Jebel Saghro — Nomad Lands 6 Day Trek
A wild, warm winter traverse of the Jebel Saghro — the volcanic massif where the High Atlas dissolves into the Sahara. Walk from the Tagdilt plateau past the twin towers of Bab n’Ali to the palm oasis of Nkob, camping with nomad families under enormous desert skies.
Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights · Difficulty: Moderate – Challenging · Max altitude: 2,592 m · Distance: 90 km · Group size: 2–10 · From: €645 per person
Highlights
- Cross the volcanic Saghro massif, Atlas-to-Sahara transition
- The iconic Bab n’Ali twin rock towers
- Nights under some of Morocco’s darkest skies
- Meet Aït Atta nomad families on the high pastures
- Finish in the palm oasis and kasbahs of Nkob
- A genuine winter wilderness trek, far from any crowd
Itinerary
Day 1 — Marrakech to Tagdilt
A long, spectacular drive over the Tizi n’Tichka and through the Dades valley to the Tagdilt plateau at the foot of the Saghro, with a short afternoon walk to stretch the legs and acclimatise.
Marrakech → Tagdilt · Drive + 2 hrs · 5 km · gain +200 m · Meals: Lunch, Dinner · Sleep: Camp / gîte
Day 2 — Across the Tagdilt plateau
Walk across the high, empty Tagdilt plateau, a vast volcanic grazing land where Aït Atta nomads bring their flocks in winter, camping near the hamlet of Boularare.
Tagdilt → Boularare · 6 hrs · 16 km · gain +500 m · Meals: All · Sleep: Camp
Day 3 — Igli & the Tadaout n’Tablah
Cross a low col into the Tadaout n’Tablah plateau, descending through basalt country to the tiny oasis village of Igli for the night.
Boularare → Igli · 6–7 hrs · 15 km · gain +600 m · Meals: All · Sleep: Camp
Day 4 — Bab n’Ali & Kouss summit
The signature day: an optional ascent of Kouss (2,592 m) for panoramas over the Sahara, then descend to camp beneath the twin rock towers of Bab n’Ali, Saghro’s most photographed landmark.
Igli → Bab n’Ali camp · 7–8 hrs · 16 km · gain +900 m · Meals: All · Sleep: Camp
Day 5 — Gorges to Assaka n’Aït Ouzzine
Walk through narrowing gorges and volcanic piste country toward the southern flank of the massif, camping near the village of Assaka n’Aït Ouzzine.
Bab n’Ali → Assaka · 5–6 hrs · 14 km · gain +300 m · Meals: All · Sleep: Camp
Day 6 — Nkob & return to Marrakech
A final walk into the palm oasis of Nkob, with its 45 kasbahs, then the long scenic return drive to Marrakech via Ouarzazate and the Tichka pass.
Assaka → Marrakech · 3 hrs + drive · 8 km · gain +100 m · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch · Sleep: End
What’s included
- Certified guide & cook
- Full camp support & mule team
- Gîte & camp nights
- All meals on trek
- Private transfers from Marrakech
Why choose this trek
Saghro is the trek for winter, when the High Atlas is snowbound. Our Aït Atta guides grew up on these plateaus and open routes through volcanic country that almost no other operator runs — a true expedition with full camp support.
Fitness & preparation
Moderate to challenging. Six consecutive walking days of 5–8 hours on rough, remote ground with one summit day. Good multi-day stamina and tolerance for remote camping required; no technical climbing.
Photos
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