Tour description

North-South crossing of M'Goun - Climbing Morocco's 2nd highest peak

Visit Central High Atlas is an essentially limestone massif, morphologically dominated by tabular zones culminating at an altitude of 2,500 meters, stretching from Azilal to Ouarzazate. The contrasting landscapes here are of extraordinary beauty, revealing to visitors marvellous sites with high plateaus, gorges and incised canyons, a chaos of peaks jagged by erosion...

Visit Jbel M'Goun (4,068 metres) is the highest peak in this part of the High Atlas. It consists of a long ridge 10 km long, at or near 4,000 meters above sea level. The ridge is in fact an anticline. The surface rock is hard limestone. Its northern slope was carved out by glaciers during the Quaternary glaciations, so that today 14 combes line up perpendicular to the ridge line. Ighil M'Goun is a popular destination for trekkers.

The Berber population is renowned for its exceptional hospitality. Visit Aït Bouguemez Valley or "Happy Valley", is the most central valley in the region, at an altitude of 1900 m, at the foot of the majestic M'goun 4068 m. Its garden-like fields attract migratory birds from all over the world in spring and summer.

Tour highlights

  • Ascent of Jbel M'Goun (4068m), 2nd highest peak in Morocco
  • Discover the Happy Valley of Aït Bouguemez
  • Complete north-south crossing of the M'Goun massif
  • Extraordinary landscapes: plateaus, gorges and canyons
  • Meet the Berber people and their culture
  • Atlas-saures dinosaur footprint observation

Detailed Itinerary - 10 Days

Day 1

Arrival in Marrakech

Arrival at Marrakech airport, welcome and transfer to your accommodation. Check-in and overnight at your hotel.

Day 2

Marrakech / Aït Bougmez (1800m)

Departure from Marrakech to the magnificent Vallée Heureuse d'Aït Bougmez. 300km - 5h drive. First immersion in this valley renowned for its beauty and authenticity.

Day 3

Aït Bougmez valley / Arous (2400m)

First day of hiking through the valley to the village of Arous. Discover the landscape and local culture. 5-hour walk.

Day 4

Azib Arous / Col Timanratine (3200m) / Plateau de Targdit (2900m)

Day's approach to the M'Goun massif, crossing the Timanratine pass and arriving on the magnificent Targdit plateau. 4h30 walk.

Day 5

Targdit / M'Goun summit (4068m) / Ifri (2700m)

A day's ascent of the M'Goun summit. Exceptional panoramic view from the roof of the Central High Atlas. Descent to Ifri. 7-hour walk.

Day 6

Ifri / Ameskar Tehtani (1800m)

Descent to the Ameskar valley through varied landscapes and traditional villages. 5h30 walk.

Day 7

Ameskar Tehtani / Boutagrar (1600m)

Continuing the trek to the Boutagrar region, discovering new landscapes and meeting the local people. 5h30 walk.

Day 8

Boutagrar / Hdida Tabarkhachte (1400m)

Last full day of hiking to the Tabarkhachte region. 5-hour walk.

Day 9

Tabarkhachte / Ouarzazate / Marrakech

Return by vehicle to Marrakech via Ouarzazate. 350km - 6h drive. Last night in Marrakech.

Day 10

Marrakech / Departure

Breakfast and transfer to Marrakech airport for your return flight, with wonderful memories of this adventure in the Central High Atlas.

What's included

Included

  • Pick-up on arrival at the airport
  • Airport - Hotel - Hiking - Hotel - Airport transfers
  • The assistance of a qualified guide and muleteers
  • Nights in a hotel or Riad in Marrakech
  • Nights in tents and lodgings during the hike
  • Full board during the tour

Not included

  • Cancellation and assistance insurance (Compulsory!)
  • Beverages and personal expenses
  • Meals in town

Tour details

Duration

10 days / 9 nights

Level

Middle +

Period

May to October

Participants

From 2 persons

Type of hike

Crossing and ascent

Price

On request

Frequently asked questions

How difficult is this hike?

This is a medium+ level hike. It requires good physical condition and some experience of mountain hiking. The ascent of M'Goun (day 5) is particularly demanding, with a 7-hour hike and a significant difference in altitude.

Is the ascent of M'Goun technical?

The ascent of M'Goun is not technical in the mountaineering sense, but it is physically demanding. No special skills are required, apart from good stamina and gradual acclimatization to the altitude.

When is the best time to go hiking?

The recommended period is from May to October. In May-June, the countryside is still lush and the temperatures pleasant. In September-October, the air is very clear and temperatures are ideal for hiking.

What special equipment do you need?

We recommend that you bring warm clothing (even in summer), a good sleeping bag, well-tried hiking boots, walking sticks, a headlamp and rain gear. A detailed equipment list will be provided on reservation.

Central High Atlas Photo Gallery