Ourika Valley & Atlas Mountains Day Trip from Marrakech

Summary

Explore Berber Villages & Waterfalls on a Marrakech Day Tour

You’ll get out of the city and into real Berber country: taste homemade Argan oil, wander local markets, hike up to cool waterfalls, and share lunch by a mountain river. It’s a relaxed way to see Morocco’s countryside with friendly guides who know every shortcut.

What’s the experience like?

The air felt cooler as we left Marrakech behind, windows down, catching that faint scent of wild herbs mixed with dust. Our driver, Youssef, chatted about his childhood in the Atlas foothills while we passed clusters of clay houses clinging to green hillsides. It’s only an hour or so out of the city, but it feels like another world—quiet except for the occasional rooster or distant call to prayer echoing through Tnin Ourika village.

Monday is market day here. We wandered between stalls stacked with oranges and fresh mint, women in bright scarves bargaining over bread. Youssef introduced us to Fatima at the Argan cooperative—she let us try grinding the nuts ourselves (harder than it looks) and dipped bread in nutty oil for us to taste. The smell inside was sweet and earthy, almost like almonds roasting.

Setti Fatma sits higher up, right where the mountains start to get serious. A local guide named Hamid led us along narrow paths—sometimes you’re stepping over little streams or ducking under fig trees—and pointed out old irrigation channels still used by villagers. The waterfalls aren’t huge but after a warm walk, dipping your feet in that icy water feels incredible. Kids were splashing around; one even offered me a handful of wild raspberries he’d picked nearby.

Lunch was simple but perfect: tagine bubbling away at a riverside café called Chez Hassan. We sat on low cushions with our shoes off, listening to the water rush past and watching locals play cards under the shade of poplar trees. On the drive back, I dozed off for a bit—sun-warmed and full—before we rolled into Marrakech just before sunset.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ourika Valley and Atlas Mountains Tour

• Pickup from Marrakech hotel at 9 am
• Drive through High Atlas Mountains
• Visit Tnin Ourika Monday market
• Tour Argan oil cooperative
• Short walk in Berber village
• Visit local Berber family home
• Walk to seven waterfalls in Setti Fatma
• Lunch at riverside restaurant
• Drive back to Marrakech (1h 15m)
• Drop-off at accommodation around 5 pm

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for kids or older travelers?

Yes! The walk is gentle and you can go at your own pace. There are infant seats if needed, and strollers are fine for most stops.

What should I wear or bring?

Comfortable shoes (it can get slippery near waterfalls), sunblock, maybe a light jacket if it’s early spring—the mountains can be cool in the morning.

Will we have time to swim at the waterfalls?

You can dip your feet or splash around if you want—just bring a towel or change of socks!

Is lunch included?

The tour stops at a riverside restaurant where you can order traditional Moroccan dishes (lunch cost not included).

What’s included

Your ride from Marrakech (pick-up and drop-off), air-conditioned vehicle for comfort on warm days, plus a friendly driver who knows all the best spots along the way are all included. If you’re traveling with little ones, just ask—they’ve got infant seats ready too.