Ourika Valley High Atlas hike waterfalls day tour

Hike to mountain waterfalls and step inside a traditional Berber home in one morning

A day tour from Marrakech to the Ourika Valley combines a guided hike to Setti Fatma's waterfalls with a visit to a Berber family home, a traditional market stop, and lunch by the river. The tour departs at 9:30 am, includes hotel pickup and an air-conditioned minibus with a local guide, and returns around 6:30 pm. Choose between a shared group tour or a private option.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ourika Valley and Atlas Mountains

• Scenic drive from Marrakech
• Visit traditional Berber market
• Drive through High Atlas Mountains
• Visit traditional Berber house
• Scenic drive along Ourika River
• Guided hike to Setti Fatma waterfalls
• Explore mountain cafés and shops
• Lunch by the river at Setti Fatma
• Return drive to Marrakech

The experience

The day starts with a 9:30 am departure from your hotel in Marrakech, traveling by air-conditioned minibus through the Ourika Valley toward the High Atlas Mountains. The road winds through green fields, orchards, and centuries-old Berber villages, with panoramic views of terraced hillsides and Atlas peaks opening up as you climb. On market days (typically Mondays and Fridays) you'll stop at a traditional Berber souk to see local vendors selling grains, olives, spices, and produce under canvas tents, giving a direct look at daily life in the valley.

Your guide leads you to a welcoming Berber family home nestled in the mountains, where you step inside to see traditional Atlas architecture and learn about local customs. If you're interested, you can watch how to prepare authentic Moroccan mint tea. After this stop, the route follows the Ourika River downstream, lined with palm trees, fruit orchards, and small cafés clinging to the valley slopes. The landscape shifts as you approach Setti Fatma, a mountain village at the base of the famous Seven Cascades.

The hike to Setti Fatma's waterfalls is moderate in difficulty and follows well-trodden paths with your local mountain guide. As you climb, you pass small cafés and artisan shops tucked into the rocky slopes, with views over the valley opening below. The waterfalls themselves offer a cool spray and shade to rest in: a natural break from the city heat. After the hike, you have free time for lunch at a riverside restaurant, where you can order from a menu of Moroccan tagines, grilled meats, and fresh salads while listening to the water. The return drive to Marrakech takes the late afternoon, with drop-off at your original hotel around 6:30 pm.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Marrakech.
• air-conditioned minibus transport throughout the day.
• experienced local guide fluent in English, Spanish, or French.
• access to a traditional Berber family home and the Ourika Valley market.
• guided hike to Setti Fatma's waterfalls with a mountain guide.
• free time for lunch at a riverside restaurant (meal cost separate).

Options for this experience

2 options

Shared Economic ExperienceGuide in English, Spanish or French · 09:30Pickup is included, and a local guide joins the tour.

Private VIP ExperienceGuide in English, Spanish or French · 09:00 and 09:30Includes a 20-minute camel ride and a VIP Berber meal, with a traditional lunch and a bottle of water. Personalized itinerary in a private air-conditioned mini-van, with a local guide and pickup included.

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

Information

Lasts 7h–8h, runs every day at 09:00 and 09:30, from US$ 23 per person, with a live guide in English, Spanish and French and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

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

GroupUp to 321 private ›

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and FrenchOther languages ›

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

AgesAdult (12 to 45 years) · Senior (46 to 59 years) · Youth (8 to 11 years) · Child (5 to 7 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years)

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Great Travel Morocco

Is this one for you?Book the shared group tour if you're comfortable meeting other travelers and want the best value. Choose the private VIP option if you prefer a dedicated guide and vehicle for your group. Either way, you'll need a moderate level of fitness for the hike to the waterfalls. The paths are well-trodden but involve climbing and uneven terrain.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 11 years); Child (5 to 7 years); Infant (1 to 4 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.

What is the hike to Setti Fatma's waterfalls like?

The hike is moderate in difficulty, following well-trodden mountain paths with your local guide. You'll climb past small cafés and artisan shops with views over the valley, reaching the waterfalls where you can rest in the shade and feel the cool spray before heading back down.

Will I see a traditional Berber market on this tour?

Yes, on market days (typically Mondays and Fridays) you'll stop at a traditional Berber souk in the Ourika Valley to see local vendors selling produce, grains, olives, and spices under canvas tents and reed shelters, giving you a glimpse of authentic rural life.

What does the Berber family home visit involve?

You'll step inside a traditional home in the Ourika Valley to see Atlas architecture and learn about local customs and how families live in the mountains. If you wish, you can learn to prepare authentic Moroccan mint tea the traditional way.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. After your hike at Setti Fatma, you have free time to eat at one of the riverside restaurants there, where you can order Moroccan dishes like tagines, grilled meats, and fresh salads at your own cost.

How long is the full day tour and what time does it end?

The tour runs from around 9:30 am to approximately 6:30 pm, lasting 7 to 8 hours total. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you leave and return to your accommodation in Marrakech.

Can I book this as a private tour instead of a group tour?

Yes, you can choose between a shared group tour or a private VIP option at checkout. Both follow the same itinerary and include your local guide and air-conditioned transport.