Ourika Valley: Best Day Trip from Marrakech

I discovered Ourika Valley during a day trip from Marrakech to three valleys and a Berber village.

This area offers a peaceful natural escape from the bustle of the big city. I have a thing for mountain landscapes, so I enjoyed this trip a lot.

Why Visit Ourika Valley?

Visit Ourika Valley to have a glimpse into the deep Morocco, with its villagers, farmers, argan oil workers, donkeys, mules and camels. Spend a day trip hiking through traditional Berber villages, learning about argan oil production, and shopping for handmade carpets.

Even though the argan oil cooperative workers seem to be acting to impress tourists, I found the whole of this trip and the interaction with locals enjoyable.

It was my pleasure to spend money in the argan oil shop in the mountains. I bought oils, face creams and lip balms as souvenirs for friends and family.

This guide covers the best things to do on a visit to Morocco’s Ourika Valley region.

How to Get to Ourika Valley from Marrakech

Day Trip By Grand Taxi

One easy way to visit Ourika Valley is hiring a grand taxi for a private day trip from Marrakech. A grand taxi can drive you to Setti Fatma, a mountain village at the end of the road.

Highlights include:

– Hiking to the Setti Fatma waterfalls.
– Visiting the weekly Berber souk on Mondays.
– Experiencing traditional Berber village life.
– Shopping the artisan markets.

With a taxi, you have the freedom to customize your Ourika Valley day trip.

Handmade Berber carpets are incredibly beautiful. I wish I had a direct flight to Marrakech to bring one of these beauties home with me

Private Day Trip from Marrakech

This is the type of trip I took and I was very happy with.

The driver picked us up from our hotel and drove us to Ourika and to other two valleys near Marrakech. Unfortunately, hiking to the waterfalls was not possible, as there had been severe floods on the mountain.

Floods or not, the trip was excellent. I had a great time.

If you want a trip like mine, check out this one. It is a private trip, so you’ll only be with your group.

Ourika river after the heavy rains – the water is red, as a result of dismantling the soil from the mountains

Shared Day Trip from Marrakech

This is the trip to take if you want to keep your costs low.

You’ll get hotel pickup and drop-off from your hotel in Marrakech, transport by air-conditioned minivan, and a local guide.

If weather allows, you’ll also get to hike up to the waterfalls.

Click here to see more details about this trip to Ourika Valley and Setti Fatma and to book your date.

If we didn’t go to the waterfalls, the waterfalls came to us – this one was right by the main road along Ourika Valley

Top Things To Do in Ourika Valley

Hike to the Ourika Valley Waterfalls

One of the top attractions is hiking to the cascading Setti Fatma Waterfalls. You can trek along the river, crossing stone bridges and seeing the water tumble over rocks down the mountainside.

The 7-tier waterfall is located within a gorge in the Atlas Mountains. The 2-hour hike takes you through lush scenery before reaching the falls.

The argan oil cooperative is an interesting experience. I highly recommend it, even though it may appear a bit touristy

Visit an Argan Oil Cooperative

A must-do is visiting an argan oil cooperative, like the one at ArganFactory. Here you can learn about the labor-intensive process of pressing argan oil by hand.

Tour the farm grounds filled with argan trees, and shop for high-quality culinary and cosmetic argan products. Many factories offer free samples and demonstrations.

The tea pot on the stove in the Berber house I’ve visited during my Ourika Valley day trip from Marrakech

Visit a Traditional Berber House

For a truly immersive experience, book a home-cooked lunch at a local Berber family’s house. Companies like Journey Beyond Travel can arrange customizable Ourika Valley trips with a meal in a traditional mud-brick Berber home. Sit down with a Moroccan family for a homemade tajine lunch with views of the Atlas Mountains.

This is a traditional Berber house in Ourika Valley

Shop for Handicrafts & Carpets

Ourika Valley is filled with shops and markets selling unique Moroccan handicrafts. Find Berber carpets woven with natural dyes in rich red and blue hues. Browse stalls with hand-carved wood items, jewelry, ceramics and more. Don’t forget to haggle! The Anzar Market is a great stop.

Tajine in the making in the Berber house I’ve visited in the Ourika Valley

Ourika Valley offers the perfect contrast to hustling Marrakech. Spend an unforgettable day exploring Berber villages, argan farms, local markets and mountain trails in this Atlas Mountain valley just a short distance from the city.