Event Theme: Corporate

The Challenge

Join St Ann’s in autumn 2025 on the classic Camino de Santiago experience, trekking the Camino Frances (the French Way). Your final destination is the magical Santiago Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the stunning Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

Duration: 5 days, 3 of which are trekking

Distance: Approx. 67km

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 London to Santiago
• All accommodation
• All meals on the trek, starting with dinner on Day 1 through to breakfast on Day 5
• Local English-speaking guide(s)
• Luggage transfers
• Global Adventure Challenges 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

Cost

Registration Fee (due on sign up): £199

Option A: Minimum Sponsorship: £2,300

Option B: Self-Funding: £1,150

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 Santiago airport and transfer to the outskirts of Santiago de Compostela for our overnight stay. Here we enjoy dinner and a good night’s sleep before starting our trek along the famous Camino Frances.
• Day 2 – Palas de Rei to Arzua
  After breakfast we will be transferred to the town of Palas de Rei – the starting point to our Camino trekking adventure! From there we head downhill along the Camino trail, passing the charming villages of Casanova and Leboreiro. From here we cross several small streams and follow a forest track bringing us to the village of Boente and the church of Santiago. Next, we trek through the medieval hamlet of Ribadiso and arrive in the town of Arzúa, famous for its local cheese. Here we have time to relax and explore the old town, including the idyllic churches of Santa María and A Magdalena. We will transfer back to our accommodation in Santiago for dinner and our overnight stay before transferring to Arzua in the morning.
  Trekking distance – approx. 30km
• Day 3 – Arzua to Amenal
  Following breakfast, and our transfer to Arzua we continue through beautiful woods, sleepy villages and across small streams. The chapel of Santa Irene with its unique statue of Santiago is one of the beautiful sights we will see along the way. We continue through the lovely hamlet of Rúa along calm country roads and forest tracks to Amenal, our overnight stay. We transfer back to our accommodation in Santiago for dinner and overnight stay. Return transfer to Amenal in the morning.
  Trekking distance – approx. 21km
• Day 4 – Amenal to Santiago
  The final day of our ‘French Way’ challenge. Our first destination is Lavacolla, set along the outskirts of Santiago where pilgrims used to wash themselves in the river in preparation for their arrival to Santiago de Compostela. From here rows of tall eucalyptus trees line our journey to Monte do Gozo – and we can then catch our first glimpse of the spires of the cathedral of Santiago. Reaching our destination, we reflect on our triumph over the last few days and enjoy the sights of Santiago’s Old Town – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasting stunning architecture and a fantastic atmosphere. We take a short walk into our final nights’ accommodation in the centre of Santiago.
  Trekking distance – approx. 16km
• Day 5 – Return to UK
  Following breakfast, we will transfer to Santiago Airport for our flight back to the UK.
  Please note this is a complex itinerary and subject to change, including the timings and distances detailed.

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.