Running Holiday at the Gorges and Sahara 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 10, coffee/tea/juice with breakfasts, drinking 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) no later than 3:30pm on arrival day. Suggestions and guidance will be provided once you are signed up.

There is no set requirement and distances are completely flexible 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 long run of 8-10 miles (13-16km); if you can do that, you can do anything on this trip! However, vehicle support will available at all times and every route can be shortened as much as you’d like.

Please note: Given the diverse & beautiful scenery, the on-course support, 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 will vary, but the footing is mostly dirt road and pavement (plus some sand in the Sahara!); this is a great choice for those who prefer road running. There will be some runs done in mountainous areas (expect hills!), and others in the desert (as flat as it gets). Every day will immerse you in brand new landscapes, so boredom is never a factor!

The time of day will vary depending on where we are and where we’re headed, but the runs generally begin mid-morning with lunch at the finish. There is often some drive time prior to the run; snacks are always available in the vehicles and bathroom stops will always be made in the nearest town.

When we aren’t running, we’ll have plenty to see and do! There are many sights along the way (think ruined kasbahs, palm oases, lively markets, handicraft cooperatives) and we’ll be in areas with great exploration potential. The night in the Sahara involves a sunset camel trek and campfire drum circles. There is a significant amount of drive time (the Sahara isn’t easy to reach!), with well-timed breaks and photo stops. 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 nearly always yes! Though it will mean more time spent in a vehicle, the panoramas along the way can entertain for days, and only a relatively small portion of each day will be spent on the run. They will still get to enjoy plenty of sightseeing, cultural immersion and relaxation (as long as they don’t mind hanging out with a group of runners!). They are also welcome and encouraged to walk or hike during the run portions of the day.

We support locally owned and operated guesthouses whenever possible, and luckily it’s easy to do in Morocco! Eight nights will be spent in unique family-run riads (traditional courtyard houses), kasbahs and lodges. You can expect clean rooms, private bathrooms with hot showers*, gorgeous Moroccan decor, phenomenal hospitality, often a swimming pool and always a view. Accommodations in rural areas are on the basic side, but meet all points above. One night is spent at a private camp in the Sahara. We will sleep in traditional nomad tents, each of which has comfortable beds, piles of blankets and candles. There is a bathhouse with toilets and even showers, as well as a huge dining tent for meals and wonderful camp staff who do everything they can to ensure a magical experience for all.

*Guesthouses in rural villages may not always have the infrastructure to support 15 people taking hot showers at once. Note that you'll likely have a tepid shower or two throughout the week, and keep in mind that this is the desert - quick showers are encouraged!

In both March and November, you can generally expect clear nights with temperatures around 50F/10C, bright, sunny days with high temperatures around 70-75F/20-24C (likely a bit warmer in the Sahara) and little to no humidity. Rain is rare, but does happen on occasion.

Possibly! We generally have a limited number of single rooms available after the balance due date (3 months prior to departure). The 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 are prepared fresh by our very own cook team and will typically be pre- and post-run spreads of fresh fruit, nuts, dates, olives, bread, lots of veggies and grilled meat. 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 (ie vegetarian, vegan, gluten or dairy-free); if you have unusual or complicated restrictions.

We will be traveling in a caravan of well-maintained 4×4 vehicles with professionally licensed tourism 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 while wandering around crowded city areas), 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.

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. 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 our trip leaders are at your discretion – never expected, but always appreciated.