Ourika Valley Waterfall & Setti Fatma: Atlas Mountains Day Trip

Leave the noise of the medina behind and head into the Atlas Mountains with a local guide who knows the valley well. In about an hour you’re in Ourika, where terraced farms, red-earth villages, and the Ourika River replace the city streets. You’ll share the day with a small group of fellow travelers, with no rushed stops and no packed coach schedule. You’ll be welcomed into a traditional Berber home for mint tea and fresh bread, and hear first-hand how families in the High Atlas live, farm, and keep their traditions going. Then you’ll walk up to the Setti Fatma waterfalls, following the river along a scenic path with plenty of time for photos, a swim in warm weather, or a rest at a riverside café.

1. 1

   Atlas Mountains View

   1 hour

   Scenic drive through lush valleys with breathtaking views of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains — your private guide stops wherever the view demands it

2. 2

   Stop 2

   30 min

   Step inside a genuine Berber home in the traditional village of Tamzenndirt and experience Moroccan hospitality at its most authentic. Sip freshly brewed mint tea, taste homemade Berber bread, and connect with a way of life unchanged for generations

3. 3

   Ourika

   20 min

   Step inside a women-run argan cooperative and watch one of Morocco’s most treasured traditions at work. Argan trees grow almost nowhere else in the world, and the oil from their kernels is still made by hand, using methods passed from mother to daughter. Your guide will walk you through each stage, from cracking the hard nut between two stones to hand-grinding the kernels and pressing the oil. You’ll see the difference between culinary and cosmetic argan oil, try the oil with fresh bread, honey, and amlou (the local almond and argan spread), and ask the women directly about their work.

4. 4

   Setti Fatma and the 7 Cascades

   1.5 hours

   Follow your private guide on a scenic hike to the famous 7 Cascades of Setti Fatma, where crystal-clear mountain water tumbles down dramatic rocky steps surrounded by lush greenery, you set the pace — go as far as you like and stop whenever the view takes your breath away

5. 5

   Ourika Valley

   2 hours

   End your private day trip beside the peaceful Ourika River, where a wonderful local restaurant serves fresh Moroccan cuisine with mountain views. The perfect final memory before heading back to Marrakech

• Service animals allowed
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.