Mountain Trekking · M'Goun & Ait Bouguemez

11-Day Atlas to Sahara Trek: Aït Bouguemez, M’Goun and Erg Chebbi

11 days / 10 nights
Moderate
Private or small group (from 2 people, up to 16)
Marrakech (airport pick-up)

At a glance

Duration: 11 days / 10 nights
Difficulty: Moderate
Group: Private or small group (from 2 people, up to 16)
Start: Marrakech (airport pick-up)
End: Marrakech (airport drop-off)
Max altitude: 3,200 m
Price: On request (depends on dates & group size)

Overview

This eleven-day adventure follows the old route from the mountains to the desert, combining a genuine High Atlas trek with the great valleys and dunes of the south. It is designed for walkers who want more than a road trip: real days on foot, nights under canvas and time with the shepherds and nomads who live along the way.

You start in the Aït Bouguemez valley, the Happy Valley, after visiting the Imi-n-Ifri natural bridge, the rock carvings of Tizi n’Tirghist and the red villages of Aït Bouli. A day in the valley brings a walk to a traditional granary and an afternoon sharing village tasks such as harvesting and weaving. Then the trek begins: with muleteers carrying the bags, you climb to the high sheepfolds of Azib n’Ikkis, cross Tizi n’Oughri (3,200 m) to the Marate plateau where Aït Atta nomads graze their flocks, and pass Tizi n’Ouagmar (2,900 m) to the M’Goun spring.

A 4×4 then carries you over the Aït Ahmed pass, with views of Jbel Saghro, to the Valley of Roses and the Dades. After a walk through the Todra Gorges, you reach Merzouga for a sunset in the Erg Chebbi dunes and a night in a desert camp. The return to Marrakech passes the Draa valley and the kasbahs of Aït Ben Haddou and Telouet.

Trekking days last five to seven hours with passes above 3,000 m, so a good level of fitness is needed. Spring and autumn are the best seasons; the price is on request.

Highlights

Three-day mule-supported trek across the M'Goun massif
Cross Tizi n'Oughri (3,200 m) and meet Aït Atta nomads on the Marate plateau
Village life in Aït Bouguemez: harvesting, weaving and Berber hospitality
Imi-n-Ifri natural bridge and the rock carvings of Tizi n'Tirghist
Hike in the Valley of Roses and the Todra Gorges
Sunset in the Erg Chebbi dunes and a night in a desert camp
Kasbahs of Aït Ben Haddou (UNESCO) and Telouet
Jemaa el-Fna and the medina of Marrakech

Day-by-day itinerary

1
Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech
On arrival at Marrakech airport, our driver meets you and takes you to your riad or hotel close to Jemaa el-Fna square. The evening is free: wander through the souks, watch the square fill with musicians and food stalls, and choose your own spot for dinner. Overnight in a riad or hotel in Marrakech. Rest well: tomorrow an early start takes you into the mountains.
2
Day 2: Marrakech – Imi-n-Ifri – Aït Bouli valley – Aït Bouguemez
Departure from Marrakech at 8:00 a.m. towards the central High Atlas. On the way you visit the Imi-n-Ifri natural bridge and the ancient rock carvings of Tizi n'Tirghist. In the Aït Bouli valley you set off on a hike of about two hours through its red-earth villages, followed by a picnic lunch and, in warm weather, a swim in the Jaro gorge. The drive continues into the Aït Bouguemez valley, where you check into a mountain lodge for dinner and the night.
3
Day 3: Exploring the Aït Bouguemez valley
A morning walk with a local guide takes you to the granary of Sidi Chita, where you hear the legends attached to these fortified communal storehouses. You walk back to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon you take part in village life: join the women in the fields when the harvest is on, and try your hand at traditional weaving. End the day watching the sunset turn the Atlas peaks pink. Second night at the lodge.
4
Day 4: Agouti – Arous valley – Azib n'Ikkis
The trek begins. You meet your muleteers, load the bags and head towards the Arous valley, stopping for tea with Berber shepherds and a local family. The path then climbs a narrow canyon to the high summer sheepfolds of Azib n'Ikkis, with the M'Goun massif rising ahead. Camp is pitched near the stone shelters of the shepherds. Walking 6–7 hours (+550 m). Night in a bivouac.
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Day 5: Azib n'Ikkis – Tizi n'Oughri (3,200 m) – Marate plateau
Today you reach the highest point of the trek, the Tizi n'Oughri pass at 3,200 m, with a vast panorama over the central High Atlas. Descending to the Marate plateau, you meet Aït Atta nomads at their summer pastures. Spend the afternoon with a nomad family and join a cooking class under the tents, learning how bread and tagine are prepared with the simplest means. Walking about 5 hours (+650 m / −450 m). Night in a bivouac.
6
Day 6: Marate plateau – Tizi n'Ouagmar (2,900 m) – M'Goun spring (Aflafal)
A climb to Tizi n'Ouagmar at 2,900 m opens the way down into the Oulilimt valley, where erosion has carved curious fairy chimneys in the rock and nomads build seasonal shelters. The trail leads to the M'Goun spring at Aflafal, where you can cool off with a swim before camp is set beside the water. Walking about 5 hours (+500 m / −400 m). Last night in a bivouac.
7
Day 7: M'Goun spring – Aït Ahmed pass – Valley of Roses – Dades valley
You gradually leave the high mountains behind as a 4×4 drives you over the Aït Ahmed pass, with views south to the Saghro massif. In the Valley of Roses you set off on foot through fields edged with rose hedges, then share tea with a nomadic family. A short walk in the Dades valley rounds off the day before you reach a hotel where a hot shower awaits. Overnight at a hotel in the Dades valley.
8
Day 8: Dades – Todra Gorges – Erfoud – Rissani – Merzouga
Morning walk through the Todra Gorges, where limestone walls rise sharply above a clear stream. The drive continues to Erfoud, famous for its fossilised marble, and the old caravan town of Rissani, before reaching Merzouga. At sunset a camel caravan (an optional extra) leads into the dunes of Erg Chebbi to your desert camp. Mint tea, dinner, music around the fire and a night in a tent or under the stars.
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Day 9: Merzouga – Tazzarine – N'kob – Draa valley – Ouarzazate
A short camel ride brings you back from the camp for breakfast. You then leave Merzouga by 4×4 through wide desert and mountain scenery, passing Tazzarine, the kasbah village of N'kob and Tansikht before following the Draa valley to Agdz and on to Ouarzazate. Dinner and overnight in the Ouarzazate / Aït Ben Haddou area. The landscapes change constantly, from black reg to palm oases and red mountains.
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Day 10: Aït Ben Haddou – Telouet – Marrakech
This morning you visit the fortified village of Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a favourite film location, followed by the kasbah of Telouet in the Ounila valley. After lunch in Taddart, the mountain road over the High Atlas brings you back to Marrakech in the late afternoon. Overnight in a riad or hotel in Marrakech. The evening is free for a last dinner in the medina.
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Day 11: Marrakech – departure
Depending on your flight time, enjoy a final walk in the medina or a quiet breakfast on the terrace. Our driver then transfers you to Marrakech airport for your journey home. If you would like more time in Morocco, we can add extra nights in Marrakech, a day trip to Essaouira or a visit to the Ourika valley before your flight.

What’s included

2 nights in a riad in Marrakech on half board, or an equivalent 3-star hotel
Full board during the tour for the group and accompanying team
Professional mountain guide and support team
Mules to carry luggage on trekking days
Nights in mountain lodges, hotels, bivouacs and a desert camp
All cooking equipment and camping gear
All transfers by minibus or 4×4 as per the itinerary
Return airport–hotel transfers

International flights and visa fees
Individual travel insurance
Camel rides in the Sahara (optional extra)
Other meals in Marrakech, drinks and personal expenses
Tips for guides and staff
Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary

What to bring

Broken-in hiking boots
Layered clothing for hot days and cold nights
Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Daypack
Reusable water bottle
Personal medication
A full equipment list is sent after booking

Good to know

Best seasons are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November); summer is very hot in the desert and winter can bring snow to the High Atlas.
Trekking days last 5–7 hours with passes above 3,000 m: good fitness and some hiking experience are expected.
Camel rides in Merzouga are listed as an optional extra; tell us when booking if you want them included.
Dress modestly in villages and at religious sites, and ask before photographing people.
Price on request, depending on season, group size and comfort level.

Questions about this tour

It is moderate to challenging, with 5 to 7 hours of walking on trekking days, big changes in altitude and passes above 3,000 m. Good fitness and some previous hiking experience are recommended.

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) give the most comfortable temperatures. Summer is very hot in the desert, and winter brings cold and possible snow in the High Atlas.

You stay in riads or hotels in Marrakech and the south, a mountain lodge in Aït Bouguemez, tents at bivouacs during the M'Goun trek, and a desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes.

Camel rides in the Sahara are listed as an optional extra. Let us know when you request your quote and we will include them in your programme.

Known as the Happy Valley, Aït Bouguemez has terraced fields, earthen villages and a traditional way of life. Its trails are also gentler than many other High Atlas regions, making it a good start to the trek.

Build your endurance with regular walks, including some hill walking, in the weeks before you leave. Bring broken-in boots, layers for changing temperatures and good sun protection.

A question before booking?Our team answers on WhatsApp, usually within minutes.

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