Morocco - Desert Trails

  • Open Sep-Jun
  • Set arrivals
  • 7 nights / 6 days of riding | 2 to 5 hours riding per day | Nearest airport:Ouarzazate
  • Weight limit: 14st (89 kg) (196 pounds)
  • Usual maximum: 10

In the south of Morocco lies the Sahara Desert, but it is far from being empty. Here you will find date palm tree oasis and Berber communities. There are three itineraries to choose from:

Desert Cavalcade

Heading south east from Ouarzazate, pass through the Draa Valley which makes its way towards the desert and along a beautiful string of oasis. This ride is in the very south of Morocco, near the Sahara and has the most opportunity for faster riding. It is the most challenging of the desert trails.

 

Siroua Saffron Trail

Ride in the Siroua (pronounced Sirwa) Mountain region, situated between the High Atlas and the Anti Atlas. This area is perfect for riding in Spring and Autumn. It is getting 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 oasis of the south and continues to a region famous for its rose plantations. The rose essence is used in well-known perfume blends. 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 mainly stallions. They are Barb and crossbred Barb/Arabian.

They are well trained, fit and forward going - they behave well on the trail. You need to remember (as on all rides, but of even more importance when riding stallions) 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. In some places it will be slow, either because it is very rocky or the ground is very soft. Where possible there are plenty of fast canters and gallops which may be along hard tracks.

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. These holidays are not suitable for nervous riders.

The first night and last nights are in hotels and the other nights are 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. There are two nights in hotels and five nights in camp.

When camping you stay in two person dome tents with a porch area for baggage. Normally everyone helps with the setting up of the tents. There is a large mess tent for eating and relaxing in the evenings. There is also a separate shower tent and you are provided with a large bucket of hot water for showering. On some nights, instead of camping, you might stay in local accommodation where there could be 3 or 4 to a room.

The food in Morocco will be a highlight of the holiday. A meal typically begins with hot and cold salads and is followed by a tagine which may be served with couscous.

Because alcohol is not provided and is not easily purchased during the trails, you should bring your own alcohol from home or buy from duty-free if you wish. There are some shops where you can buy alcohol in Marrakesh and Ouarzazate, but the choice is very limited and can be expensive.

If you would prefer not to camp, then you should consider the Horses, Dunes & Nomads itinerary.

Accommodation Gallery

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Upcoming Dates

These itineraries are scheduled during the cooler months of the year and will be guaranteed to run with two guests in the group.

For other rides in Morocoo, have a look at the Essaouira Coastal Trail or Toubkal Mountain Trail. If you would prefer not to camp, the Horses, Dunes & Nomads itinerary would be perfect.

Holiday Experience LevelExp Lvl Arrive - DepartArr - Dep   Price Itinerary Availability
The Valley of the Roses 14 Apr 2024 - 21 Apr 2024 7 nights 7 ngts £1,024.41 View (.pdf) Book
The Valley of the Roses 21 Apr 2024 - 28 Apr 2024 7 nights 7 ngts £1,024.41 View (.pdf) Book
The Valley of the Roses 28 Apr 2024 - 5 May 2024 7 nights 7 ngts £1,024.41 View (.pdf) Full
The Valley of the Roses 5 May 2024 - 12 May 2024 7 nights 7 ngts £1,024.41 View (.pdf) Book
The Valley of the Roses 12 May 2024 - 19 May 2024 7 nights 7 ngts £989.49 View (.pdf) Book
Siroua Saffron Trail 19 May 2024 - 26 May 2024 7 nights 7 ngts £1,105.91 View (.pdf) Book
Siroua Saffron Trail 26 May 2024 - 2 Jun 2024 7 nights 7 ngts £1,105.91 View (.pdf) Book
Siroua Saffron Trail 29 Sep 2024 - 6 Oct 2024 7 nights 7 ngts £1,105.91 View (.pdf) Book
Desert Cavalcade 6 Oct 2024 - 13 Oct 2024 7 nights 7 ngts £1,152.47 View (.pdf) Book
Desert Cavalcade 13 Oct 2024 - 20 Oct 2024 7 nights 7 ngts £1,187.39 View (.pdf) Book
Desert Cavalcade 27 Oct 2024 - 3 Nov 2024 7 nights 7 ngts £1,187.39 View (.pdf) Book
Desert Cavalcade 3 Nov 2024 - 10 Nov 2024 7 nights 7 ngts £1,094.26 View (.pdf) Book
Desert Cavalcade 10 Nov 2024 - 17 Nov 2024 7 nights 7 ngts £1,094.26 View (.pdf) Book
Desert Cavalcade 17 Nov 2024 - 24 Nov 2024 7 nights 7 ngts £1,094.26 View (.pdf) Book
Desert Cavalcade 24 Nov 2024 - 1 Dec 2024 7 nights 7 ngts £1,094.26 View (.pdf) Full
Desert Cavalcade 1 Dec 2024 - 8 Dec 2024 7 nights 7 ngts £1,094.26 View (.pdf) Book
Desert Cavalcade 8 Dec 2024 - 15 Dec 2024 7 nights 7 ngts £1,094.26 View (.pdf) Book
Desert Cavalcade 22 Dec 2024 - 29 Dec 2024 7 nights 7 ngts £1,152.47 View (.pdf) Book

Prices

SMALL GROUP SUPPLEMENTS The following supplements will apply if there are only two people confirmed onto the ride. This will be removed once there are three or more people confirmed:  Desert Cavalcade £267.06 per person.  The Valley of the Roses £462.22 per person.  Siroua Saffron Trail £308.15 per person.

INCLUDES Accommodation; full board (from dinner on night of arrival to breakfast on last morning); riding; camping equipment and transfers from Ouarzazate (Marrakesh for the Siroua Saffron Trail).

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT  A supplement of £97.01 is payable if you are in a single room/tent but please note that you will have to be prepared to share a room on the nights you stay in local accommodation (likely to be 2 nights). If you are prepared to share this will be refunded once a sharer is found.

PAYABLE LOCALLY Lunch on arrival or departure day; drinks in hotels; alcoholic beverages; tips.

NEAREST AIRPORT Ouarzazate (or Marrakesh for the Siroua Saffron Trail).

TRANSFERS Are included from Ouarzazate for the Desert Cavalcade and Valley of the Roses. It is possible to be transferred from Marrakesh and this is an additional €140 per vehicle each way (payable locally and shared between all those in the vehicle). Transfers are included from Marrakesh for the Siroua Saffron Trail.


Getting There

Your first and last night is in Ouarzazate and transfers from Ouarzazate airport are included (there may be a small extra charge if arriving/departing in the very early hours).

We can also arrange transfers (extra charge) from Marrakesh airport to Ouarzazate. For the possibility of a shared transfer your flight should arrive into Marrakesh before 15:30 for the shared transfer departing latest at 16:30.

Collection can also be arranged from Koutoubia Car Park (J2F4+J27, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco) if you are staying in Marrakesh before the start of the ride.

Return flights should depart from Marrakesh after 16:00 to allow for the transfer back from Ouarzazate.

For Siroua Saffron Trail

Your first and last night is in Marrakesh and transfers from Marrakesh airport are included. These are shared and there may be a slight wait for others arriving on different flights.

Collection can also be arranged from a number of riads in Marrakesh for an additional charge.

In The Saddle Gallery

Client Photos

Location

These trails are in the deserts of southern Morocco.


Weather & Climate

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.

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Guest Review

It was a fabulous holiday. We really enjoyed it. The guides charming, friendly and fun. The horses spirited and ideal for the job. The scenery stunning and the views of rural Morocco often surprising and very special.

Patrick, Herefordshire

5 star rating Overall rating: 5/5
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from £989.49 for 7 nights Book Now