Ourika Valley Waterfalls: A Detailed Day Trip Review from Marrakech
Thinking of escaping the buzz of Marrakech for a bit? So, too a day trip to Ourika Valley and its amazing waterfalls might be just what you’re after. It’s almost like stepping into another globe, yet is only a stone’s throw away from the city. I mean, getting there only takes an hour or so! The promise of scenic landscapes, Berber villages, and of course, those cool waterfalls, draws loads of people this way. But is that really worth it? I spent a day finding out, and I’m here to share all the things I discovered.
Getting to Ourika Valley
You see, heading to Ourika Valley, you might want to know the options available for actually making that journey. You could rent a car for a flexible way to do that, maybe allowing you to stop at spots you notice along the way. I mean, that’s pretty appealing, really. There are also organized tours that get you everything covered, almost giving you zero planning to worry about! Another budget friendly plan might be to use a local bus, though it is worth remembering that these often are a little more crowded and could take longer, you know?
I tried a guided tour because, actually, I sort of liked having everything arranged without me needing to do a thing. Plus, a local guide usually knows hidden gems that a person might just pass by otherwise. It’s often very worthwhile in that respect, that’s for sure.
What to Expect on the Drive
I mean, the drive itself turns out to be rather amazing! Initially, you’re traveling through pretty plain land. So, too this starts to shift rapidly as you get closer to the Atlas Mountains, alright. I will say, it felt as if I was getting glimpses into rural Morocco along the way! Local life gets uncovered, I think, with tiny villages and roadside markets which really get your attention. Make sure you’re ready to have cameras for shots, very, really.
Ourika Road actually winds close beside the Ourika River, often providing amazing views. Seeing that I was there in spring, the area looked just greener and more full of life, very! It is a seriously wonderful experience. The drive passes fairly swiftly too it’s almost as if one is already anticipating the arrival to Ourika.
Reaching Setti Fatma and the Waterfalls
Very soon you’re there, reaching Setti Fatma. So, too it turns into the final stop for quite a few Ourika Valley trips, that. This village offers routes up to the well known waterfalls. That’s pretty where it starts for most tourists wanting see the waterfalls, alright! Expect a bit of activity once you arrive! Loads of guides offering services, little stores for purchasing things and food stalls usually are present as a matter of fact.
The climb up to those falls can vary, in that some falls being easier than others to reach, anyway. The first waterfall doesn’t involve a terribly long hike; however if planning to view some others higher up then get ready to be able to climb across pretty rocky paths as well as, very sometimes, wading small streams. Be sure to have appropriate shoes and, in addition, watch your step, especially during months of high tourist traffic.
Hiking to the Waterfalls: A Step-by-Step Experience
I will say, climbing those waterfalls wasn’t too hard; however I have to be honest when I point out this depends very much on your level of comfort in relation to physical activity, of course! If you are thinking the climb is pretty easy – more like casual – it turns out, that’s probably true just for the initial waterfall as a matter of fact. That first part tends to be relatively basic and well worn. As a matter of fact, from the initial to second or third cascades turns out where the trail gets a little harder requiring scrambles. The stones are quite slippery which might be quite unsafe for all of the people, yet actually it’s great fun if it suits you, seriously!
Each waterfall, after a little climb, gifts you various awesome opportunities for photographs, for instance. The falls themselves look pretty amazing and the encompassing views down into the valley become rather captivating, definitely. The trip gets extremely fun when accompanied alongside one of those helpful local guides too it’s almost they know which paths can be chosen plus can explain certain cool aspects of local place. Just watch out to only use the regulated ones because the others might charge additional and actually add small scams, as well!
Lunch in Ourika Valley
Honestly, having lunch there within Ourika Valley provides such real and great experience of the cultural variety! It’s often that there exist the opportunity, I guess, of eating actually alongside the river with a great many restaurants. Pretty usually they use those regular Berber tags and meals centered actually on that delicious Moroccan meal, too it’s almost. Just try ordering from one with views.
So, too the tags, they actually usually serve barbeque and sides, such Moroccan salads and that flavorful Berber loaves too! Dining literally next to cold waters while staring up high Atlas will for certain deliver an especially memorable part from ones visit really; the total package of view along incredible flavours has a great feeling, still. Always go there, you.
Interacting With Local Berber Culture
Seriously, a great bit relating to Ourika experience tends to be connection created using Berbers themselves. It is that they’ve the long heritage within valleys and actually, usually will showcase glimpses regarding an original lifestyle there too! While coming around community or actually stopping, try to speak these folks by being courteous which shows some esteem so to them rather! You probably, after all, learn fascinating parts for those customs plus heritage of them.
Some tours even include things such as visits for local Berber domestic plus possible demonstration over creating things through things, sometimes just such how-to for the preparation of perfect tea-type you can expect for Morocco and much like a very symbol. This interactions has provided really quite special viewpoint relating Morocco going just only vacation place along with those truly people really stay, kind.
Things to Keep in Mind
Okay, planning a trip around Ourika? Okay, then let’s have an overview which allows for really most unforgettable day trip to a destination very: Okay. Be sure if visiting that better time becomes pretty for winter months rather considering rain-seasons because passes would-have possibilities as slick even, you will understand? Dress simply; think good sneakers always when taking hike, just when.
Value on getting small cash when small places don’t do cards very or when there turns out to tip persons on things and those guidepersons themselves often. Also you will want ensure your stay properly is-done and there it takes lots to hydrate yourself always mostly due to you tend on walk around as well also for getting really pretty pretty sunlight generally always! Just, using tiny thinking, often will enable actually great excursion you are going to hold over years rather.
Photographing Ourika Valley
Those that fancy taking pictures might just find this area an actual goldmine – to point out too clearly it makes that the setting has got tons just ready getting grabbed via those cams and lenses or anything? Scenery does offer great things originating to just those peaks on Alps, just getting the village, simply waterfalls each giving diverse kind visuals often getting taken out rather or perhaps, you could perhaps want it the place there to work! Have you.
When trying to do those photographs, go there early on if you can to stop some mess regarding all those folks because actually a lot can stop any real photographs. It’s often actually try different light angles always or rather perhaps wait when just one cloud gives for those really fantastic lights when it’s usually gets so nice it all just is good just take shot you’d had thought for years before often too always and also remember a thing too mostly being respect which is often a place because really some local could even may well ask it to never do one shot usually or just, but yes also the culture there will-be often the first there just is for there, too. Make sure you take lots with a heart, honestly.
Is the Ourika Valley Day Trip Worth It?
I mean, if a short vacation far away from Marrakech is exactly on your head and maybe, even see things with an original piece with normal Moroccan daily lives is actually calling your own self-name; then very it happens there that our Day trip that’s found is at Ourika happens being probably just one pretty decent decision; and actually it just does the natural part because everything from spectacular beauty that’s there the cultural ones along this excursion means things will likely always do hold back some appeal, even or whatever even can show one bit regarding stuff you will always perhaps may hold to show yourself about anything at all as good and yes. The valleys happens has something everyone too show with even that’ll never make or fail, okay?! I am telling you that it’s amazing seriously.
Now just be often you go there informed, wear that is that something good regarding and, and if the person, a mind to going higher over something because those waterdrops there will give to and with it’s one pretty unforgettable visit truly where the one might just not at least not in that one moment not in no moments. I am telling you though you do will miss it just is it when do not not. Okay?
This excursion means you’ll come across, that there’s always the stunning scenery that’s already on, those moments among the lifestyle this journey is likely to just pull back this attractiveness there even or perhaps give any slice coming from something one usually often will maintain coming straight back through one bit that are perhaps one would only in whatever just might often give show personally always it all looks fantastic simply? This Valleys just offers everything, well you should have already been knowing.
Key Takeaways:
- The Ourika Valley is actually just a simple drive originating into Marrakech with fantastic visual views and an chance for discovering typical local peoples’ traditions or styles; even always too!
- Keep good enough sneakers and enough liquid which can guarantee both ease when perhaps discovering something cool which makes it easier!
- In any interaction together local everyone just reveals that they are getting those respect; a simple technique for getting deeper experiences rather!
Hope really those reviews that actually get those pretty, so go, do; after going back and let me do what comes from, but I might only ask. Make everything, thanks! Make those fantastic memory. Thanks! Be all well, go! Have those beautiful things, you. So do this right.
