Ride Description

As a country which boasts of snow capped mountains and sandy deserts, fertile plains and long white beaches, ancient ruins and modern resorts, Morocco has plenty to offer visitors. On this amazing trail you get the opportunity to explore this fabulous country on horseback.

One of the great natural spectacles of Morocco, the Qued Dra flows out of the Anti-Atlas and South into the desert. In years of heavy rainfall it used to fall all the way into the Atlantic but its flow is now controlled by the Barrage el-Mansour Eddahab and it only just makes it to Mhamid.

Beyond Agdz 68 km south of Quarzazate, famous for brightly coloured Berkber carpets the valley today is lined with kasbah and ksour as it was in the time of the Saadian sultans. The ksar of Tamnougalt and kasbah of Timiderte are among the most impressive.

Zagora reflects none of the beauty of the land around it although the oasis has been inhabited for centuries and it was from here that the Saadians made their conquest of Morocco.

This trail will be led by Manolo a fantastic horseman and experienced guide who will ensure your holiday exploring this countryside will be perfect.

Food & Accommodation

On the first and last day you will sleep in a hotel in Agdz. On the trail you will camp in tents.

Food will be traditional Moroccan cuisine. Moroccan dishes are delicious but often very filling

Horses

Type of horses: Arab

Nature of horses: Forward going but calm, very courageous

Number of horses: 15

Height of horses: 14.2 - 15hh

Weight limit: 85 kg

Tack type: Trail

Further Details

Languages: English, Spanish

Health requirements: Riding fit

Age limit: 16 and over

Tuition: No

Included: Accommodation, meals and riding

Not included: Flights and travel Insurance.

Travel Information

Flights are to Quarzazate airport where you will be transferred to Agdz

Airport: Quarzazate

Draa Valley Trail

This is a linear circuit that departs from Agdz, 69kms south-east of Ouarzazate, and finishes at Ouled Driss (M’hamid).

Length of programme: 8 days / 7 nights - 6 days riding.


Itinerary

Day 1: Pick up at Ouarzazate airport and transfer to Agdz where you will spend the night in a hotel.

Day 2 – Agdz-Tafechtna
You will leave along a path that follows the Oued Drâa through the palmeraie (palm groves). You will ride through the villages of Tansikht and Tamezmoute. Your path takes you over a small pass and then leads you to the small village of Tafechtna. You will camp at the exit of the village.

Day 3 – Tafechtna-Isergan
You will head east, towards the heights of the djebel Rhart. You will then ride across a plateau until you reach the isolated well of Tamrerhout, where you will will stop for a picnic lunch in the shade of its few palm trees. You will camp near the Ksar Isergan.

Day 4 – Isergan-Zagora
Your path rejoins the djebel Bou Dekir and takes you down towards the oued Ferah. You will ride past small sand dunes at the foot of the djebel Dafane. You will finally reach the town of Zagora at the end of the day and will camp near the palmeraie.

Day 5 – Zagora-Bani Ali
Today you will cross the Zagora palmaraie which lies alongside the oued Draa. You will ford a river and ride through several Kasbah. You will camp at the edge of the oued, near the village of Bani Ali.

Day 6 – Bani Ali-Nesrate
You will ride through the gorges of the oued Drâa, and then cross a large arid plateau which will lead you to the palmaraie of Tagounit. You will camp among the sand dunes and palm trees near the village of Nesrate.

Day 7 – Nesrate-Ouled Driss
On this final day you will follow the path along the valley until you reach the village of Zaouit Sidi Saleh. On leaving the valley you will ride through the Foum Larjam pass, where you will find ancient graves of nomad and Berber warriors pre-dating the Arab domination of the area. From here you will be able to look out over the sea of dunes that stretch out beyond the M’hamid. The border that separates you from the desert has now been crossed. You will arrive in the village of Ouled Driss during the early afternoon. You will visit an old ksar and a traditional museum. Transfer to Quarzazate where you will send the final night in a hotel.

Day 8
Transfer to Quarzazate airport and return flight home.

Minimum group size: 4

Maximum group size: 10

Ability description: Intermediate to experienced

Type of ride: Trail

Total riding time: Six days riding

Departure dates: Please contact the office for dates

Pricing: Please contact the office for 2008 prices