Julia’s House Trek the Saghro Mountains

Itinerary

Saghro Mountains Trek Itinerary

Day 1 (Saturday 1 November 2025):

Depart London
We will leave the UK and fly to Marrakech. On arrival we will immediately set off for a journey across the High Atlas Mountain range to our overnight stop in Ouarzazate (journey time approx. 4-5 hours).  We will have dinner before a trek briefing about our forthcoming adventure.
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 (Sunday 2 November 2025):

Ouarzazate – Ait Youl – Achemrah (1,520m)
After a hearty Moroccan breakfast we will continue our drive to Ait Youl in the Vallée des Roses (approx 1.5 hours). The valley is one of the country’s most captivating natural attractions and named after the thousands of rose bushes that cover the banks of the Oued Dades. We will meet up with our local Berber guides, load up our mules and set off with a gentle introduction to the mountains – approximately 3 hrs of trekking with a break for lunch in the foothills of the Saghro Mountains. In the mid-afternoon we reach camp, set in a small oasis with a nearby river and surrounded by lovingly tended crops.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: Approx 3hrs / 8km
Total elevation gain: 160m
Change in altitude: gain of 130m

Day 3 (Monday 3 November 2025):

Achemrah – Tagmoute Valley (1,930m)
After breakfast, the trek towards Jbel Saghro begins. We will head along a riverbed and then uphill into the mountains, along narrow mountain paths with stunning scenery in all directions. After a long climb we reach the lunch spot, near a small oasis, with the chance to dip your feet in the cooling water.  We then continue to the Tagmoute Pass at 2,000m with a stunning view of the massif. You descend through the beautiful Agoulzi canyon (not dissimilar to the Grand Canyon) with impressive red stone outcrops and a lovely oasis in its depths. Climbing out of the canyon you reach the wide open Tagmoute valley where your camp is set up for the night.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: Approx 6hrs / 13km
Total elevation gain: 695m
Change in altitude: gain of 410m

Day 4 (Tuesday 4 November 2025):

Tagmoute – Assaka (1,610m)
This morning the trek changes direction as we descend eastwards through the valley to reach the Assaka Canyon. We’ll make a fairly long steep climb up to reach the trek’s highest point at 2,200m and then descend through rock that changes from purple to green, past a former silver mine, through ever-changing terrain. After lunch you reach the spectacular Assaka canyon and descend into the valley bottom. From here, trek along a narrow path with views of dwellings and oases on the opposite side, along the side of the valley and to your camp near the village of Assaka.
We will have dinner before settling down under canvas in the heart of the mountains.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: Approx 6hrs / 13km
Total elevation gain: 290m
Change in altitude: loss of 320m

Day 5 (Wednesday 5 November 2025):

Assaka – Tajalajte – Tifdassine (1,250m)

Leaving Assaska, we follow the gorge through a beautiful valley passing by several small Berber villages including Tajalajt and Berkou with terraces of farmland nestled into the hillside. This is home to the villagers who make a living from the flocks of goats and sheep which you will spot high up on the mountainside across the valley. Lunch will be served under the almond trees, and then you continue, crossing some streams, across a small pass and head down to down to the open valley and oasis of Tifdassine where you’ll find the camp, surrounded by towering mountains.  While today is the longest trek day, the terrain is easier, and the inclines are gentler.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: Approx 6hrs / 16.5km
Total elevation gain: 410m
Change in altitude: loss of 300m

Day 6 (Thursday 6 November 2025):

Tifdassine – Ighazzoun – Bab N’Ali (1,425m)
We get some more incredible views today as we set off from the valley and after a short while spot the rocks pinnacles in the far distance which are your end destination. Trekking over a variety of rocky terrain brings you to some small villages which you walk through, before continuing along the Amguis Gorge amidst a landscape of surreal rock formations. The spectacular views looking back down the valley will leave you with a sense of awe as you appreciate the distance you’ve travelled mountainsides you have traversed.  You’ll finally reach the top of a hill and be rewarded with a close-up view of at the famous Bab N’Ali gate (1580m). A landscape of pinnacles formed from the rocks of the Precambrian metamorphosed sandstone offers magnificent and gigantic shapes.  Your camp is in the shadow of these impressive rocks, and you can settle in for your final night under canvas.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: Approx 7hrs / 15km
Total elevation gain: 480m
Change in altitude: gain of 180m

Day 7 (Friday 7 November 2025):

Bab N’Ali – Ouarzazate – Marrakech 
After breakfast we’ll pack up camp and take the short walk back to the road where we bid farewell to our team of mules and the local Berbers. You will then drive back overland to Ouarzazate and onto Marrakech (approx. 7hrs 30min) stopping for lunch on the way. On arrival in Marrakech you’ll check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8 (Saturday 8 November 2025):

Marrakech
Today is a free day for you to explore the vibrant city of Marrakech at your leisure.
Meals: breakfast and dinner

Day 9 (Sunday 9 November 2025):

Marrakech/ UK
There may be some time this morning to explore the exotic and bustling city of Marrakech before flying back to the UK (subject to flight times).
Meals: Breakfast

There is also the option to extend your stay after the trek to explore more of Morocco. See Costs + how to pay tab for more details.

Notes: The day-to-day programme is subject to weather, general conditions and the progress of the group. While we do not anticipate any changes to the itinerary, we cannot be held responsible for changes made due to unexpected circumstances. Ultimately the safety and health of the group takes priority in all circumstances.

Costs & How to pay

Registration fee: £350
and then…

Sponsorship: £1,800

or

Self Fund: £900* and fundraise as much as possible for Julia’s House

or 

Flexi: £450 trip costs and £1,350 fundraising for Julia’s House

SPONSORSHIP

This option is for those who wish to raise sponsorship to cover both the costs of the trip (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) and a donation to Julia’s House. There is a minimum sponsorship amount for each trip that you are required to raise in order to participate.

• A registration fee of £350 is payable at the time of booking.
• A total of 80% of the minimum sponsorship (£1,440) must be paid to the charity 12 weeks before departure.
• The remaining £360 must be paid to the charity by 5 December 2025.
• If you do not meet your fundraising target you will be required to cover the cost.

SELF FUND

This option is for those who choose to pay the trip costs* (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) themselves.

• A registration fee of £350 is payable at the time of booking.
• Trip cost* balance of £900 must be paid to Julia’s House 12 weeks prior to departure.
• You are asked to fundraise as much as possible but Julia’s House would love for you to try and raise at least £900.

FLEXI

This option is for those who choose to pay the trip costs (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) themselves while still raising some funds for the charity.

• A registration fee of £350 is payable at the time of booking.
• Trip cost* balance of £450 must be paid directly to Julia’s House 12 weeks prior to departure.
• You must fundraise a minimum of £1,350 for Julia’s House.
• A total of 80% of the minimum sponsorship (£1,080) must be paid to the charity 12 weeks before departure.
• The remaining £270 must be paid to the charity by 5 December 2025.
• If you do not meet your fundraising target you will be required to cover the cost.

*Please note trip costs are based on a minimum of 15 participants. There may be a reduction in costs should the final group size be larger.