Step beyond everyday routines and experience the Sahara alongside nomadic guides whose families have travelled these lands for generations. Over nine days, the expedition blends walking and camel travel, shared desert living and cultural practices, creating a grounded and authentic connection to Morocco’s vast desert interior.
Life on this expedition follows the natural rhythm of the desert rather than the clock. Days begin early to take advantage of cooler temperatures, with steady morning walks across open plains and dunes before resting during the hotter hours. Camels travel alongside the group, carrying equipment and offering the option to ride when needed. Meals are freshly prepared by nomadic hosts, with time each day to pause, hydrate and take in the scale and quiet of the landscape.
Learning comes naturally through shared experience. Along the way, guides demonstrate traditional desert practices such as fire-making, sand bread baking, water awareness and navigating by the land. Evenings slow the pace further, gathering around the fire for food, mint tea, music and stories, followed by nights under open skies where the absence of light pollution reveals vast constellations and the Milky Way in full clarity.
City life and wild desert living are carefully balanced. Time in Marrakech at the start and end of the journey allows space to settle in, reflect and enjoy Moroccan culture, while the days in the Sahara Desert offer simplicity, space and a deeper sense of perspective shaped by movement, silence and shared routines.
The expedition takes place in a remote region of Morocco, close to the Algerian border, where long stretches of sand dunes and open plains create a sense of scale and isolation. The terrain is largely flat, making it well suited to long-distance trekking supported by camels, with dunes rising higher as the journey progresses deeper into the desert.
Marrakech acts as both the starting and finishing point, offering a contrast between urban life and the desert interior. The Medina’s historic streets, markets and architecture provide cultural context before and after time spent in the Sahara, helping frame the experience as both a physical journey and a cultural one.
Accommodation is designed to ease the transition from city to desert and back again. The first and final nights are spent in a traditional riad in Marrakech, located on a quiet street within walking distance of the Medina. Rooms include private bathrooms, air conditioning and access to shared facilities such as a pool and hammam, offering comfort and rest between travel days.
The first night in the desert is spent in fixed desert accommodation with proper beds, showers and toilets, allowing time to adjust before heading deeper into the Sahara. From day three onward, nights are spent camping in remote desert locations. Foam mattresses are provided, and many guests choose to sleep out in the open beneath the stars. Communal shelters are set up at each camp for shade, meals and protection in case of wind or rare desert rain, keeping conditions safe and comfortable while maintaining a simple, traditional way of living.
Reasonable fitness and good general health are required, as daily walks of 25–30km take place during the cooler morning hours. The pace is steady with regular breaks, and camels are available if you need a rest, but participants are encouraged to walk as much as they comfortably can.
Comfort with simple living is important. Facilities become very limited once trekking begins, and days are shaped by natural conditions rather than strict schedules. An adaptable mindset and willingness to disconnect from modern conveniences will help you get the most from the experience.
The expedition is shaped by experienced environmental educators and desert guides who value depth over speed and learning through lived experience. Their approach focuses on respect for the land, cultural exchange and helping participants build a personal connection with the environments they travel through.
Years of working in wild landscapes inform how the journey is paced and supported, balancing challenge with care. By travelling alongside nomadic hosts and following traditional routes, guests gain insight into a way of life shaped by resilience, simplicity and deep knowledge of the natural world.
Toilets are available at the riad in Marrakech and at the first desert base camp, where fixed facilities are in place. Once the group begins trekking deeper into the Sahara, there are no built toilets, reflecting traditional nomadic travel.
Guides provide clear, respectful guidance on how this is managed in the desert, including privacy, hygiene and environmental care. Most guests adapt quickly and find the experience far more straightforward than expected.
Participants should be comfortable walking for several hours at a steady pace, covering up to 30km in the cooler morning hours. The terrain is mostly flat but includes stretches of soft sand, which can feel more demanding.
Camels travel alongside the group and are available if you need to rest. Guides monitor the group closely and adjust pacing to ensure everyone remains supported throughout the trek.
A detailed kit list is provided before departure, outlining essential and recommended items. Key items include a three-season sleeping bag, lightweight clothing, warm evening layers, sun protection and a head torch.
Travelling light is strongly encouraged. Large suitcases are not suitable for desert travel, and keeping personal gear compact helps both you and the camels carrying shared equipment.
Lightweight, breathable clothing that covers the skin is ideal for sun protection during the day. Thin long sleeves, loose trousers and a wide-brimmed hat help manage heat and exposure.
Evenings can feel cool once the sun sets, so warm layers are essential. Denim is not recommended, as it retains heat and is uncomfortable in sandy conditions.
Drinking water is supplied throughout the expedition and replenished regularly. Rest stops include time to refill bottles and rehydrate with mint tea and light snacks.
Tap water in Marrakech is not recommended for drinking. Bottled water is readily available before departure and during travel days.
Most nights are spent camping in remote desert locations, with foam mattresses provided for comfort. Many guests choose to sleep directly under the open sky, while communal shelters are available if needed.
Camps are set up with care, offering shade during the day and protection from wind in the evenings. Sleeping in the desert is often highlighted as one of the most memorable parts of the journey.
Snakes, scorpions and spiders do exist in the Sahara, but sightings are rare outside the hottest months, when tours do not operate. Camps and rest areas are carefully checked before stopping.
Guides have lifelong experience in the desert environment and know how to minimise risks. Safety procedures are in place, and incidents are extremely uncommon.
Free time is built in on both the first and final days in Marrakech. This allows time to explore the Medina, shop in the souks, relax at the riad or visit local cafés.
Staff are happy to offer advice on nearby areas to explore, helping you make the most of time in the city without rushing.
The journey offers wide-open landscapes, shifting light across dunes and exceptionally clear night skies. Time is built into the itinerary for photography during rest periods and evenings.
Protecting equipment from sand and managing battery use is important, as charging opportunities are limited once trekking begins.
An open and adaptable approach is key. Desert travel is shaped by weather, terrain and natural rhythms rather than strict schedules.
Those who embrace simplicity, shared routines and time away from constant connectivity often find the experience grounding, reflective and deeply rewarding.
About the centre
Marrakech, Morocco
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London, United Kingdom
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