Helen’s Sahara Desert Trekking Adventure
Helen has recently come back from 4 days of intense trekking approximately 48 km across the vast and incredible Sahara Desert!
Her and our amazing group of challengers pushed through long, hot days, cold nights, conquering the amazing and ever changing Chigaga dunes. They even managed to witness the gorgeous sunrise over the breathtaking open skies and desert planes!
We caught up with her to hear all about it...
Hi Helen! Well done for completing our Sahara Desert Trekking Challenge. It looks like you had an amazing time.
Have you ever done anything like this before?
No, I have done a couple of active holidays, such as a 10k run in Milan, and some rock climbing in Australia, but nothing like this. I do like to run and keep fit, but I’ve never seen myself as a multi day trekker!
Why did you choose to trek the Sahara Desert?
A friend of mine who was already booked on the trip suggested it to me. I suffered a really bad hip injury when running a marathon in 2024, and was feeling pretty fed up as I had to drop out 20 miles into the run. I was on crutches for a couple of weeks and it was months before I could walk properly again.
I knew I wanted to do something challenging once I had recovered, so I could have a goal to work towards and bring some positivity back into my life, but I didn’t want to run a marathon, so this opportunity seemed like a really good idea.
What were you most nervous about before going on the trip? How did you overcome your nerves?
Definitely the flying! Also being on time for everything, checking in, and making sure I had the correct gear, my passport etc. I sometimes get really anxious travelling as I think I’m going to forget something or something’s going to go wrong, but GAC were really thorough in helping me to feel at ease.
It was a really nice touch having the lead guide check in and fly with us instead of meeting us there. I was also anxious about going to a new country I’d never been to before and getting used to all the customs and culture.
I didn’t really do anything to overcome my nerves, but the guide was really helpful in briefing us on what was happening every day. It was also great to be in good company, as we were all nervous in some way, so I never felt alone.
What would you say was the highlight of the Sahara Desert Trek?
Meeting all the different people on the trip. I don’t think I have ever met such a group of warm hearted and generous people. It’s put my faith back in humanity.
We’ve kept in touch through a WhatsApp group too with meet ups planned in 2026, to keep the memory alive!
I also saw some natural wonders that I never thought I would see in my lifetime - the Milkyway, a lunar halo (I spotted it when going to the loo one night at camp!) and a shooting star.
How did you find walking on the dunes?
Amazing, especially climbing the Chigaga at sunrise. Seeing the light change from dark to light as we climbed was really spectacular. I also loved walking along the dunes in the daytime, it was a completely new experience for me, and walking poles are a game changer!
How did you train for the Sahara Desert Trek?
I did a mixture of walking and running. I usually run twice a week, so I carried on with this, plus a 30 minute strength training session once a week, working on the glutes specifically.
Doing weekly squats, lunges and bridges with weights definitely helped in getting across those sand dunes! Around six weeks before the trip I went to the lake district for a long weekend. While I was there I made sure I walked every day, and practised using my backpack with my water bladder.
I also found it really helpful to include walking as part of my usual routine, such as walking home from work once a week instead of taking the bus, and doing some long walks at the weekends (1.5 - 3 hours max). I made sure I wore the walking boots that I was going to wear on the trek, as this really helped to break them in. I didn’t do lots of intensive training or spend hours in the gym, I just added a bit extra to my usual routine, as well as a long walking weekend, which I found was enough to get through the trek.
What kept you going when things got tough?
The second day was the hardest. It was the longest walking day and in the morning I didn’t feel too well as I didn’t sleep great (not used to camping!) and I was a bit dehydrated.
The tail walker was amazing, and he got me through those first couple of miles. He kept me talking, and told me some really interesting things about the wildlife in the desert to distract me. After half an hour (with lots of water and electrolytes, essential on this trip!) I felt much better, and if it wasn’t for him I don’t think I could’ve got through those first couple of miles.
I also found the team spirit of my fellow trekkers wonderful. We all helped each other out when things got tough, especially those last couple of miles before we reached camp.
How were the Global Adventure Challenge leaders?
They were absolutely amazing. Jonathan was helpful, friendly and on hand for advice throughout, and the lead and tail walkers Jamal and Hassan were awesome. From Jamal’s cheeky sense of humour, to Hassan’s kindness and calm demeanor to keep us going, we couldn’t have asked for better leaders.
They had such good local knowledge as well, telling us about the atlas mountains on the way to the desert, and interesting facts about the camels, geography and wildlife, they were so informative as well as putting us at ease.
You mentioned you'd made some good friends on the challenge. How did you bond with them?
We definitely bonded over the experience, helping each other out when things got tough, and getting to know each other on the flatter sections of the trek when we could walk side by side. It was lovely to meet like minded people who had a sense of adventure, and hearing about their reasons for fundraising.
How did you feel when you completed the challenge?
I felt a mix of emotions - relief, elation, happiness, and an amazing sense of achievement. I remember on the last day when we were packing up and getting ready to leave camp, I just stood on the dune and looked at all the camels and just cried. I was sad to leave but also so proud of what I had accomplished.
Would you recommend this challenge?
Definitely. It was life changing.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of doing the Sahara Desert Trek?
You don’t have to be super fit to do it, and don’t be afraid as you’ll have experienced guides with you all the time, you're never on your own.
I recommend going on a training weekend somewhere hilly so you can practice walking consecutive days with a backpack and walking boots, and walking whenever you can as part of your routine i.e. to and from work, shops etc.
You’ll never regret doing a challenge like this and you’ll have memories, and new friends, to last a lifetime.
Thank you so much, Helen. We’re so glad you had such an incredible and life-changing experience! We hope to see you on your next adventure soon!
If you have any questions about our Sahara Desert Trek then give us a call on 01244 676454 or email us! We’d love to see you join us on an adventure.
Or simply click the button below to view our challenge information, including dates, costs and a full challenge itinerary:
Trek the Sahara Desert in 2026 & 2027
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