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The summit ridge of M'Goun, 4,071 m, in Morocco's central Atlas

Signature trip

M'Goun and the Moroccan Desert

Fourteen days that combine the M'Goun trek, the gorges of the south and a night among the Sahara dunes, with the local team.

  • CategoryAdventure and Culture
  • LevelChallenging
  • Duration14 days / 13 nights
5.0· 76 Google reviews
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Trip overview

M'Goun and the Moroccan Desert

Fourteen days that begin in the mountains and end in the desert. The M'Goun trek (4,071 m) from the Berber valley of Aït Bougmez, with the descent through the Achabou gorges and the Valley of the Roses, continues south: the Dades and Todra gorges and a night among the dunes of Erg Chebbi. The trip ends with free days in Marrakech. All of it with the local Berber team.

Sunrise over the dunes of Erg Chebbi in the Moroccan Sahara
  • DestinationMorocco · Central Atlas and Sahara
  • Duration14 days and 13 nights
  • GuideLocal Berber team
  • Group sizeSmall group
  • EcosystemsCentral Atlas, gorges, Sahara dunes

The character of the trip

How much adventure, culture and nature you'll experience.

Adventure5/5
Culture4/5
Nature4/5
Berber guide team of the Atlas and the Sahara
Local mountain and desert guides · Morocco

Who will be with you on this trip

Berber guide team of the Atlas and the Sahara

The mountain trek is led by the Berber team of the Aït Bougmez valley; the southern and desert leg is coordinated by the local road and camp team.

The plan for each day adapts to the weather and the condition of the group; the priority is always to complete the trek safely.

Flexible dates

Interested in this trip?

Who organises this trip?

This experience runs with our partner team on the ground, who organise and sell the trip's services directly. At Ecotour we design the itinerary, explain how it works, answer your questions and put you in touch with the organising team when you're ready to go ahead.

Local team on the ground

Travel with our local team

You travel through Morocco with the local team, who organise and guide the trip on the ground. Ecotour helps you decide.

Duration
14 days / 13 nights

Start day

Pick your start day: the 14 days of the trip are marked automatically.

We explain how the trip works, answer your questions and put you in touch with the organising team when you want to go ahead.

How you experience it

We design the itinerary and support you throughout your decision. Sending the form is not a booking or a payment.

How does it work?

  1. You get in touch. Fill in the form or send us a WhatsApp message. No commitment: it isn't a booking or a payment.
  2. We talk it through. We give you all the details, answer your questions and see whether the trip is right for you.
  3. We put you in touch. When you're ready to go ahead, we connect you with the organising team, who handle the booking.
  4. All that's left is to enjoy it. Your guide is with you every step of the way. You just live the trip.

Flexible dates: get in touch and we'll tell you about the next departure windows and how the trip is organised.

Tell us what you're looking for and we'll contact you personally. It isn't a booking or a payment, just a request for information.

Flexible dates

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M'Goun and the Moroccan Desert

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Itinerary at a glance

  1. Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech and transfer to Tabant

    Arrival at Marrakech airport and direct transfer to the Aït Bougmez valley, to Tabant.

    Tabant

  2. Day 2: Tabant → Azib N'Ikkis

    First day of trekking through the Aït Bougmez valley, with views of the fortified granary of Sidi Moussa and the Arous gorges. Camp with views of M'Goun.

    Azib N'Ikkis (camp)

  3. Day 3: Azib N'Ikkis → Tarkeddit

    You gain height over several passes to the Tizi n'Tarkaddiyt (3,100 m), then descend to the Tarkeddit plateau.

    Tarkeddit (camp)

  4. Day 4: Tarkeddit → summit of M'Goun → Taghbalout N'Lassif

    Summit day: ascent of M'Goun (4,071 m) along a long ridge, with views of the pre-Saharan desert. Descent to the Oulilimt valley. A long day, between 7 and 9 hours.

    Taghbalout N'Lassif (camp)

  5. Day 5: Taghbalout N'Lassif → Taghreft

    Descent through the valley between rock formations, with views of the Tigremt of Aït Ahmid.

    Taghreft (camp or guesthouse)

  6. Day 6: Taghreft → Tarzout, M'Goun gorges

    The valley narrows into a series of small gorges cut by the river, with frequent river crossings, passing through several Berber villages.

    Tarzout (camp)

  7. Day 7: Tarzout → Achabou gorges → Isumar

    The narrowest stretch of the trek: the Achabou ravine means walking through the water in several places. You cross the "Valley of the Roses" to Isumar.

    Isumar (camp)

  8. Day 8: Dades and Todra gorges

    Transfer by vehicle to Kelaat M'Gouna and a visit to the Dades and Todra gorges.

    Tinerhir

  9. Day 9: Tinerhir → Merzouga

    Drive to Erfoud and Merzouga. A walk among the dunes of Erg Chebbi on arrival.

    Camp in Erg Chebbi

  10. Day 10: Merzouga → Ouarzazate

    Sunrise over the dunes and transfer to Ouarzazate, with a stop in Tinerhir.

    Ouarzazate

  11. Day 11: Ouarzazate → Marrakech

    Visit to the Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate and return to Marrakech, with a stop in Taddert.

    Marrakech

  12. Day 12: Marrakech, free day

    A free day to explore the city: the medina, the souk and Jemaa el-Fna square. Optional activities on request.

    Marrakech

  13. Day 13: Marrakech, free day

    A second free day in Marrakech.

    Marrakech

  14. Day 14: Return

    Transfer to Marrakech airport for your flight home.

Detailed itinerary

The trip, day by day

Arrival in Marrakech and transfer to Tabant

DAY 1

Arrival in Marrakech and transfer to Tabant

  • Tabant
  • Dinner

Arrival at Marrakech airport and direct transfer to the Aït Bougmez valley, to Tabant.

Tabant → Azib N'Ikkis

DAY 2

Tabant → Azib N'Ikkis

  • Azib N'Ikkis (camp)
  • Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner

First day of trekking through the Aït Bougmez valley, with views of the fortified granary of Sidi Moussa and the Arous gorges. Camp with views of M'Goun.

Azib N'Ikkis → Tarkeddit

DAY 3

Azib N'Ikkis → Tarkeddit

  • Tarkeddit (camp)
  • Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner

You gain height over several passes to the Tizi n'Tarkaddiyt (3,100 m), then descend to the Tarkeddit plateau.

Tarkeddit → summit of M'Goun → Taghbalout N'Lassif

DAY 4

Tarkeddit → summit of M'Goun → Taghbalout N'Lassif

  • Taghbalout N'Lassif (camp)
  • Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner

Summit day: ascent of M'Goun (4,071 m) along a long ridge, with views of the pre-Saharan desert. Descent to the Oulilimt valley. A long day, between 7 and 9 hours.

Taghbalout N'Lassif → Taghreft

DAY 5

Taghbalout N'Lassif → Taghreft

  • Taghreft (camp or guesthouse)
  • Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner

Descent through the valley between rock formations, with views of the Tigremt of Aït Ahmid.

Taghreft → Tarzout, M'Goun gorges

DAY 6

Taghreft → Tarzout, M'Goun gorges

  • Tarzout (camp)
  • Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner

The valley narrows into a series of small gorges cut by the river, with frequent river crossings, passing through several Berber villages.

Tarzout → Achabou gorges → Isumar

DAY 7

Tarzout → Achabou gorges → Isumar

  • Isumar (camp)
  • Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner

The narrowest stretch of the trek: the Achabou ravine means walking through the water in several places. You cross the "Valley of the Roses" to Isumar.

Dades and Todra gorges

DAY 8

Dades and Todra gorges

  • Tinerhir
  • Breakfast

Transfer by vehicle to Kelaat M'Gouna and a visit to the Dades and Todra gorges.

Tinerhir → Merzouga

DAY 9

Tinerhir → Merzouga

  • Camp in Erg Chebbi
  • Breakfast

Drive to Erfoud and Merzouga. A walk among the dunes of Erg Chebbi on arrival.

Merzouga → Ouarzazate

DAY 10

Merzouga → Ouarzazate

  • Ouarzazate
  • Breakfast

Sunrise over the dunes and transfer to Ouarzazate, with a stop in Tinerhir.

Ouarzazate → Marrakech

DAY 11

Ouarzazate → Marrakech

  • Marrakech
  • Breakfast

Visit to the Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate and return to Marrakech, with a stop in Taddert.

DAY 12

Marrakech, free day

  • Marrakech
  • Breakfast

A free day to explore the city: the medina, the souk and Jemaa el-Fna square. Optional activities on request.

DAY 13

Marrakech, free day

  • Marrakech
  • Breakfast

A second free day in Marrakech.

DAY 14

Return

  • Breakfast

Transfer to Marrakech airport for your flight home.

Trip highlights

What makes this route special

Included

  • Mountain leader, muleteer and cook during the mountain trek. A Spanish-speaking guide is available.

    Local Berber guide team
  • Marrakech to Tabant, and Tinerhir - Merzouga - Ouarzazate - Marrakech by road, as per the programme.

    Transfers on the ground
  • Nights in camp during the mountain trek and in a hotel or desert camp for the rest of the trip, with the meals listed for each day.

    Accommodation and full board on the route
  • Mules to carry luggage and camp equipment during the M'Goun trek.

    Mountain logistics

Not included

  • International flights to and from Marrakech, travel insurance and mountain rescue cover (compulsory), personal technical gear, optional activities in Marrakech, drinks, personal expenses and tips.

    What is not included

Additional information

  • Travel insurance and rescue

    You must travel with insurance that covers medical assistance, mountain activity and rescue, as well as cancellation cover. It is not included in the price.

  • A multi-stage trip

    The trip links the mountain trek with a long route through the south and the desert. There are nights in camp, river crossings in the Achabou gorges and long days on the road. It is best to arrive with previous experience of multi-day trekking.

  • Free days in Marrakech

    The last two days in Marrakech are free; guided visits and optional activities in the city are not included in the price.

Frequently asked questions

What people ask us

01Do I need climbing skills?

There are no climbing sections, but there are river crossings in the Achabou gorges, where the water can reach 80 cm in spring. You need good fitness for the six days of trekking, including a summit day of 7 to 9 hours.

02What is the accommodation like during the trek?

You sleep in tents on the mountain days, with mules and muleteers carrying the equipment. On the desert leg you stay in a hotel and in a fixed camp among the dunes.

03Do you always reach the summit of M'Goun?

Summits are never guaranteed. The weather and the condition of the group may mean changing the plan; the final decision always rests with the guide team.

04How does payment work?

This trip is organised and contracted by a partner team on the ground. Ecotour explains how it works, answers your questions and puts you in touch with them when you want to go ahead. No booking or payment is made through Ecotour.

05What insurance do I need?

Travel insurance that covers medical assistance, mountain activity and rescue. It is not included in the price and is compulsory to take part.

Gallery

Trip moments

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What people who have done this experience say

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