Four nights are spent in small guesthouses, run by local families and full of character. Rooms are shared (twin, double or triple), and bathrooms may be shared too. We recommend bringing a lightweight sleeping bag for extra comfort, as traditional bedding can feel a little coarse after a day in the saddle. Though simple, these stays offer a rare opportunity to experience genuine Moroccan hospitality and everyday life in the countryside — a true highlight of the journey.
Morocco: Valley of Roses & Atlas Mountains via Marakesh, Skoura & Ouarzazate
Ouarzazate airport
Ride from the palm groves of Skoura across the high plateaus of the southern foothills of the Atlas mountains to reach the Valley of the Roses. This trail ride takes you through some of the most beautiful, unknown and unusual landscapes in southern Morocco.
Morocco
Strong Intermediate, Advanced
min 2 max 15 riders
8 Days
Styles
• Trail Riding
• Guided tour
• Package program
• Point to point with bivouc accomodation
• Solo-riders, couples, families and teens
Key information
• The tour is 8 days / 7 nights / 6 days riding on Berber horses with English tack
• The accomodation is simple but comfortable: traditional moroccan tents and riads
• Be ready to long hours in the saddle (4-5 hours daily)
• Weather is variable, take rain and warm clothes even if it’s sunny
• The tour is suitable for people with good riding experience and good physical shape from 12 years olf up to 90 kg
• Tour is guided in English and French
Highlights
• Staying in Bivouacs with traditional moroccan tents
• Riding local Berber-Arab horses
• Skoura palm groveand camp at the foot of the Atlas Mountains
• Tamassent plateaus and Toundout, the last major town before the Atlas Mountains
• Nait Tounert wadi and Azaghar-N-Aiguer valley
• Magnificent ksours (fortified villages) and troglodyte houses of Khot
• The Rose Festival (if you come the first weekend of May)
The proce starts from 1185€ in shared room for the groupof 3+ riders. For the 1st 2 weeks of May high season rate is applied: 1225€ in shared room for the groupof 3+ riders. For small group of 2 riders the price is 1625€. Single supplement 120€ for all the week. SPECIAL PRICE for bookings till May 31 – 1069€
1069 €
CHECK AVAILABILITY AND PLAN YOUR DREAM TRIP!
The organizer has discretion over price and availability for each inquiry
- You will be requested to confirm your riding skills
- Solo traveler are welcome with the same price if ready to share
- Riders 15+ years old with good riding skills only
- Small groups supplement applies if only 2 riders book
- Canters and gallops in a line
- For group of 2+ people private tour is possible.
- Please do not buy flight ticket untill you recieve the official trip confirmation email
- Please check visa requirements before booking
You will discover magical, secret, and unusual landscapes of Morocco on horseback during this tour.
From the Skoura palm grove, one of the most beautiful in southern Morocco, you will travel to the Valley of Roses via the high plateaus of the southern foothills of the Atlas Mountains.
Skoura and the magic of its kasbahs, the high plateaus dominated by the peaks of the Central Atlas Mountains, rising to over 4,000 meters, and then the immense Valley of Roses along the M’Goun River.
Our strong and well-trained Arabian Barb horses will be your privileged connection with nature and your exclusive companions on this journey. They will allow you to explore magnificent sites, sometimes seemingly untouched by time and still inaccessible to mass tourism.
You will spend your first and last night at 3* hotel in Marakesh. The remaining nights are spent in local riads (small local guesthouses).
Day 1: Arrival
Arrival in Marrakech. Airport pick-up and transfer to the hotel. Free time in the late afternoon and evening; meals at your own expense.
The hotel is located in the Gueliz district. Numerous dining options are available nearby. Jemaa el-Fna square is a 5-minute taxi ride or a 20-minute walk away.
Meals included: dinner
Day 2: First gallops
Meet early at your hotel reception for the transfer to Skoura. 4.5 hours from Marrakech, 45 minutes from Ouarzazate.
We’ll get back in the saddle, assess each rider’s skill level, and assign horses accordingly to make any final adjustments necessary for the smooth running of the horseback riding tour.
We’ll ride through the Skoura palm grove and across the desert plateaus of Ait Saïd Oumanssour.
We’ll camp at the foot of the Atlas Mountains.
Horseback riding time : 4 hours.
Accommodation: Mountain camp .
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3: Tamassent Plateau
Horseback riding across the Tamassent plateaus, arriving in Toundout, the last major town before the Atlas Mountains. Stunning views over the almond valley.
In the afternoon, we enjoy exhilarating gallops across a plateau to the beautiful village of Tiflit. We then ascend through a gorge to camp near the village of Aguerd.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: bivouac.
Riding time: 5 hours.
Day 4: Rivers & Villages
We ascend along the Nait Tounert wadi, passing through numerous villages and admiring the terraced fields at this time of year.
In the early afternoon, we cross a plateau and then, from a mountain pass, we overlook the Azaghar-N-Aiguer valley.
A small path leads us directly to our bivouac (1900m).
Riding time: 5 hours
Accommodation: Bivouac
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5: The Cave Houses
Horseback riding through the Assif El Qati valley, renowned for its magnificent ksours (fortified villages) with their traditional Berber architecture. The scenery is stunning, with the green of the gardens and, in the distance, the red cliffs and troglodyte houses of Khot. Set up your bivouac near Agouti.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Bivouac
Horse riding time: 5 hours
Day 6: The Rose Festival
Today we follow the El Qati valley, dotted with numerous well-preserved traditional Berber villages. At this time of year, wild roses, natural fences, perfume our paths. Their soft pink flowers contrast with the green of the cultivated fields and the ochre of the rock.
The region is very well-known and highly regarded. Rose essences are exported to all corners of the world to be used in the composition of many famous perfumes.
The Rose Festival is always held on the first weekend of May.
We camped near the village of Boutaghrar.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Riding time: 6.5 hours.
Accommodation: BIVOUAC
Day 7: Return to Marrakech or Ouarzazate
Last breakfast in nature and last morning on horseback.
After enjoying the coolness of the water of the M’goun wadi, we descend the valley of roses following the wadi along small mule tracks to the village of Timstiquite.
Lunch in the valley. Farewell to the team and the horses and return transfer to Ouarzazate or Marrakech.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel.
Day 8: Departure
Transfer to Marrakech/Ouarzazate airport
Travel time: 20 minutes (5 km)
Meals included: breakfast
EQUESTRIAN SKILLS AND PHYSICAL FITNESS
Minimum technical requirements:
Perfect mastery of all three gaits outdoors and in open terrain: posting trot, cantering in balance and in a group, maintaining control of the horse (distance, direction) at faster gaits with a light hand. Minimum academic equivalent of Galop 4.
Riders over 90kg and over 1.95m must contact us before registering.
Gaits
The basic pace of this horseback riding trip is the walk. There are good, steady trots and numerous canters each half-day: from a collected canter to free-flowing, but always controlled, gallops when the terrain allows. The endless stretches of hard-packed sand are ideal for good canters. There are some rocky and steep sections (along the wadis) where a walk and good balance are essential.
Please note that all canters are always done in a straight line due to the temperament of the stallions.
Self-reliance and participation are required.
Everyone’s participation is required to groom, saddle, bridle, and unsaddle their horse. Participation is also expected for camp tasks, including setting up and taking down tents. You can also participate in horse care (feeding and watering) if you wish.
Required skill level and experience.
A good level of fitness is required for this horseback riding tour, which presents no particular difficulties. The temperate climate is especially pleasant from June to October. The region is enjoyable year-round, tempered by cold sea currents. Short periods of inclement weather (thunderstorms) may occur.
Experience with multi-day horseback riding is a plus, but not required. Riders who do not ride regularly should definitely get back in the saddle before the ride.
Going out to meet different cultures and mentalities implies an acceptance of these differences… and respect for them.
The best season for this trip?
All year round!
How many people qualify for a better price?
Minimum 2 people, but ideally you should join a group of at least 4-5 people.
- 10 May 2026 – 17 May 2026: Saddles available
- 17 May 2026 – 24 May 2026: Saddles available
- 24 May 2026 – 31 May 2026: Saddles available
You will be accompanied by an English or French speaking Moroccan guide, all experienced in horse riding and passionate about their country!
Starts and finishes in Ouarzazate, Morocco
All our choices will allow you to enjoy the famous Moroccan hospitality, each evening you will enjoy delicious cuisine and in the morning a very traditional Moroccan breakfast.
Lunches are prepared by the team, usually a simple but delicious picnic carried in the saddle bags.
Allergies and special diets can be catered for if notified in advance within reason.
All meals are included and feature traditional Moroccan dishes. Lunches are typically light – fresh salads and flatbread – while dinners include hot and cold salads followed by tagine, couscous or flatbread. Drinking water is provided, but please bring a metal water bottle (no plastic). Other drinks can be purchased locally.
Alcohol is not usually available along the trail or in smaller riads. You may wish to bring your own from home or buy from duty-free, as local options are limited and expensive.
- Visa
Where to land? Ouarzazate or Marrakech is ideal
Reservation upon 20% non-refundable deposit, 60 days in advance balance payment. Cancellation earlier than 60 days — deposit can be used for another trip, cancellation in between 60 and 30 days — 50% refundable, cancellation 30 days and later — non-refundable.