About this tour
Discover the natural beauty and diverse wildlife of the Ourika Valley on this day trip from Marrakech. Explore the Setti Fatma waterfalls, visit a traditional Berber house, and enjoy a riverside lunch. This program is ideal for nature lovers and those wishing to discover local Berber culture.
Highlights
- Discover traditional Berber villages and mud-brick houses
- Explore the lush Ourika Valley and its riverbed farms
- Optional lunch with a local family in the mountains
- Breathtaking views of the Atlas Mountains and snowy peaks
- Cross the scenic Kik Plateau overlooking Lake Lalla Takerkoust
- Visit authentic sites off the beaten path
Included/Excluded
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Hotel pickup and drop-off
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Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
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English-speaking driver
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Visit to Argan oil cooperative
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Free time in Essaouira
- Lunch and drinks (unless booked with lunch option)
- Personal expenses
- Tips and gratuities
Itinerary
Day 1:
Marrakech – Ourika Valley
Your day trip to the Ourika Valley and Kik Plateau starts at 9:30 AM, with pickup from your accommodation in Marrakech. You’ll begin your journey through Bab Ighlil, heading across the Haouz plains toward the foot of the Atlas Mountains.
Just 30 kilometers from Marrakech, your first stop is the village of Jemaa de Ghmat, a quiet introduction to Berber life. From there, you’ll enter the Ourika Valley, where red clay villages cling to the hillsides and the Ourika River winds through a patchwork of orchards and farmlands.
Continuing past Khemis, you’ll reach the village of Aghbalou, known for its authentic charm. The route then climbs toward Oukaïmeden, a ski resort area sitting at 2,650 meters. Here, the journey follows an old Berber trail, partially paved, leading through a mix of arid and green landscapes, with snowy mountain peaks visible from winter to early spring.
At midday, you’ll stop in the Berber village of Asni, where an optional lunch with a local family awaits. This is a heartfelt experience, offering natural home-cooked food and supporting the local community directly.
In the afternoon, the adventure continues toward the Kik Plateau, along a trail lined with wheat fields and blooming poppies in spring. Small villages dot the way, with children herding goats and life unfolding in its most simple and beautiful form.
From the top of the plateau, enjoy panoramic views of the Lalla Takerkoust Dam and its 7-kilometer-long artificial lake. The water reflects shades of blue and green depending on the light—an oasis of calm and coolness near Marrakech. This massive dam, built during the French protectorate era, stretches over 350 meters long and 60 meters high.
You’ll return to Marrakech around 6:30 PM, via Tameslouht, with stunning memories and a deeper connection to Morocco’s heartland.
-
Day 1: : Marrakech – Ourika Valley
Your day trip to the Ourika Valley and Kik Plateau starts at 9:30 AM, with pickup from your accommodation in Marrakech. You’ll begin your journey through Bab Ighlil, heading across the Haouz plains toward the foot of the Atlas Mountains.
Just 30 kilometers from Marrakech, your first stop is the village of Jemaa de Ghmat, a quiet introduction to Berber life. From there, you’ll enter the Ourika Valley, where red clay villages cling to the hillsides and the Ourika River winds through a patchwork of orchards and farmlands.
Continuing past Khemis, you’ll reach the village of Aghbalou, known for its authentic charm. The route then climbs toward Oukaïmeden, a ski resort area sitting at 2,650 meters. Here, the journey follows an old Berber trail, partially paved, leading through a mix of arid and green landscapes, with snowy mountain peaks visible from winter to early spring.
At midday, you’ll stop in the Berber village of Asni, where an optional lunch with a local family awaits. This is a heartfelt experience, offering natural home-cooked food and supporting the local community directly.
In the afternoon, the adventure continues toward the Kik Plateau, along a trail lined with wheat fields and blooming poppies in spring. Small villages dot the way, with children herding goats and life unfolding in its most simple and beautiful form.
From the top of the plateau, enjoy panoramic views of the Lalla Takerkoust Dam and its 7-kilometer-long artificial lake. The water reflects shades of blue and green depending on the light—an oasis of calm and coolness near Marrakech. This massive dam, built during the French protectorate era, stretches over 350 meters long and 60 meters high.
You’ll return to Marrakech around 6:30 PM, via Tameslouht, with stunning memories and a deeper connection to Morocco’s heartland.
Tour's Location
- Ait Benhaddou | Desert | Fes | Ifrane | Marrakech | Marrakech Morocco | Merzouga | Morocco | Ouarzazate | Sahara | Tour
