7 days of trekking with a day either side to arrive and return to Marrakech, making 9 days of adventure in some spectacular parts of Morocco. Choose your time of arrival to coincide with the harvest of the Damascus Roses that are grown in the valley and you have an added bonus to your trek.
Jbel Mgoun is the second highest peak in Morocco and is surrounded by a vast playground of peaks, valleys, gorges and villages with diverse landscapes. You will be camping wild and staying with nomad and local families. This is a traverse trek which you can combine with a trek or trip in the Sahara or High Atlas.
This trek can be done in winter, it will present challenges, therefore an element of flexibility must be included. Certain parts may not be passable by the mule-team, also floods may occur requiring a change of route. Our team is well equipped to deal with these situations should they occur. A spring or early summer trek will be surrounded with aromatic flora and blossoms, fruit trees and verdant valleys. Whatever time you choose will offer exceptional views and memorable experiences.
Day 1Marrakech - Agouti
In the morning we drive from Marrakech to Agouti. There is time to relax at the guesthouse in Agouti when we arrive in the late afternoon.
Day 2Agouti - Arous
Our muleteam arrives and organises all the supplies and equipment on the mules. Leaving the verdant valley we trek up to Arous with a picnic lunch stop on the way. Camp overnight.
Day 3Arous - Tarkedit Plateau - Camp
Trek a wild landscape before crossing the Aghouri pass (3,450m) then descend to the wind-eroded and possibly snow-covered high plateau of Tarkedit (2,900m). There is a hut where the team will prepare lunch after which we climb up to the southern side of the plateau and establish a camp at 3,400m, directly below M’goun West (3,978m). 7-8 hours trekking.
Day 4Ascent of Jbel M'goun (4,068m) - Ifri n Ait Hammou
Today we make our ascent to the summit of Jbel M’goun; also called Ighim Mgoun. The climb follows a long ridge, all at or above 4,000m, which typically takes between 4 and 5 hours to the summit depending on snow conditions. From the top, there are impressive views across the Draa Valley and towards the Sahara Desert to the south. We descend back to Azib Izabine where the team will have set up camp and a welcome tea will be prepared before dinner. 8-9 hours trekking.
Day 5Ifri n Ait Hammou - Amesker
After breakfast, walk up the pass of Tizi n´Ouchen (3200m), a small but beautiful pass, then wal down to the attractive valley known for its beautiful waterfalls. After picnick we continue until Ameskar where we overnight in an auberge.
Day 6Amesker to Tinvian
After camp breakfast, we leave Amesker Valley with its rugged terrain, to trek to reach the wonderful *Amajgag Gorge. Picnic in the gorge. After lunch trek upward crossing a small sandy mountain with a variety of soil colours before entering Tinvian; a splendid village located in the middle of the mountain. Overnight in bivouac.
Optional alternative route from here* Amejgag
With a trek of this length, we use a relay system for the Muleteam, the first one returns and we meet a new one to continue to the Valley.
Day 7Tinvian - Issoumar
Departure in the morning to cross the Issoumar Mountain. We picnic on the mountain where the group can profit from the richest view. Afterward we descend down to Ait Youl in the Roses Valley, and spend the rest of the day visiting the village. Overnight with a nomad family.
Day 8Issoumar - Bou Taghrar
After a typical Berber breakfast, we will trek down to the Valley of Roses with a unique view of towns and Berber villages filled with plenty of charm to arrive in the heart of the valley; in the town of Boutaghrar. After a picnic lunch, the group can continue down to Tourbist or further to Hadida where the night will be in a guesthouse.
Day 9Marrakech
You will be driven back to Marrakech.
Alternative route from Day 6 making a 9 Day Trek
Day 6Aguerzaka - Valley of Alemdoun
After breakfast, we trek out of this verdant valley with its magnificent kasbahs and gorges, up 300 meters to the pass that leads us through a forest of juniper and to the Amesker Valley. Continuing on to the picturesque valley of Alemdoun with its dozens of houses shaped into adobe kasbahs. Our lunch break will be in the Temtda Valley, and then we continue on a well surfaced trail to the village of Alemdoun at 1700m. We will be camping wild again tonight. 5/6 hours trekking.
Day 7Alemdoun - El Hot - Bou Taghrar
We start the days trek with a slow descent to the oleander filled valley full of exotic groves of pink blossoms. (*please note this pretty shrub is very toxic especially if burned.) You may need the footwear for crossing in the river again here. As the valley widens, we follow the river to the village of El Hout with its magnificent Kasbah and grain store; a large village with many beautiful adobe houses and buildings. Lunch will be at the riverside near the village of Aznag. After an hours walk we reach the village of Boutaghrar. 5 hours of trekking with a 500m descent. We will be camping tonight.
Day 8Boutaghrar - Tourbist - Hadida
Prepare yourself today for many photo opportunities as you trek in the heart of the Rose Valley with its numerous Kasbahs. The fields of cereal and vegetable crops are now in view with their hedges of roses. These roses are used for the manufacture of rose products. The trek continues along the Tourbist Valley and then to Hadida village where we will spend the night.
Day 9Hdida - Kelaat Mgouna - Ouarzazate - Kasbah Ait Benhaddou - Telouet - Marrakech
Today after a good shower and breakfast, we return to **Marrakech with a few interesting stops on the way. We leave the valley and drive in the direction of Ouarzazate and on to visit the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou; famous for the many movies that have been filmed there. This 11th century Kasbah was declared a World Heritage site listed by UNESCO. If time allows, we will continue along the Ounila Valley to visit the Telouet Kasbah and from there continue to Marrakech. Night in a riad in the medina with breakfast. 6 -7 hours drive.
**If you wish to continue on to the Sahara, or do another trek as part of your trip, just let us know and we will organise them with you.
- Transportation
- Driver
- Guide
- Accommodation as described
- Camel ride as described
- Meals
- Travel insurance.
- Soft/alcoholic drinks
- Tips and personal expanses