
The Berber Trail
Morocco
This is a one of a kind trek because it revisits the Berber history. We’ll be immersing in oleandercovered valleys, tracking the remains of the 15th century sugarcane plantations and encountering the Dar Caïd ruins. In the evening, we’ll be gazing upon the stars and listening to the tell-tales.
-
Days overall9 daysDays in saddle6
-
Group size10Available
-
StandardBerber caravan (tents, Ocean and singing)Luggageno limit kgFoodlocal cuisine, vegetarian meals available
-
Skillswalk, trot, gallop
Berbers are proud, stubborn and very cordial people. They call themselves the Amazigh – “the free people”.
The Berber Trail trek is a special one, as it gives unique insight into a little known, but eventful history of the Moroccan people. You can see the remains of the 15th century Portuguese colonies, numerous ruins of strongholds and watchtowers, religious monuments and the 20th century resistance outposts against the French protectorate. All these are spread across a curvy trail leading through a beautiful landscape of hills, canyons, and – eventually – cliffs over the ocean coastline.
A typical daily route takes around 5-6 hours on horseback, but if the weather is fine, the last day will only take 3 hours. While we get some occasions for galloping or trotting, we mostly walk.
Moroccans don’t castrate stallions, so we’re riding meres. They are almost exclusively Arabian-Berber cross-breed. They are small and stocky, but vigorous, as though created just for the rides. They are calmer and of a bit stronger posture than the Arabian horses. A horse tack is provided onsite.
- Accommodation in the Marrakesh and Essaouira riads and in tents during the trek
- Breakfasts in Marrakesh
- Alimentation during the trek (breakfast, takeaway lunch, supper)
- Transfer to and from the Marrakesh airport (on the first and the last day of the trek)
- Transfer from Marrakesh to Essaouira and back
- A company of the local guides in Essaouira and during the trek
- A horse with a complete tack
- Tourist insurance covering high-risk sports
- A flight ticket to and from Marrakesh
- Extra meals in Marrakesh (a restaurant meal costs 5-10 Euro)
- Lunch in Essaouira (a restaurant meal costs 5-10 Euro)
- A camel ride (around 10 Euro)
- Optional – a tip for guides (around 15 Euro)
- Minor expenses (souvenirs, extra snacks, entry tickets etc.)
- Day 1 Arrival
- Day 2 The Wind City
- Day 3 Adventure time!
- Day 4 Plantations
- Day 5 The valley of kasbah
- Day 6 On the trail of the Berber history
- Day 7 The Atlantic coast
- Day 8 The return journey
- Day 9 Goodbyes



In Marrakesh, the party spends the night in a riad just next to the Jemaa el-Fnaa palace, the heart of the city. The medina quarter spreads all around. The architecture is very distinctive: the outer walls of the buildings lack any windows for heat protection. All rooms are facing the main court, commonly decorated with a pond or a fountain. Inhabitants traditionally spend their time on terraces placed on the houses’ roofs.
The riad in Essaouira is also a high-standard one if compared to the rest of Morocco. On the actual trek trail, the party spends the nights in the tourist tents with thick foam mattresses. Each party member is entitled to a single shower a day. We are equipped with a shower tent, a water bucket (can be heated on request) and a flushing cup. Apart from the first and the last day, there is no electricity. It is, however, possible to charge a mobile phone with a car charger if needed.
In Marrakesh and Essaouira, continental breakfasts are provided (bread, cake, jam, eggs, coffee, orange juice, etc.). Lunch in Essaouira as well as other Marrakesh meals need to be purchased individually. We encourage party members to taste the local food and don’t want to make any restrictions.
On the road, a cook is responsible for the field kitchen. The breakfasts are rather simple: Moroccan flatbread, jam, peanut butter, honey, cream cheese, argan oil and amlou, an argan paste (traditionally, Berbers eat bread dipped in oil and paste for breakfast). The lunch consists of different kinds of vegetable and fruit salads (sometimes with pasta) and fish. Various traditional tajin dishes are served for supper.
In Morocco, we drink bottled water (which should also be used for toothbrushing by persons with a sensitive intestinal tract), refreshing Berber tea (with mint and sugar) and sweet beverages. A bottle of wine is served for supper.
Please note that Morocco is a Muslim country. There is little or no access to alcohol, especially in Zagora and on the desert. We recommend buying a bottle of strong alcohol at the airport and drinking it in small doses everyday (a different bacterial flora can lead to an upset stomach).
Equipment
We use Moroccan English-type saddles. For hard seats, we also use fur blankets on the saddles. The bridles are traditional; we also use bits. The gear is pretty much like the European gear.
Additionally, every horse is equipped with two large bags. We use them to transport water supplies (on the first day, everyone receives a large bottle of water; don’t throw it away – we will be refilling them from the drinking water supply), lunch and other handy items (some cash, passport, etc.). The bags are waterproof and can easily contain a softshell jacket.
What you should take with you
We provide all necessary comforts for our Moroccan treks. We have a spacious car and the staff packs it with the camping equipment and luggage every morning, and then transports them to the next location.
- passport
- cash, preferably EUR
- electronic devices, e.g. camera
- sleeping bag
- flashlight; head flashlights are quite handy
- sunscreen
- head cover against the sun
- riding equipment (Jodhpur boots, gloves, etc.)
- light raincoat
- flip-flops for showering
- swimming suit
- ndigestion remedies (probiotics, diarrhea medications, strong alcohol)
- toilet paper
Date | Trip Status | Price | Spots | |
---|---|---|---|---|
2023 dates coming soon!
|
|
|
|
|