Marrakech: Ourika Valley Day Trip with Atlas Waterfalls & Lunch

Ourika Valley day trip from Marrakech with lunch and waterfalls

You’ll leave Marrakech behind for a day in Ourika Valley: hiking up to Atlas waterfalls with a local guide, tasting homemade argan oil at a Berber women’s cooperative, and sharing lunch by a mountain river. Expect laughter, new flavors, and quiet moments in nature that might surprise you long after you return.

Options for this experience

3 options

From US$ 17.16 to US$ 110 per person, depending on the option and date you choose. See options & prices

Transport shared with others and a local guide 09:00 Guide in English, French or Arabic Shared transport and local guide. Duration: 8 hours, by minibus. Includes pickup.

Lunch and a local guide 09:00 Guide in English, French or Arabic Day trip with shared transport, lunch and a local guide. Duration: 8 hours. Lunch in Ourika Valley, by minivan or minibus. Pickup is included.

Private day trip from Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains and Ourika Valley 09:00 Guide in English, French or Arabic Includes a private local guide. Duration: 8 hours, by minivan or 4x4. Pickup is included.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ourika Valley and Waterfalls

• Depart from Marrakech
• Drive through Berber villages
• Hike scenic trails to waterfalls
• Visit traditional villages and markets
• Enjoy traditional Berber meal
• Return to Marrakech

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Marrakech, private transport with an experienced driver, guided hiking through scenic Atlas trails, a visit to a Berber women’s cooperative for fresh argan oil tasting, and, if selected, a traditional riverside lunch before heading back in comfort.

Times

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• Every day 09:00

Information

Feel the cool air of the Atlas, hike to waterfalls, share a Berber meal, and meet local women on this Ourika Valley day trip from Marrakech with hotel pickup included.

Group Up to 100 1 similar private tour ›

Live guide English, French and Arabic Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included. See the pickup points

Book up to 3h before

Ages Adult (19 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (11 to 18 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Infant (under 5)

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Infant seats available

More information The pickup points, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

4.79 ★★★★★ Excellent 89 verified traveler reviews 87% rated it 5 stars

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The experience

The morning started off with me realizing I’d forgotten my hat in the car, classic. The sun was already peeking over Marrakech as our driver wound through the city’s edges, past those little roadside stalls selling oranges. I kept thinking we’d left the chaos behind, but then we’d pass another cluster of scooters or a shepherd waving at us. Our guide, Youssef, just grinned and said “wait until you see the valley.” He was right. The air changed (cooler, sharper), and suddenly there were poplar trees everywhere.

We stopped at a Berber women’s cooperative for argan oil, which I thought was just for hair until Fatima handed me bread dipped in it. It tasted nutty, almost sweet. She laughed when I tried to pronounce “amlou” (I definitely didn’t get it right). Then came the hike up to the Atlas waterfalls, not too tough but enough that I wished I’d worn better shoes. There was this moment where all you could hear was water crashing down and birds arguing overhead. Youssef pointed out wild thyme growing between rocks. He crushed some in his palm so we could smell it. Felt like breathing in the mountains themselves.

Lunch by the river was slow and somehow perfect: tagine bubbling away while kids played nearby and someone’s donkey wandered off into a patch of mint. We talked about football (everyone here seems to support a different team), and Youssef told us how winters can turn the whole valley white. It made me want to come back just for that. On the drive back to Marrakech, I kept replaying that first cold splash from the waterfall on my face, you know how some moments just stick? This was one of them.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 18 years); Child (5 to 10 years); Infant (under 5).

How long is the day trip from Marrakech to Ourika Valley?

The full-day trip typically lasts around 8 hours including transport from Marrakech.

Is lunch included on this Ourika Valley tour?

Lunch is included if you select it as an add-on during booking. It’s served riverside.

Are there hotel pickups for this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Marrakech are included.

Do I need special hiking gear for the Atlas waterfalls?

No special gear is needed. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for the trails.

Will we visit any local villages or cooperatives?

Yes, there’s a visit to a Berber women’s cooperative where you can try argan oil products.

How far is Ourika Valley from Marrakech?

The drive takes about an hour each way depending on traffic and stops along the route.

Operated by Morocco lifetime Tours. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago