Private Day Trip to Ourika Valley & Anima Garden from Marrakech

Anima Garden sits 27 kilometers into the valley, where sculptures by Picasso-inspired artists rise among palms and bamboo.

A private day trip from Marrakech into the Ourika Valley with a local guide, visiting the Berber village of Setti Fatma, its waterfalls, a traditional house, and Anima Garden: a 3-hectare botanical sanctuary blending contemporary art with lush landscapes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Lunch is at your own cost.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ourika Valley and Anima Garden

• Visit Ourika Valley
• Stop at Setti Fatma village
• Walk to Setti Fatma waterfalls
• Learn about argan oil extraction
• Enjoy tagine lunch by stream
• Visit traditional Berber house
• Explore Anima Garden

Stops and time spent at each 3 stops

1. Ourika 3h
2. Setti Fatma and the 7 Cascades 2h
3. ANIMA Garden 45m

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off within Marrakech.
• a local guide in English or French.
• a professional driver.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport throughout the day.

Times

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• Monday to Saturday 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00

Information

Private day trip from Marrakech to Ourika Valley with local guide, visiting Setti Fatma village, argan oil workshop.

Group Private

Live guide English and French Another language? ›

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

Book up to 12h before

Ages Adult (15 to 60 years) · Senior (61 and older) · Child (8 to 14 years) · Infant (1 to 7 years): free

Cancellation and refunds Free 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.

Good to know

Low physical effort Stroller-friendly Public transport nearby Infants must sit on laps

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

Traveler reviews

4.60 ★★★★★ Excellent 10 verified traveler reviews

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The experience

The drive south from Marrakech takes you into the High Atlas foothills, where the Ourika Valley narrows between mountains that climb to 1,600 meters. Your guide meets you at your hotel and travels with you the whole day, explaining how the river carved the gorge and what the Berber communities that live here have cultivated for generations. The valley sits at a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the route passes through working farmland and small settlements where the pace of life moves at the river's speed.

Setti Fatma is the village stop, known for its waterfalls and the calm that settles over the riverbanks. You walk to the falls, see how water moves through the landscape, and visit a traditional Berber house where your guide introduces you to the way families live: the layout of rooms, the cooking methods, the role of each space. At a stream-side spot, you eat a tagine lunch (prepared separately, you arrange and pay for it). The guide also shows you how argan oil is extracted from dates and other natural ingredients, a process that has sustained local livelihoods for centuries.

Anima Garden, the Austrian artist André Heller's creation, occupies the final hours of the day. The 3-hectare sanctuary weaves together plant species (towering palms, bamboo, wildflowers, cacti) with sculptures and installations, including works inspired by Picasso and Keith Haring, and pieces by Moroccan calligrapher Abderrahim Hamza. You walk the winding paths at your own pace, moving between the botanical and the artistic without a fixed route. Entry to Anima Garden is not included in the tour price and must be paid separately at the gate.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 14 years); Infant (1 to 7 years): free.

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 Ourika Valley, and why do people visit it?

The Ourika Valley is a narrow gorge in the High Atlas Mountains south of Marrakech, carved by the Ourika River and reaching depths of about 500 meters between high peaks. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its scenic landscapes, waterfalls, and Berber villages. Visitors come for the calm and natural beauty after time in the city.

What happens at Setti Fatma during the tour?

Setti Fatma is a village stop where you walk to the waterfalls, visit a traditional Berber house to learn how families live, and eat lunch by the river. Your guide explains the local way of life and how argan oil is extracted from natural ingredients.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included. You arrange and pay for your tagine meal separately at the stream-side location where the group stops.

Do I need to buy a separate ticket for Anima Garden?

Yes, entry to Anima Garden is not included in the tour price. You pay for admission at the gate when you arrive.

How long does the whole day take?

The tour runs between six and eight hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off in Marrakech.

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

Prices and times updated 2 days ago