Happy Valley

Walk through amazing landscapes in the High Atlas and take part in ancient traditions.

Ait Bougmez (Happy Valley) is perhaps the most beautiful valley in the High Atlas surrounded by an amphitheatre of stunning mountains of which the highest is M'Goun (4068 m), the country's second highest peak.

During this trip we travel and walk through picturesque villages built of soil, immerse in intense green valleys and wild landscapes, visit the breathtaking Ouzoud waterfalls and experience the vibrant souqs of Marrakech. We will have spectacular views of terraced fields and scattered flora and fauna and meet nomads tending their sheep at Izourar Lake. We will also have the chance to take part in ancient traditions, dance and drum with locals and mix with the welcoming friendly native Berber people.

Day 1 / Arrive in Marrakech

Arrive in Marrakech – the ‘Red city’ – any time and meet your guide in the hotel or riad.

Lodging: hotel or riad

Provision: -

Day 2 / Marrakech – Azilal – Agouti

After crossing the lowlands of Haouz plain we visit the highest and most beautiful waterfalls in Morocco, the “Cascade d’Ouzoud” (110 m high). Then we carry on to Azilal and to Ait M’Hamed and through Aghbar Col (2200 m) to have the panoramic view of the second summit of Morocco (M’Goun 4068 m). Then we descend to Happy Valley, the Valley of Ait Bougmez and we spend the night in Agouti (1800 m).

Lodging: gîte (mountain hut)

Provision: breakfast

Day 3 / Agouti – Aguerd n’Ouzrou – Ait Imi

After breakfast we begin our trek through the valley along paths normally used by villagers and their mules. We walk through cultivated fields, orchards and meadows of wild flowers. After crossing many villages – including Aguerd n’Ouzrou village where there is some dinosaur imprints back to 180 millions of years – we get in the Ait Imi village, where we spend the night.

Lodging: gîte (mountain hut)

Provision: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Walking: 4 hours

Altitude: 100 m gain

Day 4 / Ait Imi – Rbat – Ait Ouchi

We leave Ait Imi and direct to Rbat where we stop for a tea with a family. After climbing gradually Adezn we meet some nomads of Happy Valley, and then we descend in the other side of the valley called Ait Hakim. We spend the night near to Azourki Mountain (3700 m) and discover the lifestyle of local people.

Lodging: gîte (mountain hut)

Provision: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Walking: 5 hours
Altitude: 300 m gain, 200 m loss

Day 5 / Ait Ouchi – Izourar Lake – Ait Ouchi

Today we have a gentle walk in the valley till Ighrin village, and then we ascend to Izourar Lake enfolded by high mountains with peaks of up to more than 3700 metres. We have lunch near a lake – with nomads around us in their camel-wool tents and great flocks of sheep and goats. We return by following a gorge to get to Ait Ouham spring, i.e. the beginning of the green river that flows within the valley. We spend the night in a gîte owned by a local family in Ait Ouchi.

Lodging: gîte (mountain hut)  

Provision: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Walking: 5 hours

Altitude: 500 m gain, 500 m loss

Day 6 / Ait Ouchi – Aguerd n’Ouzrou

We go down the valley, following paths between the gardens and the river, crossing several lively, bustling villages. After lunch we continue as the valley becomes wide and villages are richer. Before we arrive to our destination, we climb a small hill where the shrine of Sidi Moussa is located and enjoy the amazing view from the top. We spend the night in a kasbah.

Lodging: kasbah

Provision: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Walking: 5 hours

Altitude: 200 m gain, 300 m loss

Day 7 / Aguerd n’Ouzrou – Azilal – Marrakech

We return to Marrakech through the Ait Abbes Valley with its distinctive adobe buildings. We have a picnic for lunch and after we have enough time in Marrakech to sample some sights and sounds of the ‘Red city’ like the medina, the souqs, the Koutoubia Mosque or the Koranic School. We can finish the day in the well-known open-air central square, the Djemaa el-Fna famous for its food stalls, snake charmers, water-sellers and acrobats.

Lodging: hotel or riad

Provision: breakfast, lunch

Day 8 / Leave Marrakech

End of trip and we say goodbye. Have a nice flight back to home.

Depending on the time of your flight you may have time to visit some more sights like the Saadian tombs (back to 16th century), the Bahia Palace or the beautiful Majorelle Gardens. Please note that we are able to organise a post-trip accommodation if you wish to extend your stay for a few more days.

Lodging: -

Provision: breakfast

• Please note, that in the beginning and end of the season (i.e. April and November) there can be still snow in some places in the mountains and therefore we might need to modify the program and/or itinerary of the trip.
• In mountain huts (gîtes) there is shared accommodation and shared facilities (shower and toilet) are available.

Services Included

• All transport within Morocco, except from and to the airport
• All accommodations: hotels/riads, gîtes (mountain huts), kasbah
• All breakfasts, one picnic lunch, other meals (lunch, snack, dinner) for 4 days (7B, 5L, 4D)
• Professional tour leader and local staff during the whole trip

Services Not Included

• Flight ticket to and from Morocco
• Airport transfer (available for extra charge)
• Insurance covering all your adventure activities (obligatory, please bring a copy with you)
• Lunch and dinner in Marrakech (allow EUR 10 to 15 for each meal)
• Soft drinks and personal purchases all over the trip
• Entrance fee to monuments and optional activities (e.g. hammam)
• Tipping local staff (tour guide, driver, muleteers) – not obligatory, only if you are satisfied

Transport and Porterage

• Walking (4 days)
• Comfortable minibus, Four-Wheel Drive vehicle (4WD) or taxi (depending on the size of the group)
• Bearing of luggage by mules

Team

• Berber mountain guide certified by Morocco’s Ministry of Tourism to give you interesting information about the places you visit, the history and the culture of the country
• Local Berber cook, who will introduce you to the cuisine of Morocco
• A devoted team of experienced drivers and muleteers

Food

• All breakfasts and picnic lunch on day 7 are included
• All other meals during the trek (4 days) are also included:
  • Lunch: varied salads, hot dish, dessert
  • Snack of tea or coffee with biscuits or cook’s specialty
  • Dinner: soup, traditional hot dish, dessert, hot drinks (tea, coffee, hot chocolate)
• All other meals and drinks (e.g. water) will be for your expenses. Your guide will help you to discover the local restaurants
• Please inform us of any dietary, vegetarian or special meal requirements at the time of reservation

For further information please check ‘General trip info’.