7th - 12th Oct 2026
- 2026
- 6 DAY TRIP
- 2 MARATHONS IN 2 DAYS
- FOOD & DRINK INC
- SOLO FRIENDLY
- TRANSFERS
- TENTS & HOTELS INC
- WALK IT, JOG IT, RUN IT
Take on The Saharan Challenge! 2 marathon distances over 2 days through the Draa Valley to sun‑baked desert dunes, rugged mountain scenery, and a Bedouin‑style basecamp. This 6‑day trip packs in a tough challenge, stunning scenery, luxury camping, full support, great camaraderie, and 2 nights in magical Marrakech. Easy to join with good UK flight options… an unforgettable Moroccan adventure with welcome autumn sunshine!
CHALLENGE STARTS
The Adventure
The UNESCO World Heritage Draa Valley provides a dramatic backdrop for our double marathon distance challenge, across baked rocky trails, through red clay Berber villages, and palmeries, down to the sandy dunes of the mighty Sahara. After a tough day under the Moroccan sun, relax in our private Bedouin style campsite with hot showers, dining tents, a bar with cold drinks, entertainment, and luscious local food.
The 6 day package includes 2 nights in Marrakech either side of the Challenge, plus 3 nights at our private desert camp.
From here, you will take on 2 marathon distances over 2 days, as a walk, jog or a run!
You’ll get great support every step of the way from our UK crew and excellent local team.
For anyone who wants to spend more time in Marrakech before or after the challenge, you can book extra nights at the team hotel. You can also see more of Marrakech with a Hammam (team room / spa / massage) visit and Souk tour. Trip Extensions can be added when you sign up, or afterwards!
The Saharan Challenge is a ‘Land Only’ package, meaning you can organise your own flights to Marrakech from the airport of your choice. You can meet our team at the Marrakech hotel, or take one of our scheduled shuttle transfers from the airport.
We also offer the option to book an extra night at the team hotel on the 6th Oct 2026, allowing you to arrive early.
There are many flight options from the UK to Marrakech, with a variety of airlines including the main ‘budget’ carriers. A number of airlines operate daily flights from the UK to Marrakech.
Airlines such as British Airways (from Heathrow or Gatwick), Easyjet (from Gatwick & Manchester) and Ryanair (from Edinburgh & Stansted) have the best arrival times.
We will run shuttles from Marrakech airport to the team hotel on the 6th Oct & 7th Oct – you can reserve a space on one of these before the challenge starts.
Home for 3 memorable nights – and the ‘home-comforts’ may surprise you! There’s proper plumed in toilets, hot showers, single occupancy tents, a massive dining area, entertainment, a well stocked bar, medical tent, and fantastic freshly prepared food by our local chefs.
A 42 km marathon distance challenge at your pace on each of the 2 days. Early starts on the both days – with Friday a good warm up through varied scenery and villages. On Saturday we set off from Basecamp and head down to the dunes on the edge of the Sahara, where a big cheer, a medal, and a cold drink await. If we have the energy – there’s plenty of time for a celebration meal & beer back at camp!
It’s your challenge, and our support is geared up to handle leisurely walkers, seasoned Ultra runners, and all in between! The route is fully signed, our fully stocked rest stops will keep you going, and we have pace walkers & runners out on the course to team up with.
Just like our UK Ultra Challenges – you’ll find our support is second to none:
- Rest stops (am & pm) with snacks, drinks, toilets, medics
- Lunch stop at half way – cold buffet
- UK trip leader and core staff & medics
- Signed route & local guides
- Showers & evening medical surgery + podiatrists
- Vehicle support all the way
- Medal & T-shirt
- Challenge App & training material
The challenge is fine for all levels of athletic ability – and you can join as an individual and meet up with others, or as a team of friends or work colleagues and make it a group adventure to remember. You can self fund – just like a holiday – or support a charity of your choice.
For anyone who wants to spend more time in Marrakech before or after the challenge, you can book extra nights at the team hotel. You can also see more of Marrakech with a Hammam (steam room / spa / massage) visit and Souk tour. Trip Extensions can be added when you sign up, or afterwards!
THE ITINERARY
- Transfers (at arranged time from airport on 6th Oct or 7th Oct to team hotel)
- 3 nights camping
- Camping – single tent & mattress
- 2 nights in Marrakech hotel
- 2 days tough trekking / running
- Most meals, snacks & drinks (lunch on arrival day at own expense)
- Celebratory dinner at Camp
- Drink & medal at the finish
- Regular rest stops
- Guided & mapped route
- Medics
- Challenge App
- Kit List & Training Plans
- Unlimited Free UK Training Walks
- Saharan Challenge T Shirt
Personal kit & equipment
- Return flights from UK
- Travel insurance
- Lunch on arrival day
- Alcoholic & fizzy drinks from camp bar / hotel
- Tips for local camp crew (we recommend Euro 40 / participant)
Day 0: Tues 06 Oct – Optional early arrival
- Arrival and transfer to team hotel in Marrakech
Day 1: Wed 07 Oct – Arrive Morocco
- Arrive In Marrakech
- Night & dinner in nice hotel
Day 2: Thur 08 Oct – Basecamp
- Transfer to camp via minibus ~7 hours
Day 3: Fri 09 Oct – 42 km & overnight camp
- 45 min transfer to start from basecamp
- Rest stops & lunch en-route
- Finish back at basecamp
Day 4: Sat 10 Oct – 42 or 50 km Ultra & overnight camp
- Early start from our basecamp
- Rest stops & lunch en-route
- Finish line medals & cold beer!
- Celebratory dinner & party @ basecamp!
Day 5: Sun 11 Oct – Marrakech & hotel
- Transfer to Marrakech ~7 hrs
- Lunch en-route
- Group meal @ hotel – or free evening in Marrakech
- Hotel overnight
Day 6: Mon 12 Oct – Return to UK
- Breakfast at hotel, then end of services
- Option to book a trip extensions, and further explore Marrakech
This is a ‘Land Only’ package. Book your own flights with any airline, and then join up with our main group in Marrakech.
A number of airlines operate daily flights from the UK to Marrakech. Airlines such as British Airways (from Heathrow or Gatwick), Easyjet (from Gatwick & Manchester) and Ryanair (from Edinburgh & Stansted) have the best arrival times.
The Details
Whether you’re a keen walker, runner or in between, you’ll love this adventure! Enjoy first‑class support, great hospitality and real camaraderie from like‑minded challengers. It’s an exciting way to push yourself. Make it a bucket‑list goal, a fundraiser, or a step towards the Marathon des Sables. Join solo, with a friend or a group, and tackle the marathons at your own pace. It’s a great‑value all‑inclusive package for an unforgettable 2026 Moroccan experience!
PRICES & SIGN UP
Do it for yourself – or support a charity of your choice – sign up online and pay an initial deposit to secure your place. Flights inclusive package – or Land Only option. All participants get unlimited free UK training walks to help prepare for their challenge’.
CHARITY FUNDRAISING
Choose how much of the total cost you want to pay. Fundraise double the balance for a charity of your choice.
Corporate Team Packages
Are you looking for a new Challenge and a fantastic way to reward & bond a group? Perhaps you have a charity of the year you’d also love to support?
If so, a Saharan Challenge could be perfect for your Team – to re-energise, get fit, and to enjoy an unforgettable adventure together! We provide flexible payment & fundraising options. Push yourselves further in 2026.
FREE UK TRAINING WALKS
With any overseas challenge booking
• Average 20km distance
• Led by our UK leaders
• Do as many as you like
FAQs
The Package
The Saharan Challenge is a ‘Land Only’ package, meaning you can organise your own flights to Marrakech from the airport of your choice. It will be your responsibility to meet our team at the Marrakech hotel, or take one of our scheduled shuttle transfers.
We also offer the option to book an extra night at the team hotel on the 6th Oct 2026, allowing you to arrive early.
There are many flight options from the UK to Marrakech, with a variety of airlines including the main ‘budget’ carriers. A number of airlines operate daily flights from the UK to Marrakech.
Airlines such as British Airways (from Heathrow or Gatwick), Easyjet (from Gatwick & Manchester) and Ryanair (from Edinburgh & Stansted) have the best arrival times.
Participants will be expected to arrange their own transportation to the first night’s accommodation. Upon completion of the challenge, participants will also be expected to arrange transportation from the hotel in Marrakesh to the airport for their return flight home. Airport shuttles are not included or provided by Action Challenge.
You will have your own tent for the 3 nights of camping, if you are signing up as a couple or two friends you can choose to share your tent together – and use the spare for your luggage.
The 2 nights in a hotel is booked on a twin share basis – if you are signing up as a couple or two people you can elect to share together when you register. If you are signing up as an individual you will be placed with someone your own sex, and similar in age. In advance you will be given the opportunity to meet via our Facebook group.
NOTE – You can choose to upgrade to a single hotel room for both nights an additional Single Supplement of £125 (with £50 deposit payable when you sign-up to reserve)
You can book the following extension packages:
- Extra night 6th Oct
Arrive a day early, with some free time to explore Marrakech. Includes dinner at the hotel on the evening of the 6th Oct, and breakfast on the morning of the 7th Oct.
Twin sharing £85 / Single room £110 - Extra night 12th Oct + Hammam + Souk Tour
Book an extra night in Marrakech on 12th Oct for after the challenge. Enjoy a day touring Marrakech. Includes a morning trip to Hammam (steam room / spa / massage), afternoon tour of the souk, and a special Moroccan evening dinner – plus an extra night’s stay in a hotel on B&B basis.
Twin sharing £175 / Single room £200 - Extra nights 6th Oct & 12th Oct + Hammam + Souk Tour
Everything from both packages above
Twin sharing £2050 / Single room £300
No – you will need to source your own travel insurance policy which will cover you for the challenge. Travel insurance is compulsory and we will require the details of your policy in advance of departure.
British Citizens do NOT need a visa for Morocco, but you do need a valid passport (valid for 3 months beyond your stay). If you are NOT a British Citizen please check the visa / passport requirements by visiting the website of your embassy in Morocco.
Fitness & Training
There’s no denying it – this is a tough challenge by anyone’s standards. It will be physically and emotionally demanding! You will have to combat fatigue and tiring limbs as you battle through the challenge!
On top the two marathons in two days – you’ll also be up against rocky terrain and the heat!
You will need to prepare – and should read the training advice issued carefully. The more comfortable you are with walking long distances for sustained periods the more comfortable you will be on the challenge.
A training plan will be issued in the participant’s area of the website to assist in your preparation for the event and we organise regular training walks to get you fitness levels up, as well as to give you the experience you require which will really help you to complete the challenge!
The Saharan Challenge is a a tough event and training is essential for everyone. Preparation is key and will aid your enjoyment of the challenge whilst ensuring that your body is up to the rigors of the event.
It is very important for all competitors to train properly and build up endurance and resilience thresholds, alongside your base fitness. This will enable you to cope with the distance and provide you with the ability to recover between stages during the challenge.
You will have access to an event specific training guide to aid with your training and preparation, it can be found on the Challenge App.
Whilst October is a cooler time to visit Morocco than at the height of summer, you can still expect temperatures of between 30-35 degrees during the day along the challenge. Often this is clear blue skies, and strong sun so we highly recommend that your training incorporates longer distances during the summer months, on hot days. This is especially important to ensure you’ve trained in the shoes and clothes you plan on wearing during the challenge.
A runner is anyone who plans to finish each day (if on a marathon distance) within 4-6 hours, it is important that you distinguish yourself as either a walker or jogger on the challenge – as runners set off after the walkers, catch them up, and then overtake.
Yes – although as of yet every year we’ve run this challenge each participant has completed each day within the time limit. These will be enforced from the lunch stops onwards on both days. You are expected to walk at a minimum pace of 4km per hour – and therefore complete the first day within about 12 hours, including rest stops & lunch. There will be support vehicles and coaches on hand through the event should anyone need them!
Support
We expect that the 2026 Saharan Challenge will have up to 50 challengers. We will set off the walkers, joggers and runners in their won groups, so you should be taking on the challenge with people going at your pace, with lots of new people to make friends with! One of the great aspects of this trip is the sense of adventure and camaraderie between challengers and friends for life are made!
Food and drink is fully included in your challenge! Approximately every 12-13 km there are manned checkpoints and replenishment stops where water, fruits and snacks are provided!
The event catering will be mixed, varied, delicious and plentiful, with calorific intake a priority. Both Western and local foods will be available.
The challenge will be supported by UK doctors in case of any emergencies, safety support vehicles should you need to be moved forward or collected along the route. We also have a team of UK podiatrists to help with all tired and weary feet!
The trail will be marked with pink flags / markers where it’s required. You will be required to walk in groups of 3 or more at all times, and we will have guides along the trail who you can walk with if you wish.
- Dining tents & seating areas
- Medical area & podiatrists
- Drinking water at all times
- Hot drinks & refreshments
- Warm showers, hand washing stations & toilets!
- Charging facilities (for phones)
- Event Management team on hand throughout
Yes – each day of 26 miles is broken down as per the below schedule (distances can vary slightly):
- 6 miles – morning rest stop
- 12 miles – lunch stop
- 18 miles – afternoon rest stop
All rest stops, and the lunch stops are manned by our Event Management Team, and local Moroccan guides and our Medical teams. There will be shaded seating areas with toilets, hand washing stations – we will also be serving refreshments, water refill and snacks/ or lunch.
Payments & Fundraising
If you’ve chosen the Self Funding option you will be invoiced the final balance 12 weeks before your trip, the full balance to be paid to us 10 weeks before the trip.
If you’ve chosen either the Charity Sponsorship target, or the Mixed Fundraising option you will have to raise a minimum of 80% 12 weeks prior to the challenge, with the remaining 20% target due to be with your charity no later than 4 weeks after.
If you are unable to reach these targets, or you are concerned about reaching them we suggest speaking to your charity. Failure to reach your target
You can ‘elect’ any charity to fundraise for how when you register onto the challenge – we will contact your chosen charity and ask if they are happy to accept you as a fundraiser. If so – they will be in touch with you shortly, if not (as some can’t budget for these events) then we will get back in touch with you and let you know so you can choose another charity.
Ready to sign up now?
2023 CHALLENGER REVIEWS
