The Ourika Valley is easily accessible from Marrakech and is the busiest day trip destination for Moroccan day trippers and tour buses. If you don’t mind commercialisation, busy roads and lots of people at sites, then this is for you. If you prefer peace and quiet, true nature and a real Berber valley experience, consider these day trips: ‘A Day With The Berbers’ or ‘A Day At The Kasbah’.

On this day trip we travel on a private tour with driver/guide. Following the Ourika river from Marrakech we make several brief stops for photos of the scenic Ourika Valley before arriving at Setti Fatma. Here a local guide will guide us up a path lined with tourist stalls (selling fresh juice, souvenirs and snacks) to the start of the seven falls. The path eventually becomes a trail across boulders with rough steps until we reach the highest falls. Underneath the falls it is possible to cool off in a natural pool.

Next there is the option to enjoy a typical Moroccan lunch by the side of the Ourika River. There is plenty of time to relax, be serenaded by local musicians and watch local life. We return to Marrakech along the same route and make a stop at an Argan oil co-operative and any other shops of interest – potteries and carpet-sellers are plentiful.