Morocco - Desert Trails
In the very south of Morocco lies the Sahara Desert, but it is far from being empty. Here you will find date palm oases and Berber communities.
Desert Cavalcade
Heading south east from Ouarzazate you pass through the Draa Valley which makes its way towards the desert along a beautiful string of oasis. This ride is in the very south of Morocco near to the Sahara and has the most opportunity for faster riding. It is the most challenging of the desert trails.
Siroua Saffron Trail
This is a riding trail in the Siroua (pronounced Sirwa) Mountain region which is situated between the High Atlas and the Anti Atlas. This area is perfect for riding in spring-time and in autumn when it might be getting a bit too hot to ride in the desert and not yet warm enough to ride in the High Atlas.
Valley of the Roses
This trail sets off from Skoura palm grove, one of the most beautiful oases of the south and continues to a region famous for its rose plantations. The rose essence is used in well-known perfume blends and is exported worldwide. There is one long day of over six hours riding but in general this trail is not as challenging as the other desert trails.
The horses are Barb Arabian and mainly stallions. They are well schooled and behave well on the trail and the only thing you need to remember (as on all trails but of even more importance when riding stallions) is to keep a distance from other horses at all times.
The tack is good quality English-style saddles.
Guests normally assist with grooming and tacking up their horse but assistance is on hand at all times. The riding is a mix of paces to suit the terrain and is fast in places. You need to be confident riding in open spaces and in control at a fast pace. You must also be physically fit as well as riding fit since there is some walking on foot on steeper descents. The trails are not suitable for nervous riders.
In some places it is very rocky and suitable only for walking. In other areas it may be very soft and also not suitable for fast riding. Where possible there are opportunities for trots and canters which may be along hard tracks.
The first and last night is in a hotel and the rest in a simple camp which is moved on each day. A support vehicle meets you each day for lunch and then goes ahead to set up camp. When camping you stay in two person dome tents with a porch for baggage.
There is a large mess tent for eating and relaxing and also a shower tent and a chemical loo. There is a separate shower tent and you are provided with a large bucket of hot water for showering.
If you would prefer not to camp, then you should consider the Horse Dunes & Nomads itinerary.
| Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siroua Saffron Trail |
|
23 Sep 2018 - 30 Sep 2018 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £771.62 |
|
Book |
| Siroua Saffron Trail |
|
30 Sep 2018 - 7 Oct 2018 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £771.62 |
|
Book |
| Desert Cavalcade |
|
14 Oct 2018 - 21 Oct 2018 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £866.58 |
|
Full |
| Desert Cavalcade |
|
21 Oct 2018 - 28 Oct 2018 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £866.58 |
|
Full |
| Desert Cavalcade |
|
11 Nov 2018 - 18 Nov 2018 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £771.62 |
|
Book |
| Desert Cavalcade |
|
18 Nov 2018 - 25 Nov 2018 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £771.62 |
|
Book |
| Desert Cavalcade |
|
30 Dec 2018 - 6 Jan 2019 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £771.62 |
|
Book |
| Desert Cavalcade |
|
17 Feb 2019 - 24 Feb 2019 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £830.97 |
|
Book |
| Desert Cavalcade |
|
24 Feb 2019 - 3 Mar 2019 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £830.97 |
|
Book |
| Desert Cavalcade |
|
10 Mar 2019 - 17 Mar 2019 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £830.97 |
|
Book |
| Desert Cavalcade |
|
31 Mar 2019 - 7 Apr 2019 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £866.58 |
|
Book |
| Desert Cavalcade |
|
7 Apr 2019 - 14 Apr 2019 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £866.58 |
|
Book |
| Desert Cavalcade |
|
14 Apr 2019 - 21 Apr 2019 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £866.58 |
|
Book |
| The Valley of the Roses |
|
28 Apr 2019 - 5 May 2019 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £712.26 |
|
Book |
| The Valley of the Roses |
|
5 May 2019 - 12 May 2019 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £712.26 |
|
Book |
| The Valley of the Roses |
|
12 May 2019 - 19 May 2019 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £712.26 |
|
Book |
| Siroua Saffron Trail |
|
26 May 2019 - 2 Jun 2019 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £712.26 |
|
Book |
| Siroua Saffron Trail |
|
2 Jun 2019 - 9 Jun 2019 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £712.26 |
|
Book |
| Siroua Saffron Trail |
|
15 Sep 2019 - 22 Sep 2019 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £771.62 |
|
Book |
| Siroua Saffron Trail |
|
22 Sep 2019 - 29 Sep 2019 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £771.62 |
|
Book |
| Siroua Saffron Trail |
|
29 Sep 2019 - 6 Oct 2019 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £771.62 |
|
Book |
| Desert Cavalcade |
|
13 Oct 2019 - 20 Oct 2019 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £866.58 |
|
Book |
| Desert Cavalcade |
|
20 Oct 2019 - 27 Oct 2019 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £866.58 |
|
Book |
| Desert Cavalcade |
|
22 Dec 2019 - 29 Dec 2019 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £866.58 |
|
Book |
SMALL GROUP SUPPLEMENTS These apply if there are only two people confirmed onto the ride. These vary between the itineraries - please ask for details.
INCLUDES Accommodation; full board (from dinner on night of arrival to breakfast on last morning); riding and camping equipment.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT Is payable if in a single room. A single tent is £39.57 for the week and there is a supplement of £98.92 for a single room for the first and last night in the hotel. If you are prepared to share this will be refunded if we find you a sharer.
PAYABLE LOCALLY Lunch on arrival or departure day; drinks in hotels; alcoholic beverages; tips (c. €50).
NEAREST AIRPORT Ouarzazate.
TRANSFERS included from Ouarzazate. It is possible to be transferred from Marrakech and this is an additional €120 per vehicle each way (payable locally and shared between all those transferring).
NOT INCLUDED Flights to Ouarzazate.
These trails are in the deserts of southern Morocco.
The Desert Trails running in the south between mid October and mid May, will see temperatures rising to 20°C with cold nights. In April, May and October the day time temperatures will be hotter and the nights less extreme. Rain is possible but unlikely.
Pack layers. Even when hot during the day it can feel cold at night in the desert.
Lucy says
These are very impressive horses; fit and well trained for the trail.