Western Sahara trek
Trek the dunes in the great Sahara
The Sahara possibly the most famous desert terrain on the planet, rich with history and laden with some of the most compelling stories of survival & feats of endurance.
You will be driven from Marrakesh over the high passes of the Atlas mountains we will then plunge down into the outskirts of the Sahara past the last out posts of civilization and into the deeper regions of this awe inspiring place, then your journey begins supported by our Ascent Explorers leader, the Berbers and their camels we will wild camp under the stars and navigating our way across some of the most impressive sand dunes in the desert.
Upcoming Dates
Below you'll find a list of upcoming expeditions, with the number of places still available, the total cost and the deposit required to secure a place. Should no expeditions be available, please contact us to see what we can do for you. Bespoke personally tailored expeditions can also be accommodated.
Sorry, there are currently no upcoming dates with spaces available for this expedition, but we're probably arranging another as you read this. Please
get in touch to discuss your requirements.
Requirements & Technicality
This expedition is not a super hard core endurance race, this expedition is a team orientated challenge covering some beautiful areas of the Western Sahara travelling using jeeps, Camels and of course on foot.
A basic level of fitness is needed but we generally say to anybody joining our expeditions/explorations the fitter you are the more you will enjoy.
Image Gallery
Our Photographer And Photography
Ascent Explorers photographer joins us on many of our UK tours and training programs to capture group images through the program duration. A selection of images are shared on social media sites such as Facebook (please inform us if you individually prefer this not to happen) Digital copies, prints are available upon request.
"Through hardship, friendship is built, through friendship great things are accomplished."
Itinerary
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Day 1 : London/ Marrakesh/Ouarzazate. You will be collected at the airport by your guide, who will take you across the High Atlas Mountain range. After driving over the Tichka Pass (2200m high) you will discover the pre-Saharan scenery. You will stop overnight in Ouazazate. Diner & accommodation in a lovely local 3* hotel.
Day 2 : Ouarzazate/ Oulaid Driss. Today we will hit the road heading further south. The scenery is getting more & more arid. You will drive along the Drâa Valley via Agdz, Zagora (famous caravan crossroads) before reaching the meeting point with your trekking team (camel owners, cook..). After lunch we will start walking into the vast unknown. Dinner & night under the stars.
Day 3 to day 6: Hike in the Sahara. The next days plunge you into surrealism. Behind you, your daily routine (commuting, meetings) and in front of you, the Saharan slowness! Punctuated with small pleasures like a break during a long walk, an isolated flower on the sand, an oasis, a water well! You will progress at the pace of the camels. Off the beaten track, in a total immersion in the desert life, with your nomadic team. Itinerary !
Day 7: Oulaid Driss/ Marakech. Today, it’s farewell. After a morning walk back to the village, you will say good bye to your friends and return to urban civilisation. Direct transfer back to Marrakech. Dinner & accommodation in 3* hotel.
Day 8: Transfer back to the airport. Today we will head back to the airport for flights home. !
Location
The Sahara is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Atlas Mountains and the Mediterranean to the north, the Red Sea to the east, and the Sudan and the valley of the Niger River to the south. The Sahara is divided into the regions of western Sahara, the central Ahaggar Mountains, the Tibesti Mountains, the Aïr Mountains (a region of desert mountains and high plateaus), the Ténéré desert, and the Libyan Desert (the most arid region). The highest peak in the Sahara is Emi Koussi (3,415 metres (11,204 ft)) in the Tibesti Mountains in northern Chad.
The Sahara is the largest desert on the African continent. The southern border of the Sahara is marked by a band of semiarid savanna called the Sahel, south of which lies Southern Sudan and the Congo River Basin. Most of the Sahara consists of rocky hamada; ergs (large areas covered with sand dunes) form only a minor part.
Flights & Travel Information
Ascent Explorers understands what adventure travel is all about, which is why we are proud to partner with a specialist team of travel consultants for great deals on flights to all destinations. We work hard to bring you the best flight routes and tickets, accommodation, travel passes, tours, volunteer placements - the works. Quite simply Ascent is your travel agency; you can shoot any question to our dedicated travel manager and we'll be sure to steer you in the right direction. Along with all the advice that we can offer; there are a few other reasons to book with us:
- Unrivalled product knowledge and expertise.
- Passionate about travel – we will do everything they can to create your perfect travel experience.
- We promise to offer you the best airfare solution to suit your needs.
- 24 hour emergency assistance helpline.
- Access to 'Travel Butler', a service which offers you support whilst you are travelling by providing:
- One point of contact – we provide your very own Personal Travel Advisor wherever you may be.
- Free help and advice on ticket date and reschedule changes (free of charge revalidation of ticket where possible).
- Part of a $12billion organisation that offers you security and utilises global buying power to save you money.
To book your flights or to discuss your requirements, please call our dedicated flight account manager, Ellie Gilmore on 0808 260 9953.
Expedition Checklist
Equipment List / Clothing & General Gear
- Good suitable Desert Boots
- Pair of lightweight trousers & Shorts
- Mid layer shirt or fleece
- Fleece or pile jacket
- 2 pairs of thick socks
- Ordinary socks, shirts and underwear
- Warm hat or Balaclava
- Sun Hat
- Cool general clothing
- Alarm Clock/Watch
- Towel
- Wash kit
- Windproof/waterproof shell gear
Equipment
- Rucksack with at least 50-70 litres
- Trekking Boots
- Good 2 season sleeping bag
- Karrimat or Thermarest
- One litre water bottle
- Pair of good quality sun glasses
- Goggles
- Sunscreen/lip screen factor 20+
- Personal Blister Kit and First Aid
- Head torch plus spare battery
Optional Extras
- Duvet jacket
- Pair of telescopic ski poles (very useful)
- Camera, films and batteries
Discounted Equipment Hire
Ascent Explorers have teamed up with Outdoor Hire to provide the hire of top quality equipment at the most affordable prices.
To hire all or any of the kit list for this expedition from the Outdoor Hire website, please
click here.
Make sure you use our exclusive discount code
AEXOH966 for an additional 10% saving.
Services Included
- Transfers between airport-hotel-mountain
- Hotel rooms in Marrakesh & Ouazazate
- Daily 4×4 off-road transport, fuel and dedicated drivers
- All meals and drinks during the tour (excluding alcohol)
- Experienced UK expedition leader
- Local support staff & guide
- Vehicles to transport luggage, supplies and camps
- Food, cooking kit and gas
- Camels
- Photography
Services Excluded
- International flights & taxes
- UK transfers
- Personal climbing equipment & clothing
- Personal expenses
- Personal medical and evacuation insurance
- Charges for any additional services
Prices, Booking and Terms & Conditions
The total cost for this expedition is
£675 and a deposit of
£150 is required to secure your place.
For further information concerning our Terms and Conditions, bookings and cancellations, please refer to our
Terms and Conditions page (Opens in new window).
Need help? Call: 0208 500 3323 or 07967 589289 (Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm GMT)
Participation & Accuracy Statement
Ascent Explorers recognises that climbing, hill walking and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.
Although it is our intention to operate this itinerary as printed, it may be necessary to make some changes as a result of flight schedules, climatic conditions, limitations of infrastructure or other operational factors. As a consequence, the order or location of overnight stops and the duration of the day may vary from those outlined. You should be aware that some events are beyond our control and we would ask for your patience.
Join This Expedition
