Marrakech & High Atlas Trek

Arrive into Marrakech and transfer to your riad. After check-in, the remainder of the day is free for you to relax or begin exploring the city at your own pace.

Marrakech - Sidi Moussa. Depart into the High Atlas Mountains, travelling through dramatic gorges and rugged mountain scenery towards the Valley of Ait Bougmez, often referred to as the Happy Valley and set deep in the heart of the range. This fertile valley is known for its terraced fields, traditional villages and striking mountain backdrop.

On arrival, stretch your legs with a short walk up to the ancient tighremt of Sidi Moussa, a historic fortified structure that reflects the valley’s architectural and cultural heritage.

Sidi Moussa - High Atlas. Today you begin your first walk in the Valley of Ait Bougmez, exploring the area around Iskatteffen and the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains. The walk covers approximately 8 to 10 km and takes you through a landscape of terraced fields, small hamlets and open countryside, with views towards the surrounding peaks that frame the valley. Please note, you will walk a similar distance on each day of the tour from now on.

Along the way, you stop for tea with a local Berber family, offering a warm introduction to mountain hospitality and an insight into everyday life in this remote region.

Set out on foot to visit Aguerd n’Ouzrou, an area known for its visible traces of dinosaur footprints, preserved in the rock and offering a fascinating glimpse into the region’s prehistoric past. The walk takes you through a changing rural landscape, passing apple orchards and fertile fields that support village life in the valley.

Along the way, you may also see stork colonies nesting on rooftops and trees, a familiar sight in this part of the High Atlas. Return on foot to Imelghas, enjoying further views across the valley and surrounding mountains.

Today you visit the main town of Tabant, the administrative and social centre of the Ait Bougmez Valley. From here, enjoy a walk to Rbat (not to be confused with Rabat!), passing cultivated fields and traditional villages that reflect the agricultural life of the valley.

After lunch, the route ascends the hills between Tabant and Imelghas, offering elevated views across the valley floor and towards the surrounding High Atlas peaks. The walk then descends back towards Imelghas, crossing the river before returning to the village, completing a varied day of walking through both settled and open landscapes.

High Atlas - Marrakech. Visit a women’s cooperative in the village, where traditional rugs and felt products are made using techniques passed down through generations. You can see the weaving process and, if you wish, have a go at rug making, gaining an appreciation for the skill and time involved in this important local craft.

In the afternoon, travel back to Marrakech, with a stop at the cascades of Ouzoud. These impressive waterfalls tumble into a lush gorge and are one of Morocco’s best-known natural sights, offering a final taste of rural scenery before returning to the city.

Enjoy a morning guided tour of the old medina, focusing on its souks and historic palaces. You explore the lively market streets, where traditional crafts and trades continue much as they have for centuries, and gain insight into the history and influence of Marrakech through its palatial architecture.

The afternoon is free for you to explore further at your own pace, revisit favourite areas of the medina, or relax after a full morning of sightseeing.

Your tour comes to an end after breakfast and hotel check-out. An included transfer takes you to the airport.