Tour of the MELTSENE adrar: Yagour engravings
A unique tour that makes you feel like an explorer in the heart of the sumptuous scenery of the Yagour, punctuated by rock engravings bearing witness to distant beliefs... Accessible to all, this exclusive hike lets you experience the authenticity of Berber villages.
5-day itinerary :
Day 1: First impressions...
- Marrakech - Amlougi 1,540m - Aïn n'Tilst 2,400m: ideal for bivouacking - 3h30 walk
Day 2: A surprise at the end of the world!
- Aïn n'Tilst - Tarzit 1,980m: an incredible village that comes into view after crossing the beautiful Zat gorges - 5h walk
Day 3: In the heart of Oued Zat
- Tarzit - Talouite 1 400m: Zat Valley, between picturesque villages and cultivated terraces - 4h30 walk
Day 4: Twin lizards, halberds and shields...
- Talouite - Azib Zguigui 2 250m: Last big climb before the astonishing surprise of rock engravings nestling here and there - 5/6h walk
Day 5: Invent the ending to your story!
- Azib Zguigui - Aguerd 1 500m: One last short day (5h walk)... The Final Touch? An incredible canyoning descent in the Aguerd canyon (optional extra).
Option:
- Canyoning in the Aguerd Canyon: from €72 / pers.
- Ascent of the Meltsène adrar 3 595m (+ 1 Day) : Consult us
Technical details :
- Ascent: 3,280m
- Level : Medium
- Training: good physical condition.
The team :
Professional guide, member of the Bureau des Guides d'Imlil
Meals :
Healthy and fresh, prepared by our chefs: Full picnic lunches; Dinners cooked in the refuge.
Equipment :
Mules (1 for 2 people), hiking poles, water, snacks and first-aid kit.
And the environment...
The Yagour can be appreciated for the beauty of its setting: pastures as far as the eye can see and unexpected little gorges that give a real dimension of immensity to the landscape. The Yagour plateau is in full bloom in spring, and is home to an intense pastoral life in summer. Cereal plantations can be seen on the agricultural terraces, while potatoes and maize grow on the plains. This hike, punctuated by small sheepfolds in the valleys, is punctuated by the search for rock engravings, symbolic in the region. The Yagour plateau, dominated by the Meltsène mountain (culminating at 3,595m), was revered as a sacred mountain by the herders who, fleeing the progressive drought in the south, climbed northwards in search of new pastures. These Atlas artists chose soft sandstone slabs to carve symbols or images that reflected the preoccupations of the time: hunting scenes depicting wild animals and elephants. Later, with the introduction of metal, there were depictions of weapons, notably daggers and halberds. These engravings are said to have given the site its name: yagour comes from Agouram, meaning "holy place". Why such engravings? The engraver represented a coveted animal to attract it: by drawing his prey, he was warding off bad luck. There was also a desire to leave traces of these heroic episodes, hunts and battles. Today, we need to be careful and respect this historic heritage, which is unfortunately threatened by trampling and degradation.
