Sahara Desert trek (Morocco) 7 days

About this event

A challenging fundraising trek against the backdrop of the awe-inspiring Sahara Desert, this adventurous trip offers a unique desert experience.

A 7 day trek across the Moroccan Sahara desert with vast dunes, rocky plains and star-filled night skies. Experience the extreme temperatures, barren and unforgiving landscape which is the ultimate test of endurance for those seeking a unique fundraising challenge. An extreme challenge appealing to those who want to trek overseas but aren’t interested in mountains acting as a great entry to the overseas trekking scene with a short flight to Morocco. Extreme temperatures, extreme impact!

Dates

10 – 16 October 2026

20 – 26 Feb 2027

9 – 15 October 2027

Registration fee

£199

Fundraising target

£2,300 (£1150 to cover cost of trip and £1150 to fundraise for SIA) *Full Payment and Part Payment options also available.

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Itinerary

Day 1 – Fly London to Marrakesh; transfer to Quarzazate

On arrival in Marrakech, we meet our transport and drive (approx. 4 hours) over the spectacular High Atlas Mountains to Ouarzazate. Pronounced ‘Wazzazat’, this busy town, famous for its film studios, lies on the edge of the desert. Night hotel.

Day 2 – Quarzazate – Zagora – Erg Lihoudi

After an early breakfast, we have a detailed briefing and then leave for the five-hour drive to M’Hamid, our starting point. Our drive takes us over the low mountains of the Jebel Sarhro and down the ‘Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs’ into the desert. We have a brief stop in Zagora to buy a shamla (native headscarf); you might also want to enjoy a last cold drink before the heat of the desert! On arrival at our start point, we have lunch while the cameleers load up the camels. Our late afternoon trek takes us firstly across flat open plain and then into Erg Lihoudi, our first taste of small dunes. We make camp at the edge of the dunes for the night. Night camp.

Drive approx. 5 hours; trek approx. 3 hours

Day 3 – Erg Lihoudi – Oued Naam

The full colour of the landscape erupts as the sun rises. Hot coffee and a good breakfast set us up for a good day’s trek. We break camp, load the camels and head off across Erg Lihoudi, walking across the small dunes and around the larger ones. Amongst the dunes are small tamarisk trees that manage to flourish in this harsh environment. Continuing through the small dunes, we can see the Jebel Bani Mountains to the north and dunes to the south. After around four hours, we stop for lunch in the shade of a large tree. During the afternoon we walk out of the dunes and onto a flat rocky plateau where we make camp near Oued Naam close to a well. Night camp.

Trek approx. 6 hours

Day 4 – Oued Naam – Bouguern

Leaving camp behind us, we walk across flat, open country with the camels not far behind. The surface is firm and stony; tough grass pokes through in places. We skirt to the north of some low dunes, walking on both soft sand and stony plateau, where fossilised sea creatures can be found. The hottest part of the day sees us in the shade having lunch, with time to relax and refill water bottles. In the afternoon we head across beautifully-formed low dunes to an area called Bouguern, where there are several large dunes and clumps of palm trees. The walking is tough and tiring; sand fills our boots, and our feet sink into the small dunes. After an hour we see the large dunes in the distance and head for them. Distance is hard to gauge in the desert and it takes a further two hours to reach the dunes and our campsite perched on a bluff overlooking the dunes. Night camp.

Trek approx. 7 hours

Day 5 – Bouguern – Erg Chegaga

After a good breakfast we head off down a gully onto the desert floor. We spend the morning crossing hamada, or stony flat desert. We have several short climbs and cross dry and dusty plains. There is very little vegetation around but we manage to find the only tree for miles to have lunch under. When the hottest part of the day has passed, we set off across more hamada until we cross a ridge and have a spectacular view of Chegaga, the largest sand dune of the region. We camp below the dunes for the night. Night camp.

Trek approx. 7 hours

Day 6 – Erg Chegaga – Marrakech

Our last big challenge on this trek, reaching the top of Chegaga is worth it for the incredible views, and the sense of achievement! The day starts with a spectacular dawn raid climb – a 100m height gain for sunrise. To the south are rolling dunes as far as you can see; to the north, hamada and the Jebel Bani. After taking in the view, we have fun descending the dune along one of the narrow ridges. Regrouping at the bottom, we load into landrovers and drive the last bumpy section across the desert piste to the tarmac road. The exciting journey is great fun if a little bouncy! We then transfer to our bus, and cross the stunning High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech, where we check into our hotel. Later that evening, we’ll head out to a restaurant in the heart of the souk, where we celebrate in style! Night hotel.

Trek approx. 2 hours; drive approx. 8 hours

Day 7 – Fly Marrakech to London
A transfer takes us to the airport, and we fly home.

Whats included

• Return flight from London to Morocco
• All known airline taxes
• Accommodation on twinshare basis – hotels and camping
• Group camping equipment (including sleeping mats)
• All meals except where specified
• Discover Adventure crew (number dependant on group size)
• Local guides & cooks, camels, cameleers and drivers
• Vehicle support and back-up equipment
• Entry to any sites visited as part of the itinerary
• Discover Adventure offset 100% of the carbon emissions from your trip, including flights

Accessibility information

Please note that these treks are not suitable for wheelchair users due to the terrain and nature of the challenge. However, we are committed to making our events as inclusive as possible. If you have a spinal cord injury or other accessibility requirements, we encourage you to get in touch so your needs can be discussed on a case-by-case basis with the Discover Adventure team, to explore what support or adaptations may be possible.

 

more info / download itinerary

“If you’re looking for a challenge with great exposure to rich culture and beautiful scenery, then this is it! Be prepared for sand and rocks but I had a thoroughly good time with half the desert in my shoes! The group were fantastic and the local guides, as well as the DA leader, were supportive and kind.” – Lucy, 2023

Take on a challenge for SIA with discover adventure

Discover Adventure

Discover Adventure specialises in worldwide cycling and trekking, with fundraising at its heart. Behind their challenging, fun and often life-changing trips is a dedicated team of friendly staff and experienced leaders, who take pride in every participant’s achievements. With over 30 years of experience, their core passions and goals remain the same: to operate safe, fun, adventurous trips which offer extraordinary challenges to ordinary people, while providing a fundraising platform to positively change the lives of others. They have enabled thousands of people to experience unforgettable achievements, while collectively raising over £100 million for worthwhile causes.