M’Goun North to South Trekking 8 days

Arrive anytime in Marrakech.

(If your flight lands in Casablanca, we can provide transfer to Marrakech for an extra.)

Depending on your arrival time and after settling in, you may want to head out and explore. Marrakech is a vibrant city and easy to walk around. Most people head for the large central square of the Djemaa-el-Fna beneath the beautiful minaret of Koutoubia Mosque. Here you can enjoy a bird’s eye view with a refreshing mint tea at one of the cafes overlooking the square.

If you’d like to visit a Berber Museum, you’ll find one located in the peace and tranquillity of the incredibly beautiful Marjorelle Gardens. It took French painter Jacques Majorelle forty years of passion and dedication to create this amazing place in the heart of Marrakech. Home to trees and exotic plants alongside pools filled with water lilies and lotus flowers, it is also known as the Yves St Laurent Garden and is located on Rue (Avenue) Yves Saint Laurent. In 1980 Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé bought the Jardin Majorelle, saving it from becoming a hotel complex. During their time living in the villa nestled in the garden, they installed irrigation systems and worked with a team of 20 gardeners to create a peaceful masterpiece. In the garden sits a museum dedicated to Berber culture and includes a personal Berber collection from Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé. In the evening we meet for breifing and we can go out for a group dinner.

After breakfast we begin the journey to the start of our trekking adventure. The drive takes around 4 to 5 hours and is a great way to see the changing scenery change and everyday life. We’ll be travelling through rural areas and small local towns before stopping in the town of Azilal for refreshments and lunch. After lunch we make our way towards the Ait Bougmez Valley. This starkly dramatic and beautiful region is home to the village of Agouti (1780m). Nestled in the far west of the valley, Agouti is the first village and was an outpost of the Ait Bouguemez tribe. These fierce fighters once fought rival tribes and defended the only access to this incredible valley. Despite a past reputation with fierce tribes, the Bougmez is now known all over Morocco as the Happy Valley. Here we are guaranteed big smiles, and a warm welcome is offered to everyone who visits. Dramatically located above Agouti is an ancient igherm or fortified grain store where villagers once stored their possessions and crops. In Agouti we meet our muleteers and trek crew, and after loading up we’ll walk through pockets of farmland towards Arous. This is a great way to end the day as our walk follows the river which meanders through poppy strewn fields. After arriving at Arous we set up camp and after settling in will enjoy dinner. As we prepare for our first night of camping in area without light pollution, fingers crossed from now on we’ll enjoy star-filled skies..

This morning we leave camp and begin with a trail which ascends gradually towards the Tizi-m-Oumskiyg pass (2910m). As we start our climb, we leave the river behind and we slowly enter the incredible high mountain scenery of the Central Atlas. This remote part of Morocco is fondly known as Morocco’s Unspoiled Shangri-La with its traditional mud brick houses and timeless feel. Until recent decades, this region and its Berber inhabitants were almost completely isolated. The Atlas Berbers still have their own language and indigenous dialect. Their music and dance is unique as is the village architecture. Stone or clay houses are tiered on the rocky slopes whilst agadirs (collective granaries), and kasbahs continued to serve as each community’s defence right into the twentieth century. As we arrive at the panoramic point of Aghouixni Est (3400m), we’ll be rewarded with our first views of Mgoun and the route we take tomorrow. Next we head towards the beautiful high plateau of Tilibiyt N’Tarkeddit which overlooks the Tessaout Valley. This strikingly green oasis area is frequently used by Berber herdsmen and as it sits nestled below the peak of Mgoun, it offers a real sense of isolation. Tonight’s camp is surrounded by spectacular rock formations which we can explore. Close by is a basic mountain hut with simple toilet facilities and showers (small fee). The rest of the day is to relax and soak up the ambience of this tranquil spot as we prepare for tomorrow.

An early start today as we set off wearing our head-torches for a pre-dawn start. The initial trial takes us across the lower slopes of Mgoun as the first rays of sunshine begin to creep across the lower slopes of the mountain. Next we hike along a zigzag footpath which ascends up to a rolling ridgeline and takes us to the first peak of Mgoun Oest (3978m). As we ascend higher we reach one of the most stunning ridges in Morocco and the trail which will finally lead us to main summit of Mgoun. As we start our journey along the Mgoun Ridge we are surrounded by breath-taking views. To the far south we’ll see the Jebel Sahro region which frames the edge of the incredible Sahara Desert which lies beyond. In the distance is the mighty Toubkal range and if we look back we’ll be able to see our previous two days of trekking. After a fantastic ascent we arrive at the cairned summit of Mgoun (4068m). The views from the top are spectacular and the mountain itself is incredible. There will be time to enjoy the summit and of course take plenty of photos before we begin our descent. We head down on a different route and make a traverse of the mountain. Initially we walk south before descending on trails with sections of scree until we reach the river where we’ll stop for lunch. In this lush area we may see wild camels grazing along the fertile valley sides. In the afternoon we’ll continue toward Tiguitine (2700m) and our camp for the night. Tiguitine is a great camping location as we’re surrounded by strange rock formations and meandering streams.

This morning starts with a later and more leisurely breakfast before leaving camp. As we follow a river which takes us away from high mountains, we’ll find ourselves in the foothills of the Central Atlas. Here we are surrounded by fertile farmland and after a gradual ascent we’ll hike along undulating terrain as we pass through patches of fig trees and criss-cross streams. After the village of Ait Hamou (2550m) we’ll arrive in the village of Tighremt N Tichki, which is known for its large kasbah located on the outskirts of the village. The impressive structure is now used as a communal grain store for the village. As a visitor to this region most people are constantly surprised by the friendliness and openness of the Berber people. In Morocco, over 80 percent of people identify themselves as Berber or Amazigh, and the Atlas Mountains are home to the majority. Although the majority of Morocco’s population is Amazigh, their language has only been taught in schools since 2009. As the river widens we hike near cascading waterfalls and use stepping-stones to cross the river. After lunch we continue along the river to the villages of Ameskar El Fougani and Ameskar El Tahtani. Tonight is our final night of camping and we spend the night just before the entrance to the Ameskar Gorge.

Today we leave camp and follow fantastic trails which initially take us between impressive valley walls. As the walls steepen we are surrounded by stunning rock formations which surround us and dramatically tower overhead. This trial takes us through the incredible Petites Gorges du Mgoun before eventually opening out onto rich farmland. Here we’ll find crops lining the riverbanks and pockets of fruit trees alongside the fragrance of herbs which fill the air. We can relax over lunch beside the river and have time to soak our feet in cooling waters before the final section of the trail takes us to Boutaghar. Tonight we stay in a welcoming gite which has lovely areas to relax in and a central courtyard filled with plants. This will be the final night with our Berber crew and we’ll say our goodbyes after dinner.

After breakfast we travel by minibus as we climb out of the Dades Valley as we leave Boutaghar behind. The drive takes us along the famous Kasbah route which passes through Oaurzazate – the Door of the Desert. The town sits at 1,160m in the middle of a bare plateau south of the High Atlas Mountains and to the south lies the desert. Oaurzazate is mainly inhabited by Berber-speakers, who built many of the kasbahs and buildings for which the area is known. As an important destination in Morocco, most people use it as a base to visit the Draa Valley or head into the desert. However this unusual location was made famous as a film location and was used in Lawrence of Arabia, The Mummy, Gladiator and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen alongside the popular Game of Thrones. Along the way we’ll stop for lunch at a roadside restaurant serving a variety of traditional Moroccan dishes, cooked on open barbecues. In the afternoon we’ll arrive in Marrakech and after checking in at the group hotel the rest of your time is free to explore the souks, shop for last minute souvenirs and soak up the atmosphere of colourful town. In the evening we’ll wander through the Djemaa El Fna as it comes alive and enjoy a final dinner

End of tour and transfer to the airport.

Depending on your flight time you may wish to enjoy a final stroll around Marrakech before your transfer to the airport. The city has a number of highlights including Jardin Majorelle which was owned by fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent from the 1960s to his death in 2008. Ville Nouvelle is a cobalt-blue exterior which is surrounded by a delightful garden full of rare desert flora plus fuchsia bougainvillea and deep green palms. The result is an explosion of colour nestled in the city. The Bahia Palace is a wonderful palace set in gardens and well worth a visit. Built in the late 19th century, this beautiful building was reputed to be the greatest palace of its time. With a name meaning brilliance, the palace was built by craftsmen from Fez.

If you would like to see more of the country then we can organise a Moroccan extension in the coastal gem of Essaouira or the magnificent Sahara Desert.