Ighil M’Goun Trek: 12-Day High Atlas Trekking Tour from Marrakech
Berber villages, nomad pastures and the Achabou Gorges on a 12-day trek
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Tour at a Glance
Duration
12 days and 11 nights
Tour Type
Private tour for your group only
Starts and Ends
Marrakech, with airport pick-up
Overnight
Mountain villages, camps in the meadows and a hotel in Marrakech
Highlights
Ighil M’Goun (4,068 m), Berber villages, the Achabou Gorges and Ait Ben Haddou
Price
On request. Contact us for a free quote
Trek Through the Berber Heartland
Trek through the Berber heartland of the High Atlas Mountains on this 12-day journey from Marrakech. Ighil M’Goun, at 4,068 metres, is the second-highest peak in the High Atlas. You cross high pastures, walk between adobe villages and end the trek in the red-walled Achabou Gorges and the Valley of the Roses.
Summer is the best season, when the snow has melted and nomad families bring their herds up to the high pastures. Along the way you see Berber families working the fields, orchards full of fruit and rock engravings. If you feel strong, you can add the optional summit climb.
Tour Highlights
- Ighil M’Goun (4,068 m), second-highest peak of the High Atlas (optional summit)
- 7 days of trekking through Berber villages and adobe kasbahs
- Nomad encounters with the Ait Atta on the Tarkeddit plateau
- Wandras Canyon and, weather permitting, the Tamda waterfall
- Achabou Gorges: walking the river between red limestone walls
- Valley of the Roses
- Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage ksar
- Marrakech medina and Jemaa El Fna square
Day-by-Day Itinerary
This itinerary can be modified and designed according to your requirements and needs. Contact us to adapt it.
Day 1
Arrival in Marrakech
We pick you up at Marrakech airport and take you to a traditional hotel in the medina. Flying in from abroad? See our guide to getting to Morocco. After you settle in, explore Jemaa El Fna square and its surroundings.
Day 2
Marrakech, Demnat and Ait Ali n Itto
Leave Marrakech in the morning and drive by 4×4 through the Tessaout valley and Demnat to the Berber village of Ait Ali n Itto, at the foot of the M’Goun massif. In the afternoon, visit the village of Magdaz, with its ancient adobe and stone castles.
Stops on Day 2
- Marrakech
- Demnat
- Ait Ali n Itto
Day 3
Ait Ali n Itto and Imi n Ikkis
Your trek begins, surrounded by the limestone walls of Tignousti. Pass through Ichbbaken, known for its Berber architecture, and continue to Imi n Ikkis, where you spend the night.
Day 4
Imi n Ikkis, Wandras Canyon and Igourramen
The M’Goun massif rises ahead of you. Walk through villages such as Amezri and Tasguiwalte and, if the weather is good, see the Tamda waterfall. After the gorges, reach Igourramen, a village perched like a balcony over the Tessaout valley.
Stops on Day 4
- Imi n Ikkis
- Wandras Canyon
- Igourramen
Day 5
Igourramen and Tarkeddit Plateau
Climb to the Tarkeddit heights, between Tarkeddit mountain and the Ighil M’Goun range. Here you meet the Ait Atta, a Berber tribe from southeastern Morocco who bring their herds to these cool summer pastures. Camp in the Tarkeddit meadows, near the sources of the Tessaout valley.
Day 6
Tarkeddit, Summit of M’Goun and Oulilimt
Set out early if you want to climb Ighil M’Goun (4,068 m). The final ridge is full of fossils and gives a sweeping view of the Great Central Atlas. (Curious about Morocco’s fossils? See our fossils and minerals tour.) A long descent takes you to the Oulilimt valley, where nomads live in rock shelters and camels graze at altitude. If you skip the summit, take the scenic route through the Arous Gorges and Oulilimt valley instead.
Stops on Day 6
- Tarkeddit
- Summit of M’Goun
- Oulilimt
Day 7
Oulilimt and Talaat Sergma
Follow the M’Goun river through orchards, crops and villages. The kasbahs and houses are built from adobe, wood and stone. To your left rises the Wagoulzat slope, at 3,800 m. To learn more about the people you’ll meet, read about the culture of Morocco.
Day 8
Talaat Sergma, Tagreft and Tarzout
The valley narrows into a gorge, and you walk along the riverbed, sometimes in the water. This is the route valley inhabitants have used for centuries.
Stops on Day 8
- Talaat Sergma
- Tagreft
- Tarzout
Day 9
Tarzout, Achabou Gorges and Aguerzaka
One of the best days of the trek. Enter the Achabou Gorges, carved by the M’Goun river between narrow red limestone walls. You wade through the water, sometimes up to your knees, past oleanders and willows, while the muleteers sing folk songs. You finish the trek at Aguerzaka.
Stops on Day 9
- Tarzout
- Achabou Gorges
- Aguerzaka
Day 10
Aguerzaka, Kelaat M’Gouna, Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech
Drive through the Valley of the Roses and Ouarzazate, then stop at the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou ksar, where many famous films were shot. See our Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou day trip and Roses Valley and Dades Gorges day trip for more. Cross the High Atlas to Marrakech, arriving in the afternoon. Note: the first stretch may need a two-hour Berber van ride before a minibus takes you on to Marrakech.
Stops on Day 10
- Aguerzaka
- Kelaat M’Gouna
- Ouarzazate
- Ait Ben Haddou
- Marrakech
Day 11
Marrakech City Tour
Set off early with a city guide to see Jemaa El Fna, the old medina, the Koutoubia minaret, Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and Ben Youssef Koranic School. The rest of the day is yours. Want more? See our Ouzoud Waterfalls day trip.
Day 12
Departure from Marrakech
Transfer to the airport at a time that suits you. End of services.
What Is Included
Included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Hotel in the Marrakech medina
- Local guide and muleteers during the trek
- 4x4 and minibus transport described in the itinerary
Not Included
- Flights
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Tips
- Anything not listed under “Included”
Contact us to confirm the details for your dates and group size.
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Light layers and a warm jacket for the mountains and the evenings
- Sun protection and a scarf
- Cash for lunches, drinks and tips
- A camera and a power bank
Is This Tour Right for You?
This is a trek for reasonably fit walkers who are comfortable spending several days on foot at altitude, with nights between about 1,740 and 2,900 metres. The summit of Ighil M’Goun is optional, and those who skip it take a scenic route through the Arous Gorges and the Oulilimt valley.
For a gentler journey, see our Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert tour.
More Tours You May Like
Prefer a different kind of journey? Compare our other tours.
Ouzoud Waterfalls, Ait Ben Haddou and the High Atlas on the way to the Sahara.
Ten days of adventure from Marrakech, including Sahara camel trekking and off-road desert tracks.
After a short stay in Marrakech, cross the High Atlas and pass heritage sites and the “Hollywood of Morocco” on the way to the desert.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to trek Ighil M’Goun?
Summer is best. The snow has melted, and nomads bring their herds to the high pastures. The area is covered in snow in winter.
Do I have to climb the summit?
No. The M’Goun summit (4,068 m) is optional. Trekkers who skip it take a scenic route through the Arous Gorges and the Oulilimt valley.
How high does the trek go?
Nights are spent between about 1,740 m and 2,900 m, and the optional summit reaches 4,068 m.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts and ends in Marrakech, with an airport pick-up on day 1 and a transfer on day 12. The trek itself runs from Ait Ali n Itto to Aguerzaka.
Is accommodation included?
Accommodation as described in the itinerary is arranged for you, with the meals listed in the included section. Contact us to confirm the details for your dates and group size.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Yes. The itinerary can be modified according to your requirements, and we can start from any airport, hotel, town or city in Morocco. Tell us what you need on our contact page.
When is the best time to go?
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for most tours. Summers are hot inland and winters can be cold in the mountains, so pack accordingly. See our Morocco FAQ for more.
What should I bring?
comfortable walking shoes, light layers and a warm jacket for the mountains and the evenings, sun protection and a scarf, cash for lunches, drinks and tips and a camera. Read our tips in the Morocco FAQ.
How do I book or get a price?
Fill in the form at the bottom of this page or email travelstomorocco@gmail.com with your dates and the number of people, and we will reply with a free quote.
Plan Your Trip
Helpful pages before you book:
Ready to Trek the High Atlas?
Tell us your dates and group size, and we will send you a free quote for this trip.
Email: travelstomorocco@gmail.com | Phone: +212 6 62 38 50 95
Ask for Prices
Please fill in the form below or contact us directly by email at travelstomorocco@gmail.com, and we will answer you as soon as possible. Include your tour date and the number of people.