The Challenge

Join the Birmingham St Mary's Hospice on this incredible charity challenge. Experience the stunning landscape of the Sahara desert as you drive and then trek through this inhospitable yet enigmatic environment, getting to know the life of the nomadic tribes which still wander with their camel trains across the lonely lunaresque dunes. Each night you will have the chance to sleep under the stars (weather permitting!), eat incredible food cooked in the traditional Berber way and fall asleep to the sound of the crackling campfire and the gentle snores of the camels.

Do Something Different...

After your trek, spend two days helping on a range of tasks at a hospice. The hospice is based in Marrakesh and there are many activities you could be involved in during your time helping there. There is a rundown courtyard in need of renovation so patients can use it to enjoy the fresh air, socialise and meet with family and friends. There is also lots of redecorating needed, some gardening, building book shelves to create a library area and many other activities. Your help will go a long way to improving the lives of the patients and the staff at the hospice and you will leave feeling as if you have really made a difference.

Itinerary

Day 1: London/Marrakech Fly from London to Marrakech. Upon arrival you will be met by your guide and transfer to your central hotel. Time permitting you may pay an introductory visit to the hospice this afternoon. (Meals included: Dinner)

Day 2&3: Marrakech/Ouarzazate Spend two days assisting at a local hospice. Possible projects include redecorating and painting, creating a garden and relaxation areas, or generally working to improve the patients’ environment. Depart Marrakech around 2pm on Monday for the journey across the High Atlas Mountains to Ouarzazate where we stop for the night (journey time approx. 4 hours). (Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Day 4: Sahara Desert Complete the journey today over the Low Atlas Mountain Range and into the arid scenery of the Sahara desert(journey time approx. 3 hours). Late this morning we meet up with our trekking team, consisting of local Berber guides and their camels, and enjoy a hearty lunch before starting the trek! Spend the night in tents or (weather permitting) you can sleep under the stars! (approx distance covered 10km) (Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Day 5-6: Sahara Desert Our trek continues through the desert as we traverse sand dunes and a rocky, almost lunar landscape. We are aided by our local Berber team comprising of the guides, cook and camel owners (the camels are our porters, carrying our luggage and equipment!). Together we are able to appreciate the Saharan landscape and begin to understand just how important it is to respect and comply with the forces of nature in the desert. On average we will cover 15-20km per day. As the trek progresses we learn how the nomadic people of the Sahara live: from cooking (for example how to cook bread in the sand) to sleeping out under the stars and reading the magnificent Saharan night sky. We spend our nights under canvas or out in the open, under the vast African skies. (Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Day 7: Sahara Desert/Oulaid Driss/Marrakech This morning take your final trek to the village of Ouled Driss where you will bid farewell to your team of camels and the local Berbers and head back overland to Marrakech (journey time approx. 8 hours). A farewell dinner and overnight at a central hotel. (approx distance covered 5km) (Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Day 8: Marrakech/London Some free time for final sightseeing and shopping before transferring to the airport to fly back to London(depending on flight time). (Breakfast)

N.B. This itinerary may change due to unusual weather patterns, wildlife movements, the ability of the group and so on. We will do our best to keep to the set itinerary however we cannot be held responsible for changes that might occur outside of our control. In all such circumstances your guide and tour leader will have the final say in the interest of the health and safety of the group.

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