Duration: 10 days Introduction
Morocco has heritage. Lots of people visit the main Moroccan towns these days, but few venture into the fringes of the Sahara. But no matter how much of an impression Morocco makes on her visitors, they make little or no impression upon her; best of all Morocco is proving resilient to globalisation: the big brands are here but when you’re standing in the medina (“old town”) of Marrakech there’s no doubting you’re a long way from home. Morocco lies so close to Europe, yet is so completely different.
Read more... This ride takes place in the Draa Valley which is situated at the end of the trans-Sahara camel caravan route of old, with the remote, icy, snow-caped peaks of the High Atlas forming a splendid backdrop to the north. We will be riding in an area of little or no rainfall, in temps of 35° so it’s bizarre to have ice and snow as a back-drop!
Our guides are Berber people who are the traditional residents of the Atlas Mountains and quite distinct from the Arabs who invaded Morocco in 683 AD, more than a thousand years ago.
More on the Draa Valley — Berber profile The details
This is the edge of the Sahara. The aim of the ride is to reach the first of the mighty Saharan sand-seas, “erg” beyond the oasis town of Ouzazate. An erg is a broad, flat area of desert covered with wind-swept sand with little or no vegetative cover. The term takes its name from the Arabic word ?arq, meaning "dune field". Strictly speaking, an erg is defined as a desert area that contains more than 125 square kilometers of aeolian or wind-blown sand and where sand covers more than 20% of the surface.
Read more... Country: Morocco.
Ride category: desert and oasis.
Duration: 10 days
Days on Horseback: 6 days
Ridden distance: 160 Km.
Average time per day in saddle: 5 to 6 hours, with breaks.
Getting there: London direct to Marrakech (BA) and drive to Ouzazate.
Tempertaure: Summer temperatures will top 50° but in January it’s a more manageable 30°. The air is still dry and the going can be dusty at times.
Terrain: The trail can be dusty but leads from oasis to oasis through starkly beautiful country. Have you ever wondered where your Christmas dates comes from? Now’s your chance to find out!
Several dry rivers (“wadi”) to negotiate; we pass through small, remote villages and nomad camps; the ride is generally flat with sections suitable for a faster pace. Riders should be happy to get over natural obstacles such as gullies and dips and be comfortable at all paces.
Pace: walk 65%; trot 20%; canter/gallop 15%.
Horse Breed: Barb X Arab. (click below for more information)
Tack: saddles are based on the French cavalry saddle, but with sections cut away to make it lighter and cooler. The bit is a snaffle, with no nose band.
Rider’s involvement: riders are asked to assist with grooming and tacking up their horse; untack during breaks. The guide will be available to advise and assist as necessary.
Rider’s weight: 95 Kg max
Best season for ride: Jan and Feb.
Accommodation (Based on twin share)
Bivouac camps x 4 nights
Large Tuareg tents x 1 night
Gite x 2 nights
Hotel x 2 night
Distance from urban areas: nearest town is Ouzazate which has basic hospital and medical facilities.
Cross-cultural awareness: the majority of the population is Muslim, though the Berber occupy the relaxed-cum-moderate end of the spectrum. The Tuareg nomads are also moderate in their outlook, but care should be taken to dress conservatively. All accommodation is “dry” except Berber Farm which sells beer and wine. byo is fine.
Guide: the English speaking professional guide who is the first point of contact on the ride is Hassan. His first language is Berber, second Arabic, third French and fourth English; I was chatting to him in English and asked him where he learnt it and he replied “On the street” – it’s very good and he clearly has an ear for languages and an eye for horses. The rest of his team speak some English, but rather more French.
Horse breed profile — Morrocan Date Facts The itinerary
Starting and finishing in the bustling city of Marrakech we cross the High Atlas to Zagora - an oasis town in the Draa Valley where we meet our horses and begin our ride following ancient trails through palm forests and date gardens...
Read more... Day-by-day Itinerary
Day 1:Arrival.
Fly from London direct to Marrakech. Overnight at The Berber Farm. (Private hotel. D, B)
Day 2: Across the High Atlas.
Early start to drive across the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass, passing through areas of ice and snow; descend to the desert town of Ouzazate in time for lunch. This is not yet the true Sahara, but there’s no doubt you’ve left winter behind. Drive on to Zagora, an oasis town in the heart of the Draa Valley. Meet the horses and have a trial ride to match rider to horse. (Gite; full board)
Day 3: Zagora to Djebel Bani
There are half a dozen Berber words that arethat are useful to know when riding in this area: click the link at the bottom for a small selection.
We head southwest crossing the extensive Feija reg and a few small areas of erg, this mixed terrain heralding the Sahara that we will shortly see. A small winding path leads up the northern side of Debel Bani and from the top we look back on the plain and the Djebel Sarhro away to the north. Descend by to an oasis, often used by Nomads, to the overnight camp. (Camping, full board.)
Day 4: Djebel Bani to Oued Naam.
This morning we ride up to a plateau that is flatter and even drier than yesterdays. Only the tough and wizened parasol acacia grows here, offering a little shade to the infrequent travellers. We ride on into the first proper ergs. Desert gazelles and ostriches are being reintroduced to this area (which is now a national park) and we may be lucky and see some, particularly as we’re camping at Oued Naam, which may be a dry river, but there is moisture beneath the surface, allowing some vegetation to grwo. (Camping, full board.)
Day 5: Oued Naam to Ouled Driss
Today's ride is from one dry river to another! This area is rich in Tamarisk, a Saharan native shrub with slender branches and grey-green foliage. Later in the year it produces light purple flowers, but we are probably too early to see the blossom. This area is popular with nomad families who build their temporary villages out of tents made from camel and goat wool. Tonight we camp at Ouled Driss in Tuareg tents. There is a good (though unsophisticated) museum here and the first hot shower for three days! (Permanent Camp, full board.)
Day 6: Ouled Driss to Nesrate
Today we ride across the biggest ergs so far to reach a plateau that leads to Djebel Selmane. Then, by utter contrast, we ride into the palm “forest” at the oasis Tagounit. Here we ride between lush, irrigated gardens of wheat, beans, dates and a host of other veg’. We leave the oasis behind and make camp in the dunes beyond: utter silence and absolutely zero light pollution – expect a star display like no other! (Camping, full board.)
Day 7: Nesrate to Oued Draa
Today we ride north back into the Draa Valley’s palm forests, enjoying the shade they offer. To the left lies Djebel Bani and on the right Djebel Tadrart. Overnight camp in the oasis. (Camping, full board.)
Day 8: Oued Draa to Zagora
Following ancient paths between cultivated fields and kasours and beneath palm gardens to the ksar of Tinfou where a grand erg reaches right to the doorsteps, threatening to engulf the village. Return to Zagora and our starting point. (Overnight gite; full board.)
Day 9: Zagora to Marrakech
Return across the High Atlas to Marrakech, stopping en route to visit a Barb stud. The Berber Farm has a Hammam (what we know as a Turkish steam bath) with gomage (exfoliation), full body massage and pedicure service. Please note that these services need to be booked in advance (on day 1) and paid for in Euros or Dirham direct to the operator (Approx 14 Euros for each treatment.) (Private hotel. D, B and L)
Day 10: Marrakech to London
Morning by the pool or shopping in Marrakech. Afternoon flight back to London.
Berber words — Marrakech Accommodation