Dunes of Merzouga

8 Days | From £1200pp

Morocco ( Best airport: Ouarzazate)

This trail takes you deep into the Moroccan Sahara, combining fast, open riding with the timeless atmosphere of the desert. Over the course of a week, you’ll cross sweeping dunes, rocky plateaus, and hidden oases, following routes once travelled by nomads and caravans. Each day brings a mix of long canters across sandy valleys, peaceful stretches under vast skies, and evenings spent in traditional guesthouses. Riding well-trained and resilient Barb-Arab horses, you’ll experience both the thrill of the open desert and the unique rhythm of life shaped by this extraordinary landscape.

The Riding

This trail is designed for adventurous riders who want to immerse themselves fully in the Sahara’s unique rhythm. Long days in the saddle are rewarded with breathtaking horizons, exhilarating gallops, and quiet moments of connection with the desert. Riders will bond closely with their Barb–Arab horses, whose endurance and responsiveness make them ideal partners for this demanding yet rewarding journey.

Previous riders on this trail value the thrill of riding at a fast pace across open landscapes. There are many chances to gallop and riders should be hapy riding in a forward seat.

Level of Riding and Fitness

To participate, riders must be confident and secure at all three gaits—walk, trot, and canter—and comfortable riding in open country. Previous experience with long hours in the saddle is essential, as the program includes six to seven hours of riding per day, often at a lively pace with extended canters. A good level of physical fitness is needed to manage the demands of the desert terrain, where conditions can be hot and dry. Riders should be adaptable, ready to embrace both the physical challenge and the spirit of adventure that comes with travelling on horseback through such a wild and remote landscape. Therefore this trail is suitable for intermediate to advanced riders in good physical condition. The weight limit is 90 kilos.

Guides and Group Size

You will be guided by a Moroccan local from the Sport Travel team whose local knowledge is second to none. All guides speak Arabic, French and English fluently and are friendly and enthusiastic horsemen and women, keen to show visitors rural Morocco at it’s best. An experienced and passionate equestrian support team will meet the group for meals and at overnight stops. Please note that this route can also be done in reverse, starting in Merzouga.

The maximum group size is 8 riders.

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The Horses

Morocco may well win the prize for the most stunning-looking horses! Known as Barb-Arabs, this breed was created almost a century ago to produce the perfect war horses by crossing fine Purebred Arabians and Barb (Berber) horses. This crossbreeding provides horses perfectly adapted to the mountainous and desert environment of the region, they are strong and robust, with the speed and beauty of Arabian horses. The horses stand at approx. 15hh and almost every possible colour is represented. All the horses used on the trail are owned by your hosts and are well cared for and loved. They live a happy lifestyle, as evidenced by their willing, friendly temperaments and when not on the trail, they live as nature intended in a large herd.

Tack and Riding Equipment

The tack used is English style, with high quality English leather saddles with comfortable suede or sheepskin padding. Leather bridles and saddle bags are provided for participants to carry water and equipment for the day. the rest of your luggage is transferred between overnight stops by vehicle.

Accommodation and Dining

Throughout the trail, you will stay in desert inns, showers are available every night, ensuring a welcome refresh after long hours in the saddle. A single room supplement is possible with prior notice. The names of the hotels below are given for information only and depending on availability, they may be modified without notice and replaced by another of a similar standard.

Day 1: Hotel in Ouarzazate – Comfortable city hotel with double rooms. Dinner and overnight stay after airport transfer.
Day 2: Les Jardins de Tafraout – A welcoming desert inn with shared rooms, offering simple comfort after your first ride.
Day 3: Riad Nomad – Traditional-style inn in the heart of the desert, with shared rooms and warm hospitality.
Day 4: Ouzina Rimal – Guesthouse at the foot of the Ouzina dunes, with a spectacular desert setting
Day 5: Itrane Sahara – Authentic Saharan inn near the village of Jdaid
Day 6: Nomad Palace Hotel – A comfortable guesthouse just outside the famous Erg Chebbi dunes, with views of the sand sea
Day 7: 3★ Hotel in Ouarzazate – Return to your city hotel for a final night, including dinner in a local restaurant.

This trail includes all meals from lunch on your arrival day to lunch on your departure day. You can expect traditional Moroccan cuisine, breakfast is served at your accommodation each morning and is usually a selection of bread, preserves, cakes, fresh fruit, eggs, tea, coffee and juice. Make sure to sample msemen, a delicious crepe served in this region. Dinners will be typical and traditional Moroccan fare featuring plenty of vegetables, chicken, beef, and lamb in the form of tagine, soups, stews and couscous. Lunch is usually lighter, with fresh salad, pasta, rice or couscous and a selection of seasonal and delicious fruits. Allergies and special diets can be accommodated if communicated in advance. One of the loveliest features of riding in this part of the world is the delicious sweet mint tea served throughout the day, incredibly refreshing and worth getting used to as English-style tea with milk is not widely available here!

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Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1 Upon arrival at Ouarzazate Airport, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Dinner and overnight at a comfortable 3-star hotel in Ouarzazate.

Day 2 Meet at your hotel reception at 7:00 a.m. for the transfer to Zagora, following the spectacular Draa Valley (170 km, approx. 3.5 hours). After passing Tansikht, the journey continues along the Jebel Saghro, through Nkob and Tazzarine, before leaving the paved road towards Mcissi. Here you’ll meet the team and horses for your first ride. The afternoon ride introduces you to the true Sahara—vast sandy valleys and rolling dune fields.

Day 3 The trail begins by crossing Tafraout village and reaching the Ahbouche Ntkouyte plateau (Lake Tafraout), with open terrain perfect for gallops. The route continues at the foot of Tattihate, framed by Jebel Mohre on one side and Jebel Zireg on the other. Dramatic desert scenery unfolds—endless dunes alternating with rugged cliffs. Overnight in a comfortable desert inn.

Day 4 Today’s stage begins with sweeping desert vistas before crossing a small pass overlooking the Wadi Ghriss valley. The landscape becomes increasingly wild, combining arid mountains with striking dune ridges. Occasional oases add splashes of green to this austere beauty. Evening at a guesthouse nestled at the foot of the Ouzina dunes.

Day 5 Ride along the golden dunes of Ouzina before alternating between sandy tracks and rocky desert plateaus (reg). The route winds between dunes and mountains, leading to the village of Taghaoucht-n-Jdaid, a traditional desert community and water supply point.

Day 6 The scenery shifts again as the trail passes through groves of tamarisk trees before reaching the foot of Morocco’s tallest dunes—the legendary Erg Chebbi. Horses and riders navigate sandy passages in this iconic desert landscape. Evening in a charming guesthouse at the edge of the dunes.

Day 7 Enjoy a final morning ride among the Erg Chebbi dunes before saying farewell to your horse. After a snack, transfer back to Ouarzazate by minibus (approx. 5 hours). Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight at your hotel.

Day 8 After breakfast, transfer to Ouarzazate Airport according to your flight schedule.