Sahara Desert Trek

Ability level

The ideal candidate would be fit, healthy and determined, open to adventure and adaptable to unexpected changes.

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 and can reach 35°C. You must be of a good fitness level before departure, to ensure fast recovery each day.

Terrain

The Sahara Desert offers a surprisingly varied landscape. While much of the terrain is flat and open, you will also cross areas of soft sand, undulating dunes, and ancient dried riverbeds. Walking on sand can be more demanding than firm ground, and the dunes provide the greatest changes in gradient throughout the trek.

Underfoot conditions can shift quickly, from a compact desert floor to loose sand, so expect a mix of steady walking and sections that require more effort. The environment is dry and exposed with little natural shade, adding to the remote and adventurous feel of the journey.

Climate

Temperatures typically range from 25°C to 35°C during the day and drop to around 0°C at night. However, you must be prepared for variations to this. Weather during the trek will be dry but there may be some strong winds. Rain, although very rare, is not impossible. 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 that are beyond the organiser's control. The guides will assess the situation and make decisions to ensure the safety and enjoyment of the group.

Guides & crew

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 Tour Manager.

Food

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 or at local restaurants.

Visually impaired

You may join this challenge if you are visually impaired; however, if you usually use a guide dog or require assistance, you may wish to bring a guide to help you. Your guide will be required to pay full price and book as a participant. Alternatively you can book a Moroccan helper (not a tour guide) to act as a guide at an additional cost of £330 plus an optional tip of approximately £75.

Kitlist

A helpful list of kit recommendations is readily available.

Season

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

Itinerary

• Day 1 | London to Marrakech

  Your adventure begins as you fly from London to Marrakech. On arrival, you’ll meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel.

  Depending on flight times, you may begin the journey towards the desert straight away, heading to Ouarzazate through the dramatic Atlas Mountains. Otherwise, enjoy a relaxed evening in Marrakech before the journey south begins.
  Overnight: Hotel
  Meals: Dinner

• Day 2 | Marrakech to Sahara Desert

  Today you travel deep into Morocco, crossing the Atlas Mountains and following ancient caravan routes towards the Sahara. The landscapes shift from rugged peaks to vast, arid plains as you make your way south.

  Arriving at the edge of the desert, you’ll meet your trekking team and camels before setting out on your first trek into the dunes. As the sun sets, you’ll settle into camp and experience your first night under the Sahara stars.

  Approx. trek time: 2-3 hours
  Overnight: Camping
  Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Day 3 | Sahara Desert Trek

  Your trek continues through the ever-changing desert landscape. You’ll cross rolling sand dunes, rocky plains and wide-open spaces that stretch to the horizon.

  Supported by a local Berber team, you’ll begin to understand the rhythm of desert life — travelling steadily, respecting the environment and embracing the simplicity of the surroundings.
  Approx. trek time: 6-7 hours
  Overnight: Camping
  Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Day 4 | Sahara Desert Trek

  Another full day in the Sahara allows you to fully immerse yourself in this unique environment. Each step reveals new scenery, from towering dunes to vast, silent plains.

  Evenings are spent around camp, sharing stories, enjoying traditional food and taking in the incredible night sky far from any light pollution.
  Approx. trek time: 6-7 hours
  Overnight: Camping
  Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Day 5 | Sahara to Marrakech (trek 2-3 hours)

  Your final morning in the desert begins with a short trek back to the village, where you say goodbye to your trekking team.

  From here, you travel back to Marrakech, reflecting on the journey as the landscapes unfold once more. In the evening, you’ll come together for a celebratory meal and a well-earned rest.
  Approx. trek time: 2-3 hours
  Overnight: Hotel
  Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Day 6 | Marrakech to UK

  Depending on your flight time, you’ll have the chance to explore Marrakech — from bustling souks to historic palaces — before returning to the UK.
  Meals: Breakfast
  Optional | Extend your stay to explore more of Morocco beyond the trek.

Included

For the challenge

• Return flights from UK (inc. current taxes and fuel surcharges)
• Transfers and transport in Morocco
• Accommodation in 3 star hotels (2 nights)
• Tents and sleeping mats on trek (3 nights)
• All meals as specified
• English-speaking local guides
• Camels and camel handlers on trek
• Professional UK tour manager
• Other support staff
• Extra lighting at campsite
• Compostable toilets

From the charity

• A Fight for Sight t-shirt
• A fundraising pack with tips and ideas to help you reach your target
• Step-by-step guide on fundraising
• Regular contact and support from the friendly team
• The experience of a lifetime!

Not Included

• Travel insurance
• Transport to/from UK airport
• Tips (£40 pp)
• Personal expenses (e.g. drinks, souvenirs etc.)
• Vaccinations

16 and 17 year olds must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Costs

Meeting point

Marrakesh Menara Airport
Marrakech
40000
Morocco

When you arrive in Morocco, you'll be met by your local guide and transferred to your 3-star hotel.

Fantastic experience. Lots of laughter, skeletons in the desert and some romance too! Highlights include sitting on a dune at sunset and waking up looking at a camel!

I loved every moment of the trip; the company, the guides, the challenge (most of the time!), sleeping under the stars, good food.

The guides and our group made the experience all the more better.

The whole thing was fantastic. Great value for money and our guide was fantastic.

The organisation, value for money and info provided was fantastic and far more than adequate to help me prepare.

The whole thing was fantastic.

Thoroughly enjoyed the trek, it was every bit as challenging as I expected.

Very professional and well organised.

Fantastic local guides – really friendly and couldn’t do enough for us.

The whole thing was amazing.

Fantastic experience.

Really enjoyed it.

The trip was awesome as we all pulled together as a team should in tough times and had fun along the way. My memorable moments were teaching the Moroccans the ‘Hokey Cokey’ in camp and trekking through the sandstorm!

The trip was absolutely amazing! I would definitely do it all over again if I had the chance!

Fundraising

• A registration fee is payable at the time of booking
• At least 80% (£1,920) of your sponsorship must be paid to the charity by 21 August 2027 (12 weeks prior to departure)
• The remaining £480 is due by date of departure
• Fight for Sight will receive at least 50% of the funds

Fight for Sight

Funding brilliant minds and bright ideas to save sight and change lives.

Imagine being told that you, or someone you love, is losing their sight. In that moment, two profound questions demand urgent answers: Can this be stopped? How will I live my life? Fight for Sight funds brilliant minds and bright ideas, putting change in sight for everyone impacted by vision loss.