Morocco Summer High Altitude Running Holiday
Strides Travel offers summer high altitude running training holidays in Morocco. With arrival in exotic Marrakech on the Saturday, you stay overnight in the city before transferring to the Bougamez valley on the Sunday. Staying in a Berber village until the Friday, you can train at high altitude training on six consecutive days. There is time for some sightseeing and a final night in Marrakech before returning home on the Saturday.
These high altitude running holidays in Morocco (average 2000m, up to 2905m) are ideal if you want to give your training a boost, if you enjoy running in stunning surroundings, if you are coming back from injury or if you are preparing for a challenge like the London Marathon or a race at altitude such as the Bhutan Marathon.
These high altitude running holidays in Morocco (average 2000m, up to 2905m) are ideal if you want to give your training a boost, if you enjoy running in stunning surroundings, if you are coming back from injury or if you are preparing for a challenge like the London Marathon or a race at altitude such as the Bhutan Marathon.
Prices
For our eight day/seven night running holidays in Morocco, prices start from:
We are happy to take solo bookings. If there are other people already booked on a particular trip, the price is £379 £369. If you are the first and only person on a trip, the price is £459 £449.
* All prices shown exclude flights.
Please enquire about our special rates for groups and running clubs.
* All prices shown exclude flights.
Please enquire about our special rates for groups and running clubs.
The discounted prices quoted are for Saturday departures between 3 January and 25 April 2009.
What is included in the price?
What is included in the price?
Seven nights’ standard accommodation in Morocco - we can arrange superior hotel or riad accommodation in Marrakech for an extra cost
Breakfast in Marrakech and all food and meals in Bougamez (except for bottled mineral water which can be purchased cheaply in Bougamez)
Two airport transfers in Marrakech
Transfers to and from the Ait Bougamez valley
Services of an experienced English-speaking guide
What is not included in the price?
Flights to and from Marrakech - we can arrange ATOL protected flights with full service airlines or you can arrange your own flights with budget airlines
Flights to and from Marrakech - we can arrange ATOL protected flights with full service airlines or you can arrange your own flights with budget airlines
Travel insurance which must include cover for helicopter rescue, repatriation, cancellation and activities up to 3000m – we can advise on this
Any specialised food such as energy bars, carbohydrate drinks, high energy or rehydrating drinks
Tipping (which is customary in Morocco)
Tipping (which is customary in Morocco)
What does a typical training week look like?
A training week is always set around the requirements and abilities of the group.
For a group of medium to high fitness runners, a typical training week could look like this:
Day 1 (Sat) - Arrive Marrakech – Met at airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight: standard hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 2 (Sun) - Transfer to Bougamez (5 hours drive from Marrakech). Settle into your accommodation for the next four nights. Afternoon, short, slow loosen up run of 3km or so.
Day 3 (Mon) - Long slow distance run of 10-15km, fairly level.
Day 4 (Tues) - Morning interval session. Afternoon short run.
Day 5 (Wed) - Hill training run to Tizi ait Imi pass (altitude 2905m) with a sharp descent of 10km to 1500m (very tough).
Day 6 (Thur) - An easier day. Morning rest, maybe visit the village. Afternoon run in the valley through the fields.
Day 7 (Fri) – Short morning run. Transfer to Marrakech. Afternoon to explore Marrakech. Overnight: standard hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 8 (Sat) – Transfer to airport
Day 1 (Sat) - Arrive Marrakech – Met at airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight: standard hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 2 (Sun) - Transfer to Bougamez (5 hours drive from Marrakech). Settle into your accommodation for the next four nights. Afternoon, short, slow loosen up run of 3km or so.
Day 3 (Mon) - Long slow distance run of 10-15km, fairly level.
Day 4 (Tues) - Morning interval session. Afternoon short run.
Day 5 (Wed) - Hill training run to Tizi ait Imi pass (altitude 2905m) with a sharp descent of 10km to 1500m (very tough).
Day 6 (Thur) - An easier day. Morning rest, maybe visit the village. Afternoon run in the valley through the fields.
Day 7 (Fri) – Short morning run. Transfer to Marrakech. Afternoon to explore Marrakech. Overnight: standard hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 8 (Sat) – Transfer to airport
Availability
The summer trips are available from March to October starting on a Saturday. During the summer we recommend March to June and September to October as July and August can be extremely hot.
The length of the trip and starting date can be varied on request, and we can build in extra nights or add another Moroccan location to your trip.
Location
The Morocco summer high altitude running training holidays take place in the beautiful Ait Bougamez valley which is an oasis of green approximately 50 km long. The average altitude is 2000m. The valley is surrounded by the tops and ridges of the surrounding mountains that culminate in Djebel Mgoun, the second highest peak in North Africa at just over 4000m. The mountains have many trails crossing them and the passes have been used over centuries by mule and camel trains bringing goods into the valley to trade.
The valley is planted with apple orchards, apricots, plums and almonds and in spring is awash with blossom in between the orange/brown mud brick villages. The irrigation system allows small fields of potatoes and cereal crops, each field having a little path around it for cultivation.
The valley is planted with apple orchards, apricots, plums and almonds and in spring is awash with blossom in between the orange/brown mud brick villages. The irrigation system allows small fields of potatoes and cereal crops, each field having a little path around it for cultivation.
Accommodation
Accommodation in the Ait Bougamez valley will be Auberge or Gite style accommodation in the villages of Imelghas or Agouti. The accommodation is in twin or double rooms with shower and toilet ensuite or nearby. In the Auberge there is a hamman (traditional Moroccan bathhouse) facility.
In Marrakech we use standard hotels on a bed and breakfast basis. However, we can arrange superior hotel or riad accommodation in Marrakech if required.
In Marrakech we use standard hotels on a bed and breakfast basis. However, we can arrange superior hotel or riad accommodation in Marrakech if required.
Flights
We can arrange ATOL protected flights with full service airlines such as Royal Air Maroc. Alternatively you can arrange your own flights with budget airlines such as easyJet or Atlas Blue
Travel insurance
Comprehensive medical and travel insurance is essential for our high altitude running training holidays. This must include cover for helicopter rescue, repatriation, cancellation and activities up to 3000m. We can advise on this.
Mountain guide
On all our Moroccan running holidays we allocate a fully qualified English-speaking mountain guide to each running group. The mountain guides are responsible for the route and safety of each group and will follow the training programme which is discussed and agreed with the group at the start of the week. Of course the programme can be changed at any time if needed.
Equipment required
The terrain is a mixture of rough track and dirt road. For the ascent of the passes we recommend terrain shoes such as fell running or orienteering shoes. We also recommend bringing waterproof sun cream, a hat, sunglasses, some plasters, a light windproof jacket and a Camelback to carry these items and your water.
Club tours
We can design and arrange a running training holiday for running clubs, orienteering clubs and triathlon clubs. Please let us know if you are a member of a club and would like more details.
Tour operator
We work with Morocco Tour & Trek, a Moroccan trekking and running holiday specialist, registered in Scotland with offices in both Aberdeenshire and Marrakech.
Tour operator
We work with Morocco Tour & Trek, a Moroccan trekking and running holiday specialist, registered in Scotland with offices in both Aberdeenshire and Marrakech.
For further information about our running holidays in Morocco, to check on availability or to make a booking please call us on +44 1932 770530 or use the Contact Us form.