Trekking in the Central High Atlas
M’Goun Trek 5 Days from Marrakech: Summit & Happy Valley
✓ Private trek with your own guide✓ Free quote, no commitment
→ Overview: M’Goun Trek 5 Days from Marrakech: Summit & Happy Valley
The Mgoun trek climbs Ighil M’Goun, at about 4,070 m one of the highest peaks in Morocco, in the wild Central High Atlas. Starting in the green Ait Bouguemez valley, known as the “Happy Valley”, you cross the Tarkeddit plateau, reach the long summit ridge and return through remote shepherd valleys. It is quieter and more remote than Toubkal.
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
May to October
→ Mgoun trek at a Glance
| Duration | 5 days / 4 nights |
|---|---|
| Start and end | Marrakech, pick-up at your riad or hotel |
| Route | Marrakech – Ait Bouguemez – Ikkis n’Arous – Tizi n’Tarkeddit – Tarkeddit plateau – M’Goun summit – Oulilimt – Tizi n’Ait Imi – Ait Bouguemez – Marrakech |
| Nights | 3 nights in camps, 1 night in a guesthouse in Ait Bouguemez |
| Meals | All meals from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 5 |
| Walking | About 3–9 hours a day; the summit day is the longest |
| Difficulty | Demanding, non-technical in summer |
| Best season | May to October |
→ Why Choose This Trek
M’Goun gives you a real high-mountain expedition with very few other hikers. In addition, the Ait Bouguemez valley is one of the most beautiful in Morocco, with earth villages, fields and old granaries. Prefer a shorter classic? See the Toubkal trek 3 days.
→ Mgoun trek Highlights
- Summit Ighil M’Goun, about 4,070 m, the roof of the Central High Atlas.
- Discover Ait Bouguemez, the “Happy Valley”.
- Cross the Tizi n’Tarkeddit pass, about 3,450 m.
- Camp on the high Tarkeddit plateau with shepherds and their flocks.
- Walk through the remote Oulilimt valley.
→ Mgoun trek Itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech – Ait Bouguemez – Ikkis n’Arous
Your driver picks you up in Marrakech and takes you to the Ait Bouguemez valley, about 5 hours away. There, you meet your guide and muleteers and start walking through Berber villages to the pastures of Ikkis n’Arous, at about 2,300 m.
Overnight
Camp, with dinner and breakfast. Walking: about 2.5–3 hours.
Day 2: Ikkis n’Arous – Tizi n’Tarkeddit – Tarkeddit plateau
We climb steadily to the Tizi n’Tarkeddit pass, at about 3,450 m, with the first views of the M’Goun ridge. Then, we descend to the Tarkeddit plateau, at about 2,900 m, where shepherds bring their flocks in summer.
Overnight
Camp on the plateau, with dinner and breakfast. Walking: about 5–6 hours.
Day 3: Tarkeddit – M’Goun summit – Oulilimt
The big day starts early. We climb to the long summit ridge and reach Ighil M’Goun, at about 4,070 m, with views over the Dades and Draa valleys. Afterwards, we descend to the Oulilimt valley.
Overnight
Camp, with dinner and breakfast. Walking: about 8–9 hours.
Day 4: Oulilimt – Tizi n’Ait Imi – Ait Bouguemez
We follow the valley, then climb to the Tizi n’Ait Imi pass, about 2,900 m. A long descent takes us back to Ait Bouguemez and a warm guesthouse.
Overnight
Guesthouse in Ait Bouguemez, with dinner and breakfast. Walking: about 5–6 hours.
Day 5: Ait Bouguemez – Marrakech
After breakfast, your driver takes you back to Marrakech.
Drop-off
At your riad or hotel in Marrakech, in the afternoon. Driving: about 5 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 – Ait Bouguemez – 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.
- 3 nights in tents and 1 night in a guesthouse.
- Mint tea and drinking water during meals.
What's not Included
Extra costs to plan for
- Sleeping bag and personal trekking gear.
- Lunch on the road on day 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: Mgoun trek
- FitnessYou need good fitness: the summit day is long, with steep and stony sections.
- AltitudeYou sleep around 2,900 m before the summit; walk slowly and drink plenty of water.
- SeasonBest from May to October. Outside these months, snow can cover the high passes.
- CampsSimple camps with tents, mats and blankets; muleteers carry the equipment.
- What to bringHiking boots, poles, warm layers, a windproof jacket, a hat, gloves, sunscreen, a head torch and a warm sleeping bag.
Local Expert Tip
Spend a little time in Ait Bouguemez on the first afternoon: the valley’s earth villages and old granaries are among the most beautiful in the Atlas.
→ Mgoun trek: Frequently Asked Questions
How difficult is the Mgoun trek?
It is demanding but non-technical in summer. The summit day lasts about 8–9 hours.
When is the best time for the Mgoun trek?
From May to October.
How high is M’Goun?
Ighil M’Goun rises to about 4,070 m, one of the highest peaks in Morocco.
Is the guide Spanish-speaking?
Yes. Our mountain guides speak English and Spanish.
Where do we sleep?
Three nights in camps and one night in a guesthouse in Ait Bouguemez.
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 a rest day in the Ait Bouguemez valley.
- Combine it with the Toubkal trek 2 days for two big summits.
- Visit the Ouzoud Waterfalls on the way back with 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