Ourika Valley Day Trip from Marrakech

Great tour! We stopped for an optional panoramic camel photo, stopped for tea and bread at a Berber house, and again at an argan oil cooperative. The prices at the cooperative were more expensive than in Marrakech but we preferred to buy here and support local villages. The hike was really great, you do have to go over rocks and water so do bring walking boots or comfortable trainers saw some people trying to do this in flip-flops!!!!. Keep in mind you are at a higher altitude so it is colder than Marrakech. Our guide in the mountains was great and spoke English very well, and we tipped him a small amount. Before heading back we stopped at a restaurant where there is a menu for 120 dirhams, more expensive than in Marrakech, however keep in mind that you can order separate items without getting the full menu which means you can pay around 60-90 per person, and the food was very good.

The trip was great as well as our guide. With shared tours the thing to worry about the most are the people you share the tour with. One couple were expert hikers and came with walking poles and hiking gear. They kept rushing the slower solo lady n the tour and my wife, who were scared of some of the climbs we had to do. They wanted to venture way past the falls on n optional tour which has a lot of climbing and walking on some rugged terrain. So be prepared for a lot of walking and wear good shoes as well flip-flops are not recommended in my opinion. There are many beautiful pictures to take especially by the stream as well as by the waterfalls. I did not get to see as much as I wanted because the expert hikers took the optional tour I went with them and we agreed to meet with our driver at the bottom where we started where my wife and the solo lady were. We took the optional tour which was not as grand as the waterfalls really. However, our guide on this tour was mainly speaking in Italian and when he finished his tour he told the experts something and they told me we had to walk to the car and meet our guide. Got to the car and he was not there. So they wanted to simply go to a restaurant to eat because they were hungry and did not want to wait. I said I would stay by the van to make sure I don't miss the others and have them walking all over looking for us. Maybe 30 minutes later the guide and others do show up by the car and they were waiting for us where they said they would. I tell this story because I have had issues much like this on a lot of shared tours other grown adult couples don't meet when and where agreed and it causes others to lose tour time. So make sure it's agreed where to meet and what time and a CLOSE backup place to go to possible eat/wait if not there. Its no way to make things 100, but it helps save time.....I have had to wait an hour on many trips because others did not come back on time and then the tour guide has to go look for them while others lose time doing nothing,

Very nice and comfortable car. I was a bit disappointed that the actual tour at the waterfall was not included when the price was 50. The tour was 50 MAD and the lunch was 100 MAD, so fairly insignificant sums to add on, but this could have been included in the original price.

The trip was fine, well organized collection of passengers and drop-offs to the hotel. I would have preferred to travel more directly to the falls, not stopping at another Argon oil cooperative,and artisan shops. These products are available far cheaper in every supermarket. The Berber village stop was interesting, although I feel the tour company should make a payment to the hosts, not expect an additional payment to be made from all the visitors. Despite this being a small amount of money it was not something we'd planned to spend additionally and didn't have much small change. We had no options on where we were to eat our lunch and were presented with a very expensive in Moroccan terms fixed menu. I would have preferred either to have time in the village to choose our own restaurant, or at least have choice of food and prices. The falls were lovely, although it should eb made clear that walking to the top of these is difficult, some rock scrambling and areas of climbing involved. Not suitable for everyone and in places a little scary for those who don't like height.

I absolutely loved this outing! We were collected from our hotel at 9am promptly. Our driver was very friendly and full of great advice. On the way to the waterfalls, we stopped at a Berber market (Fridays only), do NOT venture in. We were two females alone and found it very uncomfortable. The sellers are pushy and harassing. They made me feel very anxious and I ended up spending 400MAD just to escape. They do not take no for an answer and follow you to your vehicle. Avoid at all costs! After that unpleasant experience, we stopped at a small cosmetic pharmacy where we were able to see the woman making argan oil whilst the entire process was explained to us. We were then invited to taste the oil (with a wee bit of bread) and purchase items if we wanted to. No aggressive sales tactics here. Do try the oil with bread, absolutely divine!!!! From there, we continued to meet our guide to proceed up the mountains. I would advise that you wear decent hiking sandals as this is not an easy hike, rather more like bouldering. Great fun! The waterfalls themselves were stunning! Our guide was great and friendly (holding my friends hand the whole way to assist her). We went all the way to a café at the top for a much needed bottle of water whilst enjoying the stunning view. Luckily we came down a different way to going up so had the opportunity to enjoy different views and some fresh off the tree cherries. After the hike, we enjoyed a lunch at a table next to (not in) the water. All in all, an amazing day, well worth the cost, I will definitely do this again! Remember, avoid the market, wear decent shoes with good grip.