Dove House Hospice Sahara Trek

4th Nov 2023 - 11th Nov 2023

8 days/Morocco /Moderate

Overview

This trek in the Moroccan Sahara will give the team from Dove House Hospice an insight into this vast and diverse landscape as well as the Berber way of life. You will spend some time trekking in the Imlil Valley before embarking on two full days and two half days trekking across ancient dried up river beds, sand dunes and vast sun-baked plains. Camping each night gives you a chance to experience the stunning stars in the night sky (weather permitting) and the traditional Berber cuisine cooked by the team is second to none.

There is also the option to extend your stay after the trek to explore more of Morocco for an additional cost.

NB. Bookings on this trip are now subject to availability and potential surcharges.

A moderately challenging trip. The terrain is generally flat with sand dunes representing the biggest variation in gradient; however the temperatures pose a specific challenge with temperatures historically reaching 40°C. You are advised to be of a good fitness level before departure to ensure fast recovery from each day’s exertions.

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You will be accompanied by professional English-speaking Berber guides who have an excellent knowledge of culture and hiking in the region. The guides are first aid trained and will support you throughout your journey. You will also be accompanied by a team of support staff including cooks and camel handlers and a Different Travel Company UK tour manager.

It’s not just sand! The terrain is a mixture of hard, flat sun-dried plains, dried up ancient river beds, wide sandy dune fields and hard rocky outcrops.

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.

Meals are cooked by your trek chef who will prepare hearty, delicious Moroccan meals that will keep your energy levels high for each day’s trek. Breakfast and lunch will be taken alfresco, and evening meals will be taken in a mess tent at camp. Plates, mugs, cutlery and other equipment are provided for you.

During the trek you will sleep in tents (two to a tent), or if the weather is good you can sleep outside under the stars (recommended!). You need to bring a sleeping bag but sleeping mats and tents are provided. You will stay in a guesthouse while in Imlil and at a hotel with en-suite facilities while in Ouarzazate and Marrakech.

During the trek the toilet facilities consist of a small toilet ‘tent’ covering a hole in the ground. There are no showers or bathing facilities so you must ensure you bring a pack of baby wipes (ideally biodegradable).

The guesthouse and hotels have en-suite facilities with flushing toilets and hot showers. Toilet paper should always be placed in the bin, not flushed.

You must be 18+ to participate on this trek unaccompanied. It may be possible to participate if you are 16 or 17 years old but you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. There is no upper age limit. The ideal candidate would be fit, healthy and determined, open to adventure and adaptable to unexpected changes.

The trek is rated moderately challenging for someone of a good fitness level. The terrain is generally flat with sand dunes representing the biggest variation in gradient; however the temperatures pose a specific challenge with temperatures historically reaching 40°C. You are advised to be of a good fitness level before departure to ensure fast recovery from each day’s exertions.

Essentials

E-tickets & pre-departure info
Passport & copy
Travel Insurance documents
Pen for immigration forms
Cash (£ Sterling)
ATM + credit card(s)
LED head torch + spare batteries
Adaptor 2 round pins (Euro)
Sunglasses (preferably polarized)
Camera + spare batteries
Mobile phone + charger

Clothing & Footwear

Hiking boots*
Trainers/flip flops for evenings
Casual shoes for Marrakech
Trek socks & underwear
Non-cotton long sleeved top\shirt
Non-cotton t-shirts
Fleece, sweater or warm jacket
Sun hat with wide brim
Lightweight trek trousers
Warm hat for night
Neck cooling ‘Cobber’
Gaiters (for the sand)
Casual clothes for Marrakech
Swimwear for hotel

Hygiene

Shampoo + conditioner*
Toothbrush + toothpaste*
Antiperspirant deodorant*
Shower gel/ shave kit / loofah*
Wet wipes*
Toilet paper (1-2 rolls)*
Sun cream (high SPF)*
Hand sanitizer
Hairbrush/comb
Feminine hygiene products*
Nappy sacks (for used toilet paper)*

First Aid Kit

Prescription medicine
50% DEET insect repellent
Ibuprofen and Paracetamol
Plasters
Blister plasters (e.g. Compeed)
Imodium (Loperamide)
Rehydration salts (e.g. Dioralyte)
Muscle rub (tiger balm/Deep Heat)
Anti-histamine tablets/cream
Antiseptic wipes
Indigestion remedy (e.g. Gaviscon)
Lip balm with SPF protection
Scissors/tweezers
Zinc oxide tape
Spare glasses/contact lenses

Optional

Video Camera + charger
iPod/MP3 player
Umbrella (for the sun)
Hiking pole(s)
Portable power bank/power pack
Notebook/diary
Books/playing cards
Nail brush

Luggage

Suitcase/rucksack for luggage
Trek kit bag/holdall (carried by camels)
Daypack (25-30 litres)
Combination Padlocks

Eating and Drinking

Energy snacks
2-3 litre water bottle (e.g. CamelBak)
1-litre standard water bottle
Electrolyte tablets (e.g. NUUN)

Sleeping

Ear plugs (essential)
Sleeping bag (comfort -0°C)
Sleeping bag liner (cotton/silk)
Pyjamas (use thermals on trek)
Eye mask (optional)

Please note: This list is just a guideline and is not exhaustive. The items on this list do not take into account your personal preferences based on your previous trekking experience, or individual requirements. For information about items on this list please refer to the trip dossier or contact The Different Travel Company on info@different-travel.com

*Please ensure you pack your hiking boots into your hand baggage in the unlikely event your checked luggage goes missing or is delayed.

*Please consider eco-friendly or biodegradable options.

Itinerary

Day 1 (Saturday 4 November 2023):

London to Imlil
We fly together to Marrakech where we are met by our guide before transferring to the mountain town of Imlil. Depending on flight times there may be time for a short walk this afternoon before a welcome dinner this evening.
Meals: Dinner
Overnight: Guesthouse

Day 2 (Sunday 5 November 2023):

Imlil to Ouarzazate
After a hearty breakfast we begin our trek by heading into the Imlil Valley, passing through small villages and farms with views of the mountains soaring above us. After lunch we will cross the High Atlas Mountains to our overnight stop in Ouarzazate (journey time approximately 5 hours).
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight: Hotel

Days 3 (Monday 6 November 2023):

Ouarzazate to Sahara
Today we follow ancient caravan routes into the Sahara, (journey time approx. 4 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, stopping overnight to camp under the stars of the Sahara.
Approx. trek distance: 5km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight: Camping

Day 4 – 5 (Tuesday 7 – Wednesday 8 November 2023):

Sahara Desert
Our trek continues through the desert as we traverse sand dunes and rocky, lunar landscapes for the next two 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
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight: Camping

Day 6 (Thursday 9 November 2023):

Sahara to Marrakech
This morning it’s the final leg of the trek to a small village where we bid farewell to the trek team and head back to Marrakech (approx. 9 hours’ drive).
Approx. trek distance: 5km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight: Hotel

Day 7 (Friday 10 November 2023):

Marrakech
Today is a free day to explore the exotic city of Marrakech. Have a wander around the souks or enjoy the spectacle of the frenetic atmosphere of Jemaa el-Fna square.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Overnight: Hotel

Day 8 (Saturday 11 November 2023):

Marrakech to London
Depending on flight times, have some free time to explore Marrakech before your flight back to London*.
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’s health and safety.

Costs & How to pay

Registration fee: £325
and then…

Sponsorship: £2400

NB. Bookings on this trip are now subject to availability and potential surcharges.

SPONSORSHIP

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 their chosen charity. There is a minimum sponsorship amount for each trip that you are required to raise in order to participate.

A registration fee is payable at the time of booking.
A total of £1,500 must be paid to the charity by 31st July 2023.
The remaining £2,400 must be paid to the charity by 20th October 2023.
The amount the charity receives is at least 50% of the minimum sponsorship total.

OPTIONAL TRIP EXTENSION

2-night shared occupancy (twin or triple) extension: £145

Two additional nights’ accommodation* with breakfast plus a return airport transfer based on 2 people sharing a twin room.

*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: £190

Two additional nights’ accommodation* with breakfast plus a return airport transfer in a single occupancy room.