A closer look at the route
The Saghro is the range between the High Atlas and the Sahara — volcanic, eroded into towers and mesas, and almost empty. Charles de Foucauld was one of the first Europeans to cross it, and the appeal has not changed since: enormous silence, huge skies, and rock shapes you will not see anywhere else in Morocco.
The route runs from Aït Youl near Kelaa M'gouna, in the rose country, across the Tagourte pass and the artemisia plateaus, through the Assaka gorges and up to Mount Kouach (2,500m) for the panorama over the southern slopes of M'goun, the Dadès and the desert reg. You will meet nomad families and pass through small villages of barley, henna and almond. Because it sits low and south, this is the trek to do between November and March, when the High Atlas is deep in snow.
Arrival in Marrakech
Welcome at Marrakech airport and transfer to your hotel. Route briefing with your guide. Dinner and overnight.
Marrakech → Ouarzazate → Tidkit
Minibus to Ouarzazate over the Tichka pass (2,260m), the historic caravan route south via Telouet. Lunch in Ouarzazate, then on to the Berber village of Aït Youl (1,350m) in the Damask rose country at Kelaa M'gouna. Meet the muleteers and walk through semi-arid volcanic country to Tidkit (1,600m). Bivouac. 3 hrs, +250m.
Tidkit → Assaka n'Aït Ouzzin
Into the land of the Aït Atta. Climb to the Tagourte pass (1,900m) across a plateau of wild artemisia, with a grand panorama of the M'goun range and the Dadès valley. Nomad families, small villages and almond groves, then down the Assaka gorges to Aït Ouzine (1,600m). Bivouac. 5 hrs, +300m / −300m.
Aït Ouzzin → Tifdasine
The Assaka valley with its barley, henna and vegetable plots, and its small earthen villages. Gorges, cliffs and rock pinnacles all day. Arrive at Tifdasine (1,300m). Bivouac. 5 hrs, −300m.
Tifdasine → Igli
A spectacular day among rock pinnacles and coloured hills, ending at the dreamlike site of Igli (1,800m), where the silence rings against the basalt walls. Bivouac. 5 hrs, +500m.
Igli → Tagdilt
Steady climb to the summit of Mount Kouach (2,500m) and its panorama over the southern slopes of M'goun, the Dadès valley, the rose valley and the reg of southern Morocco. Descend to Boulil for lunch, then on to Tagdilt (1,700m). Dinner and overnight in a gîte. 5 hrs, +700m / −600m.
Tagdilt → Marrakech
Transfer by minibus to Marrakech with lunch en route. Hotel, dinner and overnight.
Departure
Transfer to the airport and assistance with departure formalities.
Included
Certified mountain guide (English / French)
Cook, muleteers and mules
Camping equipment and mess tent
Accommodation in bivouac, gîte and hotel
Full board (all meals)
All transfers by private minibus
Not included
International flights
Travel & repatriation insurance
Drinks and personal expenses
Sleeping bag and personal equipment
Tips