Ourika Valley
Hassan is a local guide in the Ourika Valley and one of the two guides of our team who write for this site. His subject is the practical side of a visit: the things you want to know before you put your shoes on.
What he writes about
Hassan signs the pages where precise advice makes the difference. He wrote our guide to the Setti Fatma waterfalls and to the village of Setti Fatma, our page on how to get to the valley and the weather month by month. He also covers where to stay overnight, the nature and wildlife of the valley and our comparison of Ourika, Ouzoud and Imlil. If you are not sure where to start, his list of things to do in the Ourika Valley links to all of them.
How his pages are checked
His pages are checked on the ground, in every season, because the valley in February is not the valley in August: the path, the river and the road all change. Facts that cannot be seen from the trail, such as distances or altitudes, come from published sources. When a detail depends on a third party (an opening time, a shuttle, a price in a shop), the page says so, and we invite you to check with us before your visit. We do not guess.
Walk with him
Hassan is one of our four guides, and you can ask for him by name. On the private day trip, the local guide for the waterfalls walk is an option chosen at booking: 40 EUR per group for 1 to 7 people, 80 EUR for 8 to 17. On the half day, the guide for the waterfalls is part of the offer. A local guide also leads the walk on the trek and lunch with a Berber family. Write his name in your booking or your request, with the language you need, and we confirm who is available on your date.
Articles and visits
Hassan is presented with the rest of the team on the page our guides, which explains what a local guide adds in the valley and how to book one. His articles are listed below.
Ourika, Ouzoud or Imlil?
Drive time, walking, season, crowds: the three classic day trips from Marrakech compared honestly by a local team.
Nature and wildlife of Ourika
River, orchards, juniper slopes and high pastures, with the birds and shy mammals you may meet and when.
Setti Fatma waterfalls
The rocky walk to the seven falls above Setti Fatma: difficulty, season, safety and what to wear.
Setti Fatma village
The end of the Ourika road: footbridges, river restaurants, official guides and the start of the waterfall walk.
Getting to the Ourika Valley
Grand taxis, rental car, tours and private drivers compared, with drive times, parking at Setti Fatma and mountain road safety tips.
Ourika Valley weather
Month-by-month conditions in the valley, the best season for waterfalls, summer storm risk and what to pack.
Things to do in Ourika
Waterfalls, cooperatives, gardens, souks and Berber villages: 15 things to see and do in the valley, with local tips.
Where to stay in Ourika
Areas, types of lodging and a few places we know, from Tnine Ourika to Setti Fatma, with transport arranged by us.
Anima Garden by André Heller
Three hectares of sculptures, pavilions and exotic planting on the Ourika road, with views of the snow-capped Atlas.
Ourika Valley packages
Ourika plus a camel ride, quad, Berber family lunch, Oukaïmeden, Agafay desert, a half day or a cooking class. Private days.
from 120 € per vehicle + 15 € per person
Trek and lunch with a Berber family
Walk between earth villages with a local guide, then share a home-cooked tagine with a family. 60 EUR per person.
from 60 € per personPrivate transport to Ourika
Private vehicle with driver from Marrakech to any village or lodge in the valley. 120 EUR per vehicle, one way or return.
from 120 € per vehicle
Shared excursion, 25 EUR
A day in the Ourika Valley with other travellers: 25 EUR per person, lunch and return transport from Marrakech included.
from 25 € per person