Overview

Join us as we feel the Sahara Desert underfoot, take in mesmerising landscapes and traverse across dramatic sand dunes in aid of St John’s Hospice. You’ll sleep under the clearest view of the stars you’ve ever seen and wake up to the most expansive sunrise you’ll never forget!

Setting off from Ouarzazate in Morocco, ‘the door of the desert’, we will be led by camels into the largest hot desert in the world. Climbing the dunes of Ait Oumir, scaling the cliffs of the southern Drâa and conquering the highest dunes in the region, L’erg Zaher.

The 6 day trek is led by proud berbers and a small caravan of camels, winding through the desert between Ouarzazate and M’Hamid. As well as the spectacular scenery and immersive landscapes, challenge yourself to conquer the desert heat, arduous climbs and challenging conditions – all in the name of fundraising for St John’s Hospice. This will be our third overseas adventure. Almost £300,000 has been raised in our first two treks!

What’s Included?

  • Return Flights
  • Accommodation either side of trek in 2-3* hotel in Ouarzazate
  • Camping equipment (excluding sleeping bag and mat) for duration of trek
  • All meals during trekking (breakfast, lunch and dinner) + drinking water
  • All in-country transport
  • Skyline Leader and UK Doctor travelling with every group
  • Exclusive discount at Cotswold Outdoor
  • Full support pre-challenge from your dedicated Skyline Event Coordinator
  • Access to online Participant’s Page with complete trip information including kit list, what to expect, and visa information.
  • 16-week training guide
  • Skyline Explorer Tech Tee
  • English-speaking local support crew – guides, cooks and cameleers
  • All applicable entrance fees as per the itinerary

Not included

  • Airline Taxes (invoiced 6-8 weeks before departure)
  • Tips for local crew
  • Personal spending money
  • Travel insurance

 

Start:
8th March 2019
Finish:
13th March 2019
Location(s):
Ouarzazate, Morocco
Trip duration:
6

Itinerary - 6 days

Day 1
Fly to Ouarzazate

Depart London for Ouarzazate, Morocco. Upon arrival we will meet our local guides and transfer to our hotel accommodation for a good night’s rest before our challenge starts in the morning!

Day 2

After an early wake-up call and our first sight of Morocco in daylight, we depart on our journey to the edge of the desert and the start of our trek. We stop for lunch en-route and buy a traditional headscarf in preparation for the days ahead. On arrival at the village of M'Hamid we load up the camels and start our trek through bare fields and palm trees. Towards late afternoon we will arrive at M'Hamid El Rhozlane, which will play host to our camp for the night. Approx. 3 hours trekking

Day 3

We wake to sunrise and stillness in the desert air. After a hearty breakfast we set off past the cliffs of the southern Drâa towards the first dunes of Ait Oumir. After stopping to re-fuel at lunch we continue over sand dunes before we reach our camp shaded by Tamarisk trees. Approx. 6 hours trekking

Day 4

Another day brings new challenges as we trek along the banks of the Drâa and catch our first sight of L'erg Zaher, the highest dunes in this region. Our afternoon focus is to tackle the steep climb of the dune, careful with every step we make in the deep sand until we reach the top with breathtaking views. Our camp for the night is at the foot of these dunes. Approx. 6 hours trekking

Day 5

We rise early in time to pack up camp for the final time. We leave camp and head towards the dry river bed of the Drâa across which are the Erg Smar dunes where our drivers will meet us. After a short drive to M’hamid we grab some lunch before settling in for our drive back to Ouarzazate. This evening (after a chance to freshen up!) we will enjoy a celebration meal at a local restaurant to toast our desert achievements. Approx. 3 hours trekking

Day 6
Depart to London

FAQ's

Is the trip for me?

Definitely! These trips are all fantastic challenges for anyone wanting to do something amazing St John’s Hospice! There will be lots of like-minded people taking part, all looking for the challenge of a lifetime and of course to meet new friends. Some people come with friends or family but most people come on their own so what are you waiting for? Sign up today for a fantastic experience and the opportunity to make life long friends.

Is there an age restriction?

You need to be 18 years old or older to participant in our overseas trips. If you are under 18, you may still be able to participate but you will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Before anyone under 18 is accepted onto a challenge we would need to have a discussion so you can make an informed decision on the suitability of the challenge. If you call us in the office we can offer this advice.

I've never done anything like this before, what should I expect?

Most people who sign up to our overseas challenges have also never done anything like this before! You’ll be well supported from the minute you sign up right through to the challenge itself but it’s important you come with an open mind. Due to the destinations we travel to, things don’t always run as smoothly as they would at home so a relaxed attitude is the best in these situations.

How fit do I need to be?

You don’t need to be a fitness fanatic to do these challenges. The majority of people who take part in these events will be just like you and will not necessarily have done anything like this before. However to get maximum enjoyment from these challenges training is vital and we will provide you with a detailed training plan tailored to the trip you are going on which we strongly recommend you stick to. We will also be on hand every step of the way to provide training advice.

 

 

Will I need vaccinations?

Yes, it’s possible that you will need vaccinations before travelling to Morocco. We would advise you to visit your local travel clinic for the latest advice on what vaccinations are recommended as this changes all the time.

Do I need to travel insurance to travel?

Yes, everyone is required to have travel insurance in place before they depart for a challenge. We highly recommend you take a policy out as soon as you sign up in case of any unforeseen circumstances that require you to cancel. If you already have an annual policy or cover with your bank you should check you are happy with the level of cover, repatriation is essential. You will need to provide us with your policy number, emergency contact number and the start and expiry date of your insurance.

Will I be able to raise the sponsorship level?

YES! Once you have started you will find that raising the minimum sponsorship is easy and most importantly fun! We will provide you with a breakdown of examples of how to raise the sponsorship money in an enjoyable way and we will, of course, be available every day to help you with more ideas! You are doing something quite simply amazing so make sure you tell everyone you know, and before you know it you will be racing towards your fundraising target!

When do I pay my sponsorship money?

You can start raising funds for your trip as soon as you sign up and we are on hand to help throughout your fundraising journey. The easiest way to do this is by setting up a fundraising page online, you can then share this link with your friends and family. In order to pay the costs of the trip you need to have raised 80% of the sponsorship amount 12 weeks before the departure date. The remaining 20% is due up to four weeks after your return. We’ll be on hand to help you, as will your charity.

Can I just pay on the trip without raising sponsorship?

All our events are charity focused however if you would prefer to just pay the tour costs of £1295 you can, we would invoice you directly for these costs 14 weeks before. You can make this payment any time up to this date, please just let your event coordinator know. In addition, we would encourage you to fundraise for a charity of your choice but without the target to reach.

Can I extend my trip?

It is possible to extend your stay and travel independently after the main group have headed home. We will advise you of when and how to apply for this once you are signed up. We can only make changes to the date you return, the route must remain the same; all changes are made at the airline’s discretion and subject to availability and a nominal admin fee.

What do I need to bring?

We’ll provide you with a full kit list when you sign up to your challenge. As you will be trekking a good well-worn in pair of boots are essential to get you started!

What will happen to my luggage during trekking days?

Your main luggage will be transported for you each day. You will just need to carry the kit you need for that day including water, sun cream, snacks, camera, waterproofs etc.

How is my trip protected?

Skyline Events are acting as agents for the tour operator, Skyline Tour Operations Ltd, ATOL license number 10069. Many of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate

How do I book my place?

Simply click BOOK NOW to book online today! Places are extremely limited and get snapped up quickly so to avoid disappointment sign up today and don’t miss out!

View our Terms & Conditions

Please view our Terms & Conditions here

Get In Touch

If you like what you’ve seen so far and want to find out more, why not drop the Team an email at overseas@skylineevents.co.uk for more information? Or give us a call on 020 7424 5511