Booking for : Day trip to Ourika valley
Day trip to Ourika valley
Tour Details
Day trip to Ourika valley is one of the very popular day trips from Marrakesh. Stretching among the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, Ourika valley is a lush and verdant area marked by numerous waterfalls and scenic beauty.
A mere 64 km from the heart of Marrakech, you will find Ourika at the end of the off-road to Timichi, where a mule trail winds its way up the valley pass to Tacheddirt and Oukaimden. In Oukaimden you will find the best-known ski station in Morocco, as well as other natural wonders like prehistoric rock carvings.
From here the path continues to Imlil Valley, gateway to Jebel Toubkal, and makes a convenient start/finish for trekkers. The trek through the valley requires some effort, so good shoes and comfortable clothing are recommended. The trek involves some light climbing to reach the seven remarkable waterfalls of Setti Fatma, a famous shrine visited by tourists and pilgrims alike.
So in one day you can cover a lot of ground and experience the beauty of the Atlas region…And still spend the night back in your hotel or riad. It’s really the best chance to have the best of both worlds, the simple and rugged beauty of Ourika and the modern conveniences of Marrakech.
Day trip to Ourika valley highlights
We begin the day’s journey at 9 a.m. when we will transport you from your accommodation in Marrakech to the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Following the road running along the Ourika Valley, we come to a series of picturesque mountain villages that seem to defy gravity as they hang from the steep mountainside. The scenery is rugged, lush and exotic, revealing the stunning landscape awash in a variety of vibrant colors.
We will first visit the home of a native Berber family who open their house in customary fashion to visitors. Here we will share tea and breakfast, which typically consists of homemade bread, honey, butter, and olive oil. The day trip will offer you the chance to do some camel trekking for a half an hour deep in the heart of the valley.
Later in the day we will visit the famous shrine of Setti Fatma, a favourite destination of tourists and pilgrims alike. The path to Setti Fatma highlights beautiful mountain streams, rugged cliffs, green valleys and seven waterfalls. Here you will see how the native population has tamed and tended the mountainsides for generations to grow the things that make up the staples of the Berber diet. It’s a great photo opportunity here, surrounded by traditional homes, terraced fields, waterfalls, and the magnificent Atlas Range which surrounds it all.
After our hike we will enjoy a traditional Moroccan lunch in a charming local restaurant with great views across the valleys and up to the mountain summits. We will then transport you in comfort back to your hotel in Marrakech around 5 p.m.
