Ighil Mgoun Ascent & Circuit
OVERVIEW
- Duration:5 days
- Travellers:2 - 12 guests
- Tour Type:Mountain Trek
- Level:Tough
Ighil Mgoun is the second highest massif in North Africa. This hike to the very summit, Ighil n’Oumsoud (4068m), is challenging, but it requires no mountaineering expertise and the reward of panoramic views makes all the hard work worthwhile. Even if you prefer not to complete the ascent, stunning views are still to be enjoyed from dramatic passes both during the approach and on the return to the hospitable, Berber villages of the fertile Aït Bou Guemez Valley.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Start and finish in the beautiful Aït Bou Guemez Valley
- Trek through traditional Berber villages and summer pastures including the vast expanse of the lofty Tarkeddid Plateau
- Enjoy fantastic panoramas from a succession of mountain passes
- Trek to the summit of Ighil Mgoun (Ighil n’Oumsoud) – 4068m
- 4 nights camping or sleeping in simple, traditional accommodation in the High Atlas Mountains (depending upon the season).
PLACES TO BE VISITED
Aït Bou Guemez Valley – Azib n’Ikkis – Tarkeddid Plateau – Ighil Mgoun summit – Oulilimt Valley – Tighrent n’Aït Ahmed – Aït Bou Guemez Valley
KEY INFORMATION
- 5 days of challenging trekking, maximum altitude – 4,068m
- 4 nights camping in the High Atlas Mountains or sleeping in local accommodation (depending upon season)
- You can start your trek on any date you wish
- This trek is available throughout the year, subject to snow
- On occasion local weather conditions may require the trekking route to be altered in the interests of your safety
- If this itinerary is not exactly what you had in mind, please do contact us for a discussion as all itineraries can be adapted according to your wishes
ITINERARY
Expand allDAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1
Walk from Aït Bou Guemez Valley to Azib n’Ikkis
We begin our trek by leaving behind the beautiful and fertile Aït Bou Guemez Valley (1850m) known to the French as “The Happy Valley”. Climb gently through the narrowing Arous Valley, passing through the village of Aït Sayd, to reach the pastures of Azib n’Ikkis (2200m). Lovely views of Ighil Mgoun already lie ahead. We either camp on the pastures or spend the night in a local gite, depending upon the season.
3 hours walking, approximately.
DAY 2
Walk from Azib n’Ikkis to Tarkeddid Plateau
We climb steeply to cross two passes in quick succession, Tizi n’Oumskiyq (2909m) and Aghouri Est (3400m), both of which offer wonderful, far-reaching views, before descending to the vast expanse of the Tarkeddid Plateau (2900m). We spend the night either sleeping in the refuge or camping close by, depending on the season.
5 hours walking, approximately.
DAY 3
Ascent of Ighil n’Oumsoud (the summit of Ighil Mgoun) and descent to Oulilmt Valley
Today we ascend Ighil n’Oumsoud (4068m), the summit of Ighil Mgoun, making an early, pre-dawn departure from the refuge. The climb itself is demanding but the views all around and towards the Sahara are quite amazing and absolutely worth the effort. We descend into the broad Oulilimt Valley where we camp for the night.
8 hours walking, approximately.
DAY 4
Walk from Oulilimt Valley to Tighremt n’Aït Ahmed
We follow the Oulilimt Valley, alternately climbing its banks to gain wonderful views and dropping to walk along the riverbed, until we reach the isolated ruin of Tighremt n’Aït Ahmed (2235m). We camp beside this ancient monument on the banks of the river.
5 hours walking, approximately.
DAY 5
Walk from Tighremt n’Aït Ahmed back to Aït Bou Guemez Valley
We leave Tighremt n’Aït Ahmed and climb steeply to cross a final pass, Tizi n’Aït Imi (2905m). Here we pause to enjoy the panoramic views in all directions before descending once more to the Aït Bou Guemez Valley.
5.5 hours walking, approximately.
INCLUDES/EXCLUDES
- Full escort: our treks are fully escorted by an English-speaking, local, official mountain guide, muleteers and a cook
- Accommodation: one night in a comfortable, local Berber lodge plus one night either sleeping in or camping close by Refuge les Mouflons in the High Atlas, depending on the season.
- Meals: lunch and dinner on Day 1, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Day 2, and breakfast and lunch on Day 3, all including bottled mineral water and hot drinks
- Transport: private transfers to and from the High Atlas.
- Documentation: provided documents include a personalised itinerary for your trek, a full risk assessment of your trekking route, a bespoke kit list and facts about the country.
- Plus add-ons
- International flights
- Meals in Marrakech
- Sleeping bags
- Travel insurance
- Tips
- Soft drinks & items of a personal nature
PRICING
TREK WITH HIGH ATLAS TRANSFERS
TREK WITH ADD-ONS
- Airport pick-up upon arrival and transfer to a riad in the medina of Marrakech
- 1 night’s accommodation with breakfast in a riad in Marrakech before your trek
- Transfer from Marrakech to Aït Bou Guemez Valley in the High Atlas mountains, including lunch and dinner, for the start of your trek
- 1 night in simple, local accommodation, including breakfast, in Aït Bou Guemez Valley at the start of your trek
- 1 night in simple, local accommodation, including breakfast, in Aït Bou Guemez Valley at the end of your trek
- Transfer from Aït Bou Guemez Valley back to Marrakech, including lunch, at the end of your trek
- 1 night’s accommodation with breakfast in a riad in Marrakech at the end of your trek
- Transfer back to the airport for your departure from Morocco
- All transfers are taken in a modern, air-conditioned minibus or 4×4 vehicle with professional driver.
Bespoke, private tours: Please talk with us if you would prefer a private, bespoke, tailor made tour for dates of your own choosing.
If this itinerary is not exactly what you have in mind, please do contact us for a discussion as all itineraries can be adapted according to your wishesGallery
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Bespoke / Private Tours
Please talk with us if you would prefer a private, bespoke, tailor made tour for dates of your own choosing.
