8 Days | 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.
Trip overview
- Start
- Marrakech, Morocco
- Finish
- Marrakech, Morocco
- Theme
- Walking & trekking
- Destinations
- Morocco
- 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
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- XMXH
- 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.
- 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.
Itinerary
Inclusions
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
Private minibus, walking, boat
Hotel (3 nights), Gite (4 nights)
- 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
- 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
Dates and availability
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.
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