DAY 0: ARRIVAL IN CAPE TOWN
Those opting for the early arrival package (highly encouraged!) will arrive at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) where we will meet you and transfer to our boutique hotel in a buzzy, pedestrian-friendly part of the city. Enjoy a nice welcome dinner on the waterfront before turning in for a long night of much-needed sleep - we’ve got a big day tomorrow!
Running: no running
Meals: D (dinner) included
DAY 1: TABLE MOUNTAIN + REGULAR ARRIVALS
The early arrivals will begin the day with a hearty breakfast and a briefing with our guides before heading out for the big event - hiking up (and back down!) Table Mountain! At 240 million years old, Table Mountain is one of the oldest mountains on earth, is home to many endemic species found nowhere else on the planet and presides over Cape Town, beckoning to all with the promise of unparalleled hiking opportunities. The hike will take the better part of the day and while that’s happening, the remaining group members will arrive at the airport and transfer to our hotel. That evening we’ll get everyone together for the first time with a memorable sunset dinner and plenty of details about everything to come in the week ahead!
Early Arrivals:
Hiking: 7 mi / 12km, 2200 ft / 700m elevation gain & loss; technical single track trail
Meals: B, L, D included
Regular Arrivals:
Running: No planned run
Meals: D included
DAY 2: EXPLORE THE CAPE!
We’ll start the morning off by joining Cape Town’s vibrant running scene with cruise-y, scenic shakeout along the seafront. After a shower and breakfast we will venture further down the cape to Simons Town for a stop that can’t be missed, no matter how touristy it may be - a visit to one of the only African penguin colonies on earth! After some time spent watching several thousand penguins waddling around and riding the turquoise waves it will be time for a beachfront lunch and then a short drive to Stellenbosch, the heart of South Africa’s famed Winelands. Settle in to our B&B, relax and stroll the leafy streets of this quaint Cape Dutch town before meeting up for a nice dinner at a local restaurant.
Running: up to 8 mi / 13km, no notable elevation change; paved running path
Meals: BLD included
DAY 3: CAPE WINELANDS
Today kicks off with a leisurely morning breakfast followed by a run on a private trail network at one of the region’s oldest wineries and a seriously gourmet post-run picnic under the trees. You’ll have some free time in the afternoon to enjoy exploring town (or taking a nap!) before heading to another resplendent wine estate for a cellar tour, a tasting and a fantastic multi-course dinner.
Running: up to 10 mi / 17km, 800 ft / 250m elevation gain/loss; single track trail & dirt road
Meals: BLD included
DAY 4: THE MOUNTAINS ARE CALLING...
After a light breakfast we’ll pack up and head to a nearby nature preserve for an epic trail run skirting the ridgelines of the dramatic Jonkershoek mountains - bring your climbing legs! Finish with a cafe lunch, cold drinks and a chance to clean up before we travel to Skeiding, where we will spend the night at an ostrich farm with sweeping sunset views and warm hospitality from our host family. There we’ll kick back with a festive, traditional braai (barbeque) and a good night of sleep!
Running: up to 10 mi / 16 km, 1000 ft / 300m elevation gain/loss; dirt road, single track trail
Meals: BLD included
DAY 5: FARM FRESH!
Today begins with an early, light breakfast before joining our hosts as they make their morning rounds to feed the ostriches (trust us, you’re gonna love it). We’ll then explore more of this beautiful, sprawling property via our morning run, finishing with some time to clean up and then dig into an absolute feast of a farm-fresh brunch (yes, there will be ostrich omelets!) before heading further along the Garden Route to Mossel Bay. We’ll settle into a small beachfront hotel and rest up in anticipation of a BIG run the next morning…
Running: up to 6.5 miles / 11km, 750 ft / 225m elevation gain/loss; dirt road & single track trail
Meals: BLD included
DAY 6: ALONG THE CLIFFS
After breakfast we’ll head a few minutes down the road to the start of our run, a point-to-point cliff top trail run featuring spectacular ocean views every single (technical) step of the way – expect to be out for several hours, and bring a camera!
The finish line is a lovely local cafe where you’ll have time to relax before continuing our journey on to Storms River, a tiny village located amid the thick forests and rugged gorges of Tsitsikamma National Park. Settle in, this is home for the next two nights!
Running: up to 9 miles / 15km, 1100 ft / 335m elevation gain/loss; technical single track trail
Meals: BLD included
DAY 7: PLAYTIME IN STORM'S RIVER
Wake up to the sound of the birds (and probably some troublemaking troops of baboons) in Storm’s River, the adventure epicenter of the Garden Route. After breakfast we’ll head a few minutes down to the coastline for a morning spent running, scrambling, hiking and boulder hopping along a short stretch of the famously beautiful (and technical!) Otter Trail until we reach a waterfall cascading directly into the ocean - make sure to take whale and dolphin-spotting breaks!
From there we’ll wander over to the mouth of Storms River itself, a place where the river meets the sea and a swinging suspension bridge provides a bird’s eye view of it all. We’ll have lunch just nearby before heading back to the village where everyone will have the chance to join an afternoon canopy tour through the indigenous forest and then kick back for a cozy home-cooked potjie dinner prepared by our very own crew.
Running: up to 5 miles / 8km, 500 ft / 150m elevation gain/loss; rocky single track trail
Meals: BLD included
DAY 8: SAFARI TIME!
Wake up early (or don’t) for a pre-breakfast run through the surrounding forest before hitting the road towards the grand finale of our adventure – the Addo Elephant National Park! Addo was created in 1931 as a sanctuary for 11 remaining elephants, and is now home to over 600 of them, along with cape buffalo, lions, zebra and black rhinos. We’ll transfer to open air safari vehicles and explore the reserve in hopes of spotting as many of these animals as possible before the sun goes down - astonishingly close elephant encounters are pretty much guaranteed! After that we’ll clean up and get settled at a gorgeous lodge before gathering for a very special final dinner together.
Running: up to 6 miles / 10km, no notable elevation gain; dirt road and single track trail
Meals: B, L,D
DAY 9: DEPARTURE, BUT FIRST...
It may be departure day, but we’re not done yet! We’ll have an early shakeout run for those who want to stretch their legs, a hearty breakfast in the garden and another hour or two of elephant spotting before heading to the Port Elizabeth airport for departures.
Running: Optional – 4.5 mi / 7km, no notable elevation change; dirt road
Meals: B included