Atlas and Ourika Valley Day Trip from Marrakech

Atlas and Ourika Valley Day Trip from Marrakech

7 Reviews

Culture & history Reseller exclusions Nature & adventure Outdoor sports

Away from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech, the grandeur of the mountains and the Berber way of life are both easily accessible.

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Highlights

Visiting a Berber house and enjoying a glass of mint tea
Admiring the beautiful views of green valleys and snow-capped High Atlas Mountai
Enjoying a scenic drive along the valleys and High Atlas Mountains

Description

At 8:30, the driver will pick you up at the riad to begin your day excursion from Marrakech to the Ourika Valley. The purpose of today's excursion is to get you away from Marrakech's hustle and bustle and into the cleaner, cooler air of the High Atlas Mountains. This will stand out to you as a memorable and one-of-a-kind experience, especially because summer is much colder. Many argue that this is the true Morocco, not only the Imperial Cities, and that Berber life has little in common with the Red City. We first pass the Berber village of Tahanout, which is about 35 km from Marrakech, on the route towards the High Atlas Mountains. There is a Jewish cemetery here, as there is in many other Moroccan cities and villages. Following that, we pass Moulay Brahim's town and tomb, a revered Moroccan Sufi saint who passed away in 1661. Join a local Berber family for tea and a tour of their hammam and bread ovens. We arrive in Asni, a little Berber village well-known for both its weekly and permanent souks, after travelling to the Toubkal National Park. From here, we travel to the Ourika valley in the east, which is surrounded by gardens, fruit trees, vacation homes, tiny villages, and cafés. The Ourika river flows from the High Atlas, passing through the towns of Asguine, Aghbalou, Oulmes, and ultimately Setti Fatma. There are painted frogs, a Moorish gecko, a red winged sparrow, poplar trees, and weeping willows among the wildlife. Hiking in this region of the High Atlas is great and can be planned with the help of a local Berber guide. Such a walk will take you deeper into this picturesque landscape and give you a good impression of the native Berber culture and mountain greenery. It is a wonderful chance to see Moroccan life from a different perspective and will stay in your mind forever. There are two fascinating locations that are well worth a visit on the way back to Marrakech (although this is only feasible in terms of scheduling and if you do not want to walk through Ourika). The first is the Saffron Garden, or Paradis du Safran, which also has a big orchard of olive trees, lemon, orange, kumquat, pomegranate, fragrant and medicinal herbs, along with saffron production. You can have a tour here and learn about how saffron is grown. However, it will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays beginning in the first quarter of 2020. The tour, saffron tea, mineral water, and a no-shoes Kneipp walk are all included in the admittance charge of 100 dirham. The Anima Garden, which Andre Heller developed and built over the course of ten years, is located not far from the garden. This particular garden has been hailed as among the most exquisite and inventive in the entire world. The lavish, two-hectare botanical setting of André Heller is a beautiful site of sensuality, wonder, reflection, joy, healing, and inspiration. For persons of all ages who wish to have an exceptional experience.Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the frequently snow-capped High Atlas Mountains, which include the 4167-meter-tall Mount Toubkal, while strolling through shady walkways between lush trees and bushes, blossoming and aromatic wonders, pavilions, and sculptures. The cost of admission is roughly 100 dirham per person, 60 dirham for Moroccans, and free admission for children under 12 years old. Your day trip to the High Atlas Mountains comes to an end when you return to Marrakech about 18:00.

Includes

Transport in a private air-conditioned Minivan Pick up from and drop-off at your hotel in Marrakech English/ French/ Spanish/ Italian speaking driver/guide Free time to explore sites such as valleys, Berber villages, a saffron farm, the Andre Heller Anima Garden The opportunity to ask the driver to stop for breaks or visits whenever you wish