SKOURA TO TARBHALT DESERT TRAIL - MOROCCO
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The horses spend the cooler winter months in the depths of the desert. From October to May we offer a desert trail. This is a superb route through the desert along which we encounter the mountains of Saghro, the Drâa River Valley and the sandy expanse of the Sahara. Accommodation is in comfortable camps near oasis and/or small villages. On this riding holiday you can enjoy the incredible variation of desert landscapes and meet the people that have adapted to these harsh conditions.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - SKOURA TO TARBHALT DESERT TRAIL
Day 1
Arrival - Ouarzazate or Marrakech airport. If you are flying into Marrakech then you must arrive no later than 2pm. Transfer Ouarzazate (a 4 hour drive through the Atlas Mountains) and dinner & overnight in a hotel in Ouarzazate.
Day 2 OUARZAZATE – MAOUST – TIZGUI
At 7am we depart for the 4x4 transfer to Maoust (about 1h30). In the morning we will have a discussion about the riding level of each rider and what kind of horse they like to ride. We will then have a short trial ride to try the horses out, arrange the saddle bags, and discuss the itinerary ahead.
We cross the MAOUST plateau across landscape without any tracks. At the end of the plateau, we descend by a nomad track to picnic at l’IKHF- l’IMCHAD at the shadow of the palm tree of the wild oasis. No assistant vehicle. In the afternoon, we descent the SAGHRO mountains to join the first villages of the DRAA valley. Camp site at the middle of the Tisgui palm tree near the DRAA wadi. Swimming possible.
Tisgui = 1200 m - 5h45 riding.
Day 3 TIZGUI – AIT MALEK
This morning, we will follow the beautiful DRAA valley. This wide valley is surrounded by traditional villages and agriculture. Most of the inhabitants of these rural areas are Berber people. Picnic at RBAT. In the afternnoon, we cross the river several times. Our horses will enjoy the water! We stay all the day in the DRAA valley. Our campsite is in the DRAA at the foot of the djebel KISSAN in Ait Malek.
Ait Malek = 1400 m - 6h30 riding
Day 4 AIT MALEK – ZAOUIA TAFETCHNA
The beginning of the morning is always in the DRAA valley and then we take a track to cross a desert plateau to join the TIZI N’OUFENNA mountain pass. We descent in the N’OUJMOU valley to picnic at the shadow of palm tree of the ARMAS village. In the afternoon, we leave the valley to join the AINIZ desert plateau in gallop crossing the ZAOUIA TAFETCHNA village. We stop in a little oasis, a perfect place for the camp site.
Zaouia Tafetchna = 1000 m - 7h30 riding
Day 5 ZAOUIA TAFETCHNA – AIT OUAZIK
We cross the DJBEL RHART, a huge open space that harbors on the Sahara plains. Picnic at the shadow of wattles. We ride at a good pace following this plain at the foot of the DJBEL RHARTand we cross the nice villages of the AIT OUAZIK valley. Our camp site is at the middle of palm tree near the N’OUARG wadi.
6h00 riding
Day 6 AIT OUAZIK – TARHBALT
We cross through little gorges where some oasis's are hidden and then we venture out on the big plain of Tazarine. We descend by the ancient river bed of the oued Taghbalt. We will see a few lone villages along our route but we remain at the edge of the agriculture or verdure of the wadi. Camp site in little dunes.
5h15 riding
Day 7
Walk of 2h30 all around the dunes before the lunch. We leave the horses and take our vehicles to Ouarzazate. (about 3h).
Dinner and night at the hotel at Ouarzazate
Day 8
Breakfast at the hotel in Ouarzazate and 9am transfer to Marrakech. Picnic lunch en-route. If you are departing from Marrakech, flights must be booked no earlier than 3pm to allow for the transfer time.
NOTE:
This itinerary on this horse riding holiday is given for your guidance only and it may be altered in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.
NOTES - SKOURA TO TARBHALT DESERT TRAIL
There is a full backup team with vehicle for the length of your stay. Cooking will be done for you but you will be requested to assist with grooming and saddling your horse.
Level required:
One must be a good horseman and fairly fit. The horses are all stallions as it is customary not to castrate riding horses. They all have individual characters and are well schooled, of good temperament and no more difficult to handle than normal riding horses. Certain stages may force you to have longer days than usual. Certain passages in the mountains force us to dismount. A sense of humour and common sense are essential as well as the capacity to enjoy camping, remote mountains and desert scenery.
Logistics:
The camping is in 3 person dome tents with no more than 2 per tent. You may also have a tent to yourself for the trip for a supplement of £36. Foam mattresses are supplied, you need to bring sleeping bags. You are asked to give some help with the setting up of your tents. There is a shower tent with a large bucket of hot water for washing every day. There is one shower tent and one toilet (chemical). Meals are taken in a large restaurant tent around a round table with stools for seats. We recommend you bring 2 water bottles, mineral water will be supplied as well as plentiful amount of Berber mint tea. It is also possible to buy the usual array of carbonated drinks for about 40p per bottle in local shops.
Prices 2008:
02+ pax - £1,165 per person
04+ pax - £859 per person
06+ pax - £735 per person
GETTING TO the ride
As a fully ATOL bonded and registered agency we would be delighted to book you flights for you. Should you wish to book your own flights please see our flights page for some options.
The weight limit for this ride is 15 st/209 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
All accommodation either camping or in 3* hotel with en suite bathroom, all riding with English speaking guide, meals as per itinerary including packed lunch on Day 8, 4WD back up and luggage transport, transfers to and from Ourzazate or Marrakech and return airport transfers.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Flights to and from Ourzazate or Marrakech, lunch on Day 1, alcoholic drinks (can be purchased on your behalf at a reasonable price), drinks in Ouarzazate and tips.
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