SAHARAN CHALLENGE
7th - 12th Oct 2026
- 2026
- 6 DAY TRIP
- 2 DAY CHALLENGE
- LAND ONLY
Push yourself further – take on The Saharan Challenge! It’s 2 marathon distances over 2 days. A fantastic route through the Draa Valley down to sun baked dunes on the desert edge, with rugged mountain scenery, and a Bedouin style basecamp. This 6 day trip has it all – a tough challenge, stunning scenery, luxury camping, camaraderie, full support, and 2 nights in magical Marrakech either side of the challenge. An easy to join challenge, with good direct flight options from the UK. An unforgettable Moroccan adventure – and some welcome autumn sunshine!
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.
2026 is a great for an adventure – join us and do something special!
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!
EARLY BIRD PRICING
Early Bird sale extended until 30th November!
+ Get your 2026 place at 2025 prices
+ Save £100 – book before 30th Nov
+ Take on an iconic challenge in 2026!
- 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
- FREE place on a 2026 50 km Ultra Challenge
- 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
If you’ve done one of our UK Ultra Challenges – you’ll love this unique adventure! There’s the same first class support & hospitality, combined with a great feeling of camaraderie from a group of 130 or so like-minded adventures who are all up for a challenge. Whether you’re a keen walker, or even a would-be ‘Marathon des Sables’ runner, you can join as an individual, with a friend, or as a group, and take the marathons on at your pace. It’s a great value ‘all inclusive’ package – for an unforgettable 2026 Moroccan adventure!
Sign Up Online
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 a free place on a 50 km Ultra Challenge of their choice to use as a ‘warm up’.
CHARITY FUNDRAISING
Choose how much of the total cost you want to pay. Fundraise double the balance for a charity of your choice.
2026 NOW OPEN
07 Oct – 12 Oct 2026
LOCK IN YOUR 2026 BOOKING AT 2025 PRICES!
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.
READY TO SIGN UP NOW?
Check Itinerary & Route
2023 CHALLENGER REVIEWS
