Passing palm groves and oases, the route takes you over dunes and wide sandy tracks through the desert in the Draa Valley. In the picturesque kasbahs, you will meet locals who are often out and about in the oases on their small donkeys. You ride through wide plains and along narrow, often ancient nomadic paths across desert plateaus with beautiful panoramic views. After a magical sunset, the clear nights in the desert offer an endless canopy of stars. In the evening, you can enjoy traditional Moroccan cooking in a tajine, the typical Moroccan stone pot, accompanied by a glass of local red wine.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Ouarzazate and overnight stay at a hotel.

Day 2: Early transfer to Zagora to meet the horses (approx. 2 hours). Introduction and horse allocation. The ride begins in the late morning. You will first ride along winding paths through beautiful palm groves. In between, you will follow narrow trails across the wide plain of the Draa Valley. After a picnic lunch under palm trees, you will follow the river past some ruins and arrive in a beautiful side valley. Steep rock faces and sand dunes rise up on your left. The trail continues through low bushes and over gentle dunes to your first camp in a small oasis.

Day 3: You pass through the wide plain of the Draa Valley, framed by two high rocky ridges. After riding through a large village full of palm trees and typical mud-brick buildings, you can once again enjoy the wide view of the partly stony, partly sandy desert. Soon you reach your camp, which is set up in a particularly beautiful spot in the sand dunes.

Day 4: In the morning, you will reach the Jebel Bani mountain range, which you will pass at a low point. To the left and right of the path, you will notice numerous piles of stones. These are ancient graves from a historic battle. Once you reach the other side of the rocky mountain, sandy paths await you in the plain, inviting you to gallop. The endless expanse of the Sahara now lies before you. Lunch picnic at the foot of large sand dunes. Afterwards, you will ride through a picturesque dune landscape to a historic site. Here you will spend the night in a campsite in small mud huts and enjoy a hot shower!

Day 5: In the morning, you will visit the old Fort Ce Ksar in the town centre and the museum. You then leave the village and ride through a dreamlike landscape with large sand dunes. Where the dunes end abruptly, a wide sandy plain begins, offering perfect conditions for wonderful gallops. You will often encounter the occasional caravan here. In the afternoon, you reach a stony crater. Your camp for the night is on the other side.

Day 6: Today you will cross the mighty Bani Mountain. Through a narrow crater, you will follow an ancient stony path through the black rocks. Keep an eye out for the chipmunks that live here. The long but gentle climb is rewarded with a magnificent view of the entire Draa Valley from high up on the rocky plateau. This is followed by the descent (on foot) along the steep mountain face. Once you reach the bottom, a well-deserved picnic and a long break await you. In the afternoon, there is a short ride across the plain to the camp.

Day 7: Last ride through the vast desert, where you can enjoy some beautiful gallops to finish off. At midday, you will reach a village characterised by palm groves and gardens. You will ride through the village and finally return to the stables. Lunch and farewell to the horses and team. You will drive back to Ouarzazate, where you will spend the night in a hotel.

Day 8: Transfer to the airport. Departure. 

Subject to change!

Accomodation
You will spend two nights in a mid-range hotel in Ouarzazate. You will spend four nights in a tent, where you have the choice between 1- and 3-person tents. One night is spent in a desert camp in mud huts, where there are also showers. Non-alcoholic drinks with meals are included in full board, and water is also available for refilling bottles. Moroccan wine and beer are available for an extra charge.

Saddle & Tack: English trekking saddles and bridle.

Experience: Safety in all gaits, trail experience and riding in easy seat are required. The pace is predominantly calm with the opportunity for some lively cantering on the plains.

Horses: You ride on Berber stallions, as no mares are taken along and the stallions are well trained, this is not a particular problem.