From Hight Atlas Mountains to the Atlantic Coast Ait Bougmez (Happy Valley) is perhaps the most beautiful valley in the High Atlas surrounded by an amphitheatre of stunning mountains of which the highest is M'Goun (4068 m), the country's second highest peak. . After mountains we’ll explore the expansive coast of the Atlantic Ocean: trek along the shore, visit the ‘Jewel of the Atlantic’, camp on remote beaches, share meals and stories with friendly Berber locals…
From Hight Atlas Mountains to the Atlantic Coast
Ait Bougmez (Happy Valley) is perhaps the most beautiful valley in the High Atlas
surrounded by an amphitheatre of stunning mountains of which the highest is M'Goun
(4068 m), the country's second highest peak.
During this trip we travel and walk through picturesque villages built of soil, immerse
in intense green valleys and wild landscapes, visit the breathtaking Ouzoud waterfalls
and experience the vibrant souqs of Marrakech. We will have spectacular views of
terraced fields and scattered flora and fauna and meet nomads tending their sheep at
Izourar Lake. We will also have the chance to take part in ancient traditions, dance and
drum with locals and mix with the welcoming friendly native Berber people. After
mountains we’ll explore the expansive coast of the Atlantic Ocean: trek along the
shore, visit the ‘Jewel of the Atlantic’, camp on remote beaches, share meals and
stories with friendly Berber locals…
Highlights included
• High Atlas (Ait Bougmez, Ouzoud Waterfalls), dinosaur imprints,
Marrakech
• Atlantic Coast, Essaouira,
Adventures
• Walking, nature, local people, camel riding, camping,
Grade
• Easy
Transport during the tour
• Walking (7 days)
• Minibus, 4WD or taxi
• Mules and Camels (to carry our staff and luggage)
Accommodation
• Hotel/riad: 4 nights
• Gîte (mountain hut): 2 nights
• camping: 6 nights
Meals included
• All breakfasts
• 9 lunches
• 9 dinners
Day 1 / Arrive in Marrakech
Arrive in Marrakech– the ‘Red city’ – any time and meet your guide in the hotel or riad.
Lodging: hotel orriad
Provision: -
Day 2 / Marrakech– Azilal – Agouti
After crossingthe lowlands of Haouz plain we visit the highest and most beautiful waterfallsin Morocco, the “Cascade d’Ouzoud” (110 m high). Then we carry on to Azilal andto Ait M’Hamed and through Aghbar Col (2200 m) to have the panoramic view ofthe second summit of Morocco (M’Goun 4068 m). Then we descend to Happy Valley,the Valley of Ait Bougmez and we spend the night in Agouti (1800 m).
Lodging: gîte(mountain hut)
Provision:breakfast
Day 3 / Agouti –Aguerd n’Ouzrou – Ait Imi
After breakfastwe begin our trek through the valley along paths normally used by villagers andtheir mules. We walk through cultivated fields, orchards and meadows of wildflowers. After crossing many villages – including Aguerd n’Ouzrou village wherethere is some dinosaur imprints back to 180 millions of years – we get in theAit Imi village, where we spend the night.
Lodging: camping
Provision:breakfast, lunch, dinner
Walking: 4 hours
Altitude: 100 mgain
Day 4 / Ait Imi –Rbat – Ait Ouchi
We leave Ait Imiand direct to Rbat where we stop for a tea with a family. After climbinggradually Adezn we meet some nomads of Happy Valley, and then we descend in theother side of the valley called Ait Hakim. We spend the night near to AzourkiMountain (3700 m) and discover the lifestyle of local people.
Lodging: camping
Provision:breakfast, lunch, dinner
Walking: 5 hours
Altitude: 300 mgain, 200 m loss
Day 5 / Ait Ouchi – Izourar Lake – Ait Ouchi
Today we have agentle walk in the valley till Ighrin village, and then we ascend to IzourarLake enfolded by high mountains with peaks of up to more than 3700 metres. Wehave lunch near a lake – with nomads around us in their camel-wool tents andgreat flocks of sheep and goats. We return by following a gorge to get to AitOuham spring, i.e. the beginning of the green river that flows within the valley.We spend the night in front of the village Ait Ouchi.
Lodging: camping
Provision:breakfast, lunch, dinner
Walking: 5 hours
Altitude: 500 mgain, 500 m loss
Day 6 / Ait Ouchi–Marrakech
We return toMarrakech through the Ait Abbes Valley with its distinctive adobe buildings. Wehave a picnic for lunch and after we have enough time in Marrakech to samplesome sights and sounds of the ‘Red city’ like the medina, the souqs, theKoutoubia Mosque or the Koranic School. We can finish the day in the well-knownopen-air central square, the Djemaa el-Fna famous for its food stalls, snakecharmers, water-sellers and acrobats.
Lodging: hotel orriad
Provision:breakfast, lunch
Day 7/ Marrakech – Tafdna
We transfer byminibus or Land Rover to Tafdna passing through Chichaoua and Ounara and stopfor lunch on the way.
We continue onthrough the Haha area, the argan tree capital, arriving next to the fishingport of Tafdna where we meet up with our camel-drivers. Night near the sea
Lodging: camping
Provision:breakfast, lunch, dinner
Walking: 1 hour
Day 8/ Tafdna – Sidi Hamad Saeih
After breakfastour loaded caravan sets off, passing over cliffs and isolated beaches thendropping down to the beach of Sidi Hamad Saeih, where we pitch our tents forthe night.
Lodging: camping
Provision:breakfast, lunch, dinner
Walking: 5 hours
Day 9/ Sidi Hamad Saeih – Sidi Mbarek
Our road followsthe coast, either along the beach or across the plain above (depending on windconditions). We camp at Marabout Sidi Mbarek.
Lodging: camping
Provision:breakfast, lunch, dinner
Walking: 4 hours
Day 10/ Sidi Mbarek – Essaouira
The coaststretches away to the horizon. Three linked beaches lead us to Sidi Kaouki. Wehave lunch at a fishing port, and then a short transfert on the local bus topretty city called Essaouira , it’s a very nice spot where you can end thisfantastic trip.
Lodging: Riad
Provision:breakfast, lunch, dinner
Walking: 6 hours
Day 11/ Essaouira – Marrakech
In the morning weleave for Marrakech where we have enough free time to sample some sights andsounds of the ‘Red city’ like the medina, the souqs, the Koutoubia Mosque orthe Koranic School.
We can finish theday in the well-known open-air central square, the Djemaa el-Fna that is famousfor its food stalls, snake charmers, water-sellers and acrobats.
Lodging: hotel orriad
Provision:breakfast
Day 12/ Leave Marrakech
End of trip andwe say goodbye. We wish you a nice flight back home.
Depending on the timeof your flight you may have time to visit some more sights like the Saadiantombs (back to 16th century), the Bahia Palace or the beautiful MajorelleGardens.
Please note thatwe are able to organise a post-trip accommodation if you wish to extend yourstay for a few more days.
Lodging: -
Provision: breakfast
Notes
• Runs from April to November
Camps
For your comfort (for the itineraries with overnight in tents)
Sleeping
Dome tents, two entrances, two apses, three seats for two people. A thick individual mattress
is provided, with a personal sheet.
Possibility of individual tent (you have a tent for yourself only). Request must be made during
booking.
For even more comfort
Folded chairs and tables.
Shared tents
Mess-tents for meals and evenings. Kitchen tent for the cook. Toilet-Tent.
Food
What you will eat during the trip
On the road: Lunch at a local restaurant, usually tajine or brochettes, seasonal fruits, tea.
During the trip:
Meals prepared by the cook with local products.
For small groups (2 or 3 people), meals are prepared by the muleteers – camel drivers and
the guide.
• morning : big breakfast, coffee, tea, chocolate, jam, butter, bread, cereals;
• noon : cold meal made of salad, seasonal fruit, tea;
• evening : soup, mail course (tajine, couscous, rice…), dessert, tea/infusion;
• during the day : a complement of energetic food is given, dates, peanuts, pralines, biscuits;
• When finishing a leg : snack with tea and biscuits.
For precaution, it is recommended to treat the water. Mineral bottled water is available in
every village. Mint tea is served in the morning, at the end of each leg and in the evening.
Baggages
Baggage transportation
You will travel with a lightweight backpack, carrying only the personal belongings needed for
the day (gourd, camera, protective clothing, etc.).
Individual and collective luggage is transported by camel – mules to the coast.
We have negotiated with all the accommodations we use so that you can leave your city
affairs with them, and retrieve them on the return. Bring a small secondary bag to store them;
Advice
Be well equipped
From November to February, nights are usually cold in the desert (it can be freezing at
night).
On mountain tours, even during summer, nights can be very cold.
Depending on the season and the itinerary, you must bring warm clothes (several layers) and
an appropriate sleeping bag.
Equipment
All of your belongings will be distributed between a small backpack that you will carry during
the walks and a travel bag with a padlock, carried by the local logistics team. Choose a soft
bag that will be easier to carry by the mules: camels.
Basic equipement
— Breathable underwear (fast dry).
– A light shirt with longue sleeves.
– A fleece jacket Polater style (if possible windproof) or Wind Pro (great weight/insulation
ratio).
– A waterproof and breathable jacket (in Goretex).
– Walking pants .
– Thermal tights (according to the season and itinerary).
– A bonnet (according to the season and itinerary).
– A pair of gloves (December – January).
– A cap or a hat.
– Sunglasses.
– A rain coat.
– A headlamp or a light flashlight.
– Telescopic walking sticks (optional).
– A water bottle (or water pouch, pipette) 1.5 liters minimum. You can also buy a hard plastic
bottle on site, which will serve as a gourd during the tour.
Shoes
— Desert trekking – Coast trekking – Mountain discovery, desert
Light, airy shoes, with good grip for different surfaces.
– Mountain trekking
Waterproof shoes with a high-stem and sole with good grip, such as Contagrip or Vibram.
Sleeping bag
– A sleeping bag adapted to the season and itinerary.
– A liner.
Baggages
– A backpack equipped with wide shoulder straps and an adjustable anatomical frame, with
a capacity of approximately 30 liters, for your belongings during the day.
– A travel bag of 80 to 100 liters, flexible, carried during the day by the porter team (mules,
camels).
Miscellaneous
– A toilet kit and a towel.
– A tracksuit or similar for the evening.
– Walking socks.
– Spare clothing to change into.
– Toilet paper and a lighter to burn it if necessary.
– Wet wipes
– Some plastic bags to protect your belongings.
– An anti-theft pocket, to keep with you at all times, with your identity documents, money,
etc.
Prices :
Contact us for the prices.
*price per person.
What's Included
• An experienced English-speaking Moroccan Guide
• Marrakech Airport transfers
• All land transport involved in the itinerary
• Accommodation as described in the Pogram .
• All meals as described in your web site program
• A full service whilst trekking (excludes personal equipment)
What's not Included
• Travel insurance
• Visa fees (if applicable)
• Tips for staff
• Miscellaneous expenses - drinks etc.
