I arrived in Marrakech the day before the trek start date, and spent one night in a hostel before starting this 6 day tour with Ranch de Diabat. The tour includes a private transfer from Marrakech Menara Airport, so I made my way back to the airport meeting point after a slow morning at the hostel (the included breakfast was delightful). Note: You do not need to arrive a day early, but if you have extra holidays it would be well worth doing a guided tour of Marrakech or multiple days in other parts of Morocco.

Photos from inside and around Red Castle Kasbah. It was around 20 EUR for a 10 bed dorm and breakfast was included.

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After taking a cab from the hostel to the airport meeting point (just outside arrivals), I met with some of the other group members and the transfer driver. We then had a 3 hour drive to Essaouira, with one short snack/washroom break in the middle of the drive. When we eventually arrived, it was a short walk from the drop-off point to Hotel Riad Benatar. I booked the single supplement for the hotel nights so I had lots of space to get reorganized before the trek.

That evening, we were transferred to the ranch to meet our wonderful hosts, the horses, and to eat the first meal with the Ranch.

We started the day with the included breakfast at Riad Benatar, then walked with our packed bags to the meeting point for pickup (about 10 mins walk from the riad). At the ranch, we set our large bags down to be put into the supply truck, leaving only a few essential items for the saddlebags (water bottle, phone, sunscreen, medication, etc.). After lining up and waiting to be assigned a horse, we were soon helped with final tack checks and mounted up in the courtyard of the ranch. It was both exciting and nerve wracking as we set off on our journey.

We stopped for lunch halfway through the day. When we arrived at the site, we had to tie our horses quickly using their leadropes, untack and unbridle them, then take them to an empty sandy area so they could have a roll* (I say “quickly” because they are sometimes a bit eager for a roll in less suitable areas). Once the horses are safely parked and watered, we all sat down at the lunch table and enjoyed the food and views.

*Some treks with larger groups may not have this rolling step. I returned for their Atlantic Coast Trek the following year and we did not have them roll.

After our lunch rest, we tacked up again and headed out for the second half of the day. Most of this first day was spent at the walk, but we did canter and trot as well. Once we arrived at the campsite, we untacked, let the horses roll, and brought them water. Only after the horses have been taken care of can we start to relax and unpack our bags in our tent (horses are the priority!).

After horses were tended to, tea (atay) was served with biscuits at the dining table. Dinner followed, and then we were soon all in our tents for sleep. The weather was a bit warm for sleeping, so our tent flap stayed open all night.

Each day began with breakfast. This usually consisted of atay, coffee, fresh-pressed juices, eggs, bread and and assortment of spread (amlou, honey, la vache qui rit cheese, Nutella, marmalade, etc). After eating, some riders finished packing their bags in their tents and others got right onto brushing & tacking their horses. Eventually, we were all packed and tacked, and we set off riding for the day.

The fifth and final riding day was a half day ride with lunch and dinner served at the ranch. A beautiful ending to this trek.