Treks in Morocco | The road of the nomads

General description

Located in the heart of Central Atlas, the Djebel M'goun offers to visitors and explorers a surprising variety of landscapes and the unique pleasure of a still wild and unspoiled nature. Being the second highest peak in Morocco after the Toubkal, the M’goun is always snow covered during winter months while in May and June its valleys and slopes are crossed by the nomadic tribes of the Ait Atta n 'Amalou confederation, practicing transhumance with their flocks of goats between here and the Massif of Saghro.

After a day of preparation at the beautiful Ouzoud waterfalls, on the northern side of High Atlas, we’ll begin our trek walking by the shore of the lake Izoughar to reach the green valley of Ait Bouguemez (1800 mt) from where we’ll start our ascent to the peak of M'goun, at 4067 meters above sea level. A good level of fitness and a strong technical preparation are required in order to positively manage the long duration of the trek, the important differences in altitude, the variety of terrains (mostly rocky) and the extremely cold temperatures during the winter season. Recommended for experienced trekkers.

Included services:

Transfers by 4x4 or minibus from/to the arrival/departure point - 1 professional nature guide throughout the duration of the trip - 9 nights in bivouac, with accommodation on full board basis - 2 nights in hotel / riad / guest house, with accommodation on full board basis - 3 liters of water per day and per person during the trek - Cook and equipment for the bivouac: restaurant and kitchen tent, igloo tents and mattresses - Muleteers and mules for carrying luggages, equipment and supplies - Hammam and massages at the end of the trekking - 24h24 assistance

Extra services not included:

Airplane tickets - Drinks - Tips for staff – Optional activities – Travel health and cancellation insurance (on request, Direction Sud will help you identify the most suitable for your needs). Direction Sud guarantees no hidden costs or other extra fees.

Stages of the trip

12 days / 11 nights

Ouzoud Waterfalls – Lake Izoughar – Ighern – Timmet (Ait Bouguemez Valley) – Talat Righn - Assif ‘n Oulilemt – Tarkeddit – Peak of M’goun – Plateau Amssoud – Imderaas – Ouarzazate

Departure from Marrakech for the Ouzoud waterfalls, hidden among a lush forest of olive trees, almonds and figs, in the Tadla-Azilal region. After a first day of relax and preparation for the trekking, we’ll begin our hike from the berber village of Asm Souk (2300 mt) on the north side of the High Central High Atlas, in a fascinating snow covered landscape during winter months. Ascending through a thick juniper forest up to the village of Ighern, we’ll reach the berber village of Timmet and the valley of Ait Bouguemez, also knows as the happy valley due to its green fields and the vast orchards surrounded by the majestic peaks of the central High Atlas. After a night with local families and a visit to the ancient granary of Sidi Moussa, we’ll start our ascent to the M’goun summit, through a mountain landscape with magnificent views and plenty of natural sources of pure water on an ocher and red earth. The sixth day we’ll cross the Assif n'Oulilemt valley, at 2600 meters of altitude, up to the wide pastures of Tarkeddit (2900 m), where we’ll spend the night in a refuge. The next day we’ll start early our climb to the M’goun peak on a steep and rocky terrain, where the ridge is often very narrow. We’ll reach the top by midmorning to admire a superb landscape on both the norther and southern sides of the High Atlas Central. We’ll then begin our descent through the mountain pass of Oumsoud (3340 mt), the Aflafel sources (2200m) and finally the Berber village of Imderaas where we’ll wait for the 4x4 to return to Ouarzazate for an relaxing day with hammam and massages, before going back to Marrakech.

Duration: 12 days