On this action-filled adventure through the High Atlas Mountains, explore some of Morocco's most remote and dazzling landscapes and enjoy superlative trekking. Kick off the journey by experiencing the sights and sounds of Marrakech's ancient medina and then set out to discover lush oases, age-old casbahs, and traditional Berber villages. Spend five days on an extraordinary trek through majestic mountain scenery, camping in comfortable mobile camps in the wilderness, and climb the imposing Mount M'Goun, Morocco's second highest peak.
On this action-filled adventure through the High Atlas Mountains, explore some of Morocco's most remote and dazzling landscapes and enjoy superlative trekking. Kick off the journey by experiencing the sights and sounds of Marrakech's ancient medina and then set out to discover lush oases, age-old casbahs, and traditional Berber villages. Spend five days on an extraordinary trek through majestic mountain scenery, camping in comfortable mobile camps in the wilderness, and climb the imposing Mount M'Goun, Morocco's second highest peak.
Arrive in Marrakech this morning and meet an MT Sobek representative outside the customs and immigration area at the airport. After transferring to the hotel, enjoy lunch and a trip briefing with the group. This afternoon, you'll set out on a guided walking tour of the medina, the mesmerizing "old town" of Marrakech. Wander its maze of narrow streets and enjoy the hubbub of the famed Djemma El Fna square, with its snake charmers and fire eaters. It's like a scene out of One Thousand and One Nights! Have dinner paired with a musical performance at a traditional restaurant inside a 19th-century family home.
Accommodation: Riad Dar Justo Accommodation: Riad Abaka Hotel
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Discover Telouet Kasbah, Ksar of Ait Benhaddou & Skoura
Day 2
After an early breakfast, set out for a scenic drive over the dramatic passes of the High Atlas Mountains, rising above a landscape of oases, pastures, poplar groves, and fairy-tale villages. Stop for lunch near the mud-brick Telouet Kasbah and continue on to Ksar Ait Benhaddou. Marvel at this UNESCO World Heritage Site with its earthen houses stacked one on top of the other, protected by a defensive wall, and learn about Berber culture. Drive through the city of Ouarzazate, known as "the door of the desert," and visit the Telouet Kasbah, also known as the Palace of Glaoui. Once the seat of a powerful Berber prince, it's a must-stop on today's journey. Then continue eastward through the Dadès Valley to Skoura.
Accommodation: Ksar Ait Ben Damiette
Activity: Scenic drive
Transportation: 6-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore the Dadès Valley & Hike M'Goun River Trails
Day 3
Start the day with a warm-up walk in the lush Skoura oasis with its giant kasbahs, then drive to the Roses Valley and ascend through the foothills of the middle Atlas. Arrive in Tiranimine, where your pack mules await and your hike begins! Set off on river trails toward the gorges of Wadi M'Goun. You will be walking in the water of the M'Goun River for about 30% of our journey from Tiranimine to Tarzout. Camp near Tarzout village (6,235').
Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp High Atlas Mountains
Activity: 3.5 hours/6 miles hiking with 660' elevation gain
Transportation: 2.5-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike the Ouzirimt Valley
Day 4
Spend the day hiking through spectacular gorges that separate high ridges and escarpments of M'Goun massif. Walk in the water for about 2 hours, winding along the narrowing gorges on the riverbed, taking in colorful sandstone and limestone formations that punctuate this dramatic landscape, and undertake several river crossings. Ascend 985 feet, leaving the gorges, and set up camp where the valley widens, near the village of Imi Nirkt (6562'). Camp near Id Aissa or Tagheft village.
Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp High Atlas Mountains
Activity: 5.5 - 6 hours/9 miles hiking with 1,000' elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike to Tighremt n'Ait Ahmed & Oulilimt Valley
Day 5
Head out on another day-long hike downstream along the river in the remote Ouzirimt Valley. Walking on narrow donkey paths, pass through picturesque clay villages and verdant fields. Reach Tighremt n'Ait Ahmed, ruins of an ancient granary formerly used as a stop for desert caravans. Some rocky peaks dot the bottom of the valley dominated to the south by M'Goun mountain chain. Camp in the Oulilimt Valley tonight.
Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp High Atlas Mountains
Activity: 4.5-5 hours/7 miles hiking with 1300' elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ascend to Mt. M'Goun Base Camp
Day 6
Leave the villages behind and set out today on a hiking path along the river, ascending up toward base camp. The landscape changes from sheepfolds to a mountain landscape with a small trail used by goats, sheep, herders, and the rare few hikers that come this way. The river gradually turns into a mountain stream and you'll camp near the source of the M'Goun River at the foot of Mt. M'Goun.
Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp High Atlas Mountains
Activity: 4.5 hours/7.5 miles hiking with 984' elevation gain and 328' elevation loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Summit Mount M'Goun
Day 7
Set out in the very early morning hours to start the (optional) hike to the peak of Mount M'Goun. The second-highest mountain in Morocco (13,356'), it offers a spectacular trek for seasoned hikers. This is the trip's biggest climb and longest trek. After reaching the summit, return down the same path to the upper M'Goun Valley and down along two mountain passes with breathtaking views of the mountain range. End the day at a camp in Izabyin.
Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp High Atlas Mountains
Activity: 8-9 hours/10-12 miles hiking with elevation gain of 3838' and elevation loss of 3838'
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wrap Up the Trek & Return to Marrakech
Day 8
This morning head out for the last portion of the trek, up Tizi Tinourine pass and Izi Azdremt pass. After the pass it's a long descent to the sheepfolds of Ikkis shepherd huts and the Arous riverbed. Have a quick picnic lunch before continuing into the Ait Bougmez Valley. Finish the trek here and board the vehicle for the transfer back to Marrakech. Enjoy a farewell dinner and overnight in Marrakech.
Accommodation: Riad Dar Justo Accommodation: Riad Abaka Hotel
Activity: 4-4.5 hours/9 miles hiking with 800' elevation gain and 4900' loss
Transportation: 3.5-4-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart From Marrakech
Day 9
Say goodbye to Morocco this morning and transfer to the airport for your homeward-bound flight.
Dreaming of an adventure designed exclusively for you? With insider access and decades of experience, our travel experts create custom tailored adventures that are perfect for families, couples, and large groups. MT Sobek's custom adventures are designed to our exacting standards and led by our award-winning adventure guides.
When to start planning? Earlier is always better when designing a custom trip. More time allows for better availability of preferred accommodations, guides and your desired activities. Ideally, start the conversation with us at least 6 months before you want to travel. If you are looking for a custom trip that departs within three months, chances are greatly diminished in securing requested accommodations and the best guides.
*Custom trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit once an itinerary is agreed upon.
The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.
Abdellah A.
Abdellah was born in the Central High Atlas Mountains in the Amazigh (Berber) village of Ait Bougumez. Mountain adventure has always been Abdellah's true passion and he has over 20 years of experience in travel and tourism-formally earning his mountain guide degree certification in 2005. Abdellah is fluent in English, French, Amazigh, and Arabic, and enjoys sharing his wondrous country, including the local culture in the Atlas. He loves to organize meetings with local families and nomads for MT Sobek travelers.
Jabir B.
Jabir was born and raised in the valleys of the Central High Atlas Mountains. He is Amazigh (Berber), the original population of North Africa pre-Roman Empire. Jabir has over 15 years of experience guiding trips in Morocco. He passionately shares a deep love and appreciation for his country and is at home in the Atlas Mountains, where he enjoys facilitating interactions with local villagers and families. In his spare time, Jabir gives lectures about the Amazigh (Berber) culture around Europe. He is outgoing, knowledgeable, and has a keen eye for foreign cultures, ethnology, and geology.
Arrive in Marrakech this morning and meet an MT Sobek representative outside the customs and immigration area at the airport. After transferring to the hotel, enjoy lunch and a trip briefing with the group. This afternoon, you\'ll set out on a guided walking tour of the medina, the mesmerizing "old town" of Marrakech. Wander its maze of narrow streets and enjoy the hubbub of the famed Djemma El Fna square, with its snake charmers and fire eaters. It\'s like a scene out of One Thousand and One Nights! Have dinner paired with a musical performance at a traditional restaurant inside a 19th-century family home.
After an early breakfast, set out for a scenic drive over the dramatic passes of the High Atlas Mountains, rising above a landscape of oases, pastures, poplar groves, and fairy-tale villages. Stop for lunch near the mud-brick Telouet Kasbah and continue on to Ksar Ait Benhaddou. Marvel at this UNESCO World Heritage Site with its earthen houses stacked one on top of the other, protected by a defensive wall, and learn about Berber culture. Drive through the city of Ouarzazate, known as "the door of the desert," and visit the Telouet Kasbah, also known as the Palace of Glaoui. Once the seat of a powerful Berber prince, it\'s a must-stop on today\'s journey. Then continue eastward through the Dadès Valley to Skoura.
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Start the day with a warm-up walk in the lush Skoura oasis with its giant kasbahs, then drive to the Roses Valley and ascend through the foothills of the middle Atlas. Arrive in Tiranimine, where your pack mules await and your hike begins! Set off on river trails toward the gorges of Wadi M\'Goun. You will be walking in the water of the M\'Goun River for about 30% of our journey from Tiranimine to Tarzout. Camp near Tarzout village (6,235\').
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Spend the day hiking through spectacular gorges that separate high ridges and escarpments of M\'Goun massif. Walk in the water for about 2 hours, winding along the narrowing gorges on the riverbed, taking in colorful sandstone and limestone formations that punctuate this dramatic landscape, and undertake several river crossings. Ascend 985 feet, leaving the gorges, and set up camp where the valley widens, near the village of Imi Nirkt (6562\'). Camp near Id Aissa or Tagheft village.
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Head out on another day-long hike downstream along the river in the remote Ouzirimt Valley. Walking on narrow donkey paths, pass through picturesque clay villages and verdant fields. Reach Tighremt n\'Ait Ahmed, ruins of an ancient granary formerly used as a stop for desert caravans. Some rocky peaks dot the bottom of the valley dominated to the south by M\'Goun mountain chain. Camp in the Oulilimt Valley tonight.
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Leave the villages behind and set out today on a hiking path along the river, ascending up toward base camp. The landscape changes from sheepfolds to a mountain landscape with a small trail used by goats, sheep, herders, and the rare few hikers that come this way. The river gradually turns into a mountain stream and you\'ll camp near the source of the M\'Goun River at the foot of Mt. M\'Goun.
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Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 4. You should feel comfortable hiking from 4 to 6 hours per day on consecutive days. There is an optional summit day with 3,841' of elevation gain and 6,135' of elevation loss. Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 2
Scenic drive
Day 3
3.5 hours/6 miles hiking with 660' elevation gain
Day 4
5.5 - 6 hours/9 miles hiking with 1,000' elevation gain
Day 5
4.5-5 hours/7 miles hiking with 1300' elevation gain
Day 6
4.5 hours/7.5 miles hiking with 984' elevation gain and 328' elevation loss
Day 7
8-9 hours/10-12 miles hiking with elevation gain of 3838' and elevation loss of 3838'
Day 8
4-4.5 hours/9 miles hiking with 800' elevation gain and 4900' loss
Accommodations
MT Sobek mobile camps in the wilderness and a boutique hotel in Marrakech to bookend the trip in style.
Right at the heart of Marrakech's medina, this 14th-century riad (traditional house with an inner patio) is an enchanting hideaway. Its cozy rooms and suites, each individually decorated, come with plush perks like Egyptian cotton linen and Wi-Fi. Guests can sample slow-cooked Moroccan cuisine at the rooftop restaurant and unwind at the on-site spa and hammam.
Surrounded by palm groves and beautifully decorated in a traditional Moroccon style, Ksar Ait Ben Damiette is a hotel designed around relaxation. Unwind at the pool, sip tea on the terrace overlooking the garden or dine at the French Moroccan fusion restaurant
The boutique Riad Abaka Hotel is decorated in traditional Moroccan style featuring ornate Moorish moulding, geometric tiled motifs and a courtyard fountain garden. Each room includes modern amenities such as a flat-screen TV and Wi-Fi.
Weather
Daytime temperatures in Marrakech range from 80-90°F, dropping to the 60°Fs at night. Mountain highs range from 60-70°F at lower altitudes and 50-60°F at higher altitudes.
Jun
Jul
Sep
Oct
Marrakech
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
Marrakech
93
64
100
69
90
65
83
59
Mount M\'Goun
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
Mount M\'Goun
55
45
55
45
50
40
50
40
FAQs
What are the meals like on the trek?
Our hiking team includes experienced cooks who will prepare traditional Moroccan dishes like soups, tajines, couscous, pasta, and dessert with pancakes or Moroccan donuts.
Can the hikes be modified for my fitness level?
We offer this trip as a private departure and can customize the hikes and length of the trip to your abilities and preferences on a private trip.
What kind of vehicles are used?
We travel by 4x4, minibus and bus, depending on our group size.
Can I extend my trip?
Yes! We offer pre-set extensions in Marrakesh, Fes, Casablanca, and Essaouira. We can also help you book extra pre-post hotel nights.
What will the camping be like on this trip?
Mules will help transport the luggage and equipment along the trek. The campsites will include a dining tent, a toilet tent and a shower tent. We will provide two-person dome tents that your guide will help setup each night, along with sleeping bags and sleeping pads.
What is the minimum age for this trip?
The standard minimum age for this trip is 18, but check out our private trip options for families and groups with younger guests.
