M'Goun has been referred by trekkers as one of the best treks anywhere. Situated in the central High Atlas, the M'Goun massif (4068m) is second highest in North Africa. Only its more famous brother, the Jbel Toubkal (4167m) is higher by just a few meters. Unpredictable M'Goun poses the much more challenging ascent.
M'Goun massif lies between the central plains and the Sahara desert of Morocco. High rounded peaks, massive rock slabs, and mud-formed spires overlook vast treeless valleys and sparsely vegetated plateaus. Split by rivers and canyons, the landscape provides interesting trail challenges with a traverse of M'Goun, followed by long, slow descents and sudden ascents, and one day negotiating a narrow canyon filled with water. The nomadic Ait Atta people tribes graze their animals here during the summer months; hare and fox, wolf, toads, frogs, vulture, and the rare Bonelli-eagle make this barren land their home. Few trees include poplars, junipers, and scrub willows.
EMAIL for PRICES | SAMPLE 9 day ITINERARY | RETURN to all TREKS
Book this TREK
About this Trek
- Treks run with 2 or more trekkers,
- Level Medium - challenging with an ascent to M'Goun summit,
- Available July to mid-October
- 7 Days on trek includes 2 days transport - full High Atlas traverse of MGoun north to south or
- 5 Days on trek plus 2 days transport - circle route north side of High Atlas with ascent of MGoun or
- 3 Days on trek plus 2 days transport - circle route north side of High Atlas,
- Highest elevation on MGoun 4068 metres and awesome views!
PRICE
per person/per day: 750 dirhams plus transportation costs.
Includes:
- Professional english speaking Berber guide,
- Transport costs from and return to Marrakech,
- All meals (vegetarians welcome),
- Accommodation: tents, refuge shelter or gite d'tape (small Berber inn),
- Mattresses for sleeping,
- Kitchen tent and equipment and cook,
- Mule handlers and mules to carry everything,
- You carry only your day pack
Not included:
- Tips
- Personal purchases
- Marrakech hotels
9 day Itinerary
day by day routes may vary depending upon weather and trail conditions.
Day 1
Depart Marrakech to Azilal for lunch. Overnight in Idoukaln Berber village gite near Agouti.Day 2 – 8
From Agouti you will trek, and see prehistoric rock-carvings from 8000 years ago, amazing views of rock strata, waterfalls and and cold plunge pool, stay in spectacular campsites surrounded by jagged peaks, climb Mgoun, a walkable approach to the main summit (4068m). Descend valleys and slot canyons (300 meters height by 2 meters wide and 50 long) through fantastic landscapes of chimneys, cliffs, and rock pilons. Enter the Saharan side of High Atlas and the rose valley of Mgoun peppered with isolated villages and gardens terraces, watered by gravity defying irrigation systems. Green valleys contrast with stark multicoloured peaks. Descend the river MGoun by a labyrinth of gardens and mountain valley oasis, arriving at the confluence of the river Mgoun and Touzrikt village in Boutagrah.Day 9
Meet your transport back to Marrakech. If we have time, we'll stop for a vist to Ait Benhaddou world heritage site. Or you can add on 3 more days and continue to the Erg Chebbi, including an overnight by camel in the dunes.
Trekking Details
What you need to know about trekking...
Because the High Atlas can involve some challenging elevation gains and losses over continuous passes (2000 m+), most High Atlas treks are rated medium, meaning you should have recent experience hill hiking, carrying a light day-pack, and a tolerance for climate changes. You will need light hiking style shoes or boots with a full-tread sole and good quality outdoor clothing. Spring and fall, snow remains on the high peaks. Nights might be cold and the days can be hot and sunny. We have a list of what you will need to bring below.Fitness requirements: You should be confident of your fitness and endurance levels. The main recommendation is a sense of adventure! There is no age limit providing that you are in reasonable physical shape and you are aware of the rigors of trekking in higher elevations and have proper travellers insurance. Please make a point of telling us (quietly if you wish) if you have any medical condition/allergies or are on any medication that you think we should be aware of. We are out there for a great time and we want you to feel comfortable in your environment.
Accommodation in villages inns called gites with kitchens, sleeping areas and showers, or dome tents or, since Morocco is one of the the few areas of the world where warm temperatures combine with an absence of insects, you can sleep under the stars. Nothing can compare with a night under the brilliant starlight of North Africa. Tents, mattresses, fully equipped kitchen, food and personal baggage are carried by mules. You carry only a day pack for your water, snacks, camera and clothing. We have a limited number of sleeping bags, so you might be required to bring your own. We'll do our best to help you out with this.
All Food is included on trek and is very healthy, including Couscous, Tagine, fresh eggs, fish, olives, nuts and fruit. Please let us know whether you are vegetarian. Apart from eggs and fish (Tuna and Sardine) often served at lunch time with vegetable salad, there is not a lot of meat and when meat is available, separate dishes such as vegetarian Tagine is prepared.
Bottled water is usually available, but you might need to use your own method to purify water. Occasional villages allow for purchasing good quality bottled water along the way.
Some people like to bring their own treats and food supplements if they have special dietary requirements. If you like to drink herbal teas, bring your own. Moroccan tea tends to be a real energy booster with Gunpowder green mixed with copious amounts of sugar (refreshing and delicious!). Sugarless tea can be requested but not necessarily understood! Make use of your duty free allowance to obtain your favourite tipple.
As we are trekking in high mountains, geological variations create a full range of climatic conditions, which means it can get cold, wet, and windy. Bring a warm fleece and light weight wind jacket and long pants. During the day temperatures are relatively warm or hot, and normal attire with t-shirts and shorts will be fine. On average you can expect daytime temperatures of 20–30+ degrees Celsius.
What To Bring *denotes essential or highly recommended
Pack light and pack tight.
Sleeping bag*
Day-pack *
sunglasses *
water bottles (collapsible bladders pack flat!) *
towel (Moroccan hotels don't always have them) *
ziplock baggies *
toilet paper * (buy it in Morocco)
needle and thread / safety pins
camera, batteries, memory cards, or film – bring lots!
sealable bag for your Digital camera* (essential!! for sand/dust)Clothing
sarong (can double as a towel, lightweight sheet or scarf)
cotton long sleeved shirt (for intense sun) *
light wind-proof jacket
a hat (sun) *
warm socks*
light weight gloves*
lightweight long pants *
2-3 T-shirts
woolen sweater/fleece *
cotton scarf (doubles as a wash cloth)
Hiking boots or hiking shoes*First aid – make sure you use water proof labelling if re-packaging
disinfectant creme / gel (Polysporin)
bandaids
Ibufrofen (Advil or generic – for pain, swelling) *
Tylenol (colds and fever)
cold medication – Echanacia / zinc lozenges
tweezers
Visine
Aloe vera gel (for burns)
Anti-hystamine tablets
diahrrea medication (Immodium) *Personal
sunblock *
sanitary supplies with ziplock baggies to carry out
moisturiser / lip balm with sunblock *
simple english books / magazines / music – (cassette tapes are common in Morocco and make great gifts.)
small torch / flash-light (small bicycle lights make good travelling torches)
nail clippers
wet-wipes
soap / shampoo / toothpaste / toothbrush etc *
prescriptions in original containers
ear plugs *
Finally...
Please remember that things do change, prices go up and down, activities stop running or change format and weather can send the best laid plans out the door. We will do our best to provide what is described above but please take into consideration the nature of the journey that you are embarking on and the country that you are traveling in and understand that a certain degree of flexibility is necessary!
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