The Happy Valley of Morocco

An 8-day trekking tour through the "Happy Valley" of Ait Bougmez and Zaouiat Ahansal, in the central High Atlas Mountains. We hike through a breathtakingly beautiful landscape, with lush vegetation, deep gorges, waterfalls and small mountain villages of the Amazigh (Berbers) people, who are known for their hospitality, staying overnight in traditional guesthouses to learn about the history, culture and current way of life of these friendly people.

Luggage transport, you only have to carry a small day-backpack

 

Day 1

Marrakech  Airport, transfer to your Riad

Meet and greet by our English-speaking Moroccan guide and transfer to our Riad. First evening and free time to immerse yourself in the vibrant life of Marrakech.

                                                                                                                                                                          

Day 2

Marrakech (450 m) - Ait Bougummez Valley - Arouss Village (1900 m)

Departure from Marrakech by mini-bus, heading for the High Atlas and the Ait Bougmez valley (4 hours). Lunch along the way. Arrival at the guesthouse, where we will drop off the luggage. After a welcome tea, we will set off to discover the surroundings of the gesthouse: the village of Arouss and its gorges. More and less 2 hours of walking depending on arrival time.

 Dinner at our host's house. Gîte d'étape Tamazirt.

Rooms for 2-3-4 people – shared bathrooms

Day 3

Gite Tamazirt ( 1900 m ) – Gorges d'Arouss – Tulipe d'Ikiss ( 2200 m )

After breakfast at the gîte departing for the trek, mules will carry our travel bags.

For this first day of trekking, we hike up the Arouss valley. The first village is an opportunity to discover the diversity of the local adobe architecture. On the way, old cave granaries bear witness to an agricultural past. Arriving at Ikiss, a place of transhumance in summer, a panoramic view of the peaks of the M'goun. 2h-2h30 walk. 

Nap and walk from gîte to the Arouss gorges. 2 hours of walking.

Lunch, dinner and overnight at the Tulip D'Ikiss.

Room for 2-6 people – shared bathrooms.

Elevation gain: Ascent 350 m/ Descent: 100 m –

Accommodation: Gite d'étape

Day 4

Tulip d'Ikiss ( 2200 m ) – Pass at 2800m - Village d'Aguerd N Ouzrou ( 1850 m )

After breakfast at the Ikkis Tulip Lodge, depart for our ascent with impressive views for photos. 

Picnic in the middle of nature, after a beautiful descent we reach the happy valley at the village of Aguerd n-Ouzrou.

5 hours 30 of walking – Elevation gain: Ascent 600 m/ Descent 1000 m –

Diner and overnight at the Accommodation: Kasbah M'Goun guest house.

 

Day 5

Ait Bougmez Valley – Zouiate Ahançal Valley – Taghia Village 

After breakfast, we leave the Ait Bougmez valley bymini-bus to continue our stay in the Zaouiate Ahençal valley.

After 2 hours of transfer, we arrive at the village of Taghia.Taghia is a small village of 400 inhabitants, perched at an altitude of 1900 metres. The village is surrounded by a cirque of walls varying between 300 and 800 metres in height. The springs that gush into the cirque bring relative prosperity to the Berbers living in the valley, thanks to the many gardens and crops that are constantly irrigated. Taghia is the best climbing area in Morocco.

2 hours walk in the gorges at the end of the afternoon.

Lunch, dinner and overnight stay in a gîte.

 

Day 6

Return to the Village of Agoudim - Visit the Kasbahs of Zaouiat Ahansal

Hike downstream to the village of Agoudim, have lunch at the lodge and relax after lunch.

Dinner and overnight stay in Dar Ahançal Hotel or similar.

4 hours of walking

 

Day 7

ZouiateAhençal  - Azilal – Ouzoud waterfalls  -  Marrakech

We leave the Zaouiate valley, leaving behind the peaks of the Atlas Mountains and its welcoming inhabitants.

On the way, visit the Ouzoud waterfalls, the highest waterfalls in Morocco, where you can see monkeys.

Lunch on site and overnight at the Riad

4 h hiking

 

Day 8 

Airport departure Transfer 

Transfer from your hotel to Marrakech airport for the departure flight. This ends your adventure, hoping to welcome you again.

Transport by: Comfortable vehicle with air conditioning

 

 

PRICES & CONDITIONS  

per person (excluding flights)  990€

The price includes

• 8 days / 7 nights ( 5 nights in the trekking on full board & 2 nights in the riad in Marrakech )
• Berber and English-speaking mountain guide during the trek
• Minibus or 4X4 vehicle for all transfers travel
• Mules for carrying luggage
• Arrival and departure airport transfers
• Water during the trek

The price does not include

• The outbound and return flight from your country to Marrakech on a direct flight
• Airport taxes and 1 piece of checked baggage included
• Soda type drinks...
• Tips for teams.
• Extras
• Optional cancellation, luggage, assistance and repatriation insurance

                                                  

TRAVEL INSURRANCE REQUIRED!