLEYS

MOROCCO ON HORSEBACK: Loop circuit in the High Atlas, from Aourga, 27 km north of Agadir.

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights - 6 day - horse riding loop circuit

Day 1: Welcome at the Agadir airport. Night in hotel.
Days 2 - 7: Loop circuit on horse back. 3 overnights at the inhabitant and 2 overnights in bivouac. Arrival in the early afternoon in Agadir.
Day 8: Transfer to Agadir airport and return flight.

DESCRIPTION

Loop circuit in the High Atlas from Iwlite in the north of Agadir. We are leaving from the Atlantic coast to reach heights about 2000m. Beautiful views on the deep valleys, riding through gorges, palm groves on paths used only by villagers. At some places you will have to go on foot.

The mountainsides are covered with terrace cultivations of almond trees and aromatic plants ( thyme, lavender, romarin.) enabling berber populations to produce excellent honey. The villages (douars) on the mountain side or in the palm groves along wadis are made of stone, the roofs of mud.

While overnighting at the inhabitant, you will discover how argan oil is made, bred baked in a traditional oven and taste amlou, a gastronomic speciality of honey, argan oil and crushed almonds.

PROGRAM

Day 1: Flight to Agadir, welcome at the airport and transfer to the hotel with a first night in Agadir.

Day 2: Iwlite - Tadrine
We are heading to the horse farm in Iwlite, 27 km north-east of Agadir. From there we are starting our circuit on a path leading up to the first mountains overlooking the ocean. We are crossing a cultivated area scattered with small villages (douars) and reaching then the entrance of the paradise valley where we are having our stop for picnic. Possibility to have a swim. In the afternoon we are riding along the valley to the palm grove of Tadrine. Overnight at the inhabitant.

Day 3: Tadrine - Tanite
We are continuing our way through the palm grove and its small refreshing wadi. We are engaged in a narrow gorge. Olive and palm trees and oleander are cultivated there. We reach the village of Aguerd and can have a swim. Then we are continuing along the left side of the wadi to douar Tanite, the last village in the palm grove.
Bivouac at the end of the village.

Day 4: Tanite - Timoulay
In the morning, we are taking the path of the pilgrims up to the marabout house of Sidi Brahim or Ali. The path arises regularly while the vegetation gets rarer and rarer except some argan trees and tuyas. We are crossing a 1200 m high pass and riding down to a village, then up again to a second pass (1300 m). Large panorama on the valley of Ankelout. Down again to the oasis of Tizgui. In the afternoon, we are continuing our route across almond plantations and fields to the village of Timoulay. Overnighting at the inhabitant.

Day 5: Timoulay - Tagounite
Leaving the villages of Izouaghne and Tassila, we are riding up again to the 1300 m high pass of Tizi Izouaghne, then to the west, following the line of the crests and taking advantage of a wonderful panorama. Our route is going on through a tuyas forest up to Issi pass at 1150 m. Now down to Aourga valley through a village nested at foot of the mountains. Up again to the village of Tagouine. Overnighting at the inhabitant.

Day 6: Tagounite - Abouda
To the atlantic coast through Berber villages - Adness and Adar - to the beach of Aghroud , our picnic place. (possible swim). In the afternoon, we can enjoy some exhilarating gallops.
Night in bivouac, next to the beach.

Day 7: Abouda - Iwlite
Last horse riding day. We are leaving the coast to reach an old track linking isolated villages.
Arrival at the riding farm in the early afternoon, lunch and transfer to Agadir.
Night in Agadir.

Day 8: Transfer to the airport and return flight.

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

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