Sleep under the stars and ride across the dunes: a practical guide to desert travel

The desert is not crossed. It is listened to. The Sahara is not looked at. It is lived.

A horseback journey in southern Morocco is not an itinerary; it is an experience that reshapes you from within. For days you ride in silence, immersed in boundless landscapes where every sound is softened by sand and every horizon shifts as you approach it. At night, firelight dances on the tents, and above you a black, star-studded sky reminds you that here, everything is essential.

The Touareg Trek offered by Ranch de Diabat is designed for those seeking far more than a holiday: it is a true equestrian expedition across the Sahara, far from conventional tourism.
In this guide, we explain how it really works, what you need to know before leaving, and why those who experience it speak of a “before” and an “after” the desert.

Who can take part: an authentic challenge for experienced riders

This is not a beginner trek. The journey is reserved for those with solid equestrian experience: full control at all three gaits, autonomy in the saddle, and confidence handling a horse in open terrain. You ride for several hours a day, often without landmarks, under the sun or desert winds, in areas where the only constant is your relationship with the horse.

You don’t need to be an athlete, but good physical and mental endurance is important. Sleeping in a tent, washing with the bare essentials, sharing spaces and silences—this is as much a part of the journey as the saddle.

“In the desert you are never alone: you are with your horse, the wind, the group, and yourself.”

A typical day in the Sahara: rhythm, stages, emotions

You wake with the light. No alarms, just the sun filtering through the tent fabric and the scent of mint tea. After a hot breakfast, the horses are prepared: each participant saddles their companion, arranges the bags, checks the water. Then you set off.

You ride for 4–5 hours in the morning, crossing ever-changing landscapes: golden dunes, dry riverbeds, dark rocks, wind-swept sandy tracks. The silence is muffled, voices soften, thoughts stretch.

Lunch is a shared pause beneath a solitary tree or in the shade of a rock. Freshly prepared food, sweet tea, rest.

In the afternoon, another 2–3 hours on the move: the pace adapts to the group, the wind, the light. Toward sunset you reach the bivouac site, where camp is set up, horses are cared for, dinner is cooked together, laughter flows. Then night arrives.

Sleeping in the desert: the bivouac and the magic of night

Sleeping in the Sahara is hard to explain. There are no walls, no artificial sounds. Only sand, a tent, your sleeping bag, and above you a sky that feels close.

Each evening the team sets up a mobile camp that moves with the rhythm of the journey.
The bivouac is simple and essential: tents, a kitchen area, and shared spaces to gather at day’s end.
You sleep in tents, in the silence of the desert, with night-time temperatures that grow cooler but are generally dry in winter months.

There are field showers and a chemical toilet tent, but water is an essential resource and must be conserved: the trek is carried out in complete self-sufficiency.
This is a deliberate choice, part of the experience.
The desert offers no comforts, but it gives back authenticity, time, and presence.

One night is spent at a basic campsite where you can enjoy a real shower and bathroom again—an opportunity to rediscover the value of comforts we take for granted every day.

The horses: Arab–Berbers trained for freedom

The silent protagonists of this journey are the horses: Arab–Berbers selected and trained by Ranch de Diabat to face diverse terrain with balance, strength, and sensitivity.

These are not riding-school horses. They are accustomed to the desert, long distances, and dry climates. They know the ground, respond promptly, and listen. Each rider has the same horse for the entire trek. The bond that forms in just a few days is remarkable: a silent communication of gestures, breath, and shared rhythm.

What to bring (and what not): the essentials in the desert

Each participant receives a detailed packing list before departure; here is a summary of what is truly useful:

• Riding helmet (mandatory)
• Layered technical clothing (warm days, cold evenings)
• Riding trousers + gloves
• Headlamp + power bank
• Sunscreen + lip balm
• Sleeping bag (0°C comfort)
• Riding boots + gaiters
• Wet wipes, tissues, field personal hygiene items

All main luggage is transported by the logistics vehicle. In the saddle you carry only a light backpack with a water bottle, snacks, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Why take this journey at least once in your life

Because the desert strips away the superfluous. It forces you to listen, adapt, slow down. It makes you feel vulnerable—and therefore more present.

A Sahara trek is not just a horseback journey. It is a return to an essential way of being that we have forgotten in Europe. A way to realize how little is needed to feel whole. It is the slow rhythm, trust in the horse, the strength of the group, the silence that speaks.

And when you return, you miss everything. Even the sand in your hair.

If you want to discover the emotional allure and sensations experienced by those who have already taken part in this unique adventure, read our article: Horseback trekking in the desert: the most anticipated adventure of 2026.

Bookings, upcoming dates, and contact

The Touareg Trek is available in January and February—the ideal time to cross the desert in dry conditions and balanced temperatures.

Discover all official information, dates, the detailed program, and booking options: Touareg Horseback Trek in the Desert.