Trekking in Morocco: Happy Valley in High Atlas

8 days52 reviews
Walking & trekking
From
CHF  1,075

Take an adventure through the Central High Atlas Mountains of Morocco on foot

Discover Morocco’s best kept secret with this 8-day walking and hiking trip through the Happy Valley – or Ait Bougmez in the Central High Atlas Mountains. Running along the M’goun Massif, this is home to Morocco’s third-highest mountain peak – Jebel M’goun. Traversing through rural villages, ancient ruins, lush vegetation, cascading waterfalls and fields of grain, you’ll learn about the rich culture of the Amazigh people, the history of dinosaurs who once lived here and why sometimes, exploring on foot is the only way to witness the authenticity of a place bursting with stories. Enjoy homecooked meals and stay in traditional mountain gites, while you make your way through the villages and towns of Ait Imi, Ifrane, Arous, Agouti and lakeside Bin El Ouidane – ending it all in bustling Marrakech.

Map of Trekking In Morocco: Happy Valley In High Atlas including Morocco
Trip code: XMXH
Start
Marrakech, Morocco
End
Marrakech, Morocco
Destinations
Morocco
Meals
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
Transport
Private minibus, walking, boat
Accommodation
Hotel (3 nights), Gite (4 nights)
Days
8
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Ages
Min 15
Theme
Every trip caters to specific interests and activities, such as wildlife or family.
Walking & trekking
Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time

Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time

Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities

Premium: 4+ star accommodation, exclusive premium inclusions, our most experienced leaders
Original
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip

Enjoy a hiking holiday in arguably the most beautiful valley in the Central High Atlas Mountains – Ait Bougmez or Happy Valley. This is Morocco’s best-kept secret.

Rub shoulders with the local Amazigh people who call this mountain valley their home, by staying in authentic gites (mountain homes) and sharing home-cooked meals with countless cups of Moroccan tea.

Explore the community granary of Sidi Chita – a ruin of the holy house of Marabout (a Muslim holy man or hermit) located on the hill with sweeping views of the valley below.

Trek through small rural villages, cereal crops and under the shade of hundred-year-old walnut trees, where the welcoming locals will greet you into their world, sharing stories and culture.

Explore the famous Bin El Ouidane Lake, which forms one of the most picturesque landscapes in the area – by boat and hike. Then, enjoy a tasty lunch in the nearby White Water Gite.

By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, Education for All. Donations help them support girls in the High Atlas Mountains through secondary school, bringing a generation of women out of the cycle of illiteracy, poverty and early marriage. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Itinerary

Map of Trekking In Morocco: Happy Valley In High Atlas including Morocco

Inclusions and activities

Meals

7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners

Transport

Private minibus, walking, boat

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nights), Gite (4 nights)

Included activities
  • Aarous - Ait Abbas valley to Aarous village guided hike
  • Ait Imi - Idoukalen village tea stop
  • Ait Imi - Happy Valley: Aarous to Ait Imi guided hike
  • Ait Imi - Sidi Chita granary visit
  • Ifrane - Dinosaur remains site visit
  • Ifrane - Happy Valley: Ait Imi to Ifrane guided hike
  • Agouti - Happy Valley: Ifrane to Agouti guided hike
  • Bin el Ouidane - Reservoir Walk
  • Bin el Ouidane - Reservoir boat tour
  • Bin el Ouidane - White Water Gite lunch
  • Marrakech - Ouzoud waterfalls visit

Optional activities
  • Marrakech - Hot Air Balloon Ride - MAD2090
  • Marrakech - Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure. - MAD640
  • Marrakech - Heart of the Atlas Mountains cycling day trip with lunch - MAD2000
  • Marrakech - Palmery Cycling Tour - MAD540
  • Marrakech - Quad Biking Barrage Lalla Takerkoust - MAD1650
  • Marrakech - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage - MAD750
  • Marrakech - A Taste Of Marrakech: Inside the Medina Urban Adventure - MAD605
  • Marrakech - Magical Marrakech City Cycling Tour - MAD438
  • Marrakech - Quad Biking the Rock Desert & Palmgrove - MAD715

Is this trip right for you?

  • This is a walking trip, so you should expect to be on your feet for most of the day. A good level of fitness will help you to enjoy the experience fully.
  • Once on the trek, you’ll spend most of the nights in atmospheric gites – a traditional Amazigh-style mud-brick building. They’re basic, but half of their charm comes from the simplicity. Low ceilings, traditional artwork and locally made furniture add to the rustic mountain vibe.

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip and applies to all nights. Availability is limited, so please enquire with your booking agent for further information.
2. This is a hiking trip and on some days you should expect to be on the trail for up to 7 hours. This trip does not go on the altitude and treks lead predominantly through the valleys, but there are some ascents and descents. It is not possible to opt out from the hikes as public transport is not available to take you through to the next overnight destination. Good physical form will help you to fully enjoy all included treks.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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Reviews

5 out of 5 based on 2 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Julie · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 26 Sep 2024

Lawrence · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 28 Sep 2024
Trekking in Morocco: Happy Valley in High Atlas
From
CHF  1,075