A closer look at the route
Taghia sits at the head of a gorge in the Central Atlas, where the Ahançal river cuts down towards Lake Bin el Ouidane and limestone walls rise several hundred metres straight out of the valley floor. Climbers come here from all over the world; walkers come for the network of gorges and cliff paths that link the village to the high country behind it.
The route climbs the corkscrew path the villagers still use, crosses the Tighboula pass at 2,900m and drops onto the Izourar plateau, a summer home for nomad families and their flocks. Beyond it lie dinosaur tracks at Ibakliouen, the old Jewish village of Aït Imi and the collective granary of Sidi Moussa, before the week finishes at the Ouzoud falls. Five to six hours a day, mostly bivouac, and a genuinely remote itinerary.
Arrival in Marrakech
Welcome at Marrakech airport and transfer to your hotel. Dinner and overnight in the city.
Marrakech → Taghia
Minibus to the Central High Atlas. Lunch in Azilal, then on through Tamda and the Ilissi pass to Zaouiat Ahançal (1,600m). Meet the muleteers and walk two easy hours up to the bivouac at Taghia (1,880m). +320m.
Taghia → Tizi n'Tighboula
A steady climb onto the corkscrew path villagers use to reach Izourar and the M'goun valley, with panoramas over Azourki, Tizal, Ouaguelzat, the M'goun range and the Ahançal valley. Continue to the Tighboula pass (2,900m). Bivouac by the spring. 6 hrs, +1,030m.
Tizi n'Tighboula → Lake Izourar
Cross a pass at 3,000m and descend to the Izourar basin, summer grazing for nomad families and their flocks. Bivouac at 2,300m. 5 hrs, +200m / −800m.
Lake Izourar → R'bat
Walk to Ifrane village (1,910m) through several Berber hamlets. Lunch, then over the Adazen pass (2,290m) to R'bat (1,890m). Bivouac by the spring. 6 hrs, +300m / −400m.
R'bat → Agouti
Dinosaur tracks at Ibakliouen, then the village of Aït Imi, the old Jewish village and the collective granary of Sidi Moussa. Lunch at Aguerd n'Ouzrou, then on to Agouti (1,810m). Dinner and overnight in a gîte. 6 hrs, +100m / −240m.
Agouti → Ouzoud → Marrakech
Transfer back to Marrakech via the Ouzoud waterfalls, one of the most beautiful sites in Morocco, with a short walk to look for Barbary macaques. 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