M'Goun climbing trek in the middle of Atlas mountains
This eight day trek, during which you’ll ascend the M’Goun mountain, will have you discovering one of the Hight Atlas’ wildest areas. At 4068 metres, M’goun is Morocco’s third highest peak. Climbing it is relatively straightforward but gives you the right to brag about having climbed a mountain of more than 4000 metres in altitude. The mountain’s barren flanks irrigate a vast zone of plateaus and valleys where isolated Berber villages continue to lead traditional rural lifestyles in harmony with nature and their environment.
The stages of your journey :
Day 1: Marrakech
Day 2: Marrakech – Arous Farm. 4h30 drive and 3 hours of walking. Ascent + 400
Day 3: Arous Farm- M’Goun Mountain Hut. 5 hours of walking. Ascent + 1100/-400m
Day 4: M’Goun Ascension. 8 hours of walking. Ascent + 1180/-1400m.
Day 5: Aïn Aflafal. 4 hours of walking. Ascent + 200 /-350m
Day 6: Aïn Aflafal - Aït Imi Village. 6 hours of walking. Ascent + 600 /-1050m
Day 7: Aït Imi Village - Marrakech. 1h30 of walking 4h30 drive.
Day 8: Marrakech
Summary :
Trek accessible to any strong walker
5 to 6 hours of walking each day with the exception of the day you’ll climb M’Goun ( 8h30 ) Ascent is optional
Your accomodation
> Bivouac shelter during the hike: 4 nights in bivouac shelters. Each night, igloo tents (Ferrino brand) are set up near the kitchen tent and the mess tent where meals are taken. Floor cushions and rugs help make seating comfortable and lanterns add ambiance! Wash is quick and conveniences rustic. What is prioritized on this kind of trip is meeting local people and getting to know your Berber team (guide, cook, and mule driver).No worries! Your team will help you the first couple of times with setting up your tent if you need it.
> Hotel : 2 nights in a three star hotel in Marrakech with breakfasts
>Dormitory: 1 night in a mountain shelter in dormitory style rooms with shared bathrooms.
> The menu during the hike : We do our best to offer you varied, tasty, nutritious and authentic Moroccan meals on our treks
Breakfast: cereal, bread, marmelade, milk, black tea, mint tea, coffee, hot chocolate
Lunch: a variety of salads or vegetable stews, cheeses, seasonal fruits, mint tea
Dinner: Moroccan soup and a hot entrée: tajine, couscous or noodles with desert and tea
Snacks/Dessert: crepes, apple fritter, seasonal fruit salad, cinnamon oranges, dates, rice pudding
Price for this journey in Morocco
Your hiking tour starting from 640€ per person based on a 2 person trip
Your hiking tour starting from 400€ per person based on a 4 person trip
Your hiking tour starting from 340€ per person based on a 6 person trip
This price is per person based on persons sharing a room
Final price will vary according to the number of people, the season and the dates of travelling.
Included :
- Double accommodations
- 2 nights in a three star hotel in Marrakech with breakfasts
- 4 night in a bivouac
- 1 night in a mountain shelter
- All your transfers
- Mules to carry luggage and equipment
- All meals from the picnic on Day 2 to the lunch on Day 7
- English speaking Moroccan guide during the trek
- A cook during the bivouac part of the trek
- A first aid kit and basic medicines managed by your guide
Not included :
- Flights
- Meals in Marrakech, aside from breakfasts
- Tips, drinks, extras and personal expenses
- Sleeping bags (renting is possible)
- Single supplement
- Bottled water. Source water available bring water purification tablets.
Your itinerary
Day 1 : Marrakech
Welcome and transfer from Marrakech International Airport. Dinner at your leisure.
Day 2 : Marrakech - Bergeries d'Arous
4h30 drive and 3 hours of walking - Ascent + 400
Breakfast at the hotel, then depart Marrakech in a minibus towards the Central Atlas through Azilal. Picnic along the way before arriving in the fertile valley of Aït Bougmez in the early afternoon. Meet the team past the village of Agouti at 1800 metres in altitude. Start the trek walking towards the sheep pastures at Arous. Bivouac overnight, 2200m.
Day 3 : Bergeries d'Arous - Refuge du M’Goun
5 hours of walking - Ascent + 1100/-400m
Following the mule trails, you’ll climb up the Jebel Tarkerdit mountain pass at 300m in altitude. Here, you’ll have an impressive view over the M’goun mountain chain. Descend into the Tarkerdit plateau, nomad territory isolated from all civilization. Bivouac overnight near a mountain hut at 2890 m in altitude.
Day 4 : Refuge du M’Goun - Ascension du M’Goun
8 hours of walking - Ascent + 1180/-1400m
Start the ascension of M’Goun Mountain (4068 m in altitude) in the morning, by taking the western trail. At the top you’ll find an incredible 360° panoramic view. Descend scree slopes towards Assif Oulilimt where exceptional high mountain landscapes are guaranteed! Then, set up your bivouac at the mouth of some gorges. Overnight in a bivouac at 2650 m in altitude.
Day 5 : Aïn Aflafal
4 hours of walking - Ascent + 200 /-350m
A more leisurely leg across the northern side of the M’goun chain. Hike across hoodoos (fairy chimneys) in an incredible place for travellers interested in geology. Bivouac set up near the water sources of Aïn Aflafal (2300m in altitude).
Day 6 : Aïn Aflafal - Village d’ Aït Imi
6 hours of walking - Ascent + 600 /-1050m
The livestock migration path leads you to the pass of Tizi N’ait Imi at 2905 m in altitude. This imposing natural barrier separates the untouched Mgoun valley from the fertile one of Aït Bougmez. Keep descending towards Bougmez on a winding trail until you reach the village of Aït Imi. Walk through gardens here to reach the shelter where you will spend the night at 1850m. Dinner and overnight in the shelter.
Day 7 : Village d’ Aït Imi - Marrakech
1h30 of walking 4h30 drive - Ascent + 100 /-100m
Short morning walk to stop by Sidi Moussa and see its granary. We will regain our minibus and get on the road to return to Marrakech. At Azilal, lunch in a small local restaurant. Arrive in Marrakech in the afternoon, settle into your hotel then dinner and medina visit at your leisure.
Day 8 : Marrakech
Breakfast at your hotel then transfer to the airport.
Friendly tips
- Provide pellets to purify the water.
- Validate the route of each stage with your cook before starting each hike.
- Take a rain cape in the bag you carry the day. Risk of thunderstorms.
- Take shoes to walk in the water.
- Take enough water each morning before starting the hike.
- In case of bad weather (eg storm ...) do not lose sight of your guide.
- Avoid walking during the hottest hours of the day, cover yourself to avoid sunstroke
- Wash your hands with soap before each meal.
- Take a decent outfit for crossing the villages.
> During your tour :
An accredited mountain guide recognized by Morocco’s ministry of tourism. Your guide knows how to adapt the trek to beginner and expert hikers. Also on the team is a cook and one or a few camel drivers, depending on the size of the group.
