Morocco - Desert to the Atlantic - A Journey Across the Sahara

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*** Please note, this ride starts from Ouarzazate but ends in Agadir. We recommend your flight home to depart from Agadir Airport***

Day 1
Arrival in Ouarzazate or Marrakech. Welcome at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Meet with the guide for a briefing, advice, and last preparations for the next day and the first week. Dinner at the hotel's restaurant.

Day 2 
Transfer 6/7hrs: Early breakfast and transfer to the starting point near Ouzina. After refreshments there will be a quick briefing and allocation of the horses to each rider. Enjoy a short ride to get the feel of the horses before heading to the desert camp for a meal and overnight.

Day 3
Ride through a wide variety of landscapes today - ochre mountains, sand of every shade and perfect cantering tracks. Picnic near the dune of Remlia. After lunch, cross the dunes and traverse the Ghris riverbed before reaching the plateau of M’harch to camp for the night. Overnight Desert camp. Riding 35km

Day 4
Continue riding across the M’harch plateau to a small pass until reaching Jebel Zirg for a picnic break on a scenic plateau dotted with acacia trees. The afternoon is spent riding along a narrow pass that provides beautiful views of the ivast plateau of Lmaaidr. Tonight's campsite is at the foot of a mountain. Riding 35-40km

Day 5 
Today's route is from Taricht to Tafraut with easy riding on the way to the picnic spot. In the afternoon the ride finishes not far from Foum village and camp quite close to the palm grove of the village of Tismomine. Overnight Desert camp. Riding 40km

Day 6
This morning riders follow the track that passes between two mountains to the beginning of a plateau, the picnic spot for the day. After lunch, enjoy a long canter on the plateau until reaching the foot of the mountain to Imi n'oussaif. Overnight Desert camp. Riding 38km

Day 7
This morning, transfer by van to the horses. Riders cross Jbel Mrah via a narrow path toward Oum lkhab for a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, cross the Oum lkhab and camp at the foot of Jebel Tidma. Overnight Desert camp. 35-40km

Day 8
A welcome rest day! Travel by van to Zagora to spend the night. Take the chance to explore Zagora; enjoy a hamman (Turkish bath), a spot of shopping, local restaurants, or visit the palmaraie (palm groves). This is an opportunity to wash any clothing. Accommodation Hotel in Zagora.

Day 9
Today the trail crosses a mountain overlooking a large plateau and palm grove. Picnic at the edge of the palm grove. In the afternoon, ride through the palm grove while passing through villages. Camp among the palm trees for the night. Overnight Desert camp. Riding 35-40km

Day 10
This morning the route crosses the Draa riverbed, and through the palm grove past the ksar (castle) of Nesrat. Follow the trail to the picnic spot. In the afternoon, cross the Jebel Bani via a narrow pass that provides a scenic view of a large plateau dotted with acacia trees. Keep an eye out for gazelles on the way to the campsite. Overnight Desert camp.Riding 36km

Day 11
After breakfast, continue following the plateau, keeping the Jebel Bani ridge to the right until reaching the picnic spot at the Wadi Laatache (Wadi of Thirst). In the afternoon the route continues until reaching the Oum Laalg oasis. Overnight Desert camp. Riding 38km

Day 12
Leave the oasis in the morning and ride to the wild dunes of Cheggaga to spend some time before heading to the picnic spot located close to a well. After lunch, travel onward with the dunes to our left until reaching the plateau, and Lake Irikki to camp. Overnight Desert camp. Riding 9km

Day 13
The ride continues crossing this vast plateau this morning, and there is plenty of opportunity to gallop before reaching the lunch spot near a well near the Lmdowar Sghira mountain. In the afternoon, follow the track through the rocky landscape of Lmdowar Lkbir Mountain. Camp near the mountain for the night, not far from the village of Foum Zguid. Overnight Desert camp. Riding 27km

Day 14 
A morning ride across a plateau dotted with acacia trees starts the day. At times it is stony and at other times pleasant enough to enjoy a good canter, until reaching the lunch spot. After a break, continue the ride through the Saharan landscape to the campsite not too far from the village of M’ghimima. Overnight Desert camp. Riding 40km

Day 15
Leave camp after breakfast and transfer to Tata for a day of well earned rest for us and the horses. Overnight at a Hotel in Tata.

Day 16 
Leave the hotel after breakfast to be transferred back to the horses. The day's ride begins with traveling along a narrow path which provides a scenic view of the plateau, and eventually leads to a small oasis. Ride through the palm grove of Tissint, passing through the river bed and picnic in the oasis near the village of Akka Did Sidi. Ride out from the oasis in the afternoon and cross the riverbed to a plateau. Ride through the palm grove of the village of Kasbah to set up camp. Overnight Desert camp. Riding 38km

Day 17
Leave the palm grove and ride towards a low mountain dotted with acacia trees until arriving at the riverbed. Follow a stony path until reaching a picnic spot on the edge of Wadi Akka N’Ighern. In the afternoon, continue in the wadi to a small oasis close to Tata to camp. Overnight Desert camp. Riding 37km

Day 18 
Follow the left bank of the riverbed, not far from the village of Akk n'Iznkad. After crossing the Jbel Bani via a narrow pass with views of the surrounding villages, continue in the direction of the old fortified village of Jbair, close to the picnic site on a small plateau dotted with acacia trees. After lunch, follow the riverbed to the village of Tazoult and toward a small rocky ridge to the camping spot for the night. Overnight Desert camp. Riding 38km

Day 19
Start the day riding on good ground on the way to the Tata riverbed. Follow the riverbed until arriving at a small oasis for lunch. It is a fast-paced afternoon as the trail heads to the small oasis facing the village Foum Laalgue to our camp for the night. Overnight Desert camp. Riding 35kmDay 20 -
This morning continues along a track and crosses another accacia dotted plateau covered in acacias, a popular place for travelling nomads. Picnic next to the village of Tizouinine before following the trail across an agricultural plateau. Pass some oasis en route to the camp situated on the bank of the wadi, overlooking a small oasis and the mountains. Overnight Desert camp. Riding 42km

Day 21
The trail leaves not far from the village Ait ouablli, and leads up the wadi to a ridge. The picnic spot is a the welcome shade of the acacias. In the afternoon, follow the trail past a mountain, and cross a plateau with some oasis. The village of D'Icht is not far from the camp site. Overnight Desert camp. Riding 20km

Day 22
Start out close to the small village D'Icht and its palm grove, and ride over a small plateau and along a riverbed until reaching a picnic spot not far from the village of Kasbah. After the lunch break, continue along the same riverbed, which passes between two mountains and on to the plateau Tagjgalte, where the camp is located. Overnight Desert camp. Riding 38km

Day 23
This morning the route is surrounded by mountains on the way to the picnic spot near a small road that leads to the village D'Ait illoul. In the afternoon, continue through a field until joining a good track that leads to the village of Taghjijte where the campsite is located. Overnight Desert camp. Riding 34km

Day 24
After breakfast, depart for Guelmim to rest and overnight in a hotel.

Day 25 
Today's trail leads through the beautiful palm grove of Taghjijte on the way to the lunch break. In the afternoon, follow the riverbed, passing a small village and then arriving at the camp at the entrance of the village of Igherm n'Igouzeln between the mountains Agni Ouaarich and Mouchllif. Overnight Desert camp. Riding 35km

Day 26
Ride along the Wadi Seyad and cross a plateau dotted with nomad camps. Continue the journey on the plateau toward the village of Fask. After lunch, finish crossing the plateau and reach a river that extends to Tighmert, where the camp is. Overnight Desert camp. Riding 35km

Day 27 
The sea air is calling! After breakfast, cross some hills to reach the picnic spot situated not far from the village of Labyar. In the afternoon follow the riverbed until arriving at the magnificent PlageBlanche (the white beach) to enjoy a great gallop. Camp on/near the beach. Overnight Desert camp. Riding 44km

Day 28 
After a short ride on the beach in the morning, enjoy a light lunch before bidding a fond farewell to the horses and team that have been friends and companions for nearly a month. Transfer to Agadir by van. Enjoy a farewell dinner and re-live memories with riding companions. Overnight in Hotel Tildi in Agadir (or similar). Riding 2hr /Transfer 5hrs

Day 29
After breakfast transfer to Agadir airport.

Any rider who wishes to participate needs to ensure that they are in perfect physical health and have multiple years of riding experience with long distance trips, or be an experienced rider.
First week: 6 days on horseback 240 kms in the region of Zagora
Second week: 7 days on horseback 288 km to arrive to Tata.
Third week: 8 days on horseback 222km to Guelmim.
Fourth week: 3 days on horseback 125km to arrive to White Beach.

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

The horses used for this ride are Arab-Barb crosses, ideal for the climate and terrain. They are all stallions as it is customary not to castrate riding horses in Morocco. They all have individual characters and are well schooled, of good temperament and no more difficult to handle than normal riding horses. They are generally 14.2-15.2hh.

The riding is through varied terrain and offers plenty of opportunity for gallops and cantering. At times the horses will have to be led on foot. Riders should not only be fit, but have the temperament to be a part of the team, assisting with the set-up and striking of camp, along with the daily camp chores.

Any rider who wishes to participate needs to ensure that they are in perfect physical health and very fit.
Have multiple years of riding experience with long distance trips or be an experienced rider.
Riders' ability and fitness need to be double checked by the agent taking the booking. This is to reduce the chances of any accidents and ensure the smooth running of the entire journey

The weight limit for this ride is 209 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

Apart from the 5 hotel nights, accommodation is in 2-3 person tents with foam mattresses. There is hot water and separate shower tents. Meals are prepared by the cook. Some special diets may not be catered for. Please advise of requirements when booking so that we can check.

This is not just a simple riding trip, this is total immersion. Riders will be living a close knit community, expected to assist with daily tasks, to help fellow riders and the support team with the horse and camp duties

(Hotel nights:1, 8, 15, 24, 28)

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months on your date of entry to Morocco. When entering the country, make sure your passport is stamped. Some tourists have experienced difficulties leaving the country because their passport bears no entry stamp. Before travelling, make sure your passport isn’t damaged. Some travellers have been refused entry when travelling on damaged passports. Morocco is a Muslim country which follows Islamic laws and customs. You should respect these at all times. Passport and Visa requirements can change from year to year depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/morocco In the US: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Morocco.html In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/morocco

Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions

Morocco experiences a diverse climate due to its location and varied topography. Generally, the climate can be categorized into Mediterranean in the north and central areas, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, and arid in the south with high temperatures year-round.
Along the coast, temperatures are moderated by the Atlantic Ocean, while inland regions can experience more extreme temperature fluctuations. The Atlas Mountains influence climate patterns, with cooler temperatures and more precipitation at higher elevations. In the Sahara Desert to the south, temperatures can soar, especially in the summer months.
Annual rainfall varies significantly across the country, with the north receiving more precipitation compared to the arid south. Morocco's climate variability is crucial for its agriculture, tourism, and overall socio-economic activities, with the government investing in sustainable practices to mitigate climate change effects and ensure environmental resilience

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

You should always bring any regular prescription drugs you may need with you, and spare, just in case.

Morocco has a poor road safety record. Please take care when travelling on roads.

Henna tattoos are common in Morocco. If considering a henna tattoo be aware that some henna paste contain the chemical para-phenylenediamine (PPD) which can cause a painful allergic reaction including swelling and an itchy rash in some people.

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 150 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in Morocco and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.

Sunscreen, any personal medication, insect repellent.

A first aid kit is carried on all rides but we would suggest basic travellers medicines such as Dioralyte, Immodium and any other routine medication you may require. We do advise taking plenty of sunscreen, sunburm is common at high altitudes and often not detected early due to cooler mountain temperatures.

In Morocco the supply voltage is 220V. If the appliance is a single voltage rated appliance, it will need to operate at the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country i.e. 220V. If this is not the case it should be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly.

You will be in a remote area. There is occasionally mobile reception at high points. Solar chargers are useful on camping nights. There is a backup vehicle which can be used in an emergency to recharge but there is not enough battery power for regular recharging by everyone. If using a GoPro make sure to get the permission of the group to be filmed.

- Riding Helmet - we strongly recommend that you wear a properly fitted riding helmet of the current standard which is PAS015 or BSEN1384. If you do not have one we can arrange for you to borrow a helmet, please request before you book so we can confirm
- Jodhpurs - jodhpurs, breeches or other comfortable trousers (jeans may rub and can also be quite hot)
- Gloves
- Riding Boots - it is important to have correct shoes or boots for horse riding. Jodhpur or ankle boots with a rubber sole are recommended but sturdy shoes with a definite heel are acceptable (such as walking boots)
- Walking boots - strongly recommended for this trail. There are some steep areas where you must walk with your horse
- Half Chaps - these are great when worn with ankle boots and help prevent the stirrup leathers rubbing against your legs
- T-shirts and long-sleeved shirts
- Sunhat
- Fleece - Although the weather is generally very warm, the evenings can be a bit cooler
- Warm layers - At times the evening temperature drops significantly
- Casual Clothes - for when out of the saddle
- Raincoat - although it rains very rarely it may be a good idea to pack a waterproof/ windproof jacket
- A sleeping bag
- Towel
- Swimwear for the first and last nights
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Personal Items - toiletries, any medicines you require and please be sure to take insect repellent
- Refillable Water Bottle - it's very important to drink a lot of water when it's hot
- Camera and Spare Batteries/Charger - an absolute must! It is also a good idea to take a camera case you can strap around your waist or onto a belt for whilst you are riding
- Torch
- A copy of your passport

Provided by hosts
- Riding Helmet
- Saddle bags are provided

This ride has an 29 day / 28 night / 24 riding days with a set departure

2025: 19 Jan - 16 Feb

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A good guide book is invaluable but in addition:.

The Conquest of Morocco by Douglas Porch examines the takeover of Morocco by Paris, leading to the establishment of the protectorate.

Peter Mayne's highly readable A Year in Marrakesh is his account of time spent living among the people of the city and observations on their lives.

Their Heads Are Green is an intriguing collection of short stories about North Africa by the famous Tangier resident Paul Bowles (author of Sheltering Sky).

The House of Si Abdallah: the oral history of a Moroccan family, by Henry Munson Jr, is a unique insight into the daily life and thoughts of Moroccans, mainly through the eyes of a traditional pedlar in Tangier.

A fascinating look at the lives of Moroccan women is Leonora Peet's Women of Marrakesh. Over 40 years (1930-70) Peets got about as close as a non-Muslim can to the lives of local women.

Iain Finlayson's Tangier: city of the dream is an intriguing look at some of the western literati who found a new home in Morocco at one time or another.

For the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback visit www.thelongridersguild.com also a fantastic place to acquire your equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com

Dorcas gazelle; Sand fox; Slender mongoose.

The Kingdom of Morocco is on the north-west corner of Africa. Morocco has a history as an independent nation state stretching back to the 9th century interrupted only by the brief interlude of the Protectorate (1912-1956) when the country was divided into French and Spanish zones.

Morocco's cities are bustling and full of life, usually centering around the market place. The muslim country is deeply spiritual and this mysticism is echoed in the dazzling art work found throughout. The power of the evil eye is a potent force for many Moroccans. One way of warding it off is to show the open palm of the hand, fingers pointing upwards. This 'hand of Fatima' (the Prophet's daughter) can frequently be spotted on stickers, painted on doors or as jewellery.

Morocco is on GMT. The international dialling code for Morocco is 212 and they use the metric weights and measures system, so kilometres and kilograms instead of miles and pounds. There is approximately 1.6 kilometres in a mile and 2.2 pounds in a kilogram. They are on GMT.