Quick Escape to Mgoun massif

by Moroccan Skies in Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, Morocco, Africa

High Atlas Short Breaks

BOUGUEMEZ VALLEY

Tour title: The Secluded Mountain Kingdom Tour code: BVS

The Atlas Mountains is the country where the existence of a splendid afterlife is undoubtedly agreed upon. The Bouguemez valley, nicknamed ‘Happy Valley’ for the purported disposition of its inhabitants, remains by all accounts Morocco’s most stunning high-altitude destination besides the Toubkal National Park just south of Marrakesh, which would usually be mobbed with trekking-minded tourists at summer times. The Bouguemez Valley is, on the other hand, described as “the best-kept secret in Morocco.”

Trip-dossier:

The Bouguemez valley resembles the secluded mountain kingdom of the travellers’ imagination. The land is intensely cultivated in precise geometric patterns that form intricate mosaics on the fertile valley floor. Scattered here and there are clusters of fortified houses made from the same red clay that they rest on and stacked like blocks turned out from a child’s sand bucket.

WHERE TO STAY

We will be staying in some of these kasbahs/ gite d’etapes or guesthouses in the village. Remote though it is, the Bouguemez valley has hosted trekkers for years, and they mainly have lodged in the simple Berber-style gites or guesthouses, sprinkled along the valley. This is to say that, while it’s very charming and comfortable, it is still a simple, unpretentious place, surrounded by hollyhocks, walnut and fruitful trees.

BOUGUEMEZ BEST VIEWS

Sidi Moussa Granary/ Shrine **

Climbing a nearby cone-shaped hill to a circular granary that is also a shrine to Sidi Moussa, a local holy man whose healing powers are said to be especially effective in cases of infertility offers some of the gorgeous sights of the entire landscape. The keeper of the shrine who climbs the hill every morning to assume his duties is nearly 120 years old. After making us tea, he handed out candle stubs and we climbed to the upper floors of the turreted granary to admire the 360-degree views of the valley.

Dinausorus Footprints ***

A journey back in time exploring some ancient foot prints of the Atlas giant lizard – Atlasaurus imelkai- which roamed the area more than 165 million years ago is a must. The creature 15 meters long is believed to have weighed some 22 ½ tons. Despite the fact that the skeleton is in Rabat’s archaeological museum there are evidences and footprints worth a close visit at Ibaqiliwn and Aguerd N’ouzrou.

Valley Strolls ***

- 3 days walks/ 2 nights stay: a ballade along the fertile valley, riversides and mud brick villages perched on the hillsides

Grade: moderate – 4/5 walking hours

Assistance: guide/ cook / muleteers

Accommodation: auberges/ gite d’etapes/ guesthouses

Full board option: yes

Activities: walks/ mule ride/ workshops/ culture

Itinerary: Aarous- Imelghas- Zaouit oulmzi

- 2 days walks: 1 night stay

Grade: easy – 3/4 walking hours

Assistance: guide/ cook / muleteers

Accommodation: auberges/ gite d’etapes/ guesthouses

Full board option: yes

Activities: walks/ mule ride/ workshops/ culture

Itinerary: Agouti- Imelghas

- 4 days walk/ 3 nights stay:

Grade: moderate to difficult – 5/6 walking hours

Assistance: guide/ cook / muleteers

Accommodation: Camping/ gite d’etapes/ guesthouses

Full board option: yes

Activities: walks/ mule ride/ workshops/ culture

Itinerary: Zaouit- imelghas- Aarous- Abachkou/ Iguelouane

Stay with a family ****

Live the day to day eventful journeys amongst the locals is not permitted to everybody. Since we come from this same ground we made forays into the best and most suitable places that would not mind hosting strangers. It is new close look up at the lifestyle of these communities, their way of thinking and a real taste of rural Morocco. It is an exclusive invitation for those who seek for a travel back into time for some truly riveting experiences.

Mgoun summit Ascent – 5 days - ****

Grade: strenuous 6/8 walking hours

Assistance: guide/ cook / muleteers

Accommodation: Camping/ gite d’etapes/ guesthouses

Full board option: yes

Activities: walks/ mule ride/ workshops/ culture

Period: May- end of September

Itinerary: Aarous- Tarkeddit- Mgoun summit- Igli- Imelrhas

4wd drives ****

5 Days drive away:

Itinerary: Marrakech- Zaouit Ahansal- Bouguemez (2nights)- Marrakech

Period: May-November