HORSES, DUNES AND NOMADS

*2024 prices from 3 pers.

Price details

• Price per person and excluding flights.
• Groups are composed of a minimum of 3 international riders and a maximum of 12 riders.
• Please note: the ride will also confirm for 2 riders on payment of a supplement of c. €280per person. Once the group has reached 3 people, we will remove this supplement from your invoice and refund you if you have already paid it.
• Transfers are included from/to Ouarzazate airport but if you arrive/departure from Marrakech airport, a private shuttle transfer can also be organized from/to Marrakech airport with an extra charge of 140 euros per trip and per car (to be divided according to the number of passengers)
• Single room supplement, if expressly requested:
  120€ for only the 2 nights in Ouarzazate.
  540€ for all nights (subject to availability).

Please note

The itinerary may be modified at anytime for security reasons, meteorological or events beyond our control such as blocked roads, rivers in flood, drought, strikes and local holidays. Equus Journeys, our local partners and their local guides will always strive to find the best solution and will alter the itinerary as needed.
The names of the hotels and accommodation are given for information only and depending on availability, they may be modified without notice and replaced by another of a similar standard.

OUR PRICE INCLUDES

Accompanying persons

1 French-speaking and/or English-speaking Moroccan guide following the group and 01 groom (on horseback) beyond 5 riders.

Logistic team

• 1 vehicle and driver
• 1 cook
• 1 horse equipped with saddle and bridle per rider

Inland Transportation

• Minibus or 4x4 to reach the start of the ride from Ouarzazate.
• Reception & airport transfers to and from the airport.

Type of accommodation

• Camping/bivouacs: 3-seater tents for 2 people and foam mattresses.
• Hotel 3*** based on 2 persons per room in Ouarzazate.

Meals

• Full board from diner D01 to breakfast D08.
• Filtered water or in case mineral water served during the hike.

Miscellaneous equipment

Group pharmacy (first aid)

OPTION

Hosting

Single room and tent supplement on request.

50 euros en double par personne / 70 euros en single par personne Arrival

Arrival

Pick up at the airport of Ouarzazate.
On request, pick up from another airport or another city.

For an extra arrival in ouarzazate by private minibus: 140€ per trip to be shared according to the number of people. Please contact us.

DAY 1 : ARRIVAL IN OUARZAZATE AIRPORT

Accommodation : 3 star hotel in Ouarzazate

Meet & greet at airport

Diner & Overnight in hotel in Ouarzazate

DAY 2 : OUARZAZATE - IMI N'CHAABTE - TAFRAOUT : 2 ½ hours riding

Accommodation : Les Jardins de Tafraout

Meet at the front desk of your hotel at 7am. Road to Zagora through the Draa Valley (170 km, 3H30 drive). After following the Drâa Valley to Tansikht, the vehicles follow the chain of Jebel Sagho, direction north, cross Nkob and Tazzarine and leave the asphalt road towards Mcissi. Meeting with the team and the horses for the first setting in the saddle. You commit to riding in a real Saharian space made of sandy valleys and dune fields. First night in an inn.

DAY 3 : TAFRAOUT - FOUM MHARECH : 4/6 hours riding

Accommodation : Riad Nomad

Horse crossing of the village of Tafraout and arrival on the plateau Ahbouche Ntkouyte (Lake Tafraout). The terrain is ideal for good gallops. Passage at the foot of Tattihate between Jebel Mohre on the right and Jebel Zireg on the left. The splendor of the landscapes of the Sahara is offered to you: infinite dunes alternates with the cliffs in the background. You join the evening stage, a beautiful inn of the desert.

DAY 4 : FOUM MARCH - REMLIA – OUZINA SAND HILLS :4/6 hours riding

Accommodation : Ouzina Rimal

Beautiful expanses are offered to us, we pass a small pass to overlook the valley of the Wadi Ghriss. We are progressing in the desert and we feel that we are sinking! Great landscapes combining arid and austere mountains highlighted by beautiful dune cords in which some green oasis points and reminds that life is inviting in this setting!

Dinner and overnight in a guest house at the foot of the dunes of Ouzina.

DAY 5 : OUZINA SAND HILLS - JDAID : 4/ 5 hours riding

Accommodation : Itrane Sahara

Start riding along the beautiful dunes of Ouzina. The hike takes place alternately in the dunes or on the reg, between sands and mountains. This Saharan day stretches to reach your hostel and the village of Taghaoucht-n-Jdaid, water supply point.

DAY 6 : JDAID - MERZOUGA : 5 hours riding

Accommodation : Nomad Palace hotel

Change of scenery as every day. It is through a landscape dotted with tamaris that we find ourselves at the foot of the highest dunes of Morocco ... the dunes of Erg Chebbi!

We take advantage of these grandiose landscapes and our horses are rubbing a few passages very sandy!

Night in guest house toward the dunes of Merzouga

DAY 7 : MERZOUGA – OUARZAZATE : 3 hours riding

Accommodation : 3 star hotel in Ouarzazate

Still a few moments of pleasure on our mounts around the dunes before settling down permanently. Will have a snack and then we find our minibuses to return to Ouarzazate.

Count 5 hours of transfer. Dinner at the restaurant and overnight at the hotel in Ouarzazate

DAY 8 : OUARZAZATE - AIRPORT

Breakfast and transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule.

Bearded stallion horses and bearded Arabs, selected and trained by our team, enduring, lively and docile. They are admirably adapted to the paths of the High Atlas: small sure-footed and big-hearted, their gaits are raised. Height at the withers: 1.45 m to 1.55 m.

They will amaze you on this hike by their resistance on sometimes the most difficult paths... You will come back for them!

THE HORSES AND LEVEL

Minimum technical requirements

Perfect mastery of the 3 gaits in outdoor and open terrain: trotting with the trotters off, galloping in balance and in groups, keeping control of the horse (distance, direction) at brisk paces with a light hand. Minimum academic equivalent of gallop 4.
Riders over 90kg and over 1m95 must consult us before registration. Good physical conditions required.

Paces

The basic pace in hiking is the step. Good regular trots and gallops every half day: from the small collected canter to unbridled gallops when the terrain allows it.Note that the gallops are done in line, especially at the beginning of the ride, because of the temperament of the stallions.

Autonomy and participation

Everyone is required to dress, saddle, bridle and unhook his horse. They are also expected to participate in camp tasks, including the setting up and dismantling of tents. You can participate according to your wishes in the care of the horses (distribution of water and food).

Level and experience required

Good physical condition and good endurance on horseback. Expect cold evenings in December & January.
A multi-day horseback riding experience is a plus, but is not mandatory. Riders who don't ride regularly must get back in the saddle before the ride.
Encountering different cultures and mentalities implies an acceptance of these differences and respect for them.

Equestrian Equipment

Tailor-made hiking saddles, very practical saddlebags are available.
Bombs or helmets are not mandatory but strongly recommended. Our partner has a few bombs, but preferably bring your own equipment. In case of request, please do so when you register.

Comfort

Very comfortable desert inns in double or triple rooms with shared bathroom. Showers every night.

Single room supplement possible only at the hotel in Ouarzazate. Single during the ride possible on request on certain dates only.

In Ouarzazate : Hotel 3 stars in double room. Possibility on request to spend the night in Riad in Medina (extra charge).

Meals

Copious dinners, cold at noon and hot in the evening in the inns.
The cook takes care of everything.
In order to avoid plastic bottles, please provide micro-pure tablets or we provide filtered water (catadyn ceramic filter). We advise you to take with you one or two metal cans... to avoid plastic.

Climate

In the south of Morocco the rains are rare but not non-existent. Since a few years very important rainy events have been affecting the south of the country.
From October to November and from February to April the temperatures remain pleasant see warm 35°/20° (October and April) 25°/12° (November, February, March).
In the heart of winter, mornings and evenings are cool to cold (up to -5° at the end of December). At noon, temperatures reach 18°/20°C to decline fairly quickly in the evening. In summer, the climate is torrid (around 45°C) and riding is not organized.

Local Team Guide

French / English-speaking Moroccan equestrian guides assisted by grooms.

TIPS

It is customary, as a sign of thanks, to give a tip to the local teams. You can foresee about 30€ / 40€ for the whole team.

Packing List

Head

• A riding helmet: it is seriously recommended and often mandatory. Manufacturers (GPA, HKM, LAS Helmets, Lamicell, Troxel, Equithème...) offer today ventilated, solid and light riding helmets, pleasant under all latitudes. There are also protective shells to put under your hat (Ranch & Rider, Lexington Safety Products) or western helmets (Troxel).
• Cap or hat for the sun (essential)
• A bandana, scarf or chèche to protect the neck or face from dust and sunlight
• A pair of high protection sunglasses
• A hat or hood in winter (December and January)

Bust

• Thermal underwear (December and January).
• Cotton T-shirts + long-sleeved shirts (for protection against the sun) or T-shirts made of quick-drying technical materials.
• 1 light fleece or equivalent
• 1 warm fleece or equivalent (From November to mid-Februar).
• 1 warm Goretex-type jacket (waterproof and breathable) (From December to mid-Februar) .

Legs

• 2 riding breeches or long leather chaps
• 1 spare pair of pants (hiking or jeans or equivalent)
• 1 swimsuit may be useful (swimming, toilet)
• Cotton or non-irritating synthetic underwear

Feet and Hands

• 1 pair of light walking shoes (essential for the ascent of the pass) with chaps or boots with specific mini-chaps for riding
• 1 pair of sneakers or equivalent light shoes for the evening.
• Several pairs of socks
• 1 pair of gloves to protect yourself from the sun, cold and rubbin

Little tricks on horseback

• Soothing cream very useful in the corners of your intimacy irritated by long hours on horseback.
• Nothing on your back, everything in your jacket or a banana on your belly: lipstick,sunscreen, passport, small camera or mini camera (waterproof), cords, glasses... more accessible than fonts.
• Riding backpacks are not allowed

Sleep

• Sleeping bag warm comfort 2 °/-5 ° (October to November and from February to April) and -5° or -8° (December and January).
• We also advise you to double this one with a meat bag which will be very useful on hot nights.

Miscellaneous

• Soft travel bag/case
• 2 metal cans of 1 liter or equivalent
• Headlamp, batteries and spare bulbs
• Toilet kit (biodegradable wipes to replace water, micropur...)
• Toilet paper + lighter to burn it after use
• A Swiss Army knife or equivalent (in the hold!!)
• Small paper bags to throw in the trash can
• Earplugs can be useful for those who would have light sleep as a roommate.
• Camera (with a spare battery)
• A pair of binoculars possiblyt

Pharmacy
As a precaution, list your drug allergies in your pharmacy.

• Personal medications
• 1 Broad-spectrum antibiotic
• Aspirin or paracetamol
• Anti Diarrhea
• Vitamin C
• Highly protective sun cream for lips and skin
• Eye drops
• Moisturizing cream for after sun.
• A roll of plaster
• A 10 cm wide adhesive elastic band
• A box of bandages is
• Ready-to-use disinfectant pouches
• Micropur or Hydroclonazone tablets to disinfect water
• An anti-mosquito cream and spray

Our recommendations

• If you lose your papers, we advise you to store a copy of your passport in a different place from the originals.
• If, in order to leave "light", you wash your clothes during the trip, prefer biodegradable detergents.
• Take enough to collect your toxic waste (batteries, aerosols, batteries, tubes of ointment, packaging of photo film ...) to bring them back to France where sorting is well done and efficient. A piece of advice: avoid as much as possible taking along the packaging of the material or equipment you bought before leaving... Always that less to bring back to France

Equipment provided

• Collective Pharmacy
• 1 pair of medium sized panniers