Draa Oases and Saharan Dunes Trail

The Desert Trail

The ride in the desert follows a beautiful trail which is divided into two main parts. The first begins in the city of Tameghourte southeast of Ouarzazate. During the journey you can visit the village of Ouled Driss before traversing the largest palm grove of ''Draa'' where you can admire the proliferation of beautiful small gardens surrounding the ancient castles of Morocco. It is indeed the history of Morocco that we review through these discoveries. The second part allows us to cross large areas of the desert, sometimes covered with dunes (erg), sometimes rocky (reg), typical of the great Sahara. When the scenery changes, the wonder remains. You never stop admiring the beauty of the Moroccan desert.

Day 1:

Transfer from Marrakech airport or Ouarzazate to your overnight accommodation (on a B&B basis) in Zagora in the Draa valley on the edge of the desert. The flights arriving in Ouarzazate airport normally have a change in Casablanca and arrive in the late evening, for that reason the dinner is not included. That afternoon or evening, if time of arrival permits, you will meet your guide and will be briefed on the excursion.

Day 2-6:

Starting from the base in Zagora, ride towards the southwest, exploring the large spaces of the Moroccan desert. During the ride in the desert, you cross the last mountain range that separates you from the Sahara.

Following a path with hairpin bends, you continue to the top, where you have a magnificent panorama. The descent leads to oases on desert plateaus, where only a few acacia trees, looking like umbrellas, survive the dry climate. Gradually, as you advance towards the south, you approach the first dunes, the size of which increases progressively until they fill the landscape that lies before us. Continuing towards the Draa Valley, you cross-vast dune fields dotted with tamarisk.

You will find houses, palm groves, ksars (fortified villages). As you enter the Draa Valley, crossing the dunes, there are plateaus (reg) and gorges. Later you encounter small villages where you pass by ksars and gardens to the heart of the palm groves and oases.

Every evening, when you arrive in your camp, you will enjoy the Touareg lifestyle. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.

Day 7:

Return to Zagora. Northwards on trails that wind through the ksars and cultivated fields with palm groves, where impressive dunes threaten to cover up the houses and crops. Last stop before departure: the town of Zagora. The ride lasts half a day. We arrive in time for lunch, and the afternoon is spent visiting the town of Zagora and then a transfer to Ouarzazate. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 8:

Transfer back to Marrakech.

 

Season: December, January & February (Saturdays to Saturdays only).

**Riding lasts about 5 hours a day. Departure at 10am every morning, break for lunch around 1:30pm to eat and take a nap if needed, arrival in the camp about 5pm each day.

Accommodation: throughout your trail ride, you will be in collective tents for 6 to 7 people, or if you wish, in a 2 person igloo tent. The camps are equipped with a shower.

Duration: 7 nights/8 days
Group Type: Experienced
Season: December to February
Location: Deep Desert

It should be noted that in this region stallions are widely ridden since it is illegal to castrate horses in Morocco. We are informed that stallions are safe to ride and that the horsesare very carefully trained, butyou may wish to seek further advice on this matter.

Although all of our horse trekking guides and facilities have public liability insurance, clients taking part in treks should ensure that they have suitable clothing, are sufficiently fit and appropriately insured for accidents, medical repatriation, mountain rescue and repatriation helicopter.

**Please note: Our horse treks are only available as part of an itinerary booked through us including accommodation and transport.**