Race canceled for November 2011
what, where and when
In November, from 20 to 27, 2011, Cap au Sud-Evasion will be hosting the seventh edition of the “Piste des Oasis” in southern Tunisia in the region of Sabria and the Chott El Djerid. The event is aimed at runners wishing to experience desert racing who want to discover the multiple facets of the Sahara Desert.
Four stages, each between 20km and 34km long, will highlight the very different types of desert landscape including rolling sand dunes, canyons and lush oases (including Nefta with its 500000 palms!).
Each stage is clearly marked out with motorised logical and medical support available at the various manned checkpoints along the way. All participants will be transported by 4WD vehicle between the hotel and the various starting and finishing points.
No special kit is required except for a water container and the course is designed to be completed within a reasonable time-frame by runners and walkers of all levels.
“La Piste des Oasis” is also about discovering Tunisia and its culture. Several shows and cultural excursions will be organised and the organisation’s vehicles with driver-guides will be available for use. Two free days ensure plenty of time to visit the area, sunbathe by the pool or even do some more sport!
Tozeur and Nefta are the two main towns and offer some lovely traditional sand-coloured architecture amidst huge emerald-green oases. There are literally dozens of cultural and adventure activities on offer in the area including a trip through the wilderness on the famous “Red Lizard” train, hot-air ballooning over the desert, visiting ancient cave dwellings or quad-biking through the dunes.
Nefta is particularly fascinating to walk through with its 24 mosques and 100 marabouts as it is the main holy city of Sufism, a mystical branch of Islam renowned for its ‘whirling dervishes’. Nefta is also famous for its dates, carpet-makers, silk-weavers and potters.
The hotel "Caravanserail"
All participants will be staying at the modern, comfortable 3* Caravanserail hotel in Nefta. All rooms are en-suite with air-conditioning, mini-bar, satellite TV and a telephone. Hotel amenities include a restaurant, a Moorish bar, heated outdoor pool, tennis courts, billiards and a sauna. Fresh produce used by the restaurant is provided by the hotel’s own 100 hectare model farm.
Bicycles are also available for visiting the surrounding area and there are plenty of other exciting activities such quad-biking, hot-air ballooning and dune-bashing.
A bivouac under the stars
One of the evenings will be spent in Bedouin tents after a dinner and evening in the desert hosted by the villagers of Sabria. A magical way to end a fantastic week!
Tunisia and the Djerid region For such a tiny country-the smallest in North Africa– the Republic of Tunisia is a truly kaleidoscopic nation, ranging from Mediterranean beaches to the Sahara desert, from ancient souks to Star Wars film sets. This Arab-Berber nation is one of the most liberal in the Islamic world and highly geared towards tourism and enjoying privileged trade relations with the European Union. Over the last 3,000 years, Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Turks, Spanish and French have all left traces of their passage and hundreds of protected historical sites and museums guarantee the preservation of this cultural wealth. Tunisia is certainly one of the safest and friendliest countries in the Arab world for Westerners.
Situated in southern Tunisia, the Djerid region centres around the huge Chott el-Djerid saltwater lake which is renowned for its mirages. The region featured heavily in both Star Wars and The English Patient.
Initial schedule provided on November, 20, 2011
Sunday 20 November
Meet the Piste des Oasis representative at Paris Orly airport for a scheduled non-stop Tunis Air fligh to Djerba.
Possibility to have additional return low cost direct flights from Great Britain to Paris. Please contact us for further information if any.
Monday 21 November
Djerba – Tozeur : Transfert in the day whit lunch at Douz. Arrival Tozeur / Nafta in the afternoon. Installation. Formality for the Race and general pre-race meeting. Dinner and night.
Tuesday 22 November
-Stage 1: 21km across varied terrain (dirt track, sandy plateaus, dry salt lake bed, small dunes) with a finish in the middle of a historical area. Transfer back to hotel. Dinner and night.
Wenesday 23 November
-Stage 2: 25km to discover mountain oases. Wadis, canyons, sand banks and lakes make up this truly spectacular course. Only mountain stage available with a vertical drop, but not more than 600 m
Thursday 24 November
-Stage 3: 35 km. Total immersion in the Grand Erg Oriental: First a camel track, then winding through the erg, the crossing of several dune fields, some small chotts (a symbol of southern Tunisia), two hidden oasis among the dunes. .. And one night in a Berber tent camp in the center of a massive dune.
Friday 25 November
-Stage 4: 25 km. Back to the village of Sabria by other dune fields, discovered a different area of this extremity of the erg with the crossing of different landscapes to emerging vegetation.
In the afternoon visit the oasis of Sabria and challenge "surprise" in end of the afternoon. Awards ceremony and closing night with local entertainment by our camel drivers.
Saturday 26 November
Sabria / Djerba: Transfer in the morning. Lunch on arrival. In the afternoon discover of the island. Dinner and overnight.
Sunday 27 November
Transfer to the airport. Return flight to various destinations in Europe with services on board.
cost, kit, requirements
Registration on web site for the “Piste des Oasis” Tunisia 2011 is £1090 or 1200 €
The fee includes:
Return flights to Tozeur from Paris
Transfers to hotel
Race number, finisher tee-shirt
Services of the medical support team, drivers and guides
Mineral water at the various checkpoints (approx. 6litres/day)
All meals and drinks during your stay
Use of the hotel amenities (pool, tennis, bicycles, sauna, etc.).
Repatriation insurance
Airline fuel surcharges (based on fares available on November, 20 2010)
NOT Included are:
Transfers to/from Paris Airport
Personal spending money (Euro/Sterling/USD easily changed on site)
Any visa costs if required for your nationality (not for native EU members)
Travel insurance (including cancellation insurance) – Recommended !
Credit card accepted for booking payment (VISA and MasterCard). Contact us if any
On November 2011 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY is not defined for Great Britain
So, we are open for any official UK representative for the “Piste des Oasis “ 2011.
Please contact us for any information/request on it
IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS
Passport with at least 6 months validity past 01/11/11. UK citizens do not require a visa.
By Cap au Sud Organisation request, you must provide the race # organisers with a medical certificate signed by your GP stating that you are apt to undertake an endurance event of this type. These documents should be dated no more than one year prior to the event.
At the camp, bread hot in the dawn...
![Jogging International May 2007](javascript:OuvrirPop("http://lapistedesoasis.info/images/Jogg2007.jpg","fencent",2,2,1000,600,"menubar=no,scrollbars=no,statusbar=no")){kind=link}
![Trail Attitude July 2007](javascript:OuvrirPop("http://lapistedesoasis.info/images/TrailAtt2007.jpg","fencent",2,2,1350,670,"menubar=no,scrollbars=no,statusbar=no")){kind=link}
![Running Attitude June 2009](javascript:OuvrirPop("http://lapistedesoasis.info/images/RunningAttJuin2009.jpg","fencent",10,10,700,600,"menubar=no,scrollbars=no,statusbar=no")){kind=link}
A bientôt - L'équipe de "La Piste des Oasis"