Event Theme: Challenges

The Challenge

This six-day charity challenge takes you on a trek across the ever-changing landscape of one of the world’s largest deserts – the Sahara! The adventure will take you on a climb to the top of the enormous Chigaga Dunes where you’ll witness the sunrise over the desert. The days will be hot and the trekking will get tough but with the team’s unrivalled support plus the dramatic backdrop of the Anti-Atlas Mountains to keep everyone going, the sense of achievement you’ll feel as you complete the trek will be worth all the hard work!

Duration: 6 days, 4 of which are trekking

Distance: 36-48km

Fitness: The trek is graded as challenging but achievable with training beforehand. A training guide will be provided on sign up.

What you get

Sign up with #TeamStAnns for your trek experience including loads of fantastic perks!

• A friendly Events Team who will support you every step of the way
• A #TeamStAnns t-shirt and Build it Together buff
• Pre-event and post-event meetup and supportive group chat with your fellow trekkers
• A fundraising pack with ideas and tips, and materials like balloons, collection buckets and banners
• Return flights from a London airport to Marrakech
• All accommodation
• All meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 6
• Luggage transfers
• Local English-speaking guide(s)
• Trek leader from the UK
• Comprehensive first aid/medical kit
• Tents and other camping equipment
• Challenge Medal
• Helping to build our new hospice to provide specialist care and loving support to people in Greater Manchester, for generations to come

Dates

Please note the trek from 5th-10th November is now fully booked.

An additional trek from 12th-17th November 2025 had been added – costs and itinerary are exactly the same.

Cost

Registration Fee (due on sign up): £199

Option A: Minimum Sponsorship: £2,140

Option B: Self-Funding: £1,070

Terms and conditions apply, which will be available on registering your interest.

By fundraising for this challenge in aid of our Build it Together new hospice appeal, you’ll ensure St Ann’s is here for local people affected by life-limiting illness, now and in the future. Register your interest now by completing the form below.

Itinerary

• Day 1 – Depart UK
  We depart the UK for our flight to Morocco and upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel in Ouarzazate. South of the High Atlas Mountains, Ouarzazate is a town created by the French in 1928 but is now the film centre of Morocco – the base for such films as ‘Gladiator’ and ‘Alexander the Great’. As a relatively new town it does not have a city centre, but has a large Glaoui Kasbah which is well worth visiting. We have an early start in the morning so an early night is recommended!
• Day 2 – M’Hamid to Bougharn Dunes
  Following a very early breakfast, we transfer from our hotel and set off for the desert. Our driving route goes along the Draa Valley – a long, stunning palm filled oasis with rocky mountains and Hamada (rock desert) on each side. After approximately 4 hours drive (discounting photo and tea stops and our lunch at Ouled Driss) we arrive at M’hamid – the gateway of the desert. We’ll then don our trekking boots before setting off into the dunes for the beginning of our challenge! To get us into the spirit of trekking in the desert we will have a short trek of about 2-3 hours today which will finish at our camp in the Bougharn Dunes.
  Trekking distance – approx. 4 – 8km / 2 – 3 hours
• Day 3 – Bougharn Dunes to Chigaga Dunes
  Today we set off with our camel trains and begin trekking through the dunes – there is no path to follow as they continually change in the wind. Our camels will find the best way through the dunes and in the event of a sandstorm we can protect ourselves by wearing a Seche (headscarf ). This is part of the traditional costume worn by the nomadic Tuaregs that covers the face, ears and neck and provides protection from the wind-driven sand – they are also ours to keep as souvenirs from our challenge. Towards the end of our trek, we’ll try and find the nomads’ encampment and pay a visit to experience their unique way of life – they are very hospitable people and we may be asked to partake in a strong cup of mint tea or coffee. Tonight’s camp is at the foot of the stunning Chigaga Dunes.
  Trekking distance – approx. 14 – 18km / 6 – 7 hours
• Day 4 – Chigaga Dunes to Erg Aghoual
  A very early start today before the sun rises – after waking, we’ll have a very quick snack and then commence our climb up to the top of the Chigaga Dunes (100m). Our climb will be in the dark, but the moon and stars should be enough to light our way. Upon reaching the top, we’ll rest and wait for the sunrise over the Sahara, then watch the colours of the dunes change in the sunlight – a truly breathtaking sight! After watching the sunrise, we descend in the heat of the morning sun back to our camp, where we will have our breakfast. After a short rest, we push on with our desert challenge towards our camp at Erg Arghoual which is around 7 hours away on foot.
  Trekking distance – approx. 14 – 18km/7 – 8hrs
• Day 5 – Erg Aghoual to Ouarzatate
  Following breakfast at camp, we push on to the end of our trekking challenge – it’s a short walk to our waiting transport at Sidi Ab Nbi. We’ll wave goodbye to our camels and the breathtaking Sahara and then transfer back to our hotel. This evening we will toast our achievements at a celebratory dinner!
  Trekking distance – approx. 4km/ 2hrs
• Day 6 – Return to UK
  We take an early morning transfer back to Marrakech, which gives us the afternoon free to explore before catching an evening flight back to the UK.
  Please note this is a complex itinerary and subject to change, including the timings and distances detailed.

The Challenge

Join a majestic trekking adventure and conquer the twists, turns, steps and slopes of this formidable fortification – the famous Great Wall. As you trek along this iconic Wonder of the World, you’ll cross ancient watchtowers and battlement stations to witness magnificent panoramas of luscious, rolling green hills as far as the eye can see! You’ll climb the incredible Heavenly Ladder, and immerse yourselves in stunning scenery and Chinese culture. You’ll also have the opportunity to explore Beijing, where you can visit iconic landmarks such as the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and the famous Tiananmen Square!

Duration: 9 days, 7 of which are trekking

Distance: 35km (approx)

Fitness: The trek is graded as challenging but achievable with training beforehand. A training guide will be provided on sign up.

What you get

Sign up with #TeamStAnns for your trek experience including loads of fantastic perks!

• A friendly Events Team who will support you every step of the way
• A #TeamStAnns t-shirt and Build it Together buff
• Pre-event and post-event meetup and supportive group chat with your fellow trekkers
• A fundraising pack with ideas and tips, and materials like balloons, collection buckets and banners
• Return flights from a London Airport to Beijing and transfers
• All accommodation
• All meals and celebratory dinner (except lunch on Day 2 and 8)
• Bottled water
• Challenge Medal
• Trek leader from the UK to accompany group
• Challenge medic
• Local guides
• Helping to build our new hospice to provide specialist care and loving support to people in Greater Manchester, for generations to come

Cost

Registration Fee (due on sign up): £299
Airport Tax & Fuel Surcharge: £250

Option A: Minimum Sponsorship: £3,390

Option B: Self-Funding: £1,695

Terms and conditions apply, which will be available on registering your interest.

By fundraising for this challenge in aid of our Build it Together new hospice appeal, you’ll ensure St Ann’s is here for local people affected by life-limiting illness, now and in the future. Register your interest now by completing the form below.

Itinerary

• Day 1 – Depart UK
  We depart the UK for our overnight flight to Beijing.
• Day 2 – Arrive Beijing
  We arrive in Beijing and then transfer to our hotel near Huangyaguan to freshen up and have some free time before dinner.
• Day 3 – Huangyaguan
  Following breakfast we start our warm up trek, as we trek along the Taipingzhai section and return along the Wall to Huangyaguan. This section is very popular as it used to be an army barracks 600 years ago and was a highly strategic point for entering into Beijing – you can still see the links of the barracks to the Great Wall.
  Even though it is a warm up day there will still be plenty of ups and downs as you get used to the Great Wall steps! Once we get to the bottom, we stop for something to eat before transferring to our overnight accommodation.
  Trekking distance – approx. 4 – 5km/3 hours
• Day 4 – Gubeikou to Jinshanling
  Following breakfast we commence trekking along the beautiful Gubeikou section of the wall to Jinshanling. Our main challenge today will be to cover the 27 watchtowers over old brick-made steps! Step back in time here and drink in the history of this remote and beautiful section of the Great Wall. In the afternoon we come off the Wall down to the valley and trek through remote villages and farms. Towards the end of the day we re-join the Wall and trek through the last 8 watchtowers to the Jinshanling section.
  Trekking distance – approx. 13km/8 hours
• Day 5 – Jinshanling
  Today we trek from our lodge at Jinshanling to a remote section of the Wall which will give you a flavour of the immensity of the task undertaken in building this incredible structure. It is a truly beautiful area and the vista of the Wall disappearing over the mountains is a memorable sight. Today is a tough day with lots of steps going up and down but it is a truly amazing day you’ll remember forever.
  After reaching the highest point of the day we come off the Wall and walk down to meet our coach and take the transfer to our overnight accommodation.
  Trekking distance – approx. 7.5km/5 – 6 hours
• Day 6 – Mutianyu
  After breakfast we take a short transfer to the Mutianyu section and climb the awesome 1,000 steps up to the Wall. We then trek through 11 watchtowers to the Heavenly Ladder, which ascends at a 45 degree angle and covers another 460 steps! The view from the top is stunning – the Great Wall pitches up and dives down across the rolling green hillsides disappearing and then reappearing amongst the forested slopes. After we’ve taken all our photos we will head back down following the route we have just climbed. As we get closer to the bottom we have three choices of how to get off the Wall: follow the 1,000 steps we tackled on the way up, descend in a cable car or take a toboggan slide!
  Trekking distance – approx. 7km/6 hours
• Day 7 – Juyongguan and Badaling
  The first part of the day is spent at the Juyongguan section of the Wall, which is very similar to our first day at Huangyaguan with an important barracks situated at the bottom. This section gives you a clear idea of how the Wall would have looked originally. Following this, we will transfer back to Beijing, where we have the opportunity to go on an optional Hutong rickshaw tour. It is one of the most popular tours in Beijing and the best way to explore the old way of life over the last 200 years!
  Trekking distance – approx. 3km/3 hours
• Day 8 – Beijing
  Free day to enjoy the hustle and bustle of Beijing and all it has to offer, both modern and ancient. There will be an optional full day excursion organised that explores the highlights of Beijing which includes a visit to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the beautiful Temple of Heaven! In the evening we will have our farewell dinner at Beijing’s premier Duck restaurant. We indulge in a real Chinese dining experience and celebrate our achievements!
• Day 9 – Depart Beijing
  We transfer back to Beijing Airport for our flight back to the UK, arriving the same day.
  Please note this is a complex itinerary and subject to change, including the timings and distances detailed. Weather conditions, the group’s ability and any other factors outside our control can impact on the schedule set out in this brochure.