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Morocco: Sahara Trek & Community Project 2024

9th Mar 2024 - 16th Mar 2024

8 days/Morocco /Moderate

Overview

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.

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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.

The tour manager for this trip is …

JulieJulie

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

Itinerary

Sahara Trek & Community Project Itinerary

Day 1 (Saturday 9 March 2024):

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.

Day 2 (Sunday 10 March 2024):

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.

Days 3–4 (Monday 11 – Tuesday 12 March 2024):

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.

Day 5 (Wednesday 13 March 2024):

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.

Day 6-7 (Thursday 14 – Friday 15 March 2024):

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.

Day 8 (Saturday 26 November 2024):

Marrakech – London
Depending on flight times, have some free time to explore Marrakech before your flight back to the UK.
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 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.

Costs & How to pay

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

SELF-FUNDED

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.

  • A registration fee is payable at the time of booking.
  • Trip cost balance is payable to Different Travel 10 weeks prior to departure.
  • You are welcome to fundraise separately for any charity of your choice but this is not mandatory. Any fundraising undertaken cannot be used for your trip costs.

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.
  • The minimum sponsorship must be paid to the charity 12 weeks prior to departure.
  • The amount the charity receives is at least 50% of the minimum sponsorship total.

FLEXI

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.

  • A registration fee is payable at the time of booking.
  • Trip cost balance is payable to Different Travel and your fundraising is payable to the charity 10 weeks prior to departure.
  • Any fundraising undertaken cannot be used for your trip costs.

OPTIONAL TRIP EXTENSION

2-night shared occupancy (twin or triple) extension: £170

  • 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: £215

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

Independent extension: £40 + difference in air fare

  • Fly home on any date of your choosing (subject to flight schedules). Please specify your preferred date in the booking notes section.
  • You will need to arrange your own accommodation and airport transfers for your additional days.
  • The cost is £40 plus any difference in cost in the flight airfare on your chosen return date.

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.

What's included

  • Return flights from the UK
  • Airport taxes and charges
  • Local transfers and transport in Morocco
  • Accommodation in 3 star hotels, tents and sleeping mats on trek
  • English-speaking local guides
  • Support staff, camels and camel handlers on trek
  • All meals as specified
  • Different Travel UK tour manager

What's not included

  • Any necessary vaccinations
  • Drinks, laundry and personal expenses
  • Spending money (tips and gratuities, souvenirs)
  • Transport to/from UK airports
  • Personal trek kit
  • Travel insurance

Got a Question?

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