Star-shaped stay in the happy valley
In summary
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Sports
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Duration8 days
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LevelAll levels
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DestinationAtlas Mountains / Marrakech
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AgeFrom 5 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions120.54 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
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Languages
French
In a few words
This journey to the heart of authentic Morocco , in the Central High Atlas Mountains , invites you to experience a human and immersive adventure in the high valley of Aït Bouguemez , nicknamed the valley of happy people . This star-shaped itinerary , designed to adapt to everyone's pace , offers a relaxing , peaceful week rich in encounters .
Through leisurely walks , you explore the surrounding area and meet the villagers , discovering a preserved rural way of life. You observe the daily work of the inhabitants , from farming and livestock breeding to local crafts , while admiring the authentic rammed earth architecture , characteristic of the region.
The warm hospitality of the Amazigh (Berber) people leaves a lasting impression. Sincere exchanges and the simplicity of daily life in the mountains provide a complete change of scenery , filled with joy and vibrant colors .
This stay is a true invitation to travel to lands of encounter , to discover a living heritage , which deserves to be discovered , preserved and passed on .
The highlights
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4 star-shaped hikes from a charming Ecolodge
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Discovering our heritage; dinosaur tracks, communal granary
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Visit to the Ouzoud Waterfalls and the Imi N'Ifri Natural Bridge
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
This trip does not require any particular level of physical fitness. The daily elevation gain is minimal.
A trip accessible to all levels.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 4h30
- Average distance/day: 14 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 195 m
- Average daily descent: 195 m
Management
You will be accompanied by a Moroccan team, namely:
- A French-speaking, licensed and experienced guide to natural areas, to/from the airport.
- A cook/muleteer for lunches in nature.
For the visit to the medina of Marrakech, the services of a French-speaking, licensed and experienced city guide will be added.
Program
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Arrival in Marrakech
- Transportation Minibus - 00h15 - 6km
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Arrival in Marrakech. Welcome at the airport by our guide. Settle into a Riad in the heart of the medina, the ochre city which welcomed us into its splendid medina for a historical, cultural, human discovery…at the foot of the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains.
Depending on the arrival time, the tour begins, and we set off to explore the Medina, its souks…
Since its creation in 1070 by the Almoravids, Marrakech has always been the metropolis of the Great South....
Depending on arrival time: Free or guided tour of Marrakech and its most famous places with a local guide: Bab Mellah Square, Bahia Palace, the souks, Ben Youssef Madrasa, Jemaa El Fnaa Square.
Night in a Kasbah with swimming pool or Riad with half-board
Day 1 -
Ouzoud Waterfalls and Happy Valley
- Transportation Minibus - 06h - 250km
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Early morning departure by minibus to Azilal, capital of the Central High Atlas. We will explore the Moroccan countryside with its ochre landscapes harmonizing with the greenery of olive, almond, and carob trees. Hiking to the Ouzoud Waterfalls offers breathtaking, spectacular, and contrasting panoramas, allowing you to witness the magnificent cascades, some 110 meters high, in all their splendor. The water plunges dramatically over three tiers before continuing its peaceful journey through a verdant valley.
Next, we cross the Tizi N'Tirghist pass (2630 m) through magnificent landscapes which lead us to the Aït Bouguemez valley. The hospitality and warm welcome of the Amazighs (Berbers) of this high altitude valley, nicknamed the valley of happy people, will transmit joy and happiness to you for a total change of scenery full of colours.
Visit to the village...
Night at the Ecolodge at 1900m.
Day 2 -
18th-century communal granary - Imelghas (1900 m) - Sidi Moussa (2008 m) - Timit
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 300 m
- Negative elevation 300 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This first hike allows you to discover the splendor of the landscapes of the Aït Bouguemez Valley. From the top of the old granary, now a place of pilgrimage, you will observe the fields stretching as far as the eye can see, the small villages emerging from the earth, and the arid mountains that watch over the valley. On the return, you will discover the village of Timit and its typical architecture. Picnic lunch and return to the village after visiting the dinosaur footprints.
Cooking classes at a local's home; Introduction to the use of spices in Moroccan cuisine and preparation of the evening meal
Dinner with the family
Overnight stay at the Ecolodge at 1900m.
Maximum altitude: 2008 m.
Day 3 -
High-altitude sheepfolds - Imelghas - Aguerd Nalmane (2140 m) - Ahbak (2000 m) - Imelghas
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 14 km
- Positive elevation gain 280 m
- Negative elevation 280 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This circular hike will allow us to discover the pastoral activity of the valley and admire magnificent landscapes. We follow the valley to reach Iskatafene and the sheepfolds of Ansous. Then we begin the ascent towards the pass (Aguerd Nalmane) which leads to Ahbak.
Visit to the educational space for young children in the hamlet (kindergarten level), for women in the hamlet (literacy classes).
We will have lunch in a mountain sheepfold at a family of farmers' home.
Night at the Ecolodge at 1900m.
Maximum altitude: 2140 m.
Day 4 -
Dinosaur tracks - Imelghas (1900 m) - Tabant - Ibaqualliwn-Ait imi (1800 m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 16 km
- Positive elevation gain 100 m
- Negative elevation 100 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After breakfast, we head towards El Had, a small town that forms the economic heart of the valley. Crossing the fields, we reach Ibaqualliwn. Its old granary in the village square and its prehistoric remains (dinosaur tracks) make it a very important stop. We return via a different route to reach the charming village of Aït Imi. Back to the village.
Night at the Ecolodge at 1900m.
Maximum altitude: 1900 m.
Day 5 -
The water sharing route - Imelghas (1900 m) - Tadrouyte - Ait Wanougdal (1950 m) - Imelghas
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 9 km
- Positive elevation gain 100 m
- Negative elevation 100 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We depart for the village of Ait Wanougdal at the foot of Mount Agdazene, upstream from the Happy Valley. We will take the time to observe the villagers' daily work in the fields. Lunch will be served in the shade of the poplar trees. We return to Ikhf N'Ighir via the fields, discovering a well-maintained and carefully preserved ancestral irrigation system.
Tea and gatherings at a local's home
Night at the Ecolodge at 1900m.
Maximum altitude: 1950 m.
Day 6 -
Medina of Demnate and Natural Bridge of Imi N'ifri
- Transportation Minibus - 05h - 250km
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Return to Marrakech via the small town of Demnate and a visit to the natural bridge of Imi N'Ifri, one of the most beautiful geological sites in Morocco.
Night in a Kasbah 7km from Marrakech
Day 7 -
Departure
- Transportation Minibus - 00h15 - 6km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Depending on the flight time, free time or guided tour in Marrakech and transfer to the airport.
Day 8
Accommodation
Spacious kasbah with large swimming pool in a quiet location 7km from the medina of Marrakech.
Or
Typical riad in the heart of the Marrakech medina.
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- Airport-Riad and Riad-Airport transport
- All transfers according to the program
- 2 nights in a Kasbah with a swimming pool in Marrakech
- Dinner on the first night in Marrakech
- 5 nights in a typical ecolodge with a small pool in the happy valley
- Full board while traveling
- 1 pack mule for lunches in nature
- A visit to the collective granary of Sidi Moussa
- The cook
- The certified French-speaking guide
- Mineral water while traveling
The price does not include
- The flight
- Repatriation insurance
- Dinner on the last night in Marrakech
- Lunches in Marrakech
- Personal expenses
- Tips
Options
- Star of the happy valley seen from a guesthouse : CHF1’299.02 / person
- Star of the happy valley seen from a guesthouse : CHF1’116.06 / person
- Star of the happy valley seen from a guesthouse : CHF978.84 / person
- Star of the happy valley seen from a guesthouse : CHF887.36 / person
- Star of the happy valley seen from a guesthouse : CHF805.02 / person
- Star of the happy valley seen from a guesthouse : CHF759.28 / person
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.