Mmorocco

Morocco M'Goun & Toubkal trekking - special 2013 -

In summer it's hot in Marrakech, in the High Atlas mountains we can find the cooler air, ideal for a nice trekking with camping and making bivaques in the middle of nature, near a small water source or small mountain river to refresh ourselves. We are walking more then 250 km to cross the high atlas mountains from the east to the west; one of the most beautiful trekkings Morocco you can find.

Colorful mountain valleys, small villages far away from everywhere, we meet a world with ancient Berber culture and traditions. It seems that time has been passing by.

We start in the Valley of the Ait Bouguemez, the valley of 'the happy people'. Slowly we walk towards the most beautiful viewpoint in th eastern High Atlas mountains - the summit of Djebel (mountain) M'Goun (4.068m). Taking our route far from the tourist trails we finally arrive at the high Yagour plateau and we stay high in the mountains to reach the feet of Jebel Toubkal.

The highest summit and mountain top in Morocco we keep for our finish: 4.167m. above sea level.

A 22 day long trekking with bivaques in the middle of nature. Sometimes we sleep in a Berber-guesthouse in on of the small villages. Luggage is transported on mules. A local guide and an european tourleader are walking with you. All meals in the mountains are included, including nice picnics 'on the road'. Together with 3 additional nights in Marrakech to discover all the magics of this imperial city this is really a complete journey. And the price .... € 985,- per person !!

By walking you can really enjoy the colorful Berbervalleys and rough mountains in between. You discover nature and Berber culture.

Maroc Travel takes you to the regions far, far away form the cities. It makes this trekking really special. Everything is organized for you. You just have to walk and to enjoy. Also the transfers to the airport are included. Only the flight to Marrakech you have to book by yourself. Have a look at: How to book your flight

We start on thursday July 5 - which is the day of arrival in Marrakech. On friday July 6 we leave to the mountains towards Azilal and beyound. We start in the valley of the happy people:

M'Goun & Aït Bougmez

Where the paved road ends we start our trekking in the eastern High Atlas mountains where we find the green and fruitfull valley of the Aït Bouguemez: ‘La Vallée des heureux’. Berber people are living here for ages in their isolated region far away from the cities. The natural small water sources and small mountain rivers make the area as fruitfull as it is. Our trekking is technically not difficult and everyone with a normal condition who likes walking can make this. We walk 4 to 6 hours a day, some days are a little longer. For example the day to the summit of the M'Goun (ca. 8 hours). The summit of Irghil M’goun (4.068m. / 13.346 ft.) is the second highest of Morocco. And it's technical not difficult. You bring your walking boots and a good spirit; that's it. Just step by step and you will arrive ... And when you return at the high plateau of Tarkedid in our nice bivaque you can enjoy nature and a nice glass of natural mint tea. The natural mint is growing next door to your tent ...

Trekking in the Moroccan High Atlas mountains is much more then just a trekking in the mountains. we take the time to meet and discover beautiful nature and Berber culture!

Yagour et Toubkal

After the M'Goun we make our traverse to the west an we end up at the high Yagour plateau. From here we stay high in the mountains to reach the feet of Mount / Jebel Toubkal: 4.167m / 13.671 ft. At the end our trekking we walk up the highest mountain of Morocco and of the north of Africa.

with 3 nights in a nice, small, Riad hotel in the old city centre (medina) of Marrakech. If you want to stay more nights in Marrakech:

€ 50 for a double room (i.e. € 25 per person per night) or € 40 for a single room.

When you are interested to join this very special tour please send us an

e-mail info@maroctravel.info

to make your reservation or ask for more information

*** Incl.: 3 nights (B&B) in a nice Riad hotel in Marrakech - medina, all transfers, tour leader & ‘équipe local’ - local guide local, cook, mules and muleman for transporting luggage, camping gear including tents and (simple) mattress. You only bring your own sleeping bag (and your own - infaltable - mattress if you prefer). During the trekking all meals are included with nice picnics 'on the road'.

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High Atlas Mountains in morocco

The High Atlas Mountains are located in central Morocco which is part of the North African continent. There are three distinct sections to this mountain range. The western portion of the High Atlas Mountains stretches out from the Atlantic Ocean. This is the oldest section of the entire mountain range with a high point at Jbel Toubkal which stands at 4,167 meters. The summit can sometimes be viewed from the nearby city of Marrakech. The High Atlas Mountains in Morocco provide some of the most picturesque scenery in the world. The canyons, ravines, and gorges created from the mountain formation create an ambiance setting that is unlike any other place in the world.

As the High Atlas Mountains reach the middle of Morocco, they are referred to as the Central High Atlas. This section extends between the cities of Azilal and Ouarzazate and reaches a height of 2,500 meters. This however is not the highest point of the Central High Atlas Mountains. That can be found at Jbel Mgoun which stands at a massive 4068 m high.

The scenic display is similar to that of the mountains in the USA’s Colorado. There exist a variety of gorges, box canyons and plateaus here with peaks showing signs of natural wear and tear through millions of years. The Berbers are the main population group to be found in the Central High Atlas Mountains.

Once through the western and central portions of the mountain range, we reach the eastern portion. This segment is formed largely from the plateaus that create a starting point for the Mouloya River. The eastern portion of the High Atlas Mountain range extends from the town of Khenifra across to the anchor point at Jbel Ayachi. Spots inbetween these two anchor points include Jbel Saghro and Jbel Sirwa. Jbel or Mount Toubkal are farther in the distance.

A section of the Eastern High Atlas Mountains consists of the Tamlelt mountain structure with a high point of 3747m at Jbel Ayachi. From here, the eastern mountain portion falls down into the pre-Saharan mountain zone.

Embarking on a trekking adventure through the High Atlas Mountains gives a trekker the sense of what true Morocco is like. The pictures painted by the views and surrounding nature life often paint a much different picture of Morocco than those in a popular tourist hotspot location. Here is where life is taken down to its most basic form and the essence of Moroccan living shines through. Picturesque spots afforded by the gorges found at Dades and Todra and surrounding villages and Draa Valley are some of the most exuberant reasons to go trekking the High Atlas Mountains.

There is no bad time for hiking the High Atlas. No professional climbing experience is required. The average trekker can make it to the highest summit points in each of the three portions of the mountain range without much difficulty, though time to the top varies by fitness levels. There are trails and paths, but most are no larger than donkey or caravan routes. A Morocco tour operator can set you up with mules, guides and pre-reserved spots at Neltner Hut (shelter) at basecamp.

Along the way, expect to find valleys, gorges and quaint little villages that lend charm and flair to the Morocco trekking adventure. One of the first such encounters with charm and beauty is the village of Imlil. This is often the starting point for many hikes, treks and guided tours through the High Atlas Mountains. Even winter ascents of Mt. Toubkal depart from here. Imlil shines in beauty regardless of what day, time or season it may happen to be.

The trek continues on from Imlil on a pathway lined with a variety of trees: Apple, cherry, peach and walnut trees are the many highlighted on this portion of the trek toward Armed. These tree orchards have been around for as long as any native Moroccan can remember. No one knows exactly how or why the orchard remains; it is simply an exquisite site to behold for Moroccan residents and tourists alike.

Once past Armed, there are to be no more villages along the trek up the High Atlas Mountains; a scenery very much like the Ait Bouguemez Valley near MGoun. This scenery is soon replaced with valleys, lakes and mountain peaks. Each one a spectacular diamond in the rough.

One such diamond in the rough is the Ourika Valley. Named after the Ourika River, this valley runs the course of the High Atlas Mountains. In the summer, a trekker would be hard pressed to come across an area any greener or full in bloom of summer life than the Ourika Valley. It is a welcomed surprise for first time Moroccan visitors who expect the region to be nothing more than a big Sahara Desert.

With such a vast array of mountain range available in the beautiful region of Morocco, it is only natural to embark on a adventure through trekking in the High Atlas Mountains. Doing so will provide trekkers with unforgettable memories and place them in special group of fellow trekkers who tell the tale of trekking the majestic High Atlas, often reaching the top of North Africa, Mount Toubkal.

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M’Goun & the Ait Bouguemez Valley

If hiking or serious High Atlas Mountains trekking has you worried about too many ups, with the almighty knee-busting downs, do not fret. By definition, Morocco offers up a number of superb hikes, so you’ll have no problem choosing a route. Depending on the number of days, how little oxygen you slurp, personal fitness and the weather, there’s an option for everyone. One Morocco trek getting scores of attention recently but nothing like the high-season throngs of Mt. Toubkal is the MGoun summit along the Ait Bouguemez Valley.

If you’re looking for a photo-tunity of the real Morocco: a place where Berber children run alfresco; a place where workman still cultivate terraced fields; a place where humble subtlety and friendly smiles still hold value, then hiking Morocco’s Ait Bouguemez Valley in the Central High Atlas will quench your hankering. Plus, the sedimentary ridges and naturally carved gorges esoterically red and pink with roaring rivers (OK, they’re crossable) make this a key destinations.

Visitors who come to trek in Morocco start in Marrakech. For this Ait Bouguemez Valley hike, you’ll want to start at Tabant. If you contact a Morocco tour operator, then they can set you up area guides, often previously arranged from Azilal. Maps are hard to find and sometimes even harder to read (on a 1:100,000 scale). Your Morocco travel agency can connect you with private transport from Marrakech to Tabant. Here’s what you can expect.

Though the hike can be done in a different amount of days, here it is broken up into points. You can combine points or treat them as a day each (point 1 = day 1, for example). At any rate, you’ll head out from Tabant with your guide towards (Point 1) Tighremt N’ Ait Ahmed. This will take you up 1,000 meters at 2,900 meters down to 2,230 meters to Assif M’Goun. Most people spend the night here as a water source is nearby. The next point (Point 2), heads south towards Assif n’ Oulilimt, another great place to pitch camp.

The next day (Point 3), head southwest towards the Tessaout Plateau, where Tizi n’Oumsoud (almost 3,000 meters) converges with the side-route to Ighil Tinoughrine (3,200 meters). You can, again, camp here with spring water sources available. After spending the night in the Tessaout Plateau, (Point 4) you’ll head south for a longer day hike toward Amezri, walking along the Tizi N’dern (3,200 meters) valleys and gorges the whole way. Here you can either camp or sleep in a local gite (locally run, minimalist hotel).

(Alternative route: will take you longer) The next day, you’ll walk along the Oued Tassaout river, (Point 5) you’ll head more west passing through Ichbbakene towards Assif n’Tifticht (about 1,800 meters), after which passing through the Tissili Valley towards the town with the same name. Head northeast towards Sebt Ait Bou Wlli, spending the night in Agerssif, catching a ride back to Tadant the next morning.

(Same route: continues after Point 4) From Amezri (Point 5), head north towards Rougoult and spend the night here or camp at Sebt Ait Bou Wlli. (Point 6) Here, you can take transport to Agerssif or Imelghas or right back to Tadant. There’s plenty of local transport or possible large taxis for hire. Either one, however, are not your standard New York cab prices.

Though there are some other diehard routes, some requiring mountaineering or canyoneering experience you’ll find your walk a far cry from long lines and vendors. With plenty of mountain massifs in the back- and fore-ground, you’ll be happy this hike isn’t one constant uphill conflict. You’ll have opulent inspirations with energy to boot for farther, alternative day explorations. Contact a tour operator who will be able to set you up with mules, guides, and cooks. You’re sure to have the Morocco trekking experience of your life.

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