Horseback Riding in Morocco
DESERT CROSSING |
Horseback riding in Morocco offers stark contrast
between austere desert and verdant oases
Horse riding in Morocco has a long history and the country produces some fine horses
|
A fascinating route through the valleys of southern Morocco where the High Atlas Mountains give way to the Sahara, and which can be done in the temperate weather of the winter months. There is an incredible variety of features to this landscape; the mountains of Saghro, the palm groves of Draa River Valley, and the sandy expanse of the Sahara with typical desert oases. Along the route you stop in kasbahs and meet the Berber people in these traditional villages who call this challenging land home.
Morocco is only a 7-hour flight from the US, and has long been a favorite winter destination for Europeans who revel in its vital and colorful traditions. Ouarzazate is the capital of the south, with its northern horizon dominated by the Atlas Mountains. It sits astride the Draa River, and is a major crossroads. The spectacular landscape has not escaped the attention of the film industry which has taken advantage of the varied and beautiful terrain to shoot many films here, including “Lawrence of Arabia.” Many streams rush down from the mountains, and wherever water is available oases verdant with olive trees, date palms and terraced wheat fields flourish in sharp contrast to the bleak surrounding desert.
|
| Itinerary |
| Day 1: | Arrive Marrakesh no later than 2.00pm, and transfer to the 3 star hotel in Ouarzazate, a 4 hour drive through the Atlas Mountains. Dinner and overnight. |
| Day 2: | Ouarzazate / Maoust / Tizgui
Early breakfast in the hotel. Drive 1 hour 30 minutes from Ourzazate to Maoust where the horses are stabled. This is the start point of our route. In the morning we try our horses, finding comfortable saddles, arrange saddle bags and coats etc. We make any changes necessary to horse and rider combinations this morning.
We cross the Maoust plateau across landscape with no trails or tracks. At the end of the plateau, we descend by a nomad track to picnic at I’Ikhf- I’Imchad in the shadow of a palm tree of the wild oasis. There will be no assistance vehicle today. In the afternoon we descend the mountains of the Saghro to join the valley of the Drâa River and after a long canter we reach our campsite at Tisgui. Dinner and overnight at our campsite at the middle of the Tisgui palm tree near the Drâa wadi. Swimming is possible here. (Tisgui 1200 m) 5-6 hours riding. |
| Day 3: | Tisgui / Aït-Malek
This morning we will follow the Drâa River to our picnic spot. This wide valley is punctuated by traditional villages and agriculture. Most of the inhabitants of these rural areas are Berber people. We ride through palm groves, small villages and cross the river several times. Our horses enjoy the water. In the afternoon we continue to follow the valley of the Drâa. Our campsite tonight is next to a palm grove on the Drâa at the foot of the Djebel Kissane in Aït Malek. (Aït Malek 1400m) 6-7 hours riding. |
| Day 4: | Aït Malek / Zaouia Tafetchna
After breakfast today we slip between the mountains of the Saghro and the last outcroppings before the big Sahara. We cross a desert plateau to join the Tizi N’Oufenna mountain pass, descending into the N’Oujmou Valley for a picnic lunch. In the afternoon we cross the outcroppings with opportunities for some exhilarating long canters, and continue down to our campsite in a deserted area called Zaouia Tafetchna. (Zaouia Tafetchna 1000m) 7-8 hours riding. |
| Day 5: | Zaouia Tafetchna / Aït Ouazik
Today we cross the Dejbel Rhart the huge open space that borders on the Saharan plain and picnic in the shadow of wattles. We ride at a good fast pace following this magnificent barrier along the edges of these big mountain ranges. We cross the villages of the Aϊt Ouazik Valley. Our campsite is at Aϊt Ouazik in the middle of a palm grove near the N’Ouarg wadi. 6 hours riding. |
| Day 6: | Aït Ouazik / Tarbalht
We will cross some small tongues of sand behind which oases are hidden, and then begin crossing the big plain of Tazarine. At the end of the day we climb back up to the ancient river bed of the Oued Taghbalt. A few villages punctuate our road but we remain at the edge of the civilization which clings to the greenery of the river valleys. Tonight’s camp is in the lee of a small dune. 5 hours riding. |
| Day 7: | Taghbalt
Slow paced riding around the sand dunes this morning. After lunch we say goodbye to the horses to and drive by mini bus 3 ½ hours to Ouarzazate. Overnight and dinner at a 3 star hotel in Ouarzazate. 2-3 hours riding. |
| Day 8: | Depart.
Early breakfast at the hotel in Ouarzazate, depart for Marrakesh no later than 9.00am. A packed lunch will be sent along for the 4-hour drive. Do not book flights departing Marrakesh prior to 3.00pm. |
| THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. |
|
|
|
| Pricing and Dates |
| Meeting Point | Marrakesh |
| Length of Ride | 8 days, 7 nights and 6 days riding. |
| Riding Ability | Strong Intermediate |
| Group Size | Minimum-4 Maximum-12 |
| Riding Per Day | 4-7 hours |
| Pace | moderate / fast |
| Tack | English |
| Horses | Arab / Barb Stallions |
| Weight Limit | 190 lbs |
| 2008 Dates | Feb 17-24, Mar 2-9, Mar 16-23, Apr 6-13, Sept 27 – Oct 4, Oct 11-18, Oct 25-Nov 1, Nov 15-22, Nov 29-Dec 6, Dec 20-27, Dec 27-Jan 3, 09 |
| 2008 Price | $1,670 |
| Single Supplement | $120 (private hotel room and tent) |
|
|
|
|
