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FULL DAY
Ourika Valley Day Trip
SHARED GROUP
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Day Trip · 3 Valleys · Private · Daily
Three Valleys Day Trip from Marrakech
Three distinct Atlas valleys in a single day — each one completely different from the last. The Ourika river, the Asni plateau and the Mizane canyon above Imlil. Most people visit one valley. This trip covers all three.
Full Day (approx. 10 hours)
Ourika · Asni · Imlil · Mizane Valley
Every day from Marrakech
2 to 8 people
Overview
Three Valleys, One Day — How It Actually Works
Most Atlas day trips from Marrakech stop at one valley. The Ourika is the most popular — busy on weekends, genuinely beautiful along the river, with the Setti Fatma waterfalls at the end. The Mizane valley above Imlil is quieter, higher, and takes you into proper mountain terrain where the villages are built from local stone and the paths are used more by mules than tourists. The Asni valley connects the two.
Covering all three in a day is possible because the route forms a natural loop through the High Atlas foothills. You drive up through the Ourika valley in the morning, cross to Asni mid-day, and come back through the Mizane below Imlil in the afternoon. The landscapes change fast — lush river valley to open plateau to rocky mountain canyon in the space of a few hours.
This is a private tour because the route is not linear. You cannot do it on a shared minibus that follows a fixed schedule. The flexibility matters — if you want to spend longer at a Berber village or skip the tourist stops, your driver adjusts.
This experience is part of our Day Trips from Marrakech.
View all Day Trips from MarrakechHighlights
Tour Highlights
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Ourika Valley — river terraces and cascades at Setti Fatma
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Asni plateau and weekly market (Saturdays)
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Mizane canyon — narrow valley below Toubkal base
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Imlil village at 1,740m — foot of North Africa's highest peak
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Berber villages with no tourist infrastructure
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Tea with a local family in the Atlas
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Argan grove and local cooperative (on route)
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Three completely different landscapes in one day
Details
Quick Info
- DurationFull Day (approx. 10 hours)
- DestinationOurika · Asni · Imlil · Mizane Valley
- DeparturesEvery day from Marrakech
- Group size2 to 8 people
- Tour typePrivate Tour
- LanguageEnglish, French, Spanish
Day by Day
Detailed Itinerary
1
Morning
Marrakech → Ourika Valley → Setti Fatma
Pickup at 8:00am from your hotel in Marrakech. The drive south follows the Ourika river into the foothills of the High Atlas — the road runs alongside the river for most of the way and the scenery builds gradually as you gain altitude. Stop at the aromatic herb and argan garden about 30 kilometres out. Continue to Setti Fatma at the end of the valley road (75 kilometres, 1,300m altitude). The village sits at the point where the road ends and the trail to the waterfalls begins. Walk up to the first or second cascade — about 20 minutes up a rocky path — for views back down the valley.
2
Midday
Lunch at Setti Fatma → Asni Plateau
Lunch on a terrace restaurant by the river at Setti Fatma — the standard option here is a tagine or brochettes with bread and salad, budget 80 to 120 MAD. After lunch, the route crosses to the Asni plateau. If it is a Saturday, the weekly market at Asni village is one of the most genuine in the Atlas — livestock, produce, hardware, everything. Not staged for tourists. If it is not a Saturday, the drive across the plateau itself gives open views of the full Atlas range with Toubkal prominent to the south.
3
Afternoon
Mizane Valley → Imlil → Berber Village → Marrakech
Descend from Asni into the Mizane valley toward Imlil. The canyon narrows as you approach the village — stone walls, irrigation channels, walnut and apple orchards terraced into the hillside. At 1,740 metres, Imlil is the base for climbers attempting Toubkal and the starting point for multi-day treks. For this day trip, the interest is the village itself and the short walk up into the Ait Misane valley, where the path follows the river between terraced fields. Stop at a Berber family house for tea before heading back. Return to Marrakech around 6:30 to 7pm.
Inclusions
What's Included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Marrakech
- Private air-conditioned vehicle throughout
- Driver-guide fluent in English and French
- Aromatic garden and argan cooperative visit
- Berber family tea stop
- All fuel and local taxes
Not Included
- Lunch (80–120 MAD at Setti Fatma restaurants)
- Waterfall entrance fee at Setti Fatma (10 MAD)
- Tips for driver (optional)
- Personal expenses
Good to Know
Practical Information
- Pickup time
- 8:00am from your hotel or riad in Marrakech
- Return time
- Between 6:30pm and 7pm
- Tour type
- Private only — no shared group, dedicated vehicle
- Physical level
- Easy to moderate — short walk to waterfalls (rocky path, 20 min)
- Best day
- Saturday if you want the Asni market
- What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, light layer for altitude
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure
Route Map
Tour Itinerary Map
Gallery
Tour Photos
What Our Travelers Say
"Amazing trip — you get to see so many different landscapes. Todgha Gorge was definitely my highlight, with its fresh green valley and cool air even in the heat. The camel ride into the desert was unforgettable, and the camp was very comfortable with great tents and beds."
"Really nice experience, you learn a lot about Berber culture. The Sahara is just magic — the colors and the big dunes are crazy, really something special. Our guide Younes was very friendly and funny, always there when you need him."
"The guides were all wonderful and very knowledgeable. The High Atlas Mountains was a trip highlight for me because of the beautiful views and nice people. I would recommend this tour to anyone looking for an adventure and who likes to meet new people from all around the world."
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Read Before You Go
Helpful Travel Guides
Nature
Natural Attractions in Morocco — What to Visit from Marrakech
Ouzoud, Ourika, Todra Gorges and the Sahara — distances and honest advice.
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Hiking
Hiking in Morocco from Marrakech — Atlas & Toubkal
Toubkal summit, Ourika Valley walks, Imlil day hikes. Difficulty levels and seasons.
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Planning
3 Days in Marrakech — Real Itinerary from Locals
Day 1 medina, Day 2 outside the city, Day 3 Majorelle. Real prices and what nobody tells you.
Read guide →Three Valleys Day Trip from Marrakech — FAQ
What are the three valleys near Marrakech?
The three valleys on this tour are Ourika, Asni and Mizane (Imlil). Ourika is the most popular Atlas day trip from Marrakech — lush river valley, Berber villages along the water, Setti Fatma waterfalls at the end. Asni is a plateau valley connecting the two, known for its Saturday market and open views of the full Atlas range with Toubkal prominent to the south. Mizane is the narrow canyon above Imlil at 1,740 metres — stone walls, irrigation channels, walnut orchards, mules on the paths. Three completely different landscapes, all within a natural loop through the High Atlas foothills.
How difficult is the walk to Setti Fatma waterfalls?
The first waterfall is about 20 minutes up a rocky path — manageable for anyone in reasonable shape with proper shoes. Some scrambling over boulders near the top. Flip-flops are not suitable. The second and third waterfalls require more effort and add another 30 to 40 minutes each. On this tour we typically visit the first cascade given the time available — if your group moves fast, we can do two. The path is not technically difficult but it is steep and slippery near the water. Closed shoes with grip are essential.
Why is this tour private only?
The route loops between three valleys that are not connected by a direct road. A shared minibus following a fixed group schedule cannot cover this itinerary efficiently — the crossing from Ourika to Asni to Imlil requires a private vehicle and a driver who can adapt the timing. Private also means you control the pace: more time at the Asni market if you want it, skip the herb garden if you don't. For a group of 3 or more, the per-vehicle price works out comparable to a shared tour per person.
What is the best day to do the three valleys trip?
Saturday gives you the Asni market at its best — livestock, fresh produce, local crafts, genuinely busy with Atlas Berber farmers. The most authentic souk in the region. The downside: weekends bring Marrakech day-trippers to the valleys, the Ourika road gets congested and parking at Asni is complicated. Weekdays (Tuesday to Thursday) give you fluid driving, easy parking, calm villages and a more relaxed experience throughout. Small market activity still exists on Tuesdays in Asni. Our recommendation: Saturday for the souk experience, Tuesday or Wednesday for the best overall day.
What to pack for the three valleys day trip?
Closed walking shoes with grip — essential for the Setti Fatma waterfall path. A light jacket: Imlil sits at 1,740 metres and is 5 to 8 degrees cooler than Marrakech even in summer. Between November and March, proper warm layers are needed — snow is possible at Imlil and makes the valley scenery exceptional. Sunscreen and a hat for the exposed sections. A small daypack for water and a snack. Cash in dirhams for lunch (80 to 120 MAD at Setti Fatma), the waterfall entrance (10 MAD), tips and the Berber family tea contribution. No technical gear needed — this is a valley day with a short waterfall hike, not a trekking tour.
Day Trip · Three Atlas Valleys
Book the Three Valleys Day Trip
Private tour departing daily from Marrakech. Send us your date and group size.