Our prices: 2024

* From 5 pers.

Price details

• Price per person and excluding flights.
• Groups are composed of a minimum of 3 international riders and a maximum of 10 riders.
• Please note: the ride will also confirm for 2 riders on payment of a supplement of c. €300 per 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.
• Single supplement room/tent : 140€

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 & end of the ride from Ouarzazate.

Type of accommodation

• Camping/bivouacs: 3-seater tents for 2 people and foam mattresses.

Meals

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

Miscellaneous equipment

Group pharmacy (first aid)

OPTION

Hosting

Single tent supplement +40€/person for the week.

Arrival

Pick up at the airport of Ouarzazate.
 

OUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

Cancellation, Interruption and Repatriation Insurance.

Meals

• Lunch on D8 (depending on your flight schedule).
• Drinks and personal extras.

Miscellaneous

• Supplement for groups of 2 participants: 250€ per person.
• Tips for local teams.
• Possibility of privatization. Quote on request.

DAY 1: Flight to Ouarzazate

Welcome at Ouarzazate airport and transfer to your hotel.

Night and dinner at the hotel.

DAY 2: Ouarzazate - N'esrate

Breakfast at the hotel. We immediately take the road that crosses the Djebel Saghro (volcanic massif) to descend the Draa valley and reach our departure point south of Zagora and the Djebel Bani. More than just a transfer, this is the first real stage of your journey. Meeting with the team and allocation of horses. Saddling up. Departure of the horse trek towards the south-west, easy terrain through beautiful small dunes.

To the north, the horizon is dominated by the Jebel Bani, and to the south, from the top of the dunes, you can see the mountains bordering Algeria. We pass through the tamarisk treesThen we leave the dunes to cross a reg, a completely different aspect of the desert, more austere, harsher.

We find small dunes that isolate us from the great plateaux.

Night in a bivouac

Time on horseback: 3 hours

Transfer: Minibus, 3 hours.

DAY 3: N'esrate - Oued N'naam

Breakfast at sunrise. We look after our horses and set up camp. It takes a good two hours to give the

to give the signal for departure on this first day!

It's a beautiful morning across sand, dry wadis and sunburnt pebbles. A few steps from a well that was still flowing, we came across a magnificent tamarisk tree.

A magnificent tamarisk. We use it as a parasol for lunch.

We continue westwards after our little siesta in the sun or in the shade of the few trees nestling in this undulating landscape. We cross a

At the end of the day, we dominate the superb canyon of Oued l'Ataach, where we spend the night.

for the night. The wadi is overgrown with Tamaris trees, which hold back the sand and form numerous small pools that make superb bivouac sites.

Dinner and overnight in Oued l'Ataach around a small campfire.

Time on horseback: 5 hours

Night in bivouac.

 DAY 4: Oued N'naam - Chegaga

This morning we've got into our stride and our preparation will be much quicker! We leave our shelter heading north/north-west. Our goal, visible from this morning, is

the mountain between Jebel Bani to the north-west and the large dunes to the south-west. At the foot of this mountain, the Oum Laalag awaits us for lunch. Oum

Laalag, literally the wadi of leeches in Berber. We cross a number of stony plateaux interspersed with dry wadi beds. The picnic area is hidden

in a recess of the canyon (always chosen according to the day's weather conditions, wind and blazing sun).

In the afternoon, we head due south to a plateau with sweeping views over the "plains". This opens the way to the Cheggaga dunes. We descend onto these

"plains" that separate us from the dunes. In winter, they are often green, invaded by the "pastures" so sought-after by the nomads and their dromedaries. We

We take advantage of the ideal terrain to set off on a series of beautiful paces: veritable "racecourses"! We reach a well, a compulsory stop-off to refresh our horses.

our horses. Our camp is a few hundred metres away, surrounded by tamarisk and euphorbia (Calotropis Procera).

With the last rays of sunshine, we take the time to walk up the highest dune in Morocco. A magical moment not to be missed.

Time on horseback: 5 hours.

DAY 5: Cheggaga – Erg El Ghol

A stopover in a "laughing" desert of very isolated dunes, punctuated by numerous patches of vegetation (tamarisks, euphorbia, acacias and pastures).

Early breakfast in this superb bivouac dominated by Erg Cheggaga. We head off towards the dunes for a few forays onto the sandy slopes! The

The horses do very well on the "hard" sides where we can sometimes climb quite high. We then skirt the high dunes heading west and turn north-west to cross them.

turn north-west to cross long stretches of very wild dunes that are impenetrable by any means other than foot or horse! It's not unusual

to spot a few gazelles. We're in a veritable sea of sand! A well awaits us at the exit. You have to keep your bearings to find it, as it is

between the erg and the Bani mountains. A number of nomad camps stand on the edge of the dunes. There is even a nomadic school

school. Picnic in the shade of a tamarisk tree. The landscape this afternoon is more in the style of the African savannah, with many acacia trees along the way. We walk

between mountains and dunes. At the next well, we quench our horses' thirst before heading due south to the dunes and our bivouac in a sandy "arena".

sandy arena.

Dinner and overnight bivouac. But not a twig to make a fire tonight. Erg Ghoul (literally, Hercules' erg) has not a single tree to be seen, so there's no dead wood!

Time on horseback: 6 hours

Night in bivouac

DAY 6: Erg - Iriki

Early wake-up call, breakfast and a trip to the well to quench our horses' thirst. We head west to tackle the Iriki "plain". This is, or rather was, an immense

completely dried up. Nowadays, it is very rare for the winter rains from the Atlas mountains to provide it with enough water.

Iriki is only fed by rain from the Jebel Bani, while rain from the Atlas is unfortunately stopped by the Ouarzazate dam. Once a refuge for migratory birds, they now prefer to take a route along the river.

Today, they prefer to take a route along the ocean. This "plain" is over 40 km long and as flat as the water in a lake. Watch out

on a sandy day... there are no obstacles to deflect it or slow it down! The drought here makes the ground very hard, but that doesn't stop us from riding many times.

We cross this vastness for a short distance to picnic on the north bank. A few acacia trees provide much-needed shade

for a siesta (a short one, alas, as the road is long). This afternoon, depending on the conditions, we either cross directly over the black stone plateaux interspersed with small mountains, or we follow the escarpments.

or we follow the escarpments on the banks of the Iriki. The plateaux contain numerous fossil sites, including "Ortoceras": molluscs that disappeared 250 million years ago! We can see the M'Douar mountains, which dominate the horizon to the south-west.

We use them as a reference point to find our bivouac, a few steps from a well, which unfortunately is a little salty for our horses.

Time on horseback: 6 hours

Night in bivouac.

DAY 7: Iriki - M'Douar - Ouarzazate

A magnificent stage, long but very varied, with mountains, plateaux and a transfer to Ouarzazate.

Don't hesitate to get up early this morning, before breakfast, to admire the sunrise over the mountains. It's a long way to the next well. to the next well. We reach the foothills of the mountain through a steppe. A landscape of small dunes and dense vegetation, crossed by nomads and their herds of camels and goats. A hidden well with excellent water awaits us in the middle of these dunes and this "forest". The horses are enjoying the clear, abundant water! We pass between M'Douar Srir and M'Douar Kbir, the names of two recognisable mountains,

They are reminiscent of the great American canyons! We ride along the cliffs of M' Daour Kbir, where a few tufts of palm trees curl up,

After lunch, transfer to Ouarzazate.

Time on horseback: 3 hours

Riding time: 3 hours Transfer: Minibus, 3 hours.

Check-in at your hotel.

Dinner at the restaurant,

Night in hotel

DAY 8: Ouarzazate 

Transfer to Ouarzazate airport and return flight.

Possibility of arriving and departing from Marrakech,

Transfer costs to be added according to number of people.

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

In camp: Tents for two people with mattresses, Moroccan caïdal tent for meals, shower tent with hot water morning / evening, toilet tent.
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 at the bivouac.
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