Atlas Mountains & 5 Valleys Day Trip from Marrakech with Berber Lunch

Summary

Five valleys, mint tea by the river and Berber warmth on a Marrakech day trip

You’ll wander through five distinct valleys in the Atlas Mountains with a local guide, sharing mint tea by the riverbank and a home-cooked Berber lunch in Sidi Fares. Expect laughter over breakfast at an argan oil co-op, mountain air scented with wild herbs, and quiet moments looking out at Mt. Toubkal’s snowy peak—moments that linger long after you’re back in Marrakech.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I booked the Atlas Mountains & 5 Valleys tour from Marrakech mostly because I’d seen those snow-dusted peaks from my riad rooftop and couldn’t stop wondering what was out there. The drive started early (I’m not a morning person), but our guide, Youssef, had this way of making everyone feel like we’d known him for ages. He pointed out olive groves and tiny roadside stalls selling oranges — the kind that smell sharp and sweet at the same time. We stopped at a women’s argan oil co-op for breakfast; I tried amlou on warm bread and immediately wanted to pocket the jar. Li laughed when I tried to say “shukran” properly — probably butchered it.

The valleys just kept changing — Ourika was green and noisy with birds, Oukaimeden felt like another planet, all rocks and sky. Somewhere along the riverbank, we sipped mint tea so fresh it almost stung my nose. There was this moment where everything went quiet except for water running over stones and someone in our group humming under their breath. Youssef told us stories about Berber life that made me realize how little I really knew about Morocco outside of Marrakech’s chaos.

Lunch was in Sidi Fares at a Berber family home — tagine bubbling away while we sat cross-legged on rugs that looked older than me. The couscous was light but filling, and there was fruit for dessert (I ate more than my share). Afterward, we walked through villages where kids waved from rooftops. At some point, we stopped for photos of Mt. Toubkal — highest peak in North Africa apparently, though honestly I just stared at the clouds rolling past it. The last valley blurred into gold as we drove back toward Marrakech. I still think about that view sometimes when city noise gets too much.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Atlas Mountains and Five Valleys

• Guided tour with explanations
• Stop for pictures in Atlas Mountains
• Visit Berber women's Argan oil co-op
• Enjoy fresh mint tea by river
• Stop for pictures in Ourika Valley
• Visit second Valley of Oukaimden
• Stop for pictures in third Valley of Sidi Fares
• Have lunch at Berber family home
• Stop for pictures at highest peak in North Africa
• Stop for pictures in fourth Valley of Asni
• Stop for pictures at Richard Branson's retreat
• Visit fifth Valley Tahnaout and take pictures
• Return to Marrakech and drop off

Top questions

How long does the Atlas Mountains & 5 Valleys day trip take?

The tour is a full-day trip from Marrakech, typically lasting around 9 hours including all stops.

Is lunch included on this Atlas Mountains tour?

Yes, a traditional home-cooked Berber lunch is included at a family house in Sidi Fares valley.

Do they pick up from hotels or riads in Marrakech?

Yes, hotel/riad/Airbnb pickup and drop-off are included in the tour.

Is this day trip suitable for vegetarians or vegans?

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meal options are available upon request.

What are the main stops on this 5 valleys tour?

The tour covers Ourika Valley, Oukaimeden Valley, Sidi Fares Valley (with lunch), Asni Valley, Tahnaout Valley, plus photo stops at Mt. Toubkal.

Is there hiking involved during the tour?

Yes, there is a guided hike of about 60–90 minutes through scenic villages led by a local guide.

Are drinks provided during the trip?

Bottled mineral water and fresh mint tea by the river are included during your day trip.

How many people are in each group?

The small-group tour is limited to 8 people for more personalized attention.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or Airbnb pickup in Marrakech with an English-speaking driver-guide; breakfast at a Berber women’s argan oil co-op; bottled water and fresh mint tea beside the river; all entry fees; a guided hike through scenic villages; plus a generous home-cooked lunch with soup, salad, tagine (vegetarian/vegan available), couscous and fruit before returning to your accommodation in the evening.