Ourika Valley
Program and price
1 to 2 people: 550.00 Dhs / person
3 to 4 people: 375.00 Dhs / person
5 to 7 people: 325.00 Dhs / person
Daytime
Easy walking
Available all year round
8:30 a.m.: Departure from the Riad in a private vehicle with driver
Visit to a traditional Berber market
Visit to a women's argan oil cooperative (demonstration and tasting)
Visit to an organic aromatic garden, discovery of medicinal plants
Lunch by the wadi with a view of the mountains (meal not included in the price)
Walk to the Setti Fatma waterfalls, discovering magnificent landscapes
Return to the riad with panoramic stops for taking photos
A Little History
Nestled at the foot of the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains, the Ourika Valley stretches for nearly 68 km, from the outskirts of Marrakech to the charming Berber village of Setti Fatma, perched at an altitude of 1,500 meters.
Easily accessible from the Medina or Guéliz, just 30 km south of the ochre city, it is one of the most visited valleys in the High Atlas. Renowned for its spectacular landscapes and lush vegetation, it captivates visitors with its picturesque Berber villages scattered along the wadi, offering an authentic immersion in the local culture.
A River at the Heart of the Valley
The Ourika River rises in the Moroccan High Atlas Mountains and winds through the valley that bears its name, before joining the great Oued Tensift. In Arabic, oued means "river." For centuries, its course has irrigated the villages and crops that line its banks.
While its beauty is attractive, it also serves as a reminder of the power of nature: during violent storms, its banks can quickly overflow. The devastating flood of 1995 remains etched in our memories, claiming the lives of thousands of people.
A Generous and Changing Nature
Benefiting from a pleasant climate, the valley is adorned with fertile fields, olive groves, and almond and cherry orchards. Its winding road, punctuated by hills, reveals a dazzling panorama in spring—after the rainy season—: bright red earth, terracotta hues, and lush vegetation. The air cools as you climb, offering temperatures up to 15°C cooler than in Marrakech in summer, and the panoramas follow one another, ever more breathtaking.
A Living Heritage
The name Ourika comes from Urika, a reference to the Masmouda tribe (Imasmoude in Amazigh), one of the largest Berber groups, founders of the Almohad dynasty. Even today, the local population is predominantly Berber-speaking, speaking the Chleuh dialect and perpetuating an ancestral way of life and traditions.