Morocco's Marrakech and Berber Villages Trail

A little known fact in American history is that the Kingdom of Morocco was one of the first countries to recognize the fledgling United States of America after our Independence. Since that time, Morocco has become one of America's strongest allies in the Arab world. It is also one of the most peaceful and stable. With a coastline on both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, Morocco is a wonderful mixture of Arab culture and French influence.

Morocco is the mesmerizing country of the Mediterranean Sea, a country with an air of mystery that hovers like a magic carpet. Spectacularly diverse, Morocco combines sand and sea, forests and fields of cherry trees, almond trees and olive trees, imperial cities with their palaces, and Berber villages with their simple adobe houses.

Your horseback riding vacation will take you to the Imperial city of Marrakech with its pink castle walls and views of the snow-covered Atlas Mountains, and to the Ouirgane Valley where the trails wind through the Atlas mountains -green-stepped terraces cultivated by the Berbers whose traditions have changed little over the centuries.

Long ago, this area was scene to many historic struggles and was the stronghold of notorious tribal chiefs. Now peace reigns once more and the people have come down from their protected mountain villages to a gentler life in the valleys that you'll ride through. Riding is the Berbers mode of transportation, and you will pass the friendly Berber people on the paths as they go about their life.

Your base will be a five star hotel, which features rose gardens, lemon and lime trees, spectacular swimming pools and hammam (spa). The hotel is famous for its cuisine and uses fresh produce grown on its premises. The horses are Arab and Arab Berber crosses. The history of the Arab and Berber horses is profound. The rides take you on wide trails scented with wild mint and oleander. The terrain is flat in parts and hilly elsewhere, making it suitable for walk, trot, canter and gallop.