Ourika Valley and Atlas Mountains Day Trip from Marrakech
4.8 (25,382 reviews) from travellers who booked this experience
Overview
This small-group day trip climbs from Marrakech into the High Atlas foothills to the Ourika Valley, about 60 kilometres away. With a local guide you stop at a mountain viewpoint, visit a Berber house for mint tea, see an argan oil cooperative and walk to the Setti Fatma waterfalls. Pickup and a small breakfast are included, and you choose the lunch option: none, or a three-course riverside lunch. It suits couples, friends and families who want mountains and village life in one easy day.
Highlights
- Pickup and drop-off at your riad or hotel in Marrakech in an air-conditioned van
- Scenic drive into the Atlas Mountains with a panoramic photo stop
- Visit to a traditional Berber house with mint tea
- Argan oil cooperative, where you see how the oil is made
- Guided walk to the Setti Fatma waterfalls, with a relaxed alternative by the river
- Riverside lunch with starter, main course and dessert in the lunch option
- Small breakfast and a bottle of water included
Full Description
The Ourika Valley and the road into the Atlas Mountains
The Ourika Valley lies about 60 kilometres south of Marrakech, where the plain meets the High Atlas. The road follows the Ourika River past orchards, terraced fields and red-earth villages, and the air gets cooler as you climb, which is why a day trip to the Ourika Valley from Marrakech is such a popular escape in summer.
Our first stop is a viewpoint over the valley, ideal for photos of the snow-capped peaks in winter and the green terraces in spring. People often ask whether the Ourika Valley is worth visiting, and the answer is yes if you want a gentle mountain day without a very long drive: it is a short trip compared with Ouzoud or the desert, and it works well even with younger children.
Berber house, mint tea and the argan cooperative
In the valley we visit a traditional Berber house, where a family explains daily life in the mountains over mint tea. The small breakfast of bread, olives, honey and argan oil is part of the experience, and it is a good moment to ask questions about the local customs, the seasons and how the village adapts to winter.
The women's argan oil cooperative shows how the kernels are cracked, ground and pressed by hand. Argan oil is a signature product of southern Morocco, used in cooking and in cosmetics, and buying direct from a cooperative supports the women who work there. There is no obligation to buy, and the visit is short.
Tnine Ourika and the Setti Fatma waterfalls
The village of Tnine Ourika is known for its Monday souk, and the road continues up the valley to Setti Fatma, the last village before the mountain trails. From here a guided walk of around an hour and a half leads along the river and over rocky steps up to the Setti Fatma waterfalls, a series of cascades between boulders and walnut trees. The trail is rocky, uneven and sometimes steep, so good shoes matter.
The walk is optional. Guests who prefer not to hike can sit at a riverside restaurant, enjoy the sound of the water and wait for the group. If you are looking for Ourika Valley tours that include a hike to the waterfalls, this one combines the trail with culture and a relaxed break by the river.
Lunch by the river and the return to Marrakech
After the hike the group sits down at a riverside restaurant in Setti Fatma. In the lunch option you receive a starter, a main course and dessert, and vegetarian or gluten-free meals can be requested; in the other option lunch is not included, and you can order from the menu at your own cost. Drinks other than the water provided are paid on the spot.
The van leaves for Marrakech in the afternoon and arrives between about 16:00 and 17:00, depending on traffic and the group's pace. Weekends and peak season are busier, so the valley can feel lively, and the best time to visit the Ourika Valley for quiet and green scenery is spring, while the river is also a cool refuge in the heat of summer.
Itinerary
- Pickup in MarrakechWe collect you from your riad or hotel around 08:00; the exact time is confirmed the evening before.
- Drive into the Atlas MountainsA scenic drive of around an hour with a panoramic viewpoint stop for photos.
- Berber house and argan cooperativeMint tea and a small breakfast in a Berber house, then a visit to the women's argan cooperative, about an hour in total.
- Setti FatmaArrival at the village at the end of the valley road, with the river and the trailhead.
- Hike to the waterfallsA guided walk of about an hour and a half; optional, with a rest by the river for those who prefer not to walk.
- Lunch by the riverIn the lunch option, a three-course meal at a riverside restaurant; otherwise free time to order your own meal.
- Return to MarrakechArrival back around 16:00 to 17:00, depending on traffic.
What's included
- Return transfer from your riad or hotel in Marrakech
- Air-conditioned van with a professional driver
- Local guide
- Visit to a traditional Berber house with mint tea
- Visit to an argan oil cooperative
- Hike to the Setti Fatma waterfalls
- Small breakfast and a bottle of water
Not included
- Lunch
- Other drinks
- Tips
Not suitable for
- Pregnant women
- Travellers over 70 years of age
- Anyone who cannot manage rocky, uneven paths if they wish to do the hike (the walk is optional)
Meeting point
We pick you up from your riad or hotel in Marrakech at around 08:00, and we confirm the exact time the evening before. Please be ready in the lobby or at the nearest vehicle access point. The tour ends with a drop-off in Marrakech between about 16:00 and 17:00.
Important information
- Wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes: the waterfall trail is rocky and uneven
- Bring a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a camera and a light jacket
- Smoking is not allowed in the vehicle
- Lunch is included only in the option that says so; drinks other than water are paid locally
- The valley can be busy on weekends and in peak season
- Guests who book together are placed in the same group: send us the names after booking
- Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available on request in the lunch option
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Ourika Valley day trip cost?
The price depends on the option you choose, with or without lunch. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, adult and child.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Both options include a return transfer from your riad or hotel in Marrakech in an air-conditioned van.
How long is the Ourika Valley tour?
About seven hours in the option without lunch and about seven and a half hours with the riverside lunch, from pickup to drop-off.
What is the difference between the options?
The route, guide, Berber house visit and waterfall hike are the same. The lunch option adds a three-course meal at a riverside restaurant.
Do I have to do the hike to the waterfalls?
No. The hike is optional, and you can relax at the riverside restaurant while the group walks. The trail is rocky and sometimes steep, so wear proper shoes if you join.
Is the Ourika Valley tour suitable for children?
Yes, children within the age range of the booking panel are welcome. The waterfall walk has uneven ground, so younger children are better off waiting by the river.
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable hiking shoes, light layers, a sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and a camera. A jacket is useful in the mountains, especially in winter.
What is the best time to visit the Ourika Valley?
Spring is greenest, with a strong river, summer is a cool escape from Marrakech's heat, and winter brings snow on the high peaks.
Is breakfast included?
A small breakfast and a bottle of water are included in both options, served at the Berber house.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Yes, subject to availability. Pick your date in the booking panel and you will see the open departure.
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