We welcome you to explore the Sahara with us. This trek will provide you with an unbelievable experience as you take in mesmerising landscapes and golden sand dunes before camping under the star-scattered sky! This is a challenging trek with a beautiful backdrop where you will step out of your comfort zone, enjoy delicious traditional Moroccan food and make friends for life around the camp fire. Make sure you get a proper outdoor caravan insurance like this https://www.comparestaticcaravaninsurance.co.uk/
ABOUT THE CHALLENGE…
Date
7th – 12th November 2019
No. of days
6 days (5 nights)
Registration Fee
Dominic Carolan Co-Founder
Took on the Three Peaks Challenge, London to Amsterdam Cycle, Paris to Geneva Cycle, Vietnam Cycle, North and South Downs way and many more!
Secure your place on this challenge with a registration fee of £199.(1)
Funding options
Charity Fundraiser: Pledge to raise a minimum sponsorship amount of £1,950.(2)
or
Self-funder: Choose to pay the tour costs of £975 yourself.(3)
Reserve your space on the trek here or head to www.skylineoverseas.co.uk
Notes:
1. The registration fee is non-refundable. 2. All fundraising incurs costs. The tour costs are 50% of the minimum sponsorship level. The first 80% of this minimum sponsorship is due 12 weeks before the event. 3. Those who self-fund their place will receive an invoice for the tour costs 14 weeks before the event.
Skyline Events and the charity act as agents for Skyline Tour Operations Ltd. (ATOL protected 10069)
SIGN UP HERE
ATOL:
All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays in this brochure are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about
financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate. Skyline Tour Operations Ltd – ATOL Number 10069
HANNAH’S GUIDE TO THE SAHARA
Hannah has taken on many incredible bucket list challenges during her time at Skyline as our Operations Manager and she couldn’t wait to tick off the Sahara Desert! Here she shares her trip tips…
“This is such a unique experience, to trek through the desert and sleep under the stars is completely out of the ordinary and something you will never forget! You’ll take yourself out of your comfort zone and into an environment you’ve probably never experienced before but it’s definitely worth it, you make true friendships along the way as you encourage each other up that next sand dune – it’s incredible!”
Hannah’s Top Tips
Like any challenge, this trek will take you out of your comfort zone but is sure to be an experience that stays with you forever!
Travel with an open mind – you’re about to spend 6 days with a group of people you probably don’t know. Embrace it, support each other and you’ll come back to the UK with firm friends for life. Did someone say reunion?!
Follow the kit list but don’t be scared to stick to what you know. Though we recommend trekking poles to help with some tricky sections of the route, don’t worry if they’re not for you – there is no point spending money on items you’re not going to benefit from!
Packing a few home comforts will make all the difference, whether its crisps, sweets or some squash to liven up your water.
Support
From the moment you sign onto the challenge, to the trip itself, we’ll be with you every step of the way.
You’ll have your own dedicated Event Coordinator in the office who will be on hand to help with anything from providing flight details to discussing fundraising ideas and what to pack. On the challenge itself you’ll be accompanied by an experienced Skyline Leader and UK Doctor as well as our local guides who will work tirelessly to get us all safely and happily across the desert!
Exploring Morocco
Our Sahara Dunes Trek takes us across the world’s largest hot desert! For a nominal admin fee you can extend your flights and choose to continue your adventure in Morocco, be it visiting the Atlas Mountains or travelling to Marrakesh to barter in its world famous markets.
ITINERARY
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 for London
Morning transfer to the airport for our flight back to London
Due to the nature of the challenge, this complex itinerary is subject to change.
KEY FACTS
What’s Included?
Accommodation, return flights and in-country travel, all meals during trekking days, water, fully qualified UK Leader, UK Doctor, and local crew.(1)
Accommodation
You will be camping throughout the trek. Before and after the challenge we’ll stay in a comfortable hotel in Ouarzazate.
Climate
Temperatures can reach 30°C during the day and the sun is very strong in the desert, however you should be prepared for the temperature to get a lot cooler at night.
Meals
You will enjoy traditional Moroccan cuisine throughout the trek – you certainly won’t go hungry! Most dietary requirements can be catered for, please advise upon booking.
Packing
We’ll provide you with a kit list tailored to this challenge when you book. Whilst on the trek your main bag will be transported for you so all you need to carry is your day pack with your essential items.
FUNDING YOUR CHALLENGE…
You can choose to raise the full amount of sponsorship to ensure your event costs and minimum amount to your charity are all covered! This way, you don’t have to pay a thing towards your challenge and your charity receives a huge amount of much-needed funds! Both Skyline and your charity will be on hand with fundraising tips and advice to get you started.
You can pay your own event costs – this way every penny you raise will go to your chosen cause! We recognise that a huge part of the challenge can be the fundraising element so with this option you are able to pay for your own place and then raise the remaining amount for charity.
With this option you are able to pay a portion of your event costs (whatever you can manage) and then raise the rest. This just means that you can do a little less fundraising and can make a contribution to your challenge yourself.
Notes:
1. All participants are responsible for their own passports, visas, vaccinations and travel insurance, which you must have. The tour cost does not include airline taxes which will be invoiced directly 6-8 weeks before travel.
FUNDRAISING
Fundraising is certainly achievable if you put your mind to it and needn’t be daunting – the important thing is to let everyone know about the great cause you are fundraising for and to enjoy yourself! With a bit of creativity, energy and determination you will easily be able to reach your fundraising target. Here are some ideas to start you off and we’re more than happy to help with any questions you may have!
Begin by setting up an online donation page and ask everyone you know to donate – the more people you ask, the more you will raise!
Host a dinner night/coffee morning and charge guests for a delicious home cooked meal or tea and cake.
Put on the ultimate fundraising spectacular and host a charity ball!
Host your own pub quiz or bingo night.
Dig out your unwanted treasures and organise a car boot or jumble sale.
Organise a games night and invite friends over, charging for an evening of fun and games!
Leave collection boxes in your local pub or shop or organise a bag pack at your local supermarket.
Your charity will be on hand to provide you with a fundraising pack and plenty of useful hints and tips to help you hit your target!
PREPARATION
All of our challenges are graded from Moderate (1) to Extreme (5) and the Sahara Dunes Trek is graded as Difficult (3).
This challenge is perfect for the intrepid explorer! The terrain is tough and undulating so ample training is required.
This training is essential to prepare yourself for the challenge and you can find a full training guide on your Participant Page upon booking on to the trek.
We will provide you with a full kit list tailored to your trek once you have signed up so that you will be fully prepared before you go! It’s important to purchase good quality kit and equipment that suits you – never underestimate the importance of good walking boots! It’s vital to trek with comfortable shoes that you have worn in during your training months.
We have teamed up with Cotswold Outdoor to offer our Skyline participants a special 15% discount in recognition of your continued support so do utilise this when purchasing your equipment for the challenge! (Further info provided upon booking.)