Running Holiday at the Backroads of the Atlas in Morocco (Fall Season)

Morocco is a running paradise, and the High Atlas Mountains are a trail running destination like no other! Soaring peaks, quiet dirt roads with panoramic views, endless miles of trails connecting valley after valley, rushing rivers, terraced gardens and friendly shepherds waving hello. The culture is fascinating, the hospitality overwhelmingly warm, the food is fresh, local, organic and delicious. Life moves slowly in Morocco and you’ll be fully immersed: prepare to see, learn and experience more than you ever imagined, and come away with memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.

The trip price includes pre-trip communication & guidance, airport transfers, all accommodation, all meals/snacks from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 9, coffee/tea/juice with breakfasts, water, transportation, professional drivers, experienced guides, organized, supported runs and swag. In short, just about everything is covered from the moment you land until the moment you leave!

The cost does not include flight, alcohol, tips or personal purchases (and trust us, you will find things to buy in Morocco!)

International airfare is not included in the price. Let’s be honest, we are all unique and your schedules (and originating airport!) are no exception. Come early, stay late. Fly, sail, or trek overland by camel. Participants will be responsible for booking their travel arrangements and ensuring that they arrive in Marrakech (either at the airport or hotel) by 3:30pm on arrival day and depart no earlier than 12 noon on the final day. Suggestions and guidance will be provided once you are signed up.

There is no set requirement and there will be multiple distance options each day, but for the best experience we recommend that you arrive comfortable with logging 3-4 runs per week of 4-6 miles (6-10km) each and a longer run of 8-10 miles (13-16km). If you can do that, you can do anything on this trip! You will be spending the week in the mountains, so the more time you can spend practicing your ups and down - even if it’s hiking - the better.

Please note: Given the diverse & beautiful scenery, the luxury of time to recover and a healthy dose of peer pressure, nearly everyone ends up running significantly more than they expected!

The terrain is primarily a mix of runnable dirt roads and single track trails, some of which are too steep for the average person to run - expect to do some hiking! You will be at altitude - between 5000-8000 ft (1500-2500m) most days - and should expect challenging days and slower-than-usual paces. There is never a rush and each day will immerse you in brand new landscapes and experiences; show up with an adaptable and adventurous attitude and you’ll have an incredible time!

Every run on this trip is planned to begin mid-morning - after breakfast with lunch at the finish - though weather or other logistical considerations could cause that to shift. Some runs will require a bit of drive time, and toilet stops will be made in the nearest town.

When we aren’t running, we’ll have plenty to see and do! We’ll learn about traditional Berber mountain life, visit a local family home for tea, stop in at a rug cooperative, tour village gardens and work a fair amount of bonus hiking into the mix. On the coast in Essaouira you’ll have the chance to check out the busy port, walk the ancient ramparts (hello Game of Thrones!) and wander the colorful medina full of creative artisans and delicious food. Meals are an experience in and of themselves, and we’ll have plenty of quality relaxation time on the terrace or around the pool at our hotels.

The answer is generally yes, as long as they don’t mind that each day is built around the scheduled run; it works best if they enjoy walking or hiking, as we can set them up with short portions of each route. If you have a non-runner interested in joining us, feel free to reach out to discuss whether it’s a good fit.

We support locally owned and operated guesthouses whenever possible. Each night will be spent in family-run riads (traditional courtyard homes), lodges and even a restored palace. You can expect clean, cozy rooms, private bathrooms, gorgeous Moroccan decor, warm hospitality, often a swimming pool and always a phenomenal view.

Both spring and fall are usually perfect! In the mountains, expect clear nights with low temperatures around 45F / 7C and bright, sunny days with high temperatures between 60-70F / 15-21C and little to no humidity. Along the coast, it will be warmer - likely lows around 60F/15C and highs around 75F/23C with more humidity. Rain is rare, but always a possibility.

Possibly! We generally have a limited number of single rooms available after the balance due date (3 months prior to departure). The boutique properties that we use only have so many rooms, so we cannot guarantee how many will be available until we know the final group size. You can indicate your interest when you register and we will offer single rooms in the order in which you registered.

We will eat healthy, fresh, traditional Moroccan meals throughout the trip. A typical breakfast will include a spread of just-baked, clay-oven bread, pastries, local fruit jam, butter, cheese, eggs, fruit, coffee, mint tea and (literally) fresh-squeezed OJ. Lunches will typically be pre- and post-run spreads of fresh fruit, nuts, dates, olives bread, lots of veggies and some type of grilled or stewed meat dish. Dinners feature tajine – chicken, beef or lamb simmered in a clay vessel with an assortment of vegetables and spices – and couscous dishes along with fresh bread, olives, light soup and fresh fruit. You won’t go hungry! Most special diets can be accommodated, though we always recommend that you contact us before signing up if you have a unique combination of dietary requirements.

We will be traveling in well-maintained 4×4 vehicles with professional drivers.

Very. Morocco is an extremely welcoming and friendly place, and one of the most relaxed and accepting Islamic countries in the world. As long as you exercise the same common sense you’d use anywhere (ie don’t flash lots of cash or expensive items in crowded city spots), you’ll be fine. Hospitality is king in Morocco; our local team has worked with us for many years and they take the utmost care of our runners belongings and well-being.

Packing light will make everything easier for you, but there are some key things to bring along, A few sets of running clothes (it’s so dry that you will sweat very little), trail running shoes, a few sets of non-running clothes, flip flops, one warm jacket, a pair of gloves, sunglasses, sunblock, reading material and a CAMERA are all recommended. A hydration pack is required. Registered runners will receive a detailed packing list as soon as they sign up!

Ladies, please keep in mind that Moroccan women never wear shorts. Shorts while running aren't a big deal, though capri-length bottoms or jogger pants are more appropriate in rural villages. When not running, we recommend sticking to pants or long skirts; short sleeves are fine! Along the coast things are a bit more lax and tank tops and shorts are more common. Neither men nor women should ever run shirtless. It's unlikely that anyone would say anything to you about your clothes in any situation, but we always encourage cultural respect.

Yes, alcohol is allowed. Though most Moroccans do not drink alcohol and it can be difficult to find outside of the cities, it is by no means a banned substance and it is plenty acceptable for foreigners to enjoy adult beverages in most hotels (note that one riad on this particular trip requests no alcohol on their property; the other nights are fine!). You will have the opportunity to ‘stock up’ before we depart Marrakech – the supermarkets have a great selection of liquor, beer and wine.

We will provide country-specific guidance and take a group collection when it comes to the local team (ie drivers, cooks, etc) involved with your trip, while tips for trip leaders are at your discretion – never expected, but always appreciated.

We know that life happens, and on occasion a participant will have to back out of a trip. As most of our costs are paid well in advance, we have set a cancellation policy that applies to all trips. You should obtain travel insurance to cover potential cancellations on your part.

If you cancel:

Within 30 days of signup (but more than 90 days from departure): Full refund

90+ days from the trip start date (but after the 30 day grace period): Deposits are non-refundable

61-90 days from the trip start date: 50% of total payment refunded**

60 days or less from the trip start date: No refunds

*If you register using a transfer credit, you may transfer again without penalty within 30 days of signup but will not be eligible for a refund

**This only applies to participants who have paid their balances on time. If you do not pay the balance by the due date and cancel after the fact, your deposit is non-refundable.

***Add-ons (early arrival or single room upgrades) are refundable if cancelled 90+ days from departure.

If you wish to transfer your deposit from one trip to another you must notify us at least 120 days prior to your original departure date. A fee of $150 per person will apply and will be deducted from your original deposit. If you notify us less than 120 days prior to the proposed departure date the refund policy applicable to cancellations will apply. Deposit transfers may only be made once, and must be made to another trip departing within 12 months of your original departure date.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we had never cancelled a trip and we hope that going forward we never have to again. But, it is a possibility and here is what happens if it happens:

If we cancel a trip due to low participant numbers, you will be notified no later than 60 days prior to departure and will receive the option of a full refund or transfer to an alternate trip.

If a trip is cancelled at the last minute due to external events outside our reasonable control (natural disasters, terrorism, etc) we will issue full refunds less any unrecoverable costs. This type of scenario is unlikely but always a possibility - get that travel insurance!