Trekking in Morocco: Happy Valley in High Atlas
Overview
Highlights
- 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.
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Itinerary
Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Morocco. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, where you'll meet your fellow trekkers and trip leader. After, you might like to join your leader on a jaunt to Djemaa el-Fna Square in the centre of the medina. Huge cro...
After breakfast this morning, say goodbye to Marrakech and take a private transfer towards the orange hills of Denmate. When you arrive in Denmate, you’ll stop for lunch at the Imi n’Ifri Natural Bridge. Then, continue your journey into the Atlas Mountains. Stop for a...
This morning, begin your trekking adventure with a few small trails in the fields of Ait Bougmez – coined by the French as Happy Valley. The valley is home to Morocco’s third-highest peak – Jebel M’goun, which runs along the M’goun Massif in the Central High Atlas Mou...
This morning, continue your adventure through the mountains. Stop at the village of Dibaqliwen for a visit to the most intriguing dinosaur tracks in Morocco. Learn about the history of this land from your local tour leader, then continue your journey into the pastoral...
This morning after breakfast, appreciate the landscape of Ifrane once more and then set off for the day’s adventure. Descend the valley on the bank of Ait Hkem and wander across several villages where the cereal culture remains strong. Your trek will take you through ...
After breakfast this morning, you’ll be transferred to picturesque Bin El Ouidane – a small town surrounding a striking blue lake and dam of the same name. Head to the White Water gite for a delicious Moroccan lunch with your group, then head out on a scenic walk arou...
After breakfast this morning, depart the glittering blue reservoir town of Bin El Ouidane and begin your return journey. Along the way, you’ll visit the stunning Ouzoud waterfalls – a collective name for several cascades that empty into the Slaves’ River gorge. Walk a...
Your adventure ends after breakfast this morning. If you wish to spend more time in Marrakech, just speak to your booking agent.
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- Moroccan House Hotel Marrakech
- 3 Rue Loubnane
- Gueliz
- Marrakech
- 40000
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