Your First 4000
A week in the High Atlas, from the Aït Bouguemez valley to the summit of M’Goun
Your first 4,000-metre peak
You spend the first few days in the Aït Bouguemez valley, walking among terraces and villages while your body gets used to the altitude. Then you set off with the mules for the Tarkeddit refuge, and one morning before dawn, head torches on, the whole group starts the climb to the summit of M’Goun. You don’t need any climbing skills, but you do need to come prepared.
You unpack once, at an ecolodge in the valley, and your suitcase stays there while you go up to the refuge. The only long drives are on the first and last days.
You need to be fit and up for a big challenge. You prepare for it at home beforehand, and we’re with you the whole way.
From the valley to the summit
There are six challenges, each with two levels, and every morning you choose yours. Tap any of them to see it.
All the challenges, with both levels
1. Find your pace · Day 2 · Terraces and villages in the valley
Level A: About 6 km among terraces and villages, to find your pace.
Level B: About 3 km, unhurried.
2. Be still · Day 2 · Looking out over the valley
Level A: Tree posture facing the valley, 30 minutes.
Level B: The same practice, 15 minutes.
3. The first climb · Day 4 · A pass above the valley
Level A: A pass at about 2,600–2,700 m: +700–900 m, at your own pace.
Level B: Halfway up to the pass.
4. Time alone · Day 4 · Up on the pass
Level A: An hour alone at the top.
Level B: Half an hour, close to the group.
5. The long day · Day 5 · From the valley to the Tarkeddit refuge
Level A: 18 km and +1,620 m with pack mules. It’s the long day, announced in advance, with a stop every 30–60 minutes.
Level B: The same route, with a mule for the climbs.
6. The summit · Day 6 · M’Goun, 4,068 m
Level A: A head-torch start, then 8 to 10 hours together up to the summit and back to the refuge.
Level B: A lower ridge partway up, 4–5 hours, and back to the refuge.
Day by day
Day 1To the valley
Day 2Find your pace
Day 3Sidi Moussa
Day 4The pass
Day 5The long day
Day 6The summit
Day 7Down, unhurried
Day 8Heading home
Is it for you?
Who it’s for
Level A (5 of 5): for fit people who do the eight weeks of preparation. Level B (3 of 5): for people who walk often. On summit day, level B stops at a lower ridge partway up.
Who it’s not for
Anyone who can’t do the eight weeks of preparation beforehand, or who needs a hotel every night (two nights are in a refuge).
What the trip includes
Included
- Return flight to Marrakech and transfers
- 5 nights in an ecolodge and 2 in a refuge
- All meals
- Mountain guides, mules and a cook on the trek
- Qi Gong teacher and a team with you
- Closing hammam (day 7)
- Tips, donations and a contribution to the valley
- Adventure insurance valid up to 5,000 m: medical expenses, rescue, evacuation and repatriation
- Eight weeks of preparation and follow-up
Not included
- Getting to the departure airport, which the agency confirms, and home again
- Day 4 hammam (optional)
- Single room in the ecolodge (supplement)
- Cancellation insurance (optional)
- Drinks outside meals
- Personal expenses
Small groups
There’s one member of our team for every eight travellers. We stick to the programme and only change it for reasons beyond our control. If that ever happens, you’ll hear from us in writing, with another option.
Taking care with altitude. We never sleep above 3,000 m, and every morning we check how each person is doing. Anyone with symptoms doesn’t go up, and comes down with a guide.
The essentials
You’ll get the full list, including clothes and a first-aid kit, once your place is confirmed.
Private groups
We can run it on another date in the season, just for your team. The trip is booked through your own travel agency or a registered agency we suggest, and we run the programme. Write to df@dragonflyhubagency.com and we’ll put together a proposal.
- For fit teams who want a big goal to share. On the way to a summit, decisions are made together, and you can feel it.
- Private group from June to October, with a plan B for each person.
- Two hours’ flight from Spain.
What people ask us
Do I need mountain experience?
You don’t need any technical skills. M’Goun is a long, gentle ridge. The hard part is the altitude, and that’s what the preparation is for.
Why M’Goun and not Toubkal?
As long as the Spanish Foreign Ministry advises against travel to the Toubkal area, we’re going to the Central Atlas instead.
Do I need a visa?
Not with a UK or EU passport. If you have another nationality, please check. Either way you need a passport that’s valid for more than six months, because an ID card isn’t enough.
The trip will be organised by a registered travel agency, which we’ll name when places open.
Interest list
Shall we let you know?
We’re finalising the dates, price and conditions. Leave us your email and you’ll get them before anyone else, along with how to sign up.
There’s nothing to pay and no commitment. We’ll only write to you about Dragonfly Expeditions, and you can unsubscribe whenever you like. The trip will be organised by a registered travel agency, which we’ll name when places open.