The excursion of the Ourika Valley is one of the most beautiful in the surroundings of Marrakech. Marrakech. In just one hour, you can reach the heart of this natural and rural area, articulated around the river of the same name, about 40 km from the center of the Red City. With Chic Morocco you will be able to do it, in a vehicle full of comfort and with professionals of the highest seriousness and preparation. Here are some reasons that will convince you to make this day trip.
#1. Un entorno natural privilegiado
The Ourika Valley has everything a destination needs to be considered a ‘disconnecting getaway’. For example, a very genuine nature: it has that rare combination of steep mountains, bare slopes but areas where the vegetation is lush. This is due to the humidity provided by the Ourika River, whose flow is formed mainly by meltwater from the High Atlas. Therefore, in spring it reaches its zenith, with almond and cherry trees in bloom from the end of February.
#2. Sentirse como un local
One of the attractions of any trip or getaway is to feel like the people who live in the place you are visiting. And here you can feel like that in two different ways. If you travel from Monday to Friday, you will easily find the inhabitants of the villages of the valley, who live at a much calmer pace than in the bustling and nearby Marrakech. And if you travel on weekends, you are likely to meet many Marrakechis who, like you, will be enjoying this getaway, as it is a favorite for urbanites in the Red City.
#3. Mojarse los pies y los labios: placer indescriptible
For many people, happiness is found in the small details, in the fleeting pleasures that give meaning to everything. And on the excursion to the Ourika Valley, one of those pleasures is to dip your feet in the cool water running in the river. And to do this, there is no need to leave the route, because in small towns like Setti-Fatma there are restaurants with terraces by the river, where you can also wet your lips with a refreshing drink. Undoubtedly, a most attractive plan for those who visit the valley in summer.
#4. Un paraíso para senderistas
We said that it is not necessary to leave the main route to enjoy the pleasures of the Ourika Valley. But if you are in good shape and you like hiking, you can also consider a trekking route through the mountains to reach wild corners full of peace. This is the case, for example, of the Ourika waterfalls which, unlike those of Setti-Fatma, are larger and are visited by fewer people, because of the difficulty of reaching them, on a hike of several hours. It is therefore advisable to do it with a local nature guide.
#5. Mercadillos auténticos y genuinos
Although the markets that are mounted in Marrakech, for example in the Jemaa el-Fna Square, are the most traditional, you will see that many of the customers and curious are foreigners. However, the weekly street markets and weekly markets that are mounted in the small villages of the Ourika Valley are aimed at local people, so that its character is more genuine if possible. Here you will find typical local foods, harvested in the area or produced here (almonds and cherries by weight, ras el hanout in bulk, etc.), as well as humble and everyday crafts, used for day-to-day activities: pottery and ceramics, basketry, leather, etc.. Not to mention argan oil, produced in local women’s cooperatives.
