Offer including the bib for the HMDS adventure, the discovery of the Pyramids of Giza and 3 nights in a double room.
HMDS PHARAOHS DESERT – EGYPT 2023
1ST EDITION
HMDS PHARAOHS DESERT - EGYPT
November 18 to 24, 2023
THE CONCEPT
In November 2023, the HMDS continues its discovery of the world's most beautiful deserts by taking you on an adventure to Fayoum Desert, one of Egypt's hidden treasures.
From November 18 to 24, 2023, join the very first HMDS Egypt, and live a week out of time, in a desert with spectacular reliefs and landscapes.
Let yourself be transported to the land of the pharaohs and discover the famous Pyramids of Giza. A site not to be missed, a symbol of antiquity, home to the Pyramid of Cheops, the only wonder of the ancient world still standing today.
Registration is currently full. To join the waiting list, please fill out the online form by clicking here.
Discover what to expect
Distances
You will have the possibility to choose between 3 different distances: 70, 100 or 120km, divided into 3 stages.
Here is the breakdown:
• Stage 1: around 25 to 30km
• Stage 2: around 20, 40 or 60km
• Stage 3: around 25 to 30km
The stages of the HMDS can be completed at your own pace: walking or running.
The program of the adventure
THE OFFERS
What is included in the offer:
- Transfers between the airport, the hotel and the desert
- 3 nights in a double room (1 before the race, 2 after)
- Bib for the adventure
- 3 nights on the HMDS bivouac, in individual tent
- Medal and finisher t-shirt
- Discovery of the Pyramids of Giza
- Dinner and Gala evening
It will be possible to book extra nights to arrive a day earlier, or stay 2 days longer.
When registering, you will be able to inform the name of the people with whom you would like to share your accommodation. If you don’t provide any information, you will be assigned with other participants who speak the same language as you.
The companion offer
The companion offer allows you to live the HMDS Egypt adventure with friends and family who are not participating in the race.
The companions will be with you the night before the start of the HMDS. They will be able to attend the start of the first stage, support you on different points of the course, and attend the finish of the last stage.
They will discover with you Cairo, the cultural richness of the region and the most beautiful places of the Fayoum desert. At the end of the race, you will meet them to spend the end of the stay together: discovery of the pyramids of Giza and 2 nights in a hotel in Cairo.
More information to come about the companion program.
Join the adventure serenely
We have set up ultra-flexible registration, cancellation and postponement conditions, so that you can book with complete peace of mind.
Free postponement
If you have any doubts about the adventure, you can postpone your participation free of charge until 60 days before departure.
Cancellation conditions
Our conditions allow you to cancel without charge until June 18, 2023.
Refund in case of cancellation
In case of cancellation of the event by the organization, you will be refunded 100% of the amount you paid within 60 days.
Details of cancellation and postponement conditions are available in the HMDS Egypt 2023 Rules and Conditions of Sale
ON THE TRACKS OF THE PHARAOHS
Located about 2 hours south of the capital of Cairo, Fayoum desert covers nearly 1000km² in the north of Egypt. Known for its oasis, its sand dunes and its breathtaking landscapes, it is in this desert of Fayoum that the HMDS proposes you to escape for an exceptional week, rich in adventures and encounters.
Following the race, you will have the privilege of discovering the Pyramids of Giza, an unmissable site housing the only wonder of the ancient world still standing today: the pyramid of Cheops.
You will be transported to the era of the Pharaohs for a magical moment, at the roots of the Egyptian traditions and culture of the region.
If you wish, you can also extend your stay by spending a few days in Cairo or Alexandria.
INFOS HMDS PHARAOHS DESERT - EGYPT 2023
HOW TO GET THERE?
You must book your flight tickets to arrive at Cairo International Airport.
Transfers between the airport and the hotel will be organized on November 18 and 24, 2023.
If you choose to stay with extra nights before or after the adventure, you will have to go to the hotel by shuttle or cab.
WHICH FLIGHTS TO CHOOSE?
If you are arriving on Saturday, November 18, it is best to arrive early enough in the day to have enough time for the technical controls and to rest.
You can also choose to fly a day earlier, taking an extra night.
It is recommended that you choose airline tickets with cancellation and change insurance, due to the restrictions that may be applied by the countries.
Find our flight recommendations in our Frequently Asked Questions.
PROGRAM OF THE WEEK
Saturday: Arrival at the hotel, technical/medical checks, night in the hotel.
Sunday: transfer to the desert, start of self-sufficiency, first stage, first night at the bivouac.
Monday: Second stage, night at the bivouac.
Tuesday: Rest day, night at the bivouac.
Wednesday: Third stage, night at the hotel.
Thursday: Discovery of the Pyramids of Giza, Awards ceremony and gala dinner.
Friday: Return transfers to the airport, end of the HMDS adventure.
Depending on your desires, you can extend your stay if you wish to continue discovering Egypt.
DISTANCES
You can choose between 3 distance formats: 70, 100 or 120 km, spread over 3 stages.
These distances are given as an indication and are likely to be revised downwards according to the type of terrain and the difference in altitude of the routes.
WHAT DO I TAKE WITH ME?
If it’s your first HMDS, you probably have a lot of questions. Once you register, we'll send you a full checklist of the material, but here is the principal to have per person:
- Backpack plus 2 water bottles (type Ultrabag 20L)
- T-shirt + running shorts
- Trail shoes + anti-sand gaiters
- Cap and sunglasses
- Change: T-shirt + light shorts / leggings
- Windbreaker jacket for the evening and morning
- Sleeping bag + mattress for the night
- Hygiene products (sun cream, soap, antiseptic...)
- Toilet paper
- Food and kitchen utensils (cooking utensils, lighter, fire pellets...)
You can bring a large suitcase with more clothes, which you will leave at the hotel and find after the HMDS adventure.
ABOUT US
The HALF MARATHON DES SABLES is an event that was first held in 2017 in Fuerteventura, and in 2018 in Peru. In 2022, two destinations were added: Morocco and Jordan. In 2023, we continue our discovery of the world's most beautiful deserts with Egypt and Turkey joining the other four existing HMDS destinations.
The event is organized by WAA.
PRICES
The prices for HMDS Egypt 2023 are as follows:
- HMDS offer: 2 350€/person
- Companion offer: 1 250€/person
Additional nights: 85€ per night.
The prices are individual.
INCLUDED IN THE REGISTRATION
- Transfers between the airport, the hotel and the desert
- 3 nights in a hotel, double room (1 before the race, 2 after)
- Bib for the adventure
- 3 nights in bivouac, in individual tent
- Medal and finisher t-shirt
- Discovery of the Pyramids of Giza
- Dinner and Gala evening
ULTRA-FLEXIBLE REGISTRATION CONDITIONS
Cancellation conditions:
- Up to June 18, 2023, it is possible to cancel without fees.
- From June 19 to July 31, 2023, 25% of the total registration fee will be retained by the organization in case of cancellation.
- From August 1, 2023 to September 11, 2023 included, 50% of the total amount of the registration will be kept by the organization in case of cancellation.
- After September 11, 2023, no refund is possible, however it will still be possible to postpone your registration according to the conditions of the event.
Here are the conditions of postponement for the HMDS Egypt 2023:
- Up to and including September 11, 2023, postponement to the next edition is possible without fees.
- From September 12, 2023 to September 30, 2023 included: 250€ fee for a carry-over.
- From October 1st, 2023: no postponemenet possible.
SAFETY
During the race, you will be surrounded by the medical and organization teams from the beginning to the end of the stages.
The courses are marked with stakes every 50/100m, so it is almost impossible to get lost.
You will all be equipped with a GPS beacon with an alarm button, allowing the organization to locate you at any time.
A medical tent is present at the bivouac where you can go at any time.
PAYMENT TERMS
You can pay by:
- Credit card
- 1, 3 or 5 instalments
- SEPA Credit Transfer in Europe
- 1 instalment
The number of instalments may vary depending on the date of registration. The registration will be 100% validated once the total amount of the registration is paid.
REGULATIONS
Consult the HMDS Egypt 2023 Regulations and Terms of Sales.
HMDS in the press
Testimonies from former participants
Equip yourself for the HMDS
WAA Ultra has been developing specialized products for HMDS participants since 2009.