How to Trek Morocco Ait Bougmez Valley

There's a list it seems for everything these days: The Seven Wonders of the World; This Year's Top Movies; The Worst Gas Guzzlers, 100 Places to See Before You Die, etcetera. Well, if a list could be made about Morocco--Top 10 Morocco Gems, for example--one place you do not want to miss is Morocco's Ait Bougmez Valley. Here's (e)how it works.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Hiking Day Pack
• Backpack with Stuff
• Morocco Tour Operator
• Mules
• Guide(s)
• Steady gait
• Genial Smile

1. Morocco's Ait Bougmez Valley is neither an inflated nor overdone trek. This hike is not for the weak of heart or legs. No, you see, the Ait Bougmez Valley is as seldom visited by outsiders as places ten times removed.
   
   Why? There are no "roads" to some of the places along this hike. Nay, there are villages and people along this route who seldom see visitors. In a country that predominantly speaks Arabic and French, the Berbers here only voice their own native tongue. To get out there, its advised to hire a tour operator (see "Resources" below) to help you get it all organized and planned. This hike is not "mapped" and follows old donkey and caravan trails. Unless you are a honed explorer, don't go at it alone.
2. Ait Bougmez Valley Though this is not the often-sought High Atlas Mountains, if you like throng-free paths you'll love this trek. To start, you'll have to fly into Marrakech. The easiest way is to book a cheap ticket from Europe. Easyjet seemingly owns this route, so check with them at their website for cheaper airfare.
3. Once you have secured your ticket, and flown to Marrakech, it will be time to begin. You'll take private taxi or transport to Tabant. Here, you'll relax--get to know your mules, guides and cooks--and start the real hike the next day. You'll head into the Mgoun Massif park in the Ait Bougmez Valley the following day. If you wish, you can summit North Africa's second highest--so often looked over, so unfortunate--Mount Mgoun.
4. Ait Bougmez Valley Waterfall The next morning you'll trek for five hours to the town of Abachkou. This area is the start of the Ait Bouli Valley. You'll sleep here for the night. The hike is not as steep as it is just long and sun-exposed. Bring plenty of sunscreen. You'll have the chance to filter water from natural sources. There are no places to buy it, once you've entered the valley. (Bring a good water filter.)
5. Today, you'll hike another 4 to 5 hours deeper into the valleys. You'll wind around hillsides and villages. Some are so well hidden that you'll have trouble spotting them hanging on the hillside. This section is Tarbat N' Tirsal, walking towards Ait Mdiwal. You'll then pass over 2400 meters as you pass by the engravings known as the Tizin Tirist. The scenes display two Berber tribes fighting over land, women, and food. You can walk among the ruins as you please. These are just lying there with mountains in the distance. You really feel like Indy Jones here.
6. Ait Bougmez Valley Mgoun Today you're really getting away from it all as you head from Ait Bougmez to the Mdiwal valley. This area is seldom visited by tourists, and you'll see that as you walk through places where kids follow you, perhaps asking for a pen or pencil. It can take 4 to 6 hours and is one of the most hidden gems of the whole trek.
7. Today is a trek towards Igoulassem. You'll walk along the river valley a lot and it may be a good day to bathe in the Mdiwal River. You'll walk down to around 1900 meters, but the walking feels more level than downhill. This area will be a bit greener and more fertile with fields and terraced gardens lining the river.
8. Ait Bougmez Valley Bird Atop Mosque Today is another downhill day. You should head to Ait Sghrin lying at about 1350 meters. You'll notice the warmth a bit more and the sun will be a bit hotter feeling here. You'll have access to more water from a nearby river today too.
9. Today won't be as much hiking or trekking as before. However, at the end of the trek you'll have the chance to either ride a mule or hike up for the last hour to a back country one-lane paved road. Here, you'll pick up your transport to take you back to Marrakech. Though the food is fantastic and fresh as garden veggies get, you'll be happy to be back to hamburgers, spas and nightlife. The Mgoun, though, will leave an imprint forever on your soul. You'll see the true Morocco; the one that hasn't changed since the beginning. Plus, you'll see more stars under this bowl of heaven than anywhere else you can remember. The valley is as yet undiscovered. If you're one to get out away from the hype of crowds, then you'll find a piece of your peace surely here.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy a water filter and bring or buy iodine. Your water will taste funny but there's all sorts of live critters in the water.
• Pack your own TP (you can buy Tempo brand kleenexes to use along the route in Marrakech before you go)
• Also, you can buy all sorts of dried figs, dates, apricots and such in Marrakech to act as your "Trail Mix" before you head out. Buy it in the Medina and not on the square as it's twice as high.
• The weather can change on a dime. I've had it rain, snow and sleet and boil in one day on this hike. Be prepared, ready and willing to go all out. You won't have to carry your gear though. There's mules for that. Definitely bring hiking poles.