Take a trek to the summit of Amalou n'mansour, the highest mountain in Jebel Sahro, and through the heartland of the Aït Atta warrior tribe to Bou Gafer, the scene of their epic last stand for independence against FRANCE
Morocco
Sahro
Duration
7-11 days
Mountain Trek
Moderate/Challenging
INTRO TO BOU GAFER HORSESHOE
From the small market town of Iknioun, ascend Amalou n’Mansour (2,712m), the highest peak in Jebel Sahro, and then set off across the remote and mountainous heartland of the Aït Atta warrior tribe to emerge at the twin rock towers of Bab n’Ali, the “Jewel of Sahro” and the oasis of Igli.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Start and finish your trek on the banks of the green Dades Valley
- Trek through the sparsely populated mountains of Jebel Sahro, meeting only occasional shepherds, goatherds and their flocks
- The twin rock towers of Bab n’Ali, the “Jewel of Sahro”
- The oasis of Igli and the rocky pinnacle of Kouaouch
- 5 nights camping in Jebel Sahro
PLACES TO BE VISITED
- Boumalne du Dades – Iknioun – Amalou n’Mansour – Tanemlalt – Bou Gafer – Taoulaoualt Valley – Taghroat Tazgart – Azdour – Bab n’Ali – Oufourar Gorge – Igli – Agersidal – Kouaouch – Tizi n’Ouarg – Imi n’Ouarg – El Kelaa des Mgouna
KEY INFORMATION
- 7 days of moderate/challenging trekking, maximum altitude – 2,712m
- 6 nights camping in Jebel Sahro
- You can start your trek on any date you wish
- This trek is available throughout the year, subject to excessive heat in summer
- 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
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Full escort: our treks are fully escorted by an English-speaking, local, official mountain guide, muleteers and a cook
- Accommodation: 6 nights camping in Jebel Sahro
- Meals: breakfast and lunch on Day 1, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Days 2 to 6, plus breakfast and lunch on Day 7, all including bottled mineral water and hot drinks
- Transport: local transport for transfers between Boumalne du Dades and Iknioun, and between Imi n’Ouarg and El Kelaa des Mgouna.
- 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.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- International flights
- Sleeping bags
- Travel insurance
- Tips
- Soft drinks & items of a personal nature
Best Season
September to April
PRICES
Trek only
Including Add-ons
BESPOKE
BESPOKE
Maximum group size – 12
Bespoke, private tours: Please talk with us if you would prefer a private, bespoke, tailor made tour for dates of your own choosing.
DAY 1
Transfer from Boumalne du Dades to Iknioun and walk to Tanemlalt
Transfer from Boumalne du Dades to the small market town of Iknioun. We ascend to the summit of Amalou n’Mansour (2712m), which offers far ranging views across Jebel Sahro including Bou Gafer to the east. We descend to our camping spot close to the small village of Tanemlalt (2050m). 1 hour transfer and 5 hours walking, approximately.
DAY 2
Tanemlalt to Bou Gafer
From our camp site near Tanemlalt we cross the low pass of Tizi Oulili and follow a beautiful valley which leads on to Bou Gafer and a monument commemorating this famous battle scene (1700m). The rest of the day is free to explore the mountain stronghold, where the Aït Atta took their final stand against French occupation, with the option of ascending to the summit (1978m). We camp close to the base of the mountain. 4 hours walking, approximately.
DAY 3
Bou Gafer to Taghroat Tazgart
We begin the day by climbing steeply from Bou Gafer, passing the ruins of a Glaoua fortress, to gain excellent views of the onward trail. Our route descends in to the valley ahead before climbing steadily once more through dramatic, rocky terrain. It eventually brings us to near the head of the fertile Taoulaoualt Valley where we camp for the night on a small plateau, Taghroat Tazgart (1400m). 5 hours walking, approximately.
DAY 4
Taghroat Tazgart to Azdour
We descend gently along the Taoulaoualt Valley, passing through a string of pretty villages, until we reach Azdour (1211m) where we camp for the night. 4 hours walking, approximately.
DAY 5
Azdour to Akka Akhbach Waterfall
We leave Azdour and continue to follow the Taoulaoult Valley until its confluence with the Akka Akhbach Valley. We then follow this larger valley until, close by Bab n’Ali, we reach a beautiful waterfall hidden in a gorge. The rest of the day is free for you to visit Bab n’Ali (1360m) and to explore the landscape around. We camp for the night by the waterfall. 4 hours walking, approximately.
DAY 6
Akka Akhbach Waterfall to Agersidal
We leave the waterfall and rejoin the Akka Akhbach Valley to regain wonderful views of Bab n’Ali, ahead. We scramble through the fascinating Oufourar Gorge to reach the green oasis of Igli. We then climb to cross Tizi Igli before arriving at the azibs at Agersidal (2256m), our camp for the night. 5 hours walking, approximately.
DAY 7
Agersidal to Imi n’Ouarg and transfer to El Kelaa des Mgouna and the Valley of the Roses
We continue to climb from our camp at Agersidal to the base of the rocky outcrop of Kouaouch with the option of scrambling to its summit (2592m). We then descend, first to the green pastures of Tizi n’Ouarg and then onwards to the village of Imi n’Ouarg, where we meet our transport. We transfer to El Kelaa des Mgouna. 5 hours walking and 2 hours transfer, approximately.
BOU GAFER HORSESHOE
WITH ADD-ONS
Our Bou Gafer Horseshoe trek is also available with add-ons which include:
- 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 Boumalne du Dades in the Dades Valley, including lunch and dinner, for the start of your trek
- 1 night in simple, local accommodation, including breakfast, in Boumalne du Dades at the start of your trek
- Local transfer from Boumalne du Dades to Iknioun at the start of your trek
- Local transfer from Imi n’Ouarg to your accommodation in El Kelaa des Mgouna at the end of your trek
- 1 night in local accommodation, including breakfast, in El Kelaa des Mgouna at the end of your trek
- Transfer from El Kelaa des Mgouna 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 unless stated “local transfer” above.
