Morocco - Essaouira Coastal Trail
During the summer months when the interior of the country is too hot to ride, the trail rides along the Atlantic coast, south of Essaouira, are ideal. Along the coastline the cool breeze makes for comfortable riding conditions.
There are three full days riding, two half days and a non-riding day to explore Essaouira.
The horses are mainly stallions. They are Barb and crossbred Barb/Arabian.
They are well trained, fit and forward going. They behave well on the trail and the only thing you need to remember (as on all trails but of even more importance when riding stallions) is to keep a distance from other horses at all times.
The tack is good quality English-style saddles. Guests normally assist with grooming and tacking up their horse but assistance is on hand at all times.
The riding is a mix of paces to suit the terrain. In some places it will be slow, either because it is very rocky or the ground is very soft. Where possible there are plenty of fast canters and gallops which may be along hard tracks.
You need to be confident riding in open spaces and in control at a fast pace. You must also be physically fit as well as riding fit since there is some walking on foot on steeper descents. These holidays are not suitable for nervous riders.
The first night and last two nights are in hotels and the other nights are in a simple camp which is moved on each day. A support vehicle meets you each day for lunch and then goes ahead to set up camp. On some nights, instead of camping, you might stay in local accommodation when there could be 3 or 4 to a room.
When camping you stay in two person dome tents with a porch area for baggage. Normally everyone helps with the setting up of the tents. There is a large mess tent for eating and relaxing in the evenings. There is also a separate shower tent and you are provided with a large bucket of hot water for showering.
The food in Morocco will be a highlight of the holiday - a meal typically begins with hot and cold salads and is followed by a tagine which may be served with couscous.
Alcohol is not provided and not easily purchased during the trail. There are some shops where you can buy alcohol in Marrakesh, but the choice is very limited and can be expensive. You should bring your own alcohol from home or from duty-free if you wish.
This itinerary is scheduled during the hotter months of the year and will be guaranteed to run with two guests in the group.
For rides in the cooler months, have a look at the Desert Trails and Toubkal Mountain Trails. If you would prefer not to camp, the Horses, Dunes & Nomads itinerary would be perfect.
| Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essaouira Coastal Trail | 6 Apr 2025 - 13 Apr 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,052.02 |
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| Essaouira Coastal Trail | 13 Apr 2025 - 20 Apr 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,052.02 |
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| Essaouira Coastal Trail | 20 Apr 2025 - 27 Apr 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,052.02 |
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| Essaouira Coastal Trail | 27 Apr 2025 - 4 May 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,052.02 |
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| Essaouira Coastal Trail | 4 May 2025 - 11 May 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,052.02 |
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| Essaouira Coastal Trail | 11 May 2025 - 18 May 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,017.71 |
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| Essaouira Coastal Trail | 8 Jun 2025 - 15 Jun 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £960.53 |
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| Essaouira Coastal Trail | 15 Jun 2025 - 22 Jun 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £960.53 |
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| Essaouira Coastal Trail | 22 Jun 2025 - 29 Jun 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £960.53 |
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| Essaouira Coastal Trail | 29 Jun 2025 - 6 Jul 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £960.53 |
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| Essaouira Coastal Trail | 6 Jul 2025 - 13 Jul 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,017.71 |
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| Essaouira Coastal Trail | 13 Jul 2025 - 20 Jul 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,017.71 |
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| Essaouira Coastal Trail | 20 Jul 2025 - 27 Jul 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,017.71 |
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| Essaouira Coastal Trail | 27 Jul 2025 - 3 Aug 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,017.71 |
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| Essaouira Coastal Trail | 3 Aug 2025 - 10 Aug 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,017.71 |
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| Essaouira Coastal Trail | 10 Aug 2025 - 17 Aug 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,017.71 |
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| Essaouira Coastal Trail | 17 Aug 2025 - 24 Aug 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,017.71 |
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| Essaouira Coastal Trail | 24 Aug 2025 - 31 Aug 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,017.71 |
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| Essaouira Coastal Trail | 31 Aug 2025 - 7 Sep 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,017.71 |
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| Essaouira Coastal Trail | 7 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,017.71 |
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| Essaouira Coastal Trail | 14 Sep 2025 - 21 Sep 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,017.71 |
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| Essaouira Coastal Trail | 21 Sep 2025 - 28 Sep 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,017.71 |
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SMALL GROUP SUPPLEMENTS If there are only two people confirmed there is a supplement of £363.23 per person. This will be removed once there are three or more people confirmed.
INCLUDES Accommodation; full board (from dinner on night of arrival to breakfast on last morning); riding; camping equipment and transfers from Marrakesh.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT A supplement of £114.35 is payable if you are in a single room/tent but please note that you will have to be prepared to share a room on the nights you stay in local accommodation (likely to be 2 nights). If you are prepared to share this will be refunded once a sharer is found.
PAYABLE LOCALLY Lunch on arrival or departure day; drinks in hotels; alcoholic beverages; tips.
NEAREST AIRPORT Marrakesh.
TRANSFERS Included from Marrakesh at set times.
Your first and last night is in Marrakesh and transfers from Marrakesh airport are included. These transfers are shared and so you may have to wait for others arriving at a slightly later time.
Collection can also be arranged from Koutoubia Car Park (J2F4+J27, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco) if you are staying in Marrakesh before the start of the ride.
This trail is located on the Atlantic coastline of Morocco just south of the fishing town called Essaouira.
Although Marrakesh might see temperatures in summer rising to the high 30°C, the sea breeze means an average temperature on the coast is around mid 20°C.
Great horses, spectacular views of the ocean, amazing beach gallops, delicious food. I loved sleeping in a tent with a blanket of stars overhead, the beautiful evening light over the ocean and a good breeze. The horses were so well tempered and fun. I would definitely do this trip again in the future.
Mary, New York
Overall rating: 5/5
