The Trail of 1000 Kasbahs: Discovering the Ouarzazate region
In summary
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Sports
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Duration8 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationOuarzazate / Morocco
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AgeFrom 16 - 70 years
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CO₂-Emissions237.84 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
Arabic
In a few words
Venturing into the heart of the Skoura palm grove means choosing an authentic immersion facing the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains .
Throughout this exceptional hike through the Ouarzazate region , the Trail of 1000 Kasbahs unveils a spectacular landscape of verdant valleys and oases . The route winds between Berber villages with their earthen walls and majestic citadels, offering a constant contrast between the ochre earth and the coolness of the cultivated fields.
This journey prioritizes precious human encounters . Along the way, sharing with troglodyte nomads and discovering their pastoral way of life, amidst the herds, brings a timeless dimension to the adventure.
Between warm hospitality , magnificent panoramas and a return to the roots , this journey guarantees a total change of scenery in close proximity to local traditions.
The highlights
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The magic of an encounter with nomads and their herds
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The valley of almond trees in bloom from late January to mid-March
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The majestic ancestral kasbahs and fortified ksours
Photos
Sport
Level
Horseback riding
The expert's opinion
You must be able to:
- spend about 6 hours on horseback each day
- managing your horse at all three gaits
- to remain suspended during the climbs.
- prepare your horse yourself
In figures
Horseback riding
- Average duration/day: 5h30
Management
A French woman living in Morocco since 2006 and manager of the company. She fell in love with the Ouarzazate region and is always involved when this tour is organized. She speaks French and English. She has over 40 years of riding experience and 20 years of experience in Morocco.
She knows everything there is to know about her horses.
Originally from the Ouarzazate region, he will reveal the secrets of this superb area to you. A lover and great respect for horses, he will share his passion with you and introduce you to the authentic and traditional Morocco.
Program
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Day 1: Transfer to the Skoura palm grove
- Transportation Minibus - 05h - 250km
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
You will meet in downtown Marrakech around 9:30 am to begin your stay. A transfer of approximately 5 hours will then take you to the Skoura palm grove . If you prefer a shorter journey, pick-up from Ouarzazate airport is also available, reducing the travel time to 1 hour . Lunch is not included during the transfer. At the end of the day, you will settle into a local Kasbah in Skoura for dinner and overnight stay.
In order to be able to reach the meeting point at the scheduled time, you must plan to arrive the day before and book an overnight stay in Marrakech (not included).
Day 1 -
Day 2: Start of the horseback riding tour
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Early in the morning, you'll be assigned your horses and saddled up before setting off. The route begins with a ride through the Skoura palm grove , dotted with palm trees and several Kasbahs along the way. You'll observe the striking contrast between the lush palm vegetation and the snow-capped mountain peaks in the distance. A picnic lunch is planned in Aït Saïd . The day concludes in the heart of the Tamassinte oasis , where your bivouac is set up for the night.
Day 2 -
Day 3: Exploring the valleys and almond trees
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
You head towards the Atlas Mountains , traversing a diverse landscape of contrasting colors. Your route follows narrow paths that wind past villages nestled in the mountains . For lunch, you share a picnic in Tamsoulte , in the heart of the Almond Valley . From late February to early March, the trees are in bloom, releasing their fragrant aromas. In the evening, you reach your campsite in Atagragra for the night.
Day 3 -
Day 4: In search of the nomads
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
You'll set off to meet the nomads and cross their encampments amidst local livestock. For lunch, a picnic is organized at Assaghmou, at an altitude of 1600m . You'll then begin a descent along steep paths towards the fortified village of N'Aij , located just past Ghassat , at an altitude of 1450m . Your bivouac will be set up near the village for the night.
Day 4 -
Day 5: Between mountains and lake
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
You will cross the Assif Izerki Valley , inhabited by nomadic communities and dotted with ancient villages. A picnic lunch is planned in Taferghouste for the midday break. In the afternoon, your route follows the Dadès River , lined with traditional ksour (fortified villages) and verdant oases at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. The day ends on the shores of the Mansour ed Dahbi Dam lake , a reservoir that supplies irrigation to the Draa Valley, where your campsite is set up for the night.
Day 5 -
Day 6: Horseback riding along the Dadès River
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
You follow the Dadès River to the village of Afra for lunch, near some historic kasbahs . In the afternoon, you head towards the Sarho Mountains . Your bivouac is located on the Maouste plateau , opposite the village of Sidi Flah . Bordered by the Dadès River, this village comprises three hamlets, two Arab villages framing a Berber hamlet.
Day 6 -
Day 7: Return to the Skoura palm grove
- Transportation Minibus - 05h - 250km
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 2h30
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
You'll spend a final morning riding along small trails that lead you back to the Skoura palm grove . After lunch in the grove , you'll depart in the early afternoon for your transfer to Marrakech or Ouarzazate . In the late afternoon or evening, you'll have free time to explore the city at your own pace. Dinner is on your own , allowing you to discover local cuisine before your overnight stay at the hotel .
Day 7 -
Day 8: End of the hike
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Your stay ends this morning after breakfast served at the riad . You are free to extend your stay to continue exploring the region or to take your return flight today. Airport transfers are at your own expense.
Day 8
Note
Day 1 is dedicated to transport. You will sleep in a kasbah in the Skoura palm grove.
You will be on horseback from the morning of day 2 until lunchtime on day 7.
You will resume your journey to Marrakech on the afternoon of day 7. Last night in a riad in Marrakech.
Transfers between the airport and Marrakech city centre are not included.
Please plan to arrive the day before and spend an extra night in Marrakech to be on time on day 1 at the meeting point.
Accommodation
- Individual tent
- Double tent
- Communal tent
At the campsites, you have the choice between:
- sleeping in the large tent as a group
- sleeping in individual tents (1 person and 2 people)
- Single room
- Double room
- Twin room
- Triple room
As the number of rooms is limited and in order for everyone to sleep in the same place, you will share your room with other participants of the same sex.
The men will sleep in separate rooms from the women.
Couples will have double rooms.
Access
The minibus will pick you up on day 1 at 9:30 am in downtown Marrakech. The exact meeting point will be confirmed a few days before departure. To ensure you arrive on time, you must arrive the day before and plan for an additional night's accommodation in Marrakech.
On day 8, the stay ends after breakfast. You are free to leave at any time.
Go to the starting point
Transportation options from the airport to the city center :
- By taxi ("Petit Taxi") : The journey takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes. The official fare to the city center is around 70 to 100 MAD (approximately €7 to €10). Remember to confirm the price with the driver before getting in.
- By bus (ALSA Shuttle Line 19) : The shuttle connects the airport to the city center with stops at the train station, Gueliz, and near Jemaa el-Fna square. The journey takes approximately 20 to 25 minutes. A one-way ticket costs 30 MAD (approximately €3).
- By rental car : Several rental agencies are located directly at the exit of the airport terminal.
Price details
The price includes
- 1 night in a kasbah in the Skoura palm grove (day 1)
- 5 and a half days on horseback with 5 nights camping (from day 2 to day 7)
- 1 night in a riad in Marrakech (day 7)
- Meals (except those listed in the exclusions)
- Your transfers between Marrakech and the Skoura palm grove
The price does not include
- Lunch on day 1 (stop planned at a small restaurant on the road)
- dinner of day 7
- transfers between Marrakech airport and the city centre
- the night before day 1 in Marrakech
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- tents
- mattress
- saddlebags
- helmets on request
Equipment to bring
- warm sleeping bag
- riding trousers and boots
- helmets (we can provide one if you know your size)
- pillow
Clothing to bring
- warm sweatpants and fleece for evening/sleeping
- bath towel
- electric lamp
- External battery to charge your phone
- Horseback riding: suitable for all weather conditions, as we'll be at altitude for half of our stay and it can be cooler than at lower elevations. Temperatures are highly variable in the mountains.
- a sleeveless down jacket
The Sophie team
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