The M'goun Valley with Mustapha’s parents
No tour buses, no selfie sticks. Just red rocks, green oases, and a motorcycle ride over gravel roads with Mustapha. This is the M'goun Valley, far away from the crowds.
Welcome to the hidden oasis of the High Atlas
Forget the overcrowded tourist hotspots where buses full of travelers line up for the same photo. This valley, hidden deep in the High Atlas, is the place where you don’t just watch Morocco, but step right into it. The landscape is raw: deep red rock walls contrasting with bright green patches of farmland where families grow their own beans and figs. This is where you come to kick up some dust, drink mint tea, and set out with the people who call this valley home. Together with our local heroes, we dive deep into the culture and experience the ultimate freedom of the Atlas Mountains.
Our travel consultant Sjoerd explains why this place is so special:
"The M'goun Valley is a fantastic spot. I think it’s often overlooked because people go to the Dadès Valley or the Todra Gorge, and from there directly to Merzouga, a more touristy place in the desert. But we look further. It’s a piece of oasis where people live: you have a very dry area, but within it, you have quite a lot of green patches where they live completely self-sufficiently."
- Travel Consultant Sjoerd
Activities in the M’goun Valley
Be surprised by the versatility of the M'goun Valley and experience adventures you won't find anywhere else.
On the road with Mustapha and staying with his parents
When you travel with us to the M'goun Valley, you’ll be traveling with Mustapha. He was born here, runs his own organization, and truly knows everyone. But we go a step further than just guiding: you will stay at his parents' home. They live in a green oasis with their own cows, goats, and fruit trees.
Our travel consultant Sjoerd shares his favorite memory:
"Mustapha has his own company and he is a king. He’s a good guy, understands exactly what we want with Charlie's, understands exactly what vibe we have. We stayed with his parents. His father is also a genuinely amazing guy. He doesn't speak Dutch or French, but he can say very well: 'Amsterdam Central, Amsterdam East, Amsterdam West, and Mercatorplein.' The places he loves!"
- Travel Consultant Sjoerd
Kicking up dust on two wheels: Motocross with the 'local boys'
Forget the air-conditioned 4x4 vans. The best way to brave the unpaved mountain paths and loose gravel roads of the valley is on the back of a motorcycle. Together with Mustapha and a few local guys from the village, we head into the mountains, over paths where no car can or is allowed to go.
"We pulled together some local boys and went to explore the surroundings on motorcycles. You get to areas and places where you can't go by car. Difficult roads, big rocks, gravel paths you ride through. Incredibly beautiful views. No matter how far you look, you even see the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains in the distance."
- Travel consultant Sjoerd
Into the mountains with the nomads (and their goats)
Sometimes you have to leave the road behind entirely to understand how life in the Atlas works. We organize multi-day treks where you travel along with the local nomads. No strict hiking schedule, but the rhythm of the herd. You pack the donkeys, walk through mountain passes, and help set up the tents under the starry sky in the evening.
Our travel consultant Sjoerd looks back:
"In this area, you can do multi-day treks with nomad tribes. One night, two nights, three nights, however long you want. Just out and about with the nomads, packing up the tents, letting the goats loose the next morning, and wandering around. A very beautiful area to hike and camp. You can easily entertain yourself for three or four days."
- Travel consultant Sjoerd
Building a tagine with the “dadas”
In the valley, we work closely with a small hotel that has built a large, new kitchen. Here, you don’t sit at a table waiting for your food to be served. You roll up your sleeves and learn from the dadas, the Berber cooks from the village, how to assemble a real tagine. You learn how to knead the bread dough by hand, how the spices should smell, and how to steam couscous the way it should be done. After hours of labor over the pots, you sit down together for a long, late lunch.
At Charlie’s Travels, we believe that traveling is about these kinds of moments. The people in the M'goun Valley invite you to their kitchen table, not because it’s in a brochure, but because hospitality is the standard here. You aren't traveling past Morocco; you are stepping right into it.
Charlie's way of travelling
Our team lives and works in Africa
We develop our own routes
Your trip is tailor-made by us
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All frequently asked questions about the M’goun Valley at a glance
Is the M'goun Valley suitable for inexperienced hikers?
Yes, the M'goun Valley is suitable for both inexperienced and experienced hikers. Charlie’s Travels tailors the hikes and treks in the Atlas Mountains completely to your personal level. Options vary from a relaxed oasis walk of a few hours to a challenging, multi-day trek with local nomads under the guidance of guide Mustapha and his team.
Why do you prefer to skip the Dades Gorges?
Charlie’s Travels prefers the M'goun Valley over the Dades Gorges and the Todra Gorge because of the authentic, non-touristy character. Although the Dades Valley is scenic, the experience is often influenced by mass tourism and tour buses. In the M'goun Valley, you experience the pure, unspoiled atmosphere of the High Atlas, complete with roaming camels and encounters with nomads without other travelers around you.
Do I need a motorcycle license for the motorcycle trip?
Yes, a valid motorcycle license and demonstrable off-road experience are required to operate a motorcycle independently during the trip. The routes through the red mountains of Morocco consist largely of challenging gravel paths and unpaved roads. Travelers without a license who still want to experience the adrenaline can ride on the back with guide Mustapha or one of the experienced local motorcyclists at Charlie’s Travels.
Is an overnight stay at Mustapha’s parents' house very basic?
No, an overnight stay at guide Mustapha's family’s home offers a comfortable and very hospitable experience. Travelers describe the accommodation in the green oasis as a spacious, traditional home. Although you sleep on an authentic Moroccan mattress on the floor, the stay is luxurious in terms of care: you enjoy an extensive breakfast, traditional tagines, and generous local hospitality.
Can the M'goun Valley be visited all year round?
The best travel time for the M'goun Valley is spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November).
- Spring (March-May): The valley is at its greenest, very fertile, and ideal for hiking trips.
- Autumn (September-November): Mild, pleasant temperatures, perfect for active motorcycle trips.
- Winter & Summer: In winter, it can cool down significantly in the Atlas Mountains, and in summer, the temperatures are very high. Charlie’s Travels adjusts travel planning and accommodations (such as stays with a pool) according to the specific season.
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