Here you are, a united Globetrotting posse conquering the world’s largest desert – the Sahara! Astride your native Barb steed, you’ll become spellbound by the colourful culture of Morocco. The highlights are literally endless, from starry nights beside a campfire under a glittering night sky to early morning canters along blood-red sand dunes to creeping through shady groves of date palms.
From our personal Globetrotting experience, exploring a desert from the back of a horse is a deeply spiritual experience that is hard to put into words. But let us try: you’re thrown into the present moment so thoroughly that every encounter, taste, smell and sound is more vibrant and unforgettable than the last.
Your charming guide Adil will expertly lead you into this solitary landscape, a realm of childhood imaginings, on his team of fit and agile Barb mares. What a gift it is as a globetrotter to sensitively step through this landscape, traversing wave upon wave of dunes while getting to know Morocco on a first name basis. Forget the caravans of camels (don’t they tend to spit?!), give us horses any day of the week. If you’re up for an adventure, love the idea of freestyle camping (not glamping) and have a spontaneous, carefree Globetrotting attitude, then this ride is calling your name.
Fast Facts
- Horse Breed:A mixture of Barb and Barb-Arab horses (mares only).
- Pace:The majority of the ride will be completed at a walk, but there will be opportunities to trot and canter when the terrain allows. Please also be advised that you will be required to walk on foot and lead your horse up a steep ascent at one point in the itinerary. The walk takes approximately 1 hour - comfortable walking shoes are very helpful.
- Weight Limit:A maximum of 95kg / 210lbs.
- Type of tack:Trekking saddles (similar to English saddles but with a slightly different seat).
- Seasons:November & December.
- Group size:A minimum of 8 and a maximum of 10 guests.
- Time in Saddle:On average, 5 to 7 hours daily.
- Riding Ability:This ride is suitable for strong intermediate to experienced riders. All riders must be physically fit and confident on forward moving horses at all paces outside an arena. Not sure what your riding experience is? Watch THIS video to find out.
- Accommodation:On the first and last night of the ride guests will be staying in a traditional riad (similar to a boutique hotel). For the remaining nights, while in the desert, guests will be camping in two-man tents (tents, mattresses and pillows are provided but guests need to bring their own sleeping bags). A bucket with warm water will be available for washing (please bring a flannel cloth) and a portable chemical toilet will be available in the desert, but there will be times when you’ll need to go behind a bush. On the fourth night of the itinerary, guests will stay in a nomadic camp (rooms with beds available, electricity in rooms to charge electronics). If rustic camping is not your thing, this ride probably won’t suit.
- Ride Length:8 days, 7 nights, with 6 riding days.
- Inclusions:
The price includes twin-share accommodation, all meals from dinner on day 1 through to breakfast on day 8, riding, and round trip transfers from Ouarzazate to Zagora on the first and last days of the itinerary.
- Exclusions:
International and regional flights and travel insurance (compulsory).
DEPARTURE DATES & RATES
NEW! Secure your saddle seat NOW with a 10% deposit - as part of our 10x 10% payment plan!Departing | Finishing | Availability | Total | |||
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October 23, 2022 | October 30, 2022 | 10 spots left |
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October 31, 2022 | November 7, 2022 | 9 spots left |
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A single supplement charge will apply for guests not wanting to share. This charge will be variable as it depends on the, but you can expect to pay an extra €10-€20 per riad night. It won’t cost any extra to have your own tent but we need to be informed of this prior to departure.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
The price includes twin-share accommodation, all meals from dinner on day 1 through to breakfast on day 8, riding, and round trip transfers from Ouarzazate to Zagora on the first and last days of the itinerary.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
The price does not include international or regional flights and travel insurance (compulsory).
Accepted payment is by credit or debit card only. There is a 2% surcharge on all card payments. Click HERE to read our recommendations on which cards are best to use to avoid international transaction fees.
WHY IS THE PRICE QUOTED IN EUR?
With our riding destinations, the currency is dictated by our ride partner in that country. Therefore due to fluctuating exchange rates we have to quote in the same currency.
Itinerary
Expand AllCollapse All*Please note, this is a suggested itinerary only and subject to change at the discretion of your guides due to weather and other influencing factors.

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Day 1
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Day 2
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Day 3
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Day 4
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Day 5
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Day 6
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Day 7
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Day 8
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Transfer Information
What our valued Globetrotters say about The Sahara Ride

Eileen Helfferich
‘What a unique experience! So many incredible memories, from the beautiful starry skies and amazing sand dunes to the phenomenal food and musical moments around the campfire at night. Topping it off were an amazing group of people and horses. Our guides knew a lot about the environment and were very good company. The mares were incredibly sweet, and unbelievably fast and strong. They are so well taken care of and loved by Adil and his team, and this results in some indescribable moments while crossing beautiful plains, mountains and dunes. This ride is exactly as it should be, and even better!’

Esther Appel
‘The Sahara Ride was an amazing experience that I will remember forever! I was pleased with my mare, she was strong and good to handle. Our guides were very friendly. I especially enjoyed the days when we rode up the hills and through the sand dunes.’

Jacqueline Hogan
‘How privileged I was as a solo traveller to join the Globetrotting team on The Sahara Ride (best decision I have ever made)! From the moment we met in Morocco, I knew this was going to be a fun and fabulous adventure, and we all formed an instant family, sharing many laughs, fun moments and great times.
Had I ever sat in a saddle for 6 days averaging 6 hours a day before? NO. Did I hit some big highs? YES! I came home with so much renewed confidence in my riding ability, which I would not have achieved anywhere else. Words can’t describe the exhilaration, fun times, great laughs and memories that I took away from this trip. Globetrotting is now my one and only choice for horse riding holidays. Thank you for the great memories. xx’

Bernadette Kelly
‘From the tranquil luxury of the riads to the hustle of the souks, the palm shaded gardens, the mouth-watering tagines, salads and meals to die for… nothing compares to this immersion in colour and culture. And the magnificent Barb horses! Spirited, fast, and tough as nails, these incredible horses carried us through the desert with energy to burn. So much to see and appreciate. From the dazzling night sky to the dunes and date palms, I had to keep pinching myself. We could easily have been on a movie set, and I kept expecting a director to yell ‘Cut!’
The Sahara is a diamond, and the horses are rare and precious jewels. This ride is an Aladdin’s Cave of rich experiences.’

Summer Smyth
‘I loved the variety of every day and every camp on the Sahara Ride. The dunes were amazing, as was seeing and going through the mountain ranges. The different villages and camps were great to ride through. My mare was really sweet natured to both people and other horses, and the guides were lovely and helpful. The meals were great, too – vegetarian food I’ve had in Morocco previously has been rather boring, so I was very pleasantly surprised!’

Jo Seery
‘What a fantastic experience to ride the sand dunes in Morocco with other Globetrotters. Galloping across the sand dunes in the early morning and again across the plains was WOW. Haven’t gone that fast for years! And walking the mountain pass and coming to that spectacular view was truly epic, as was the descent. So many magnificent views to take in and a great insight into local life in the villages as we rode through, stopping for water for the horses or local mandarins.
My little mare, Ayisha, was a star. The meals were awesome and I enjoyed them hugely. Riding the sand dunes was my favorite part – something I have never experienced.’

Lee Powrie
‘Amazing, challenging, extraordinary. In every way. So many highlights: the view from the top of the pass when we walked our horses, the beauty of the sand dunes, the goats on the hill running up to us at the camp, the way my horse Zeina turned her head to me when she heard my voice as I walked up to her. So many times I felt I was in a time warp – back in old testament days, horses, desert, stones, sun, and not much else – a beauty so stark it was other worldly.’
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