Draa Valley Desert Trek | Morocco Sahara -8 Days Adventure

• This is a private, peer-to-peer trip shared within our community, not a commercial package and not a travel service.
• Pura Vida Explorer is not a tour operator, travel organiser, agent or business.
• We simply connect individuals who wish to experience this trek together.
• There is no profit, commission or financial gain of any kind for Pura Vida Explorer.

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📖 Summary

Draa Valley Desert Trek | Morocco Sahara Adventure | 07-14th March 2026 | 700€
Step into a world where shifting sands meet ancient history and the silence of the Sahara speaks louder than words. Your 8 days adventure begins and ends in a comfortable 4* Marrakech hotel with a pool, offering a refreshing base before and after the journey.

From Marrakech, you’ll travel deep into Morocco’s most timeless landscapes—endless golden dunes, ancient caravan routes, rocky plateaus shaped by centuries of wind, lush palm groves and secluded villages where tradition remains alive.

Throughout the trek, you’ll be in expert hands, guided by Omar: a specialist, certified and highly trained Moroccan desert guide whose deep knowledge of the Sahara brings every step of the journey to life.

Travel light and relaxed: your main luggage will be carried by camels, leaving you free to walk with only your small day backpack. A dedicated desert cook accompanies the expedition, preparing fresh daily meals that add comfort and warmth to your adventure.

Experience the desert the authentic way sleeping in a traditional Saharan camp and spending several magical nights in bivouac tents beneath brilliantly starry skies.

Designed for travelers seeking authentic encounters and off-the-beaten-path discovery, this journey is the perfect first immersion into the Moroccan desert: rich in natural beauty, culture and unforgettable moments.

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🌟 Trip Highlights (Experience in Morocco)

• 1 night in a traditional Saharan camp
• 4 nights in desert bivouac tents
• 2 nights in a Marrakech hotel (4*) with pool
• Off-the-beaten-path exploration: ergs, regs, dunes, rocky plateaus
• Sacred sites, rock engravings & isolated villages
• Warm encounters with local communities
• Following ancient caravan routes

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✅ What’s Included (Provided Directly in Morocco)

All services listed below are arranged, delivered and paid for directly in Morocco by each participant. Pura Vida Explorer does not organise, combine, arrange or sell these services.

• Airport ↔ hotel transfers
• 2 nights Marrakech hotel (4*)
• 4 nights desert tents (2-person) (no shower)
• 1 night Saharan camp (with showers)
• Lunch during outbound/return road transfers
• All meals /water during the trek
• Camp cook (hot & varied meals)
• Certified Moroccan Trekking guide: Omar Taltit
• Camel team for luggage transport

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❌ Not Included (Independently Arranged by Each Person)

• Flights (London ↔ Marrakech)
• Travel insurance (mandatory)
• Meals in Marrakech
• Tips
• Monument entrance fees

This separation ensures no combined or pre-arranged package is created under UK law.

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🍽️ Food During the Trek

Daily hot meals prepared by the Cook

• Breakfast (bread/coffee/jam)
• Lunch (pasta/salads/fruit)
• Dinner (tagine/soup/couscous)
• Snacks included
• Water

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🗺️ 8-Day Itinerary

(All activities are arranged and delivered locally in Morocco. Itinerary subject to weather/safety.)

Day 1 — Arrival in Marrakech

Pickup → Hotel (dinner not included)

Day 2 — Marrakech → Ouarzazate → Draa Valley → Bougayir Dunes

1 hr walk • 7 hrs transfer • Draa valley visit • First desert night

Day 3 — Bougayir Dunes → Tidri Dunes

5–6 hrs walk • Fortified village • Kasbahs • Ruins

Day 4 — Tidri → Erg Essahel

5–6 hrs walk • Rock engravings • Reg crossing • Remote Sahara camp

Day 5 — Erg Essahel → Lahniti Dunes

5–6 hrs walk • Tamarisks • Dune ridges • Quiet desert camp

Day 6 — Lahniti → Ouled Driss

5 hrs walk • Village visit • Night in lodge

Day 7 — Ouled Driss → Marrakech

7 hrs transfer • Optional pottery shop • Free evening

Day 8 — Departure

Transfer → Airport

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🎒 What to Bring

Sleeping bag (0–10°C) • Inflatable Air Pillow • Headlamp • 2L+ bottles with suitable trekking filter • Backpack • Sunscreen • Hat • Sunglasses • Traveller’s Medic*tion • Power bank • Camera • Cash for tips • Printed travel insurance documents • Printed confirmation of this peer-to-peer trip (will be sent to you)

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🧳 Luggage Limit

Max 12 kg (carried by camels)

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⚠️ Important Requirements (Please Read)

✔ Good fitness & good health required

✔️Participants must be intermediate or experienced hikers, able to comfortably hike for around 6 hours in a single day. This event is not suitable for absolute beginners.

✔️For safety and group harmony, all participants must follow the Pura Vida Explorer ethos and trail etiquette. This is a collaborative, nature-respecting journey and not a hiking competition or endurance challenge

✔️Participants must arrange their own travel to and from Morocco. Each person is fully responsible for booking their own flights and meeting the group at the designated start point

✔ Mandatory travel insurance covering medical care & repatriation

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🛗 Maximum Capacity: 30 people

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🔹How to Join

👉 FREE RSVP to register interest

👉 You will be added to a waiting list

👉 A volunteer from Pura Vida Explorer will contact you to:

• Discuss suitability
• Review fitness/health
• Answer questions
• Explain next steps

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💰Cost Structure (Peer-to-Peer & PTR-Compliant)

Total Trek Cost: €700 💶

✔ Paid on arrival in Morocco

✔ Paid directly to the local provider

✔ Pura Vida Explorer does not collect, receive, or handle this payment

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💶 Payment & Booking Process

1️⃣ FREE RSVP — registers interest only

2️⃣ £50 Commitment Deposit

• Paid only after discussion
• Not a payment for any travel service
• Does not secure or purchase any travel arrangements
• Purely a peer-to-peer goodwill commitment
• Fully refunded on Day 1
• Or refunded earlier if you’re unsuitable for this trek

3️⃣ €700 Trek Fee

• Paid only on arrival
• Paid directly to the local operator
• No advance collection for travel services by organisers

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🚨Your place is confirmed only when:

✔ Suitability assessed

✔ £50 deposit received

✔ Travel insurance provided

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📍 Meeting Options

Saturday 7th March 2026

• Option 1 - Victoria Train station Ticket office | 08:00 ⏰
• Option 2 — Gatwick Airport | 09:00 ⏰✈️ EasyJet LGW 12:10 → RAK 15:55(Flight suggestions are optional only; each participant books independently.)
• Option 3 — Marrakech Hotel(Details shared privately with confirmed participants)

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🇲🇦 Practical Information

Passport: Valid passport required

Visa: Check UK guidance

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/morocco/entry-requirements

https://www.acces-maroc.ma/#/

Border Control: Printed copy of confirmation of this private peer-to-peer trip (will be sent to you).

Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD)

Insurance: Printed proof required

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📌 Participation Agreement & Liability Disclaimer (UK-Compliant for Private, Peer-to-Peer Trips)

⚠️Important: By RSVPing, joining the WhatsApp group, travelling, or participating in any part of this trip, you confirm that you understand and agree to the following terms.

This trip is a private, peer-to-peer arrangement between individuals who voluntarily choose to travel together.

It is not a commercial tour, travel package or professional service.

1. Nature of the Trip (PTR-Exempt Status)

• This journey is organised informally between private individuals for the purpose of shared travel only.
• Pura Vida Explorer is not a tour operator, travel agent, organiser, trader or business.
• No one involved collects profit, commission or financial gain.
• Each participant books, pays for and enters into contracts directly with Moroccan providers.
• No combined, pre-arranged or sold “package” is created under the UK Package Travel Regulations 2018.

2. Voluntary Participation & Personal Responsibility

• You participate entirely by your own choice and at your own risk.
• You are personally responsible for:
• Your safety and wellbeing
• Your decisions during travel
• Assessing your own fitness, health and capabilities
• Ensuring you have adequate equipment and Medic*tion
• No organiser or member of Pura Vida Explorer accepts liability for injury, illness, loss or damage except where liability cannot legally be excluded under UK law.

3. Mandatory Travel Insurance

You must hold valid insurance covering at minimum:

• Emergency medical care
• Medical evacuation & repatriation
• Personal accident
• Loss/theft of property
• Trip interruption
• Trekking in desert and remote environments

Proof of cover must be provided before the trip.

4. Health, Fitness & Suitability

By joining, you confirm that:

• You are physically able to trek for around 6 hours per day in desert conditions.
• You have declared any relevant medical conditions to your insurer.
• You carry any essential personal Medic*tion.
• You have sought medical advice if unsure about suitability.

Organisers may decline participation if someone appears unfit or unsafe for the journey

5. Personal Belongings

All personal belongings remain your sole responsibility at all times.

Neither organisers nor participants are responsible for loss, damage or theft of any item.

6. Role of Local Moroccan Providers

All on-the-ground services (guiding, accommodation, meals, transfers, camel support, etc.) are arranged, delivered and paid for directly in Morocco by each participant.

Pura Vida Explorer does not:

• Organise or combine services
• Act as agent or contractor
• Supervise or control the actions of local providers
• Guarantee the performance of third parties

Any issues must be resolved directly with the local provider.

7. Itinerary Flexibility & External Factors

You understand that desert travel involves uncertainties.

The itinerary may change due to:

• Weather
• Safety assessments
• Local authorities
• Transport issues
• Provider decisions

Organisers are not responsible for delays, cancellations or changes outside their control.

8. Behaviour, Safety & Group Conduct

For the safety and wellbeing of the group, you agree to:

• Behave respectfully and responsibly
• Follow reasonable guidance from the appointed Moroccan guide
• Avoid dangerous, aggressive, illegal or disruptive behaviour

Organisers may remove a participant from the group (at their own expense) if their conduct risks safety or seriously disrupts the trip.

9. Payments, Deposits & Cancellations

£50 Commitment Deposit

• This deposit is not a payment for any travel service.
• It does not purchase or reserve any travel arrangement.
• It is a voluntary commitment and is refunded on Day 1, or earlier if a participant is unsuitable.

€700 Trek Fee

• Paid in Morocco directly to the local guide/provider.
• No advance collection or handling of this fee by organisers.
• Any cancellation costs, flight issues or personal losses must be claimed from your insurance.
• No organiser or participant is responsible for reimbursing your expenses.

10. Acknowledgement of Risk

You acknowledge that desert trekking may involve:

• Extreme temperatures
• Sandstorms
• Uneven terrain
• Wildlife
• Remote locations with limited immediate medical support

You understand these inherent risks and accept them as part of this type of travel.

11. Acceptance of Terms

By RSVPing, attending group meetings, travelling, or participating in the trek, you confirm that:

• You join as a private individual,
• You understand the non-commercial nature of the arrangement,
• You accept full personal responsibility for your choices, safety and wellbeing,
• You agree to all terms in this Participation Agreement.

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