We are so excited to trek the vast and diverse landscape of the Moroccan Sahara with you.
If you’re interested in joining the waitlist for the Sahara or taking part on a different international trek for Acorns, please get in touch with our events team.
Trek the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert and camp under the stars!
Experience the vast and diverse landscape of the Moroccan Sahara during two full days and two half days trekking across ancient dried-up riverbeds, sand dunes and vast sun-baked plains. Experience the Berber way of life, camping each night under the stunning stars in the night sky, and tasting traditional Berber cuisine.
At the end of the trek, you’ll spend two days helping a community project in Marrakech, which supports vulnerable and homeless people, providing them with accommodation and education. Your tasks will vary depending on the need at the time but you’re likely to get involved with refurbishment, redecorating and gardening which will make an instant impact at this incredible centre.
Please note that flights will depart from London and you will need to organise your own transport to the airport. Exact flight times are to be confirmed.
Pay a registration fee of £350, then fundraise £2,500 for Acorns. By signing up, you are committing to raising a minimum of £2,500. Part of this amount is used to cover the cost of your trip.
Pay a registration fee of £350 plus trip costs of £1,525*, then fundraise £975 for Acorns. By signing up, you are committing to raising a minimum of £975.
Our expert events team will be on hand to support you with your fundraising to help you achieve your target.
*Trip cost balance is payable to Acorns Children’s Hospice by 1st July 2025.
We’re here to support you all the way! By signing up for the event you will receive an Acorns running vest, support from our Events team to help with your training and fundraising and the amazing feeling you’ll get from knowing you’re making a real difference to local children! Here are some simple ways to give your fundraising a boost, if you need more support we’d be happy to help. Just get in touch at events@acorns.org.uk.
Please be aware that flights will depart from London. Different Travel seek the cheapest possible flights to ensure that as much fundraising as possible goes towards funding our vital care and support for local children and families at Acorns Children’s Hospice. You will need to organise your own transport to the airport.
Exact flight times will be confirmed at a later date. Outbound flights from the UK to Morocco will be on 18 October 2025, return flights to London on 25 October 2025.
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, a Different Travel Company UK tour manager and Acorns staff representatives.
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 with temperatures historically reaching 35°C. You must be of a good fitness level before departure, to ensure fast recovery each day.
Temperatures can 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 which are out of our control. Weather during the trek will be dry but there may be some strong winds. Rain, although very rare, is not impossible.
Please note that the temperatures and conditions above are historically accurate but climate change can impact the seasons so you may experience uncharacteristic conditions during the trip which are out of our control. The guides will assess the situation and make decisions to ensure the best enjoyment and safety of the group.
To get to and from the desert requires long drives (approx. 9 hours including breaks) along winding mountain roads, which offer stunning views of the snow-capped peaks and lush valleys. If you suffer from motion sickness you are advised to bring your usual anti-nausea medication with you. Regular stops are taken.
You will stay in a hotel with en-suite facilities while in Marrakech (and Ouarzazate if flight arrival times permit us to start the journey to the desert upon arrival), and you will camp during the trek.
You will stay in hotel rooms on a twin or triple-share basis, and there will be two people per tent while camping. If you are travelling with someone who you would like to share with, please mention this on your booking form.
A single-occupancy hotel room may be possible subject to availability and payment of a single supplement.
During the trek you will sleep in tents (two to a tent) or, if the weather is good, you can sleep outside under the stars – highly recommended! Foam sleeping mats are provided but you will need to bring a sleeping bag.
Toilet facilities consist of a small toilet ‘tent’ covering a hole in the ground. There are no showers or bathing facilities in the desert so you must bring a pack of baby wipes.
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, the project or at local restaurants.
The minimum age is 18. It may be possible to participate if you are 16 or 17 years old but you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. There is no upper age limit. The ideal candidate would be fit, healthy and determined, open to adventure and adaptable to unexpected changes.
For you to get the most out of your challenge it is important that you are flexible, positive and eager to take on all the challenges that arise. Suitable fitness preparation before departure forms part of this.
You should have a good level of fitness to ensure fast recovery from each day of trekking.
You must engage in training (including plenty of walking up and down hills) before departure to ensure your best chance of enjoyment on the trip. This could include hill walking, running, cycling, gym workouts, boot camps, etc.
You can download a number of free apps to help you train and track your progress e.g. MapMyWalk, C25K, MyFitnessPal etc. Attempting to complete the trek without training will make it more challenging than necessary and will be detrimental to your experience, and the experience of your teammates.
If you are unwell or injured, and unable to join the group for the trek while out in the desert, arrangements will be made for you to travel with the support crew. Please note that the transport will be at a personal cost to you.
