Ourika Valley & Atlas Mountains day tour: Waterfalls, villages

Walk to seven waterfalls and eat lunch by the river in the Atlas foothills

A guided day tour from Marrakech to Ourika Valley in the High Atlas, with hotel pickup, a local guide in English or French, easy hiking trails, visits to Berber villages and an argan oil cooperative, and lunch at a riverside restaurant. The tour runs eight hours total, departing at 9 am and returning around 5 pm. Lunch and drinks are included on the Group Tour option; the shared tour option lets you add them at checkout.

The Experience

The day starts with a 9 am pickup from your Marrakech hotel or riad in an air-conditioned vehicle. As you drive toward Ourika Valley, the city falls away and the High Atlas comes into view — clay houses and green valleys pass the windows. Your first stop is Tnin Ourika village, where the traditional Monday market fills the streets. From there you head to a working argan oil cooperative to watch how the oil is pressed and bottled, used in both Moroccan cooking and cosmetics. A short walk through the village or a visit to a local Berber family home follows, depending on the day's flow.

By mid-morning you arrive at Setti Fatma, a village perched at 1,500 meters where the real hiking begins. A local guide leads you on easy trails through the village and up toward the seven waterfalls — the walk is gentle enough for most fitness levels, and the guide shares how Berber families live in these mountains. The waterfalls are the heart of the day: you can swim or wade in the cool water, rest on the rocks, or simply stand in front of them before the walk back down.

Lunch happens at a riverside restaurant in the village, with Moroccan dishes and Swahili-inspired flavors served warm. After eating, the drive back to Marrakech takes just over an hour, with drop-off at your accommodation around 5 pm. The whole day — pickup, guide, transport, the walk, lunch and return — is arranged; you show up at your hotel and the rest unfolds.

What’s included

• Hotel or riad pickup and drop-off in Marrakech.
• air-conditioned vehicle throughout the day.
• professional driver and local guide in English or French.
• entry to the argan oil cooperative.
• easy guided hike to the seven waterfalls at Setti Fatma.
• lunch and drinks (on the Group Tour with Lunch option).

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Red City Tours Marrakech

Is this one for you?The group shared format keeps the cost low and puts you with other travelers heading the same way; the fixed schedule and included guide mean the day holds together without you arranging transport, timing or a translator between the valley and the city.

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Top questions

What are the seven waterfalls at Setti Fatma like when you get there?

The seven waterfalls cascade down the mountainside in a series, with pools where you can swim or wade in cold mountain water. The walk to reach them follows village paths and easy trails through the Berber settlements, and the guide explains the landscape and local life as you go.

Can I swim or do I need to bring a swimsuit?

Yes, you can swim in the pools at the waterfalls. Bring a swimsuit and a towel if you want to get in the water; the pools are deep enough in places but cold year-round from the mountain runoff.

How much walking is involved on this tour?

The hike to the seven waterfalls is easy and suitable for all fitness levels. It follows village paths and mountain trails without steep climbs, and you set the pace with your local guide. The total walking time is a few hours spread across the day, with rest stops built in.

What happens at the argan oil cooperative?

At the cooperative you watch how argan oil is extracted, pressed and bottled by hand — the oil comes from argan nuts and is used in cooking and skincare throughout Morocco. The workers explain the process and you can see the finished product before moving on to the village.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food is served?

Lunch is included on the Group Tour with Lunch option and served at a riverside restaurant in Setti Fatma. The menu features Moroccan dishes and Swahili-inspired flavors, served warm in a welcoming setting. On the shared tour option, you can add lunch at checkout.

What time does the tour end and how do I get back to my hotel?

The tour returns to Marrakech around 5 pm, with drop-off at your hotel or riad. The return drive from Setti Fatma takes one hour and fifteen minutes, and your driver will take you to the same place you were picked up from in the morning.