Bouguemez and M’Goun Gorges Trek

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 01

   Day 1

   Marrakech – Azilal – Aït Bouguemez valley (Timit, 1,750 m)

   Departure from Marrakech at 8am for Azilal, the gateway to the central High Atlas, then on to the Oughbar pass at 2,200 m before descending a narrow mountain road. We are now in the heart of the Aït Bouguemez valley, known as the ‘happy valley’. We settle in with a local family in Timit, are welcomed Berber-style with mint tea, then stroll freely among the houses and fields of the villages. Dinner prepared by our Berber family and night at the gîte. 5½ hours’ drive.

2. 02

   Day 2

   Discovering the Aït Bouguemez valley

   Our walk begins among the valley’s crops and their traditional irrigation system. A superb day meeting villagers at work in the terraced fields, passing through the villages of Tabant and Aït Imi. Visit of the famous dinosaur footprints in the middle of the village of Ibaklioune. Night with a local family at the same gîte in Timit. 5½ hours’ walking.

3. 03

   Day 3

   Timit (1,750 m) – Arouss valley – Azib n’Ikkiss (2,300 m)

   We begin our trek with a short climb to the communal granary and the marabout of Sidi Moussa, with a magnificent view over the happy valley in three directions. We then descend to the village of Agouti. Lunch beneath tall walnut trees near the village of Arouss. After two hours’ walking we reach our camp at Azib n’Ikkiss. 5½ hours’ walking.

4. 04

   Day 4

   Azib n’Ikkiss (2,300 m) – Tarkeddit pass (3,400 m) – Tarkeddit (2,900 m)

   A good path climbs to the Tarkeddit pass (3,400 m), with a fine view of the M’Goun range and its 4,068-metre summit. An hour’s descent then brings us to the Tarkeddit plateau, frequented by nomads and their herds of goats, sheep and camels. Night under canvas. 5½ hours’ walking.

5. 05

   Day 5

   Tarkeddit (2,900 m) – ascent of M’Goun (4,068 m) – Oulilimt (2,600 m)

   Breakfast around 4am and departure around 5am; our cook carries the picnic. The climb is fairly long but requires no technical equipment: about four hours of steady, gentle ascent. From the summit of M’Goun (4,068 m), there is a magnificent view over the peaks and valleys of the south, the Valley of Roses and the Dadès. We then follow a beautiful ridge before descending to camp. Afternoon at rest. 8 hours’ walking. Night under canvas.

6. 06

   Day 6

   Oulilimt (2,600 m) – Aflafal spring (2,200 m)

   We are now in the Oulilimt valley, where Aït Atta herders on their seasonal migration from the Valley of Roses and the jbel Saghro settle for a while, finding here the right land for their activity and their nomadic life. We walk down the superb stream, which becomes the M’Goun river, following its course. After 4 hours’ walking we set up camp at the Aflafal spring. Free afternoon.

7. 07

   Day 7

   Aflafal spring (2,200 m) – M’Goun valley – Imi n’Irkt

   We descend the M’Goun valley on a riverside path, passing through many Berber villages set among fields of maize and wheat, apple trees and walnut trees. Lunch is prepared near the village of Taghreft, in the heart of this beautiful valley. After 1½ hours’ walking we reach our camp at the village of Imi n’Irkt, ‘the gateway to the gorge’ in Berber.

8. 08

   Day 8

   Imi n’Irkt – M’Goun gorges – Aguerzegua

   An early start to avoid the hours when storms are likely (2pm to 6pm). We will certainly wade through water, sometimes cold and with a strong current, so bring canvas shoes. These are truly the most beautiful and spectacular gorges in the High Atlas. Where they narrow, we walk for three hours in water that is often cold and refreshing. At the exit, our cook welcomes us with hot tea and lunch at the Ifasfas spring. Camp near the village of Aguerzegua. 5½ hours’ walking.

9. 09

   Day 9

   Aguerzegua (1,650 m) – Ighrem Akdim – Boutaghrar (1,500 m)

   The trek continues, sometimes in the water, sometimes through open fields. Terraced crops line both banks of the river, yet they struggle to meet the needs of a fast-growing population. The further south we go, the warmer the climate becomes. Lunch near the village of Ighrem Akdim. Night in a gîte with a local family in Boutaghrar. 5½ hours’ walking.

10. 10

    Day 10

    Boutaghrar – Ouarzazate – Marrakech

    From Boutaghrar we head towards Ouarzazate on a magnificent road along the Atlas, through typical Berber villages, to the small town of Kelâat M’Gouna, Morocco’s capital of roses. We then cross the Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka, Morocco’s highest road pass at 2,260 metres, before arriving in Marrakech. 6 hours’ drive. Transfer to the airport.

Places on this trip

• Marrakech
• High Atlas
• Valley of Roses
• M’Goun and Aït Bouguemez