Why the Ourika Valley is the easy Atlas day trip
If you want the High Atlas but only have one day, Ourika is the answer. It begins barely half an hour south of Marrakech and the road climbs quickly into green valleys, river cafes and Berber villages clinging to the slopes. The classic target is Setti Fatma, where a walk up the rocks leads to a series of small waterfalls. Because it is so close, an Ourika day trip leaves you plenty of energy for the evening back in the city.
Best value: the 5 Valleys all inclusive tour
For the most variety in a day, book the Atlas Mountains and 5 Valleys tour from $92. Rather than sticking to one valley it links several, with stops for a camel ride, a visit to a traditional Berber home and lunch, all bundled into the price. With thousands of reviews and a near perfect rating it is the most reliable all rounder for a first taste of the Atlas.
Best big day out: Atlas and Ait Ben Haddou
If you want to go further and see the famous mud brick kasbah, the Atlas Mountains and Ait Ben Haddou day tour from $209 crosses the Tizi n Tichka pass to the edge of the desert and back in a long single day. It is a big drive and a higher price, but it lets you see the UNESCO kasbah without committing to a multi day Sahara tour. For a deeper look at that route, see our Ait Ben Haddou day trip guide.
Ourika versus Ouzoud
The two big waterfall day trips from Marrakech are Ourika and Ouzoud, and they are very different. Ourika is close, green and easy, with small cascades inside a mountain valley. Ouzoud is further away but has Morocco's most spectacular single waterfall. If waterfalls are your main goal, read our Marrakech to Ouzoud guide before deciding.
How to fit it into your trip
An Atlas or Ourika day trip works best as a contrast to a city day or a desert tour. Many travelers do the mountains early in the trip and save the Sahara desert tour for the end. Our Atlas Mountains day trip page has the full breakdown of routes and timings.
Ready for the mountains?
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Frequently asked questions
The Ourika Valley starts about 30 km south of Marrakech and most day tours reach the village of Setti Fatma in around an hour and a half. That short distance is why Ourika is the most popular Atlas day trip, since you get real mountain scenery without spending the whole day in a vehicle.
An Ourika Valley tour focuses on a single valley and its waterfalls at Setti Fatma. A 5 Valleys or 3 Valleys tour covers more ground, linking several valleys with stops for a camel ride, a Berber house visit and lunch. The multi valley tours give more variety for a similar price.
There are natural pools and small waterfalls in the Ourika Valley, especially around Setti Fatma, and people do dip in during the warmer months. The water is cold mountain runoff, so it is more of a refreshing splash than a long swim. Bring shoes that can get wet for the rocky paths.
