Marrakech: Ourika Valley Waterfalls Hike & Berber Lunch

Mountain air, cold water, and lunch that tastes like someone's home

You hike to Setti Fatma waterfalls in the Ourika Valley, swim or wade in mountain streams, and eat lunch by the river with views of the Atlas. Breakfast at a women's cooperative is included, as is the local guide and transport from your hotel. The hike is moderate and can be adjusted to your fitness level. Plan for a full day out and bring water and sun protection.

Step-by-step itinerary

Ourika Valley hike and cultural visit

• Stop at panoramic viewpoint
• Visit local women’s cooperative
• Enjoy traditional Berber breakfast
• Hike to Setti Fatma waterfalls
• Relax by the river or swim
• Have 3-course lunch by river
• Return to Marrakech

The experience

The minibus picks you up early, and within an hour the city noise is gone. You're climbing into the Atlas Mountains with a small group, usually under twelve people, and the first stop is a viewpoint where the valleys open up below you, terraced fields stitched into the slopes like a patchwork, Berber villages scattered across them. Your guide points out the villages, names them, tells you how people still live the way their grandparents did. The air is different up here: cooler, thinner, and it hits you that you've actually left Marrakech behind.

Before the hike, you stop at a women's cooperative in the foothills. The women there make argan oil and handicrafts, and they serve breakfast: mint tea that tastes nothing like the stuff in the medina, fresh bread, honey, amlou (a paste made from argan, almonds, and honey that you'll probably think about for weeks). It's not fancy, but it's real, and you're sitting in their space, hearing about their work. After that, you drive to Setti Fatma, the village at the mouth of the Ourika Valley, and the actual hike starts. The path follows streams, passes through terraced fields where people are actually working, crosses water that's cold enough to make you gasp if you wade in. The waterfalls appear gradually: first you hear them, then you see the mist, then you're standing in front of them. The hike is adjustable. If your knees protest or you're not feeling it, your guide will let you sit by the river instead. Nobody pushes.

Lunch happens on the riverbank, three courses of Moroccan food cooked with ingredients from the valley itself. Tagine, couscous, fresh salad: the kind of meal that tastes different when you eat it next to running water and mountains. You're tired by then, the hike is behind you, and the food and the sound of the river do something to your head. By late afternoon, you're back in the minibus heading down to Marrakech, arriving around sunset. The whole day is maybe eight hours out of the city, but it feels like you've been somewhere else entirely.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle, a local guide who speaks English and knows the valley well, a traditional Berber breakfast at a women's cooperative (mint tea, bread, honey, argan oil, and amlou), the scenic hike to Setti Fatma waterfalls with time to swim or rest, and a 3-course Moroccan lunch served by the river with fresh local ingredients.

Options for this experience

2 options

Lunch not includedGuide in English or French · 08:30 and 09:00Includes pickup

Hike to the Ourika Valley waterfalls in the Atlas Mountains from Marrakech, with lunchGuide in English or French · 08:30 and 09:00Includes pickup

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30 and 09:00

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (14 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 13 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years)

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availableNot for heart conditions

Operated by Vibrant Vistas

Is this one for you?Right for travelers based in Marrakech who want to hike and swim without arranging transport or a guide: the small group and fixed itinerary mean you show up and the day unfolds. Expect a full day out (roughly 8 hours) and a moderate hike. That's what lets you reach the waterfalls and eat lunch by the water instead of rushing back to the city.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 17 years); Child (3 to 13 years); Infant (1 to 2 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the hike to the waterfalls?

The hike is moderate and adjustable based on fitness level. Most people spend 2–3 hours on the trail, including time at the waterfalls. Your guide can shorten or extend it depending on how you're feeling.

Is the water cold for swimming?

Yes, the mountain streams are cold year-round. You can wade or swim if you want, but many people just cool off their feet or skip it entirely. Bring a towel if you plan to get in.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, the local guide, breakfast at the women's cooperative, and a 3-course lunch by the river are all included.

Can I do this if I'm not very fit?

The hike is moderate, not strenuous. Your guide can adjust the route and pace. If you have cardiovascular issues or are pregnant, you can rest by the river instead of hiking the full distance.

What time do we return to Marrakech?

You're back in the late afternoon, usually around 5–6pm, depending on traffic and your hotel location.

Is it safe to drink the water from the streams?

No. Bring a water bottle and refill it at the village or from the guide. Bottled water is also available.

Do I need special hiking boots?

Sturdy shoes with good grip are enough. The paths are rocky but not technical. Avoid flip-flops or very worn soles.

How many people are in a typical group?

Groups are kept small, usually under twelve people, so the experience stays personal and the guide can adjust the pace for everyone.