M’Goun Ascent and M’Goun Gorges Traverse

Descriptions

Our trekking adventure in Morocco’s M’Goun region begins in the Ait Bougmez Valley, located in the north of the Central High Atlas. This valley is renowned for its apple orchards, walnut groves, and cultivated terraces. During our seven-day hike, we will traverse the magnificent valleys of the Central High Atlas, including the Arous Valley, the M’goun Valley, and the Valley of the Roses. The Central High Atlas offers extraordinary diversity, with villages perched on hillsides or tucked at the foot of wadis (dry riverbeds), taking on the color of the surrounding earth.

We will discover the famous M’goun Gorges and embark on the ascent of its peak, the highest in the Central High Atlas. The M’goun massif is prized for its vast plateaus where Berber shepherds graze their herds during the summer. Among the highlights of our journey, we will have the opportunity to explore the “Happy Valley” of Aït Bougmez, summit Mount M’goun (the second-highest peak in Morocco), admire the architecture of the villages, and meet the local inhabitants of the High Atlas. We will also have the chance to explore the narrow M’goun Gorges, the most impressive in Morocco, and discover the life of the nomads

Included

Transfers between Marrakech and the start of the hike, and return to Marrakech at the end of the trek.
Provision of tents and mattresses during the hike.
All meals during the hike.
Services of muleteers and mules.
Services of a cook during the hike.
A certified mountain guide.

Excluded

Itinerary

Day 1: Marrakech – Ait Bougmez Valley – Azib N’Ikkis

Departure from Marrakech at 8:00 AM. We will head towards Azilal and take a mountain road leading to the Tizi N’Tirghist Pass before reaching the “Happy Valley” of Ait Bougmez. Our trek begins by crossing the fields, taking time to observe the villagers in their daily activities, and then we will ascend the small Arous Valley to the Ikkis n’Arous pastures. The drive takes approximately 5 hours, followed by a 2.5-hour walk. We will climb an elevation gain of 500 meters before spending the night in tents.

Day 2: Ikkis N’Arous (2250 m) – Tarkedit Pass (3400 m) – Tarkedit (2900 m)

We begin our day with the ascent towards the Tarkedit Pass, located at an altitude of 3400 meters. Along the way, we will make a few stops to enjoy the magnificent views of the M’goun range and the peak of M’goun itself, reaching 4068 meters. After a 500-meter descent, we will reach the Tarkedit plateau, frequented by nomads. The duration of this day is approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes of walking, with an ascent of 1050 meters followed by a descent of 500 meters. We will spend the night in tents.

Day 3: Tarkedit – M’goun Ascent (4072 m) – Oulilimt Springs (2600 m)

This stage will be long, with approximately 9 hours of hiking. We will continue our ascent towards the ridge, offering panoramic views all the way to the summit of M’goun, the highest point in the Central Atlas, from where the view of the M’goun Massif and its distant valleys (including the Drâa and Dadès valleys) is splendid. Afterwards, a long descent through magnificent landscapes will lead us to our campsite. The total hiking time will be 9 hours, with an ascent of 1170 meters and a descent of 1470 meters. We will spend the night in tents.

Day 4: Oulilimt Springs (2600 m) – Oulilimt (2600 m) – Aflafel Spring (2200 m)

We find ourselves in the Oulilimt Valley, where the transhumant Ait Atta people temporarily settle, coming from the Valley of the Roses and the Saghro mountains to lead their nomadic life. We will descend the magnificent oued (dry riverbed), which transforms into the Mgoun River. Following the river’s course, we will reach the Aflafel spring after 4.5 hours of walking, where we will set up our camp. The afternoon will be free.

Day 5: Aflafel Spring (2200 m) – Mgoun Valley – Imi N’Irkt

We follow a path along the river, descending the Mgoun Valley and passing through numerous Berber villages bordered by fields of corn, wheat, apple, and walnut trees. We stop near the village of Taghreft, in the heart of this magnificent valley, for an on-site prepared lunch. After a walk of one and a half hours, we reach our campsite at the village of Imi N’Irkt (meaning “the gate of the gorge” in Berber). The total walking duration is 5 hours and 30 minutes.

Day 6: Imi N’Irkt – The Mgoun Gorges – Tiranimine – Aguerzegua

This day is dedicated to a walk through the Mgoun Gorges, with several river crossings. At points where the gorge narrows, we will walk through the water, which is often cold and refreshing in summer. We will take a break to enjoy hot tea and lunch near the Ifasfas spring. We will spend the night in tents near the village of Aguerzegua. The walking duration is 6 hours, with a descent of 500 meters.

Day 7: Transfer from Aguerzegua to Ouarzazate – Marrakech

We will travel by local transport for a short distance of about 10 km to reach the paved road, where we will meet our vehicle for the transfer to Marrakech. Along the way, we will make a stop in the town of Kelaa M’Gouna, world-famous for its roses, where a grand rose festival takes place every first week of May. We will arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon. This marks the end of our adventure. The drive will take approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes.

Note : This Itinerary is just a guideline and subject to change to suit local condition.

Essential equipment: (Rentable in Morocco)

– Good walking boots and socks / good trainers for river treks
– Personnel medicines
– Sleeping bags
– Lightweight waterproof over-trousers / rain-pants
– Water bottle or camelback (recommended)
– Soft-sided bag (50-80 litres)
– Lightweight daypack
– Sunglasses
– Sunscreen
– Torch (forehead torch is better) and batteries
– Towel & all personal toiletries

Prices :

Groups from 2 to 4 People	Groups from 5 to 8	Groups from 9 to 12 People	Groups of more than 13 People
650€/ person	540€ / person	470€ / person	price on request

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M’Goun Ascent and M’Goun Gorges Traverse