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9th Mar 2024 - 16th Mar 2024
8 days/Morocco /Moderate
Our trek and travel in the Moroccan desert gives you an insight into this vast and diverse landscape as well as discover the Berber way of life. You will spend two full days and two half days trekking across ancient dried up river beds, sand dunes and vast sun-baked plains.
Camping each during the Sahara trek 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.
You will then travel back to Marrakech and spend two days helping a community project which supports vulnerable young people with education and vocational training after they have been orphaned, abused or rejected by their family.
The organisation also supports elderly people whose families have abandoned them by creating a comfortable social environment for them to spend their golden years.
Your tasks will vary depending on the need at the time but you’re likely to get involved with refurbishment, redecorating and gardening which will make an instant impact at this incredible centre.
You don’t have to fundraise to join an open challenge but you can support a charity of your choice if you wish. See the costs tab for more details.
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.
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.
Lunch will be provided at the at the community project with breakfast and dinner available at the hotel.
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. While in Marrakech (and Ouarzazate, if applicable) you will stay in hotels with en-suite facilities.
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 should ensure you bring a ‘toilet bag’ consisting of baby wipes ideally biodegradable), hand sanitiser, toilet roll and nappy bags
You should be a minimum of 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, adaptable to unexpected changes and be prepared to work hard at the community project.
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.
Every day had its own memorable moments but walking through the sunrise was amazing and being able to work at the community project was a privilege and very humbling.Previous participant, November 2022
London – 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 (approx. 4-5 hours).
Meals: Dinner.
Marrakech – Sahara
If staying in Marrakech we set off early, crossing the Atlas Mountains and following ancient caravan routes into the Sahara, stopping for lunch in Ouarzazate on the way (journey time approx. 9 hours including stops.) If starting in Ouarzazate the journey to the desert 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, stopping overnight to camp under the stars of the Sahara. Approx. trek distance: 5km.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Camping
Approx Trek Distance: 5km.
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.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Camping:
Approx Trek Distance: 15-20km per day.
Sahara – 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).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Hotel
Approx Trek Distance: 5km.
Marrakech
After a good night’s rest we spend two days assisting at the community project. Typical tasks include decorating, refurbishment, gardening or generally working to improve the environment. No experience is necessary, just a willingness to get involved.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Hotel.
Marrakech – London
Depending on flight times, have some free time to explore Marrakech before your flight back to the UK.
Meals: Breakfast.
N.B. This itinerary may change due to unusual weather, the ability of the group and so on. We will do our best to keep to the itinerary but we cannot be held responsible for changes that occur outside of our control. In all circumstances your guide and tour leader will have the final say in the interest of the group’s health and safety.
Registration fee: £395
and then either…
Self-funded: £995
or
Sponsorship: £1990
or
Flexi: £995 trip costs and £995 sponsorship for a charity* of your choice
This option is for those who choose to pay the trip costs (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) themselves. There is no sponsorship required although if you wish to raise sponsorship for a charity you are welcome to do so.
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.
This option is for those who choose to pay the trip costs (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) themselves while still raising some funds for the charity.
2-night shared occupancy (twin or triple) extension: £170
*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 Al Andalous or similar.
2-night single occupancy extension: £215
*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 Amani or similar.
Independent extension: £40 + difference in air fare
NB. Optional trip extensions are subject to availability and flight costs.
*If your chosen charity is not on this list, please seek permission to fundraise for them by taking part in this challenge before making your booking.
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.
The team at DTC are saddened by the recent earthquake in Morocco and have been closely monitoring the situation. After consultations with our on-the-ground teams, current trips to the Sahara are due to depart as planned and we will continue to keep our groups informed should anything change.
We continue to send our thoughts and prayers to all those affected.
