CoppaTrek! with Gi - Sahara

Important - Read before booking

This challenge is rated as 'challenging.' The trek will take you through vast and awe-inspiring open landscapes in the Sahara Desert. Expect long days and extremely high temperatures, which will test you both physically and mentally. While the heat can be intense during the day, temperatures will drop significantly at night. After group camp meals, you'll spend your nights camping under the brilliant stars of the desert sky.

Our experienced local team will be with you every step of the way, providing water, guidance, and setting up campsites. During breaks, a 4x4 vehicle carrying supplies will meet you for lunch, providing shade, picnic lunches, and replenishing your water. Your UK leaders and doctors will be trekking alongside you for support.

The adventure begins with a long bus journey to the desert, where you'll trek up to 26km per day (6-8hours), covering around 100km in total. The crew will transport tents and equipment, as well as your main baggage while you trek, so you'll only need to carry a daypack with water, snacks, and extra layers.

You should be prepared for trekking for up to 8 hours a day for four days. We do have vehicle support on this challenge, but as you can imagine, resources for external support are scarce in the desert, and journey times to the nearest hospital can be as long as 6 hours.

To ensure you're well-prepared, please read the Trip Notes carefully and make sure you understand what the challenge involves. If you have any concerns about the level of difficulty, please get in touch.

How will the two departures work?

Due to the size of our group, there will be two departure dates. The first group will fly out on 7th November and return on 15th November, while the second group will fly out on 8th November and return on 16th November.

What is the difference between the two dates?

7th-15th departure: You will fly out on 7th November and enjoy a day of sightseeing in Marrakech. The following day, you will meet the rest of the group and head into the desert to start your trek. At the end of the trek, you will transfer back to Marrakech for your flight back to London.

8th-16th departure: You will fly out on 8th November and join the rest of the group to transfer into the desert. After the trek, once you say goodbye to the other half of the group in Marrakech, you will have an additional night for sightseeing in Marrakech before flying home the following day.

I want to be on the same departure as my friend/family member?

We completely understand that people will be traveling together. The groups have now been split and your departure date has been confirmed. We can no longer make amendments to your departure dates. Apart from the Marrakech city tour, everyone will be trekking together.  If you are travelling with a friend or family member there is also a section where you can indicate if you would like to share a room with someone—please list each other there.

Typical day

You will be woken early each morning at approx. 6:30am, and given a basic but hearty breakfast. After breakfast you will pack up with the help of all the tour leaders and begin the first trek of the day for about 3 hours. A long and early lunch will be taken to avoid trekking during the hottest part of the day. We set off to walk again for another 3 hours (approx.) and then we establish camp late afternoon for dinner and a well-deserved rest.

Medical Support

A UK Doctor and First Aid qualified staff will be provided with the medical details that you give on your booking form but please note that they are on the challenge to support with medical matters related to the challenge environment and terrain itself, i.e. heat/cold, high altitude and so on. They will deal with any incidents and accidents (cuts, sprains, breaks and so on). They are not intended to continue any ongoing specialist medical care that you receive in the UK for pre-exiting medical conditions, and should not be assumed to have any professional experience of your specific medical condition.

If you have any specific needs around pre-existing medical conditions, you should discuss with your family doctor or specialist in advance and can discuss any advice given by them with the challenge leader or doctor.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

We do not professionally vet your medical details. Please assess for yourself whether you are fit and able to take on the challenge. Please review the detailed Trip Notes and itinerary to get a better idea of what is involved. Please speak to your doctor or specialist if you have any concerns about taking part. If you suffer from a severe allergy, you are required to contact us to discuss any requirements. If you think that there are things we can do to make the challenge more accessible/comfortable for you, it is your responsibility to let us know, and we will then let you know if we can accommodate your request. Whilst we will do our best to put in place appropriate measures we cannot guarantee that this will be possible.

Level of Difficulty

The CoppaFeel! Sahara Challenge is graded as challenging. During your Sahara Desert Trek you will be:

• Trekking between 8-27km per day.
• Trekking a total distance of 100 kms over 5 days.
• Suffering exhausting temperatures during the day and freezing at night.
• Punishing your feet over hard, rocky terrain and hot sand.
• Camping each night with very basic facilities.

Safety

Charity Challenge considers the safety of all of its participants and staff to be a top priority, and as such we have set up a thorough safety management system. In a nutshell, Our Challenge Safe brand formalises our ethos when it comes to safety, and brings together the procedures and risk management strategies that we use to audit all aspects of our challenges, from vehicles to accommodation to the activity itself. Your welfare is paramount!

In terms of your CoppaTrek!, there are a couple of important points that you should be aware of:

• Trekking in the heat of Morocco is a major challenge in itself so make sure you are well hydrated throughout.
• Blisters are very common during this challenge due to the heat of the terrain and the rocks underfoot. Blister plasters and zinc oxide tape are essential.
• There are a lot of flies around during the trekking days. Our local team will make sure that all the food and utensils will be covered and away from them.

Responsible Tourism

At Charity Challenge we are committed to sustainable and responsible tourism, and work closely with bodies such as the International Porter Protection Group and Climate Care to ensure that our challenges benefit the local environments and communities in which they take place. We ensure that all rubbish is disposed of responsibly, and following local guidelines on cultural and environmental protection and respect, we aim to limit our impact on the natural environment. In addition to taking these practical steps to ensure that our challenges are sustainable, we also make a contribution each year to a number of local community projects, so as to give something back directly to the communities that we visit. Since 2000 we have donated almost £200,000 to such projects, supporting a range of initiatives, including schooling for children in Africa, shelter for street children in Brazil, and Orang-utan conservation in Indonesia. We recommend that any gifts brought over for children are given to the UK challenge leader and distributed where needed by them and our local Ground Agent. If you wish to do more, you should consider buying drinks, postcards and souvenirs from the local vendors. For many, it is their sole source of income. For more information, please visit our Responsible Tourism pages, where you will be able to view a list of the projects that we currently support.

Flights

You will be flying from London to  Marrakech and returning to London. The flight will take approx. 4 hrs. Your flight tickets will be e-mailed to you before departure. Exact times will be confirmed closer to departure.
If you choose to book your own flights you must confirm with the Charity Challenge office before paying otherwise you may be liable for your included group flights (please contact flights@charitychallenge.com for further assistance).

Please note: Timings of the group flights are subject to change so please take this into consideration when booking domestic travel arrangements to reach your departure airport i.e. book flexible tickets where possible. We are unable to take responsibility for the consequences of missed international flights due to delayed travel arrangements to the airport. We therefore advise you, when booking transport and making any arrangements, to plan to get to the airport in plenty of time allowing for any possible delays which may occur on the day (bad weather, break down, cancellations etc). If you book a domestic flight, in order to get to your international departure airport, please do consider that this flight ticket cannot be linked to the ticket we are organising for you; you will need to collect your luggage, possibly change terminal and check-in again as normal.

Visa

For UK passport holders a full passport is required but no visa. You must have at least three months to run on your passport from the end of the challenge. Ensure your passport is stamped on arrival. Non UK passport holders should consult their nearest Moroccan embassy regarding visa requirements.

Insurance

Your safety when travelling with Charity Challenges is our main concern which is why it is a booking condition that you have a suitable travel insurance policy that will cover you for the adventurous nature of your challenge. We have chosen to partner with specialist travel insurance providers Campbell Irvine, who offer cover for an extensive number of adventurous activities. Cover is available directly from Campbell Irvine for most European residents and includes cover for emergency medical and repatriation and for your cancellation or curtailment of the challenge. Full details including costs may be found by clicking here. 

For more general travel insurance questions, please refer to our main FAQs page.

We recommend that you take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover you for any potential loss in case you have to cancel your place on the challenge (i.e. loss of registration fee/balance).

Please note: if you opt to insure with our partners Campbell Irvine, Morocco falls under 'European Cover', as per their FAQS.

Vaccinations & Medicines

For up to date vaccination information please visit Travel Health Pro at: https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/154/morocco#Vaccine_recommendations

Charity Challenge are not medical experts and we would encourage you to visit your GP or travel nurse to discuss vaccination requirements. Your GP may ask questions about the specific locations that you are visiting, and as such it may be useful to take a copy of your itinerary with you.

Medication

• Carry medicines (including those bought over the counter) in their correctly labelled original packaging, as issued by the pharmacist. These should be carried in your hand luggage.
• Consider packing a spare supply of medication in the hold luggage in case of loss of hand luggage
• A letter from the prescriber detailing the medicines with the generic names for the medications can be helpful for border control checks, and in case medicines have to be replaced or medical help is required
• Carry a note from the prescribing physician on letterhead stationery for controlled substances and injection medications
• Take out an appropriate level of travel health insurance including repatriation and specific cover for any pre-existing illnesses

N.B.  Some medications are banned abroad so please check. You can find further information at https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheet/43/medicines-abroad

Climate & Terrain

Climate
After chilly nights, the early mornings will immediately warm up as soon as the sun rises and the days will be warm and hot depending on the season. As the desert temperatures are unbearably hot from June to September we do not offer trips at this time. From October to May, there can be a difference of 20°C in the desert between day and night, with highs of approximately 25-35°C and lows of 2-7°C. 

Terrain
The terrain is incredibly varied, with some days being hard, rocky and flat, with others taking on rolling sand dunes, which can be very hot and very hard going.

Training

A good level of fitness is definitely required. Anyone who leads a fairly active and moderately healthy lifestyle should be able to complete the challenge, as long as they train regularly over a period of at least three months leading up to it. Don’t forget that the temperature and climate will be different from the UK, and that you will be exercising constantly for a number of days.

In your Charity Challenge account you will find more comprehensive Fitness Training Notes. 

Challenge Training

Why not join us for a training event?

We’re offering everyone taking part in the trek the chance to join us for a special One-Day CoppaTrek!, either in the South Downs on Saturday 17th May or the Cotswolds on 13th September. By joining us, it’s a fantastic opportunity to:

-Meet some of your fellow trekkers before the big event
Test out your gear and make sure everything’s in perfect condition
-Meet charity challenge leaders and get expert tips ahead of Sahara trek
-Hike with past trekkers who've been in your shoes and can offer you advice
-Soak in the CoppaTrek! experience as we prepare together for the adventure of a lifetime

EVENT DETAILS 

By taking on this event, you'll be part of the CoppaTrek! Challenge series. We'd usually ask participants to fundraise £250 for this event, but as part of this offer, we just ask that you continue to focus on smashing your £3000 target for the Isle of Skye trek, and use this as an opportunity to push for extra donations!. 

To top it off, we're offering you £10 OFF YOUR REGISTRATION FEE with the code SAHARA if you sign up before Monday, 17th February.

CoppaTrek! Challenge - South Downs
Date:  Saturday 17th May 2025
Location: The South Downs (postcode BN27 2RN)
Distance: Half Marathon (21.1km) or Marathon Distance (42.2km)
Cost: £30 registration fee with option camp at additional cost
Book on Here!

CoppaTrek! Challenge - Cotswolds
Date:  Saturday 13th September 2025
Location: The Cotswolds (GL54 3JL)
Distance: Half Marathon (21.1km) or Marathon Distance (42.2km)
Cost: £30 registration fee with option camp at additional cost

Book on Here!
We highly recommend the half marathon option as it will give you the most realistic experience of what a multi-day trek will feel like!

Spaces on our trek are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend signing up as soon as possible to avoid missing out on the CoppaTrek fun!

Luggage allowance & valuables

As no formal clothes are needed whilst trekking, luggage should be kept to the absolute minimum – details of what to pack are provided in your Kit List. Your rucksack / soft bag (suitcases are not appropriate) must not exceed 20kgs in weight. On your outward journey, please wear your hiking boots, and carry a spare change of clothing in your hand luggage. Please ensure you take your sleeping bag and basic trekking & toiletry items on the plane as hand luggage. During the challenge, your bags will be transported by vehicle. You will not have to carry your main bags.

While we will do everything to provide adequate safety for the group and security for your possessions, the general rule is that if you don’t need it, don’t bring it. This includes jewellery, necklaces, rings and even watches. Your passport and money should be kept on you at all times.

Please note, since you won’t be returning to the same hotel in Marrakech and will end your desert challenge in Ouarzazate, there isn’t a central location where luggage can be stored and later retrieved.

We recommend soft-sided bags or duffels, as these are much easier to be loaded and transported during the desert parts of your itinerary.

Leadership

There will be an English-speaking challenge leader who will be responsible for the logistics and co-ordination of your challenge. There will also be numerous local support guides and staff to assist them. The challenge leader will be ultimately responsible for the running of the itinerary and safety of the group. The itinerary is there as a guide and may change for a variety of reasons – unusual weather patterns, the strength of the group, and so on. While we will do our very best to keep to the set itinerary, we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes that may occur. In all such circumstances, your expedition leader will have the final say.

Group Size

The group is intended to be between 110-120 people. The overall team will be split into four smaller trekking teams or 25 to 30 people, each with its own leader.   

Clothing & equipment

Good quality, durable kit could mean the difference between a fantastic challenge experience and an uncomfortable one. For this challenge, waterproof, well-worn in boots will be indispensable, particularly coupled with some really good quality walking socks. You don’t need a clean pair every day, but enough to make sure you have dry socks each morning. The benefits of a comfortable day sack cannot be underestimated, so make sure that you train with this. Other essentials are high quality gore-tex waterproof and windproof jackets and trousers, and technical/wicking t-shirts rather than cotton shirts. Walking poles are also recommended, as a preventative as well as for anyone with any pre-existing leg injuries or niggles.

A full kit list for this challenge can be found here. As a Charity Challenge participant, you will get members only benefits and/or discounts at a wide range of clothing and equipment suppliers including Outdoorhire, Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock, Water to Go, Sporttape and Nomad & MASTA.

Accommodation & Toilets

Accommodation

You will sleep in shared Bedouin tents (with 4-6 people from your trekking teams), which will be supplied to you. Sleeping mats will also be provided.  At the very beginning and the end of the trek, you will be staying in a hotel in Marrakech or Ouarzazate in order to relax and recover. If you are travelling with a friend or partner who you wish to share with, please let Charity Challenge know in advance.

Toilets

There will be a toilet tent and water supplied for washing (and possibly showering). Please keep in mind that water is life in the desert & should therefore be preserved.

Food & Drink

Each morning you will be provided with a very filling breakfast of hot sweet Moroccan coffee, hot chocolate and bread and cheeses. Lunch will be a packed lunch or buffet, while dinner will vary between Western and Moroccan fare. Food will always be ample and will provide heaps of energy.
Whilst our team in Morocco will do their best to meet any special requests, gluten free food is quite limited. We recommend you take a supply of gluten free bread, oats, and pasta that can be used for daily meals as well as gluten free snack bars during the day.
Please let Charity Challenge know prior to departure if you have any specific dietary requirements or allergies.

Money

Currency: The national currency is the Dirham, which is divided into 100 centimes. For up to date currency exchange, go to www.xe.com. 
The Dirham is officially designated as a closed currency meaning it can only be traded within Morocco; however, Dirhams are being sold and bought in travel agencies and at major airports in several countries (notably the UK).

Cash: There are ATMs available at the airport and near to the hotel in Marrakech. This is the best source of obtaining currency when you are in Morocco.

Credit cards: Widely accepted in the larger urban centres, although a 5% charge is often charged.

Spending money: You will not need a large amount of money during this trip, as most expenses are included. Keep in mind that, other than at the start and end of the trip, you will be trekking in the desert and away from any foreign exchanges or banks. We therefore recommend that you carry a small amount of cash in small denominations. A credit card should be carried in case of emergencies. Please note that you can only obtain Dirham’s in Morocco, you must not export them after the challenge. There is an ATM about 200m from the hotel in Ouarzazate where local currency can be obtained and the guide can take you there prior to your departure for the desert.

Tips: Tipping is discretionary. However, we recommend £40 (preferably in Dirhams) per person, which should be given to the charity rep or expedition leader at the end of the challenge who will then divide it among all of the support team fairly. In addition. A small tip of around £8 per driver per journey (shared between passengers) is sometimes suggested by the lead guide. Please ensure you have enough cash on you before you depart the hotel as tips will be distributed on the final night of camping, prior to returning to Ouarzazate. This means there will NOT be the opportunity to get cash out for tips on returning to Ouarzazate as many of the staff will not be returning with you. If you cannot exchange currency at the airport on your arrival, there is an ATM close to the hotel which you can ask the guide to take you to prior to your departure for the desert.

Phone & WiFi

You will have a good phone and WiFi reception while at Marrakech and Ouarzazate. On trekking days, there will be very limited connectivity.

Emergencies

We will provide a trained expedition medic to follow you on this trek with a full emergency medical kit if required. If you are unable to continue, you will be transferred to seek additional medical attention at a local hospital if needed. Please be understanding of the fact that facilities in this part of the world will not compare to those that you are used to at home.