The Sahara Challenge: Charity Challenge/Voluntourism/bespoke group trips

  Morocco

Marrakech

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: October, plus bespoke group requests: most dates available

Description: For those who fancy a few days impersonating Lawrence of Arabia in the name of a good cause, then this is just the ticket for a great charity fund raising idea for your group!

Experience the formidable and inhospitable environment of the Sahara Desert on this eight-day challenge, as you raise funds and get to experience the delights of Marrakech and the day-to-day life of the nomadic Berber people as you trek through the desert. Finally, have the volunteer opportunity to help improve education facilities in a small oasis town.

Highlights: Experience the delights of Marrakech - the sights, sounds and smells which bring to life the historic cultures - African, Arabic and Berber - which make up Morocco. Mosques and Minarets sit cheek-by-jowl with narrow passageways and wide open plazas. Street vendors, musicians and buskers, fire eaters, performers, snake charmers, dancing transvestites, fortune tellers and monkeys are a plenty - all competing for your attention in a breathtaking spectacle of amusements and memory making moments which will live with you forever.

Then, experience the stunning lunaresque landscape of the Sahara desert as you drive and then trek through this inhospitable yet enigmatic environment, sleeping out under the Sahara sky during a two day camel trek, getting to know the life of the nomadic tribes which still wander with their camel trains across the lonely lunaresque dunes.

After your trek, experience two nights in a desert oasis, spending the days refurbishing a community building which will be used by the local children. You will be working alongside the locals, learning about their life in the Sahara.

Finally, return to Marrakech to relax after your hard work, enjoying a second night inside the red-walled city.

Qualifications: No specific skills, education or certifications are necessary - just a desire to do something different and make a difference. However, as this is a physical challenge, a good level of fitness and physical ability is required.

Cost in US$: $1800 approx

Carbon-offset flight from UK included: program available at a discount for those who do not require flights; or alternative prices quoted for those who require flights from elsewhere. Accommodation is hotel-based (3*+).

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Anyone can be eligible: Our charity challenges are for anyone who wants to use their time to have a great time and do something positive, altruistic and with a meaningful purpose, as well as potentially raise funds for a charity of choice.

Age Range: 18+ generally

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Morocco Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Other

Different Travel's Mission Statement: We are a volunteer and adventure travel and tourism group specialist, set up in the wake of the Asian Tsunami on 26th December 2004, offering bespoke group challenges and volunteer opportunities to work alongside local people on international development projects abroad combined with responsible travel and great accommodation. We make sure we work to meet the needs of the communities who welcome us into their world - and at the same time offer our travellers amazing experiences which will stay with them a lifetime.

Year Founded: 2004