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22nd Feb 2024 - 27th Feb 2024
6 days/Morocco /Moderate
Join the team from Bolton Hospice as they trek in the Moroccan Sahara giving them an insight into this vast and diverse landscape as well as 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 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.
NB. Bookings on this trip are now subject to availability and flight surcharges.
The trek is rated moderately challenging for someone of a good fitness level. The terrain is a mixture of hard, flat sundried plains, dried up ancient riverbeds, wide sandy dune fields and hard rocky outcrops. Temperatures pose a specific challenge with temperatures historically reaching 35°C. You must be of a good fitness level before departure, to ensure fast recovery each day.
The minimum age is 18. 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.
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.
In February temperatures can range from 10°C to 18°C during the day and drop to around 0°C at night. However, historially the temperature has risen to 35°C in this area so you must be prepared for variations to this which are out of our control. Weather during the trek will be dry but there may be some strong winds. Rain, although very rare, is not impossible. Please note: the temperatures and conditions above are historically accurate but climate change can impact the seasons so you may experience uncharacteristic conditions during the trip which are out of our control. The guides will assess the situation and make decisions to ensure the best enjoyment and safety of the group.
To get to and from the desert requires long drives (approx. 9 hours including breaks) along winding mountain roads which offer stunning views of the snow-capped peaks and lush valleys. If you suffer from motion sickness you are advised to bring your usual anti-nausea medication with you. Regular stops are taken.
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; highly recommended! Foam sleeping mats are provided but you will need to bring a sleeping bag. Toilet facilities consist of a small toilet ‘tent’ covering a hole in the ground. There are no showers or bathing facilities in the desert so you must bring a pack of baby wipes.
During the trek meals are cooked by a chef who will prepare Moroccan dishes. Breakfast and lunch will be eaten alfresco, and evening meals will be in a mess tent at camp. Plates, mugs, cutlery and other equipment are provided. While staying in Marrakech (and Ouarzazate if applicable) meals will be at the hotel, the project or at local restaurants.
The tour manager for this trip is ….
The trip was amazing overall. An empowering experience all in all. Thoroughly well organised and executed. The local trek guides were excellent. I had total faith in them and their knowledge and how they adapted the trek to suit all of us.Previous participant, March 2023
UK 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 Oulad Driss 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 UK
Depending on flight times, enjoy some free time to explore the exotic city of 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 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.
Registration fee: £395
and then either…
Sponsorship: £1700
or
Flexi: Pay £880 trip costs* + fundraise a minimum of £820 for Bolton Hospice.
NB. Please note that places on this trip are now subject to flight availability and potential surcharges.
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 Bolton Hospice. 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 Bolton Hospice.
*This is the most trip costs you will be asked to pay. Overall trip costs are based on final group size and subject to change.
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 El 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 El Andalous or similar.
Independent extension: £40
NB. Optional trip extensions are subject to availability and flight costs.
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