Tour overview
The Ait Bouguemez, better known as the Happy Valley, is a green valley about 30 km long in the central High Atlas, around 210 km east of Marrakech. Berber villages sit between the fields, and above them rises M’Goun, at over 4,070 m the second-highest mountain in Morocco.
This is a gentle trek. You walk four to five hours a day from village to village and sleep in family-run guesthouses, while mules carry the bags. You also visit the Ouzoud waterfalls and the natural bridge of Imi n’Ifri on the way.
- Tour name
- Hiking in the Ait Bouguemez Valley
- Recommended age
- 8 to 80
- Accommodation
- Guesthouses and a hotel or riad
Highlights
- Wander the lanes of the old medina of Marrakech
- Five days of walking in the Happy Valley
- Stay with Berber families in village guesthouses
- See the Ouzoud waterfalls
- Visit the natural bridge of Imi n'Ifri
Route map
The line shows the approximate route. Tap a day in the itinerary to zoom in on it.
- Marrakech
- Tabant
- Ait Imi
- Zaouit Oulmzi
- Ikhf n'Ighir
- Agouti
- Marrakech
Itinerary
Day1Arrival in Marrakech
Welcome to Marrakech, the Red City. Look for the We Gravel Morocco sign at Menara Airport, and we’ll drive you to your hotel. Explore the city if you like, but be back for the welcome meeting, where your guide goes through the trip.
Day2Marrakech to the Happy Valley via the Ouzoud waterfalls1 hour
After breakfast we drive about five and a half hours to the valley, passing through Azilal and stopping at the Ouzoud waterfalls. In the Happy Valley we meet the muleteers and walk for an hour to our guesthouse.
Day3To Ait Imi and the Sidi Moussa granary4.5 to 5 hours
A 4–5 hour walk through the heart of the valley. We climb up to Sidi Moussa, an old hilltop granary where families kept their grain in small rooms. In the afternoon we walk up the valley from village to village to our guesthouse in Ait Imi.
Day4Ait Imi to Zaouit Oulmzi5 hours
We walk through the village of Ibaqalliwn to see dinosaur footprints left in the rock millions of years ago. Then we continue to Adazen for a great view of the valley. After lunch we go down to Zaouit Oulmzi for the night.
Day5Zaouit Oulmzi to Ikhf n'Ighir4 to 5 hours
We follow the wide, green Ait Hakim valley through a string of traditional villages. Lunch is in the shade of big walnut trees, then we walk on to Ikhf n’Ighir for dinner and the night.
Day6Ikhf n'Ighir to Agouti4 to 4.5 hours
Our last day of walking crosses the villages of Ait Ziri and Aguerd n’Ouzrou and the Tamzrit plateau, with wide views over the whole valley. Along the way you’ll meet farmers in the fields and women washing clothes in the river, and see how the valley’s people live from the land.
Day7Agouti to Marrakech via Imi n'Ifri
After breakfast we drive about five hours back to Marrakech, stopping at the natural bridge of Imi n’Ifri. Night in a hotel or riad.
Day8Departure
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
What’s included
Included
- Meals: 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners, plus mineral water during the trek
- Accommodation: 2 nights in a hotel and 5 nights in guesthouses
- Transport by comfortable van or 4×4, plus mules and muleteers during the trek
- A walk at the Ouzoud waterfalls, 5 days of trekking in the Ait Bouguemez valley and a visit to the natural bridge of Imi n'Ifri
Not included
- Flights
- Visas
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Tips, drinks, laundry and souvenirs
- Personal travel insurance
Frequently asked questions
How hard is the Ait Bouguemez valley trek?
This is an easy trek. You walk 4 to 5 hours a day from village to village, and mules carry the bags. The recommended age is 8 to 80, so it works well for families and beginners.
Where is the Happy Valley in Morocco?
The Happy Valley, or Ait Bouguemez, is a green valley about 30 km long in the central High Atlas, around 210 km east of Marrakech. It lies below M’Goun, at over 4,070 m the second-highest mountain in Morocco.
Where do you sleep on this trek?
You spend 5 nights in family-run village guesthouses in the valley and 2 nights in a hotel or riad in Marrakech.
What else do you see besides the valley?
On the way in you stop at the Ouzoud waterfalls, and on the way back you visit the natural bridge of Imi n’Ifri. In the valley you visit the Sidi Moussa granary and see dinosaur footprints near Ibaqalliwn.
When is the best time to do this trek?
The best time is from March to October.
How much does the trek cost and what is included?
The trek costs from 890 € per person. The price includes 7 nights, most meals, transport by van or 4×4, and mules and muleteers during the trek. Flights, insurance and tips are not included.
Where does the tour start and finish?
The tour starts and finishes in Marrakech, with pick-up at Marrakech Menara Airport. Groups are 2 to 16 people.
Related guides
Book this tour or ask us anything
Send us your dates on WhatsApp or by email. Our team in Marrakech replies within 24 hours and can adapt the tour to your group, level and dates.
The Ait Bouguemez, better known as the Happy Valley, is a green valley about 30 km long in the central High Atlas, around 210 km east of Marrakech. Berber villages sit between the fields, and above them rises M’Goun, at over 4,070 m the second-highest mountain in Morocco.
This is a gentle trek. You walk four to five hours a day from village to village and sleep in family-run guesthouses, while mules carry the bags. You also visit the Ouzoud waterfalls and the natural bridge of Imi n’Ifri on the way.
Trip details
- Tour name: Hiking in the Ait Bouguemez Valley
- Duration: 8 days, 7 nights, 5 days of trekking
- Grade: Easy
- Best time to visit: March to October
- Type of travel: Trekking
- Group size: 2 to 16 people
- Recommended age: 8 to 80
- Start / finish: Marrakech
- Accommodation: Guesthouses and a hotel or riad
Highlights
- Wander the lanes of the old medina of Marrakech
- Five days of walking in the Happy Valley
- Stay with Berber families in village guesthouses
- See the Ouzoud waterfalls
- Visit the natural bridge of Imi n'Ifri
