The Geopark Mgoun , southeast of Marrakech, offers a wide range of sceneries: fertile and green valleys, narrow gorges, colorful rocks, sheepfold, meadows and Berber villages. The hike goes from Agouti-village in the valley of Ait Bouguemez , also called the ‘happy valley’. This is the ideal journey for a short overview on the M’goun Massif, full of life and authenticity.
The Geopark Mgoun southeast of Marrakech, offers a wide range of sceneries: fertile and green valleys, narrow gorges, colorful rocks, sheepfold, meadows and Berber villages. The hike goes from Agouti-village in the valley of Ait Bouguemez ,also called the ‘happy valley’. This is the ideal journey for a short overview on the M’goun Massif, full of life and authenticity.
Is this holiday for you?
The maximum altitude attained on this trek is not great and we do not spend any nights above 3000 metres. This means that altitude acclimatisation is not usually a problem. The summer months in the High Atlas can be hot with July and August particularly so. This does have an effect on trekking performance. For most of the trek we follow well-established trails between valleys and villages which are suitable for mules and very straightforward for trekkers. On the M'Goun trek and whilst trekking up to the passes on our route, we will encounter zig-zag trails on scree. Overall this is a leisurely paced walking holiday but you will need to ensure you are physically prepared for the trek. You should be comfortable with walking on a variety of terrain including some steep ascents and descents, for up to 6 or 7 hours each day and for several days continuously .
Day 01- Marrakech - Azilal - Agouti - Ikkis n’Arous.
Early in the morning departure from Marrakech to Azilal (170km), where we continue on a mountain road to Agouti. There, in the valley of Ait Bouguemez(or ‘Happy Valley’), we meet our team of mule drivers. After loading the mules, we start our hike to Ikkis n’Arous 2300m, our camp site. About 3 hours walk.
Day 02- Ikkis n’Arous -Tizi n’Tarkedite - Tarkedite plateau.
After a long climb to the pass Tizi n’Tarkedite 3450m, we see for the first time the summit of Mount M’goun (4068m). We continue with al long descent to our camp on the vast plateau of Tarkedite (2900m). About 5 hours walk.
Day 03- Optional ascent of Mount M’goun (4068m) - Oulilimt.
The ascent of Mount M'goun (4068m) is optional. The climbers get up early in the morning, to enjoy dawn. The mule drivers and the others take a shorter route to the camp. Climbing the summit of Mount M’goun has no technical difficulty. On the summit, we enjoy a panoramic view, especially on the south side of the Massif. A long, spectacular descent brings us to the river that will lead us to our campsite, close to the spring of Oulilimt (2600m). About 7 hours walk.
Day 04- Oulilimt - Aflafal.
Today’s hike is short and relaxing. We enjoy the magnificent scenery of the gorge of Oulilimt. Then, the river leads us to our camp at the riverside, near the spring of Aflafal 2100m. About 4h30 walk.
Day 05- Aflafal - Tizi n’Ait Imi (2900m) - Ait Bouguemez-valley
We follow the river to Tighremt n’Ait Ahmed, where we change direction. A long, progressive ascent brings us to an amazing panoramic view on the pass of Tizi n’Ait Imi (2900m), on Mount Ouaouglzate (3700m). It is the natural border between the regions of Azilal and Ouarzazate and between the two beautiful valleys of M’goun and Ait Bouguemez (the ‘Happy Valley’). A long descent will take us to our lodge “gîte d’étape” in the valley. About 5h30 walk.
Day 06- Ait Bouguemez - Azilal - Marrakech.
After breakfast, we get in the car and drive, via Azilal and the spectacular waterfalls of Ouzoud, back to Marrakesh, the red city.
GENERAL DEPARTURE TRIP NOTES:
Recommended Saison: from April to October are the suitable months of the year to do this trek, the days are usually sunny. May through late September is the ideal season, the temperatures are pleasants and the views are excellent.
Trip grading: the ascent of Mgoun summit requires you to have a previous experience and to be in excellent health and top physical condition. The daily climb is from 500 to 1100 meters. The trail to Mgoun has no particular danger, only some small tricky passages during the climbing day.
City Accommodation: during your stay in cities, we suggest a good choice of carefully selected accommodations. You will stay in comfortable hotels or riads of good category 3 or 4 stars which we have chosen for their comfort and cleanliness as well as for their charm, welcoming quality, tranquility and security of the place.
Outdoor Accommodation: during the trek, the overnight stay will be in bivouac. Camping is the most practical option to discover some of the Morocco’s authentic areas. With us you will camp in comfort, spacious igloo tents with foam mattress provided all crockery and cutlery.
Staying in camping, under tent allows you to enjoy nights out in the open air with moments of real pleasure to discover the stars.
Trip Escorting: the accompaniment of our journeys is entrusted to a competent staff with human high qualities. Explore Morocco Trekking provides you with professional people, lovers of the adventure, respectful for the nature and human beings.
The success of your trip is our main objective. The accompanying team devotes its energy and resources to make you holidays an unforgettable experience and help you discover just as much about the landscape as to the lifestyle of the locals, traditions and customs alongside current everyday life… We make sure your trip is peaceful and secure.
Necessary Logistic: when we go hiking in high Atlas Mountains, we usually hire mules to carry your luggages, food supplies and necessary logistic to install the camp. Your bags are transported by the mules. Therefore, all you need to take with you are the essential items for the walking day: water bottle, sun cream, camera and a warm fleece…
Itinerary and Breaks: the stages of this trek are well calculated in order to permit you taking pauses and picture breaks. You will have enough time to discover beautiful sites, meet the locals, taking the pictures and admiring the landscapes.
TRIP PRICES
The trip rates: the cost of this trip is subject to change depending on the number of persons in the group, the accommodation category, the number of days
The Package includes:
•Airport arrival and departure transfers.
•All transfers on the ground by air-conditioned and very comfortable vehicles.
•Professional and certified English speaking guide.
•Full board during the trip.
•Spacious igloo tents, 2 persons per tent except individual one.
•Foam mattress, 5 cm thickness, per person.
•Mules to carry your luggage’s during the hike.
•Services of the accompanying staff: guides, cooks, muleteers…
•A first aid kit with standard equipment.
•The necessary logistic for the trip.
•The beverages include are: mineral bottled water, coffees, Moroccan mint tea…
The Package excludes:
•Flights.
•Tips.
•Accommodation in Marrakech.
