Draa Oases and Saharan Dunes Trail

DRÂA OASES AND SAHARAN DUNES TRAIL - 8 days / 7 nights

Horse trekking in the hinterland of the Moroccan Desert

Level - Novice - Experienced

Day 1: Transfer to Zagora

Transfer from Marrakech airport or Ouarzazate to your overnight accommodation (on a B&B basis) in Zagora in the Drâa valley on the edge of the desert. That afternoon or evening, if time of arrival permits, you will meet your guide and will be briefed on the excursion.

Day 2: Zagora - Djebel Bani

You will leave the base in Zagora heading southwest towards the desert.  The route takes you to the djebel Bani, the last mountain before the Sahara starts. Taking a small path to the summit you will find a fabulous view of the plain of Feïja and beyond, up to the djebel Saghro. The descent from this peak will take you down to your first camp site in an oasis, often frequented by nomads.

Day 3: Djebel Bani - Oued Naam

Your route from your first camp takes you through a semi desert region, with some acacia trees that somehow withstand the drought of the desert and provide some shelter from the sun. You proceed to your first dunes that stretch south seemingly without limit, an area currently being repopulated with gazelles and ostriches. Your night’s camp is near the river Naam (naam means ostrich in Arab).

Day 4: Oued Naam - Ouled Driss

Today you ride along many paths amongst the dunes, with occasional scattering of tamaris trees. You may also see nomadic fields bordered by kheïmas (low curtains made of dromedary and goat wool) before heading back in the direction of the Drâa valley. You will see the beautiful ksar (fortified village) of Bounou, before arriving at your camp site near the village of Ouled Driss, where you can visit the local museum and the ksar.

Day 5: Ouled Driss - Nesrate

You will head up the Drâa valley, crossing occasional dunes, and finally up onto higher land at the base of the djebel Selmane and onto Tagounit. Your route takes you across fields and past small villages (ksours) with decorated walls, before reaching your camp site for the nights near the village of Nesrate in the middle of the dunes.

Day 6: Nesrate - Oued Drâa

Today you will ride past several villages in the valley, which house a succession of ksours (or ksar) and gardens.  Then your ride takes you along the river Drâa past the djebel Bani and the djebel Tadrart, before you camp at an oasis for the night.

Day 7: Oued Drâa - Zagora

Your ride today takes you north through cultivated fields to the village of Tinfou, where impressive dunes threaten to engulf the houses and the fields. Some measures to stabilize the dunes have been taken but their effectiveness is limited against such forces of nature. Finally you will have your final highland before ending your trek where you started in the village of Zagora, where you will have your final camp.

Day 8: Depart Zagora

Transfer back to Marrakech.