Our Expeditions

First and foremost, no two PPE expeditions are the same. Each trip is organized around a goal or objective. This can be based on historical research or by reading previous travel accounts to identify areas or regions that few have ever explored.

As expeditions take shape, crewmembers are assigned responsibilities such as QM (responsible for stores), navigation, signals, fitters (mechanics), messing (organizing group meals and bulk food stores), videography and other important functions.

Crews

PPE crews are made up of a vehicle owner/driver and a co-driver. We discourage solo drivers as the long hours in transit from Europe can be difficult and once in the desert, an extra set of hands when stuck in the sand helps significantly. Also, crews are assigned group duties like cooking meals, running resupply trips and other support functions that can be a challenge for solo travellers. Drivers can choose their own co-drivers or ask for recommendations from our list of previous co-drivers.

Costs

As part of the planning process, we develop a per-vehicle budget for each expedition that includes ferries, fuel, hotels, insurance and other typical costs. Each crew is also required to make a contribution to bulk (shared) food and for our local support team that handles storage of gear and assistance when we have breakdowns or other admin issue in-country. We try to identify ferries, hotels and other bookings at an early stage to allow everyone to get a good deal with their bookings.

More information

For more information or to sign up for an expedition, send us an email at contact@popskis-private-expeditions.com

Upcoming Expeditions

Wilders Gap & Sand Sea Exploration Challenge

October 2025
Join us we head to Wilder’s Gap in Tunisia, named after the LRDG’s Nick Wilder before we cross ‘the berm’ and deep into the impenetrable sand sea.

Wilders Gap Exploration

In October 2025 we will pursue our LRDG history explorations by heading to Wilder’s Gap in southern Tunisia. Named after the LRDG’s T1 patrol leader, Captain Nick Wilder, the gap allowed the NZ Division to pass through the steep coastal mountain range and take thousands of men and vehicles into the German rear to outflank the Mareth Line defenses. The Division paused inside the gap for nearly a week to prepare and we will looking for this area and any relics left from their passage.

Sand Sea Exploration

Phase 2 of the trip will see us return briefly to the Lost Patrol cairn at Garet Ali before finally attempting to cross the ‘berm’ and into the depths of the Grand Erg the wartime LRDG claimed was impassable. We intend to reach the central plateau within the heart of the dune sea and explore its rock formations and other mysteries.

Duration

The expedition will last approximately 25 days from departing UK to return, including two weeks in the desert.

Costs:

Costs for expeditions are borne by the vehicle crews. As we plan each expedition we develop a per-vehicle budget including ferries, hotels/camp grounds during transit to and from UK, fuel, support costs, warehouse storage and miscellaneous costs. On average, the cost per vehicle works out to £3000-£3500 per trip. Note, co-divers are expected to contribute and extra £500 to the prep and post-trip maintenance costs for the vehicle the ride in.

Crews/Vehicles

The Wilders Gap/Sand Sea Expedition will be a CAT 1 trip. These are our typical stripped-down desert rigs and. We may consider selected CAT 2 vehicles under certain restrictions. Crew choices are the responsibility of the vehicle owners but we maintain a list of available co-drivers for those looking to fill and empty seat.

For more information, email us.

Peninsula Wars Battlefield Tour

This will be a different sort of trip for PPE. We will have a small group heading to Spain and Portugal in July 2025 to visit a number of battlefields from the Peninsula Wars where the British and their Sanish and Portuguese allies drove the Napoleon out of Spain.
This will be a CAT 2 trip, so any suitable 4x4 would be welcome.

Previous Expeditions

The Lost Patrol Expeditions

In 2019 and 2022 PPE conducted two expeditions into southern Tunisia searching for the location of the ‘lost’ LRDG and PPA WWII patrol ambush site. The expeditions were a success and the location identified, artifacts catalogued and placed in a cairn on site.

Southern Morocco

Exploration of small tracks across the Atlas mountains and down into the southern deserts of the Rekkam and the Draa Valley.

Videos of Previous Expeditions

Search for the Lost Patrol

In 2019, after a significant amount of research, set off in search of a lost patrol of WWII special forces vehicles in the dunes of one of the great Saharan sand seas. Follow this three part adventure.

2018 PPE Short

A short highlights video of a 2018 trip to the remote Rekkam Plateau in South Eastern Morocco.