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11th Mar 2027 - 16th Mar 2027
6 days/Morocco /Moderate
Support University Hospitals Birmingham Charity and take on an unforgettable trek across the Sahara Desert in Morocco. This unique charity challenge offers a remarkable insight into one of the world’s most iconic landscapes while immersing you in the traditional Berber way of life.
You’ll spend two full days and two half days trekking through ever-changing desert terrain, including ancient dried riverbeds, rolling dunes and vast sun-baked plains. The journey is both rewarding and awe-inspiring, offering moments of challenge, peace, and breathtaking natural beauty.
Each night you’ll camp under expansive desert skies, giving you the chance to witness incredible star-filled nights (weather permitting). Gather around the campfire, share stories with fellow trekkers, and enjoy the tranquillity of the desert after dark.
Your Berber support team will prepare delicious traditional Moroccan meals each evening — hearty, flavourful and the perfect reward after a day’s trekking. Their warm hospitality and deep connection to the region make this experience extra special.
By joining this trek, you’ll be raising vital funds for University Hospitals Birmingham Chairty, making your desert adventure not only a personal challenge, but also a meaningful way to support an important cause.
This trek is moderately challenging and suitable for those with a good level of fitness. While the terrain is mostly flat, walking on soft sand and tackling dunes adds extra physical effort, especially over consecutive days.
The biggest challenge on this adventure is the heat. Temperatures in the Sahara can historically reach up to 40°C, which can make even steady walking more demanding. Being well-prepared physically will help you manage the conditions comfortably and recover effectively each day.
We recommend building strong cardiovascular fitness and stamina before departure, along with regular walking on varied terrain. The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy the experience and make the most of this incredible desert adventure.
The Sahara Desert offers a surprisingly varied landscape. While much of the terrain is flat and open, you will also cross areas of soft sand, undulating dunes, and ancient dried riverbeds. Walking on sand can be more demanding than firm ground, and the dunes provide the greatest changes in gradient throughout the trek.
Underfoot conditions can shift quickly, from a compact desert floor to loose sand, so expect a mix of steady walking and sections that require more effort. The environment is dry and exposed with little natural shade, adding to the remote and adventurous feel of the journey.
Overall, this terrain is rewarding, atmospheric, and immersive, a true desert experience.
Temperatures tend to range from 25°C to 35°C during the day, and drop to around 0°C at night however you must be prepared for climate variations, which are out of our control. The climate will be dry and there may be some strong winds. Rain,although very rare, is not impossible.
Please note: the temperatures and conditions above are historically accurate for this time of year but climate change can impact the seasons so you may experience uncharacteristic conditions during the trip which are out of our control. Should this happen the guide will assess the situation and make decisions to ensure the best enjoyment and ultimately safety of the group as a whole.
This trek is rated moderately challenging and is best suited to participants with a good base level of fitness. The terrain is mostly flat, but walking on soft sand requires extra effort, and the dunes provide the biggest changes in gradient along the route.
The most demanding element of this challenge can be the heat, with desert temperatures historically reaching up to 40°C. Consecutive days of trekking in these conditions can be physically tiring, so good preparation is key.
We recommend training in the months leading up to the trip to build stamina, strength, and confidence walking on varied surfaces. Being well-prepared will help you recover quickly each day and make the most of this inspiring desert adventure.
All meals are freshly prepared by your dedicated trek chef, who will serve up hearty and delicious Moroccan dishes to keep your energy levels high throughout the challenge. Expect nourishing meals inspired by traditional Berber cuisine, using local ingredients wherever possible.
Breakfast and lunch are enjoyed alfresco in the desert, taking in the dramatic surroundings, while evening meals are served in a communal mess tent at camp. This is a great time to relax, refuel, and share stories from the day with your fellow trekkers.
All plates, mugs, cutlery, and cooking equipment are provided, so you can simply sit back and enjoy the food and experience.
During the trek, you will camp in the desert, sleeping in shared tents (two people per tent). If conditions are suitable, you also have the option to sleep outside under the stars, a truly unforgettable experience and highly recommended. A sleeping mat and tent are provided; you will need to bring your own sleeping bag.
Before and after the trek, you will stay in comfortable hotels (in Marrakech and Ouarzazate, if applicable), with en-suite facilities. This allows you to relax and refresh before heading into the desert, and again at the end of your adventure.
During the trek, basic toilet facilities are provided in the form of a small private toilet tent set up over a simple ground toilet. There are no showers or bathing facilities in the desert, so we recommend bringing biodegradable wipes and hand sanitiser to stay fresh while camping.
This is a true wilderness experience, and while facilities are basic, they are clean, private, and designed to make the journey as comfortable as possible in a remote environment.
This challenge is open to adults aged 18 and over. Participants aged 16 or 17 may be able to join if accompanied by a parent or guardian. There is no upper age limit; enthusiasm, preparation, and a positive attitude are far more important.
The ideal participant is fit, healthy, and motivated, with a sense of adventure and the ability to embrace new experiences. Flexibility and an open mind are key, as conditions in the desert can be unpredictable and plans may occasionally need to adapt.
You will be supported throughout the journey by professional English-speaking Berber guides, whose deep knowledge of the desert, local culture, and trekking routes is invaluable. They are first-aid trained and will be with you every step of the way to ensure your safety and enjoyment.
In addition, you will be accompanied by a support team, including cooks and camel handlers who transport the camp equipment and supplies. A Different Travel Company UK tour manager will also travel with the group to provide further support and ensure the trip runs smoothly from start to finish.
London to Marrakech
We fly together to Marrakech where we are met by our guide and transfer to our hotel for the night. Depending on flight arrival times we may start the journey to the desert today and stay in Ouarzazate tonight instead (approx. 4-5 hours).
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Dinner
Marrakech to Sahara
If staying in Marrakech we set off early, crossing the Atlas Mountains and following ancient caravan routes into the arid Sahara desert, stopping for lunch in Ouarzazate on the way (journey time approx. 9 hours including stops.) If starting in Ouarzazate the journey takes approximately 4-5 hours. This afternoon we will arrive in the desert and be welcomed by the rest of the trek team and the camels before commencing our trek into the vast and arid Sahara desert, stopping overnight to camp under the stars of the Sahara.
Approx. trek distance: 5km
Overnight: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Sahara Desert
Our trek continues through the desert as we traverse sand dunes and rocky, lunar landscapes for the next three days. 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). Each day you enjoy the varied Saharan landscape and learn about 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 but this will vary. As the trek progresses we learn how the nomadic people of the Sahara live: from cooking to sleeping out under the stars and reading the magnificent Saharan night sky.
Approx. trek distance: 15-20km
Overnight: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Sahara to Marrakech
This morning it’s the final leg of the trek back to the village where we bid farewell to the trekking team and head back to Marrakech (approx. 9 hours’ drive). Enjoy a farewell dinner tonight and overnight stay at a central hotel.
Approx. trek distance: 5km
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Marrakech to London
Enjoy some free time to explore the exotic city of Marrakech before your flight back to London (subject to flight times).
Meals: Breakfast
There is also the option to extend your stay after the trek to explore more of Morocco. See Costs + how to pay tab for more details.
N.B. This itinerary may change due to weather, the ability of the group and so on. We do our best to keep to the itinerary but we cannot be held responsible for changes that occur outside of our control. Your guide and tour leader has the final say in the interest of the group.
Non-refundable registration fee: £380
and then either…
Sponsorship: £2500
or
Flexi: £1095 trip costs and £1405 sponsorship for University Hospitals Birmingham Charity
This option is for those who wish to raise sponsorship to cover both the costs of the trip (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) and a donation to University Hospitals Birmingham Charity. There is a minimum sponsorship amount for each trip that you are required to raise in order to participate.
This option is for those who choose to pay the trip costs (accommodation, food, guides etc.) themselves while still raising some funds for the charity.
*NB the final trip costs are based on the overall group size and are subject to change. This is the most you will have to pay.
2-night shared occupancy (twin or triple) extension: £200
*You will be accommodated in the same hotel as is used for the group during the main trip. This is TBC but is likely to be Hotel El Andalous or similar.
2-night single occupancy extension: £270
*You will be accommodated in the same hotel as is used for the group during the main trip. This is TBC but is likely to be Hotel El Andalous or similar.
Independent extension: £45
NB. Optional trip extensions are subject to availability and flight costs.
If you’ve a question about this challenge that you can’t find the answer to within the given information then complete this quick form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
