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Sahara Desert Trails

Overview

The Sahara desert is the largest hot desert in the world and the third largest desert after Antarctica and the Arctic. It stretches from the Atlas mountains in north Africa to the Sahel in the south and has a combined surface area of 3,600,000 square miles - a size comparable to China or the USA. T…

Highlights

  • Ride through the dunes of the Sahara desert
  • Canter across wide open desert on an Arab/Barb Arabian
  • Camp in remote locations or stay in comfortable hostels
  • Discover fortified villages and palm-enclosed oases
  • Dine on delicious traditional Moroccan fare

Essential Facts

  • 1 itinerary available
  • Max 10 riders per group
  • Average of 4 - 5 hours riding per day
  • Weight limit: 90kg / 198 lbs/ 14 st 2lbs

Description

The Sahara desert is the largest hot desert in the world and the third largest desert after Antarctica and the Arctic. It stretches from the Atlas mountains in north Africa to the Sahel in the south and has a combined surface area of 3,600,000 square miles - a size comparable to China or the USA. The area you ride through is in the south-central part of Morocco and you depart from the town of Ouarzazate, also known as the 'door to the desert'. To the south of Ouarzazate lies only desert, but that desert holds a multitude of landscapes and terrains, from open plateaus to high dunes and the oasis filled Draa Valley.

These rides are for experienced riders who can appreciate the thrill of riding a forward going Arab or Barb Arabian across the wide open desert. There are many canters and gallops on offer, whichever itinerary you choose.

Rides do not run in the summer months as it is too hot. Oct/Nov and Feb-Apr temperatures are generally warm and pleasant (c. 20-35C), whilst Nov-Mar is cooler (12-25C). In mid winter the mornings and evenings can be cold but temperatures are warm during the day.

For those who wish for a remote camping ride, the Desert Cavalcade takes you through the oasis filled Draa Valley, camping each night amongst the dunes or palm groves. If you prefer a comfortable hostel and shower each night, then the Horses, Dunes and Nomads ride offers just that.

Horses & Riding

Tack

English style Trail saddles are used along with practical saddle bags for your small items (camera etc). You are expected to tack and untack your own horse.

Horses

Barb Arabs and Barbs - mainly stallions

Riding

There is 1 itinerary:

  • Horses, Dunes and Nomads is a trail ride

Health

You need to be physically fit and riding fit. If you are not riding regularly then you must get back in the saddle before joining the trails.

Weight

90kg / 198 lbs/ 14 st 2lbs

Food & Accommodation

Food

All meals are included and will be traditional Moroccan fare. Lunch is usually cold whilst dinner is a hot meal.

Water is provided but other drinks are payable locally.

Accommodation

Some trails offer the comfort of guesthouse accommodation whilst others are camping - see individual itineraries for details.

Itineraries

Horses, Dunes and Nomads Standard accommodation.

Other Activities

These are riding trails and not suitable for non-riders

Travel

Airport transfers are included from Ouarzazate airport if you arrive/depart on the set days. If you spend an extra night before/after the ride, then transfers from/to can be arranged at extra cost. If you cannot find suitable flights to Ouarzazate, then transfers can be arranged from Marrakech airport also at an additional cost.

Testimonials

Chantal S., Jan. 26, 2023

What a fabulous trip. Loved it all. Excellent horses and comfy tack, tasty, fresh healthy food, comfortable accommodation and a great support team. We met lovely people just as you said we would. The terrain and scenery were so much more varied than I expected. We only needed a coat on the last day, the rest of the week was fleece and t-shirt weather. The outfitter was a real pro. Included everyone, good communications, organised and punctual, patient and polite and a good sense of humour. His team evidently love what they do, his horses too - how they love to run!


Pam W., Jan. 10, 2023

Excellent. A great way to spend Christmas/New Year with friends - riding lovely horses through amazing scenery.


Itinerary & Pricing

Day 1 - Arrival

Riding: No riding.

You'll be transferred from Ouarzazate airport to your hotel where dinner is included.

Day 2 - Ouarzazate - Imi N'Chaabte - Tafraout

Riding: 2 - 3 hours

At 7am you meet in the foyer of the hotel to transfer by road to Zagora. Your journey takes you through the Draa Valley to Tansikht and then along the Jebel Sagho mountain chain to cross Nkob and Tazzarine. Leave the asphalt road behind and continue to Mcissi (about 6 hour drive of which 420km is road and 60km is dirt track). Picnic lunch is taken en-route. On arrival you meet your team and horses for your first ride across the sandy wadis and dune fields. Overnight in a cozy inn.

Day 3 - Tafraout - Foum March

Riding: 4 - 6 hours

Ride across the village of Tafrout and out onto the plateau of Ahbouche Ntkouyte (Lake Tafraout) which is perfect terrain for good canters and gallops. Pass through Tattihate between Jebel Mohre on your right and Jebel Zireg on your left. The splendour of the Sahara is laid before you with infinite dunes alternating with cliffs in the background. Overnight in a beautiful desert inn in the valley of Mharech.

Day 4 - Foum March - Remlia - Dunes of Ouzina

Riding: 4 - 6 hours

Set out in a southerly direction between sand dunes. Today you may meet nomads as you cross the Chouiref plateau and pass Tizi N'Guidou before dropping past the abandoned village of N'Oubahllou and the orange dunes of Remlia. Continue riding between mountains, dunes and small sand dunes in the direction of the Tagine mountain which is famous for Cretaceous fossils. Overnight in a cozy inn and watch the sun set over the dunes.

Day 5 - Ouzina Dunes - Jdaid

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

Ride amongst the beautiful dunes of Ouzina, alternating between being within the dunes themselves or between the sands and the mountains. Your whole day is riding in these open sands until reaching the village of Taghaoucht-n-Jdaid and your hostel for the night.

Day 6 - Jdaid - Merzouga

Riding: 5 hours

In the morning you continue riding through the sands and mountains until reaching Tamaris with the highest dunes of Morocco - Erg Chebbi. Marvel at these magnificent landscapes as your horse takes you through the vast sands. Overnight in a hostel near the foot of the dunes.

Day 7 - Merzouga - Ouarzazate

Riding: 3 hours

A final morning ride around the dunes before saying a fond farewell to your horse. After lunch you transfer back to Ouarzazate (c. 5 hours drive) and check into the same hotel as the first night. Final dinner at the restaurant.

Day 8 - Departure

Riding: No riding.

After breakfast you are transferred to the airport for your flight home.

Accommodation

Each night is spent in a comfortable desert hotel, in twin/double or triple rooms. Bathrooms may be shared.
In Ouarzazate you stay in a 3* hotel in double/twin rooms.
Single rooms are not always possible in the desert hotels so please check with us.
Experience Experienced

You should be competent in all paces across open terrain, rising to the trot and cantering in a forward seat. You must be able to control your horse with a light hand whilst galloping in a group. At the start of the week, canters are taken single file, but the pace is varied and includes lots of canters and gallops.
Minimum group size 3
Maximum group size 10
Departure windows

Jan. 1, 2023 - Jan. 8, 2023  (* Low Season)

Jan. 8, 2023 - Jan. 15, 2023  (* Low Season)

Jan. 15, 2023 - Jan. 22, 2023  (* Low Season)

Feb. 19, 2023 - Feb. 26, 2023

March 5, 2023 - March 12, 2023

March 12, 2023 - March 19, 2023

March 19, 2023 - March 26, 2023

March 26, 2023 - April 2, 2023  (* High Season)

April 2, 2023 - April 9, 2023  (* High Season)

April 9, 2023 - April 16, 2023  (* High Season)

Oct. 22, 2023 - Oct. 29, 2023  (* High Season)

Oct. 29, 2023 - Nov. 5, 2023  (* High Season)

Nov. 12, 2023 - Nov. 19, 2023  (* Low Season)

Nov. 19, 2023 - Nov. 26, 2023  (* Low Season)

Dec. 3, 2023 - Dec. 10, 2023  (* Low Season)

Dec. 10, 2023 - Dec. 17, 2023  (* Low Season)

Dec. 24, 2023 - Dec. 31, 2023

Dec. 31, 2023 - Jan. 7, 2024

Pricing

2023
Low Season; Sharing		 £1165 $1465 €1365
2023
High Season; Sharing		 £1250 $1575 €1465
2023
Standard Season; Sharing		 £1215 $1530 €1425
Included 7 nights accommodation, all meals from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day, drinking water, transfers from Ouarzazate airport, 6 days riding.
Not included Flights, personal travel insurance, drinks, tips and other personal expenses.

Extras

2023 - Marrakech Airport Transfer €150
Paid locally
Price is per vehicle, each way, and will be split between all passengers requiring transfers from Marrakech.
2023 - Single Supplement (all nights) £192 $240 €225
Paid to Far and Ride
Cost applicable for all nights. Subject to availability and refunded if a sharer found.
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.