✓ Private trek with your own guide✓ Free quote, no commitment
→ Overview: Jbel Saghro Trek 5 Days from Marrakech
The Jbel Saghro trek crosses a wild volcanic range between the High Atlas and the Sahara. On this 5-day trek from Marrakech, you walk past dramatic rock towers like Bab n’Ali, sleep in camps under the stars and meet the semi-nomadic Ait Atta shepherds. It is the best trek in Morocco from October to April, when Toubkal is under snow.
Private trek with an English- and Spanish-speaking mountain guide · transfers from Marrakech · mules, camps and all meals.
Languages
English, Spanish
Tour type
Private trek
Availability
October to April
→ Jbel Saghro trek at a Glance
| Duration | 5 days / 4 nights |
|---|---|
| Start and end | Marrakech, pick-up at your riad or hotel |
| Route | Marrakech – Tizi n’Tichka – Tagdilt – Azib Almou n’Ouarg – Igli – Afourar gorge – Bab n’Ali – N’Kob – Marrakech |
| Nights | 1 night in a guesthouse in Tagdilt, 3 nights in camps |
| Meals | All meals from dinner on day 1 to lunch on day 5 |
| Walking | About 5–7 hours a day on 4 trekking days |
| Difficulty | Moderate, with rocky paths and some long days |
| Best season | October to April |
→ Why Choose This Trek
Saghro feels like another planet: volcanic peaks, deep gorges, almond orchards and small oases, with very few other hikers. In addition, its low altitude makes it ideal in winter, when the High Atlas is snowy. If you prefer the classic summit, see the Toubkal trek 2 days.
→ Jbel Saghro trek Highlights
- See Bab n’Ali, the famous “gate” of giant rock pinnacles.
- Walk through the Afourar gorge to the oasis village of Igli.
- Meet the semi-nomadic Ait Atta shepherds.
- Sleep in camps under some of the clearest skies in Morocco.
- Cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n’Tichka pass on the way.
→ Jbel Saghro trek Itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech – Tizi n’Tichka – Ouarzazate – Tagdilt
Your driver picks you up in Marrakech in the morning. We cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n’Tichka pass and continue past Ouarzazate and the Dades Valley to the village of Tagdilt, at the edge of Jbel Saghro. There, you meet your guide and muleteers.
Overnight
Guesthouse in Tagdilt, with dinner and breakfast. Driving: about 7 hours with stops.
Day 2: Tagdilt – Azib Almou n’Ouarg
We start walking across a wide plateau with volcanic hills, then climb to a pass. After crossing the ridge, we descend to the shepherds’ settlement of Azib Almou n’Ouarg.
Overnight
Camp, with dinner and breakfast. Walking: about 6 hours.
Day 3: Azib Almou n’Ouarg – Igli
Today we walk through the heart of the range, with wide views from the high ridges. In the afternoon, we descend to Igli, a small village among almond trees and rock cliffs.
Overnight
Camp near Igli, with dinner and breakfast. Walking: about 6–7 hours.
Day 4: Igli – Afourar gorge – Bab n’Ali
After breakfast, we follow the narrow Afourar gorge and continue down the valley. Then, the giant rock towers of Bab n’Ali appear. We camp near them for the night.
Overnight
Camp near Bab n’Ali, with dinner and breakfast. Walking: about 6 hours.
Day 5: Bab n’Ali – N’Kob – Marrakech
On the last morning, we walk down through palm groves to N’Kob, the gateway to Saghro, for lunch. Then, your driver takes you back to Marrakech via the Draa Valley and the High Atlas.
Drop-off
At your riad or hotel in Marrakech, late in the evening. Walking: about 4–5 hours; driving: about 6 hours.
→ What’s Included and Not Included
Everything is clear from the start, so there are no surprise fees.
What's Included
Covered from start to finish
- Private transport Marrakech – Tagdilt and N’Kob – Marrakech.
- Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation in Marrakech.
- Licensed local mountain guide (English and Spanish).
- Mules and muleteers for luggage and camp equipment.
- Cook and all meals during the trek.
- 1 night in a guesthouse and 3 nights in tents.
- Mint tea and drinking water during meals.
What's not Included
Extra costs to plan for
- Sleeping bag and personal trekking gear.
- Lunches on the road on days 1 and 5.
- Snacks and extra drinks.
- Tips for guide, cook and muleteers.
- Travel insurance.
- Anything not listed under “Included”.
→ Route Map
→ Photo Gallery
→ Good to Know: Jbel Saghro trek
- SeasonFrom October to April the days are pleasant. However, nights in the camps are cold, close to freezing in December and January.
- FitnessYou need reasonable fitness for 5 to 7 hours of walking on rocky paths.
- CampsSimple camps with tents, mats and blankets; a team of muleteers carries the equipment.
- Long roadDays 1 and 5 include long drives across the High Atlas.
- What to bringHiking boots, warm layers, a down jacket for the evenings, a hat, sunscreen, a head torch and a warm sleeping bag.
Local Expert Tip
Bring a good sleeping bag rated for cold nights: the days are sunny in winter, but the temperature drops quickly after sunset.
→ Jbel Saghro trek: Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time for the Jbel Saghro trek?
From October to April. Summer is too hot.
Is the Jbel Saghro trek difficult?
It is moderate: 5 to 7 hours of walking a day on rocky paths, without technical sections.
Where do we sleep?
One night in a guesthouse in Tagdilt and three nights in camps.
Is the guide Spanish-speaking?
Yes. Our mountain guides speak English and Spanish.
Can we combine it with the desert?
Yes. Saghro is close to the Sahara; ask us to add Merzouga after the trek.
How much does it cost?
It depends on your group size and dates. Send us your dates and we will reply with the price.
→ Customize Your Trek
Because this is a private trek, we can adapt it. For example:
- Add the Sahara after the trek, with nights in Merzouga.
- Shorten the route by starting from N’Kob.
- Combine it with the Atlas Mountains day hike or a tailor-made tour in Morocco.
See all our Morocco trekking tours.
→ Book Your Trek
Ask us for the price
This trek is private, so the price depends on your group size, dates and season. Send us your dates and number of hikers and we will reply with a clear quote, with no hidden costs.
- Private mountain guide
- Built around your dates
- Free, no-obligation quote
→ Related Tours
→ What Our Travelers Say
“My mom and I had a great trip! Abdul Abderrahim guided our group of 22 for 10 days all around the country. He always a delight and informative. He was very attentive to any needs or wishes of the group and made the trip seamless. Thank you!”
Chip S
Traveled with family
“The entire adventure was marvelous. There was a lot of driving but our driver was very safe and he made frequent stops and showed us many landmarks and cultural treasures. Our visit to the desert was our highlight of the trip. I can highly recommend.”
Evita M
Traveled with friends
“Just returned from a fascinating 12 day Morocco group tour with guide Abdul. We had an amazing, immersive, super fun experience. Abdul was incredibly knowledgeable, kind, funny, patient, and pleasant. He shared personal memories of growing up Berber…”
Maria R
Traveled with friends
“We had a two week tour through Morocco and it was excellent. We visited many different locations, including the big city medina’s of Marrakech and Fez, the lovely coastal city of Essaouira, the fabulous desert area…”
Catherina2015