Morocco: Sahara Desert Trek
28 October – 6 November 2011
The Sahara desert is one of the most stunning locations on earth, stretching from the snow capped High Atlas Mountains of Morocco in the west, to the Red Sea coast 4800km to the East. Best prepare yourself for an adventure of a lifetime.
What does this trek involve?You’ll be trekking 100km over the course of the 10 days, so get ready to see some breathtaking views of the desert and of Morocco. The desert landscape, as you can imagine will vary, from stony flat expanses to perfect windblown sand dunes, punctuated by the occasional oasis. Don’t worry though; you’ll be guided by some knowledgeable Berbers and a small caravan of camels who will carry supplies. The feeling of space and of solitude once you’re there is indescribable.
What’s it like doing the trek?You’ll probably have guessed it but it’s going to be warm. You’ll be trekking over a combination of firm desert floor, soft sand and loose rocky ground. There will be some steep climbs up dunes, and a sense of adventure would certainly be advantageous, after all, camp facilities will be basic. Typically, you’ll be trekking between six and seven hours a day.
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll be doing day to day:Day 1: Depart London for Ouarzazate; transfer to hotel
Day 2: Drive to M’hamid and the start of the trek; head off into the dunes
Day 3: Trekking amongst small dunes and tamarisk trees following the Jebel Bani
Day 4: A mixture of stony plateau and soft sand with camp overlooking the dunes
Day 5: A morning of rough hamada; lunch under a lone tree and onto camp
Day 6: Scale the heights of Chagaga, the largest dune in the region: great views!
Day 7: Cross the Iriki Saltpan, through acacia trees and shimmering heat
Day 8: Sunrise walk ends trek, drive to Marrakech for a big celebration
Day 9: Free Day to explore Marrakech
Day 10: Depart Marrakech for London
What’s the next step if I’m interested?Simple, you simply need to register your interest in the event. It doesn’t tie you down to anything at this stage; it’s just our way of finding out who is keen on doing what. To start this process, simply click here.