Private · Day trip
Day trip from Marrakech to the Ourika Valley in the Atlas Mountains
Marrakech · Ourika Valley · Marrakech
The trip at a glance
- Duration
- Full day · timing to suit you
- Start and return
- Marrakech
- Pick-up
- At your hotel or riad
- Type of trip
- Private: just your group
- Vehicle
- Air-conditioned 4x4 or van
- Your driver speaks
- English, Spanish, French or Italian
This day trip from Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains takes you to the Ourika Valley, the closest High Atlas valley to the city. In just over an hour you leave the heat of Marrakech behind for a green valley, mud-brick Berber villages on the slopes and a river coming down from the peaks.
It’s a private tour: the vehicle and driver are only for you and your group, so you stop where you like and go at your own pace.
Route
What you’ll see
- The Ourika Valley in the High Atlas, just over an hour from Marrakech
- Mud-brick Berber villages and country life in the mountains
- Viewpoints over the valley for photos
- Free time by the river for a walk and lunch
- Optional hike up to the Setti Fatma waterfalls
What the day looks like
We pick you up in the morning from your riad or hotel in Marrakech. The road crosses the plain and climbs into the Atlas along the Ourika river, with Berber villages and viewpoints to stop at on the way.
In the valley you have free time to walk by the river and have lunch at one of the riverside restaurants. If you feel like it, you can hike up to the Setti Fatma waterfalls at the top of the valley. Back to Marrakech in the afternoon.
Tips for an Atlas Mountains day trip from Marrakech
- Shoes: the path to the waterfalls is rocky in places, so wear trainers with a good grip.
- Clothes: it’s cooler in the valley than in Marrakech. From autumn to spring, bring a warm layer.
- When to go: in summer it’s the classic escape from the city heat; in winter the Atlas peaks can be covered in snow.
Want to see more of the mountains? Our 3-day tour from Marrakech to Fes crosses the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass.
What’s included
Included and not included
Included
- Pick-up from and return to your accommodation
- Private air-conditioned vehicle (4x4 or van) and a driver who speaks English, Spanish, French or Italian
- Local guide
Not included
- Meals and drinks
- Tips and personal expenses
Before you book
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Marrakech to the Ourika Valley?
Just over an hour each way, depending on traffic and stops. It’s the closest Atlas day trip to Marrakech. Pick-up time and the length of the day are up to you: just message us on WhatsApp.
Can we go to Imlil instead?
This day trip goes to the Ourika Valley. Imlil is a different High Atlas valley, at the foot of Mount Toubkal. We can take you there on request: just message us on WhatsApp.
Is it a good day trip with kids?
It’s one of the easiest from Marrakech: not much time in the car and a river to walk along. As it’s private, you stop whenever you need to. Travelling as a family? See Morocco family tours.
Is the day trip private or shared?
Private. The vehicle, a 4x4 or a van with air conditioning, and the driver are just for your group: you don’t share the day with other travellers. Your driver speaks English, Spanish, French or Italian.
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