Saharan Trek with Julia’s House

Itinerary

Day 1 (Thursday 2 November 2023):

London – Marrakech – Ouarzazate
Depart London for Marrakech. On arrival we immediately set off for a journey across the High Atlas Mountain Range to our overnight stop in Ouarzazate (journey time approx. 4 hours).  Dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 (Friday 3 November 2023):

Marrakech – Oulaid Driss – Sahara
An early start for our journey along ancient caravan routes and into the arid scenery of the Sahara desert, stopping for lunch en route.  Later this afternoon you will meet up with your trekking team, consisting of local Berber guides and their camels, and start the trek.  Overnight under the stars in bivouacs (or tents weather permitting).
Overnight: Camping
Approx. trek distance: 5km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Days 3–4 (Saturday 4 – Sunday 5 November 2023):

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.
Overnight: Camping
Approx. trek distance: 15-20km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 (Monday 6 November 2023):

Sahara – Oulaid Dris – Marrakech
This morning it’s the final leg of the trek to the small village where we bid farewell to the trek team and head back to Marrakech to enjoy a celebratory dinner.(approx. 8 hours’ drive).
Overnight: Hotel
Approx. trek distance: 5km.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6 (Tuesday 7 November 2023):

Marrakech – London
Some free time this morning to explore the exotic city of Marrakech before flying back to London (subject to flight times).
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 will do our best to keep to the itinerary but we cannot be held responsible for changes outside of our control. In all circumstances your guide and tour leader will have the final say in the interest health and safety.  

Costs & How to pay

Registration fee: £350
and then…

Sponsorship: £1,500

or

Self Fund: £1,450*

or 

Flexi: £715 trip costs* and £750 fundraising for Julia’s House

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 Julia’s House. There is a minimum sponsorship amount for each trip that you are required to raise in order to participate.

• A registration fee of £350 is payable at the time of booking.
• A total of 50% of the minimum sponsorship (£750) must be paid to Julia’s House by June 2023.
• A total of 80% of the minimum sponsorship (£1,200) must be paid to the charity by September 2023.
• The remaining £380 must be paid to the charity by 1st December 2023.
• If you do not meet your fundraising target you will be required to cover the cost.

SELF FUND

This option is for those who choose to pay the trip costs* (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) themselves.

• A registration fee of £350 is payable at the time of booking.
• Trip cost* balance of £715 must be paid directly to Different Travel by 24th August 2023.
• Final balance of £735 must be paid to Julia’s House by 22nd September 2023.

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 of £350 is payable at the time of booking.
• Trip cost balance of £715* must be paid directly to Different Travel by 24th August 2023.
• You must fundraise a minimum of £750 for Julia’s House.
• A total of 80% of the minimum sponsorship (£600) must be paid to the charity by September 2023.
• The remaining £150 must be paid to the charity by 1st December 2023.
• If you do not meet your fundraising target you will be required to cover the cost.

*Please note trip costs are based on the final group size and are subject to change.

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 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.