SAHARA TREK 19-28 FEB 2010

Welcome to our intrepid Sahara Trek Participants. You have not only decided you want the experience of a lifetime, but that you also want to help improve the lives of Scots living with epilepsy. Not forgetting the challenge of placing our Local Hero red telephone box on top of Chegaga, the tallest sand-dune in the Sahara.

The red telephone box was such a major part of the iconic Scottish movie, Local Hero that we are incredibly excited to be able to use it to help our fundraising efforts. Scottish Epilepsy Initiative would like to thank Goldcrest Films for allowing us to use the Local Hero brand and images from the film in all our fundraising efforts.

Your Trek:

MOROCCO
10 Days / 9 nights

Depart: London Heathrow – Ouarzazate
Transfer to hotel
Return: Marrakech - London Heathrow

Introduction

“Morocco is a feast for the senses – exotic, colourful and sensual”The Sahara Desert stretches from the snow capped mountains of Morocco in the West, to the Red Sea coast 4800km to the East. Its landscape varies from a stony flat expanse to perfect wind blown sand dunes, broken only by the occasional oasis. The feeling of space and of solitude is awesome. With proud Berbers as our guides and a small caravan of camels to carry our supplies we will trek 100km through this varied and stunning landscape.

Day 1: Meet the group and depart from Heathrow bound for Ouarzazate via Casablanca. Ouarzazate lies just below the High Atlas Mountains and is on the edge of the desert.

Day 2: After an early breakfast we leave for M’Hamid, our starting point. Our drive takes us over the Jebel Sarhro Mountains and down the Draa Valley into the Desert. We have a brief stop in Zagora to buy a shash (native headscarf) and have our last cold drink before the heat of the desert. On arriving at the starting point we have lunch while the cameleers load up the camels. Our late afternoon trek takes us firstly across flat open plain and then onto our first taste of small dunes. We make camp at the edge of the dunes for the night, sleeping under the stars, or in tents, whichever you prefer.

Day 3: The full colour of the landscape erupts as the sun rises. Hot coffee and a good breakfast set us up for our day’s trek. We break camp, load the camels and head off across Erg Louidi; walking across the small dunes and around the larger ones. Amongst the dunes are small Tamarisk trees that amazingly manage to flourish in this harsh environment.

Day 4: Leaving camp behind us we walk across flat open country with the camels not far behind. We head across lots of beautifully formed low dunes to an area called Bougarnne, where there are several large dunes and clumps of palm trees. You are truly in the middle of the desert, and the feeling of peace and space is amazing and will stay with you forever.

“When travelling in Morocco, you will find kindness and friendly faces along the way.”Day 5: After a good breakfast we head off down a gully onto the desert floor. We spend the morning crossing hamada, or stony flat desert. There is very little vegetation around but we manage to find the only tree for miles to have lunch under. When the hottest part of the day has passed we set off across more hamada until we cross a ridge and have a spectacular view of Chegaga, the largest sand dune in the Sahara.

Day 6: The day starts with the spectacular climb and incredible view from the top of Chegaga. To the south are rolling dunes as far as you can see and to the north hamada and the Jebel Bani. Then it’s time to get to work, as we take our life-size model of our Local Hero red telephone box and place it proudly on top of Chegaga. After taking the view in we have fun descending the dune along one of the narrow ridges. We spend late afternoon amongst the dunes passing the occasional nomadic encampment and small clump of palm trees.

Day 7: Today is our day of mirages and flat saltpans. Gradually the acacia trees vanish and we are left in a spectacularly flat open saltpan. Once again distances are impossible to gauge, with the sky stretching from horizon to horizon, with only our intrepid trekkers sharing this awe-inspiring landscape with the views shimmering in the heat. We are getting pretty close to our hundredth kilometre now and the last few are done crossing this remote and desolate place. Our last night is spent on the saltpan with its incredible sunset.

Day 8: After breakfast we load into the expeditions trucks and drive across the desert piste. The exciting journey in the back of the open trucks is great fun, as you marvel how quickly you are moving over the desert floor you have just trekked across. On arriving at the tarmac road we transfer into the bus and travel back to Marrakech. Our route takes us over the High Atlas Mountains where we have spectacular views of both the desert and the surrounding mountains. We arrive in the heart of the medieval city where we can relax before the evening’s festivities to celebrate your achievement!

Day 9: Today is a free day where we can explore Marrakech and haggle in the amazing souk and spice markets. During the evening we can explore the Djemma el Fnaa – the main square with snake charmers, water sellers and wonderful food stalls. You can truly look at each other and say “I did this.”

Day 10: Early morning flight to Casablanca and London Heathrow

Firstly, we have to get some of the house-keeping
stuff out of the way:

Your Checklist - Right click to download

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• 1. Your target for fundraising is a minimum of £2400, but we hope you will be able to raise much, much more!
• 2. You need to fill in and return your Registration Form, Insurance Forms, Medical Questionnaire and a registration fee of £100.
• 3. REGISTER HERE
  Alternatively, you can contact Scottish Epilepsy Initiative (SEI) on 0141 248 9972.
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• 4. Once you have registered, we will send you your training guide, full itinerary, kit list, press pack and fundraising guides, and a full fact list for your trip of a lifetime.
• 5. The Scottish Epilepsy Initiative Sahara Trek requires a moderate amount of fitness and your medical questionnaires will be looked at by the medical team at Discover Adventure, our partners on the Trek.
• 6. SEI will also provide you with our expertise and knowledge to make your fundraising efforts as successful as possible. This will include posters, t-shirts and publicity materials. We will also offer you guidance in setting up a Justgiving webpage to enable your friends and family to donate online.
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• 7. Later in the year, SEI and Discover Adventure will be hosting a special evening for our Trekkers, with a chance to meet other participants, guidance on how to make the most of your trip, and practical tips to help you reach your goals.
• 8. At the moment, we cannot anticipate fuel surcharges. Participants should be aware that they may have to pay a fuel supplement. We encourage people to look at this costing around £150.
• 9. Remember, we are only a phone call or e-mail away – give us a ring on 0141 248 9972, or contact susan@scottishepilepsy.org.
• 10. Have a great time!
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We hope you will join with us in placing our Local Hero red telephone box on top of Chegaga – you may not be on top of the world, but you WILL be on top of the Sahara!

Our Commitment to You:

• All communications will be honest, truthful and will comply with the law
• Your right to privacy will be respected and you will not be subjected to any form of pressure
• Scottish Epilepsy Initiative and its fundraisers will be transparent in their dealings with the you and those who help you in your fundraising
• Scottish Epilepsy Initiative will respect your confidentiality and we will comply with the law relating to fundraising. Your personal data will not be divulged to third parties
• Scottish Epilepsy Initiative will strive to achieve the highest professional standards at all times
• Any concerns you may have relating to the above will be handled swiftly and effectively in the first instance by Scottish Epilepsy Initiative, and thereafter by the Board of Trustees
• Scottish Epilepsy Initiative will operate within the Institute of Fundraising Code of Conduct www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk
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