Marrakech Airport to Ourika Valley Private Transfer

The drive up the Ourika Valley

The Ourika Valley is the closest Atlas valley to Marrakech: 60 km and about 1 h 15 to Setti Fatma. The road runs south-east across the Haouz plain, straight and flat for the first half hour, with the High Atlas ahead. At Tnine Ourika, where a weekly market is held on Mondays, the valley narrows and the road follows the river upstream between terraced fields, pottery stalls and riverside cafés. A turn-off on the way climbs to the Oukaïmeden ski area. The valley road is surfaced all the way and stays lower than the high passes, so it is rarely affected by snow.

Where the road ends: Setti Fatma and lodge drop-offs

The tarmac stops at Setti Fatma, at about 1,500 m. Your driver parks at the entrance to the village, a short walk from the footbridges and the path to the waterfalls. If you are staying in a lodge lower down the valley, give us its name: several sit across the river or up a track, and the host meets you at the roadside. Pickup in Marrakech is at the arrivals exit of Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) or at your hotel or riad, at the same price.

Tips: when to go and when to head back

Leave Marrakech by 9:00. The valley is busy on Fridays, Sundays and summer afternoons, when Marrakech families come up to eat by the water, and the last kilometres slow down. The walk to the first of the seven waterfalls takes about 30 to 45 minutes on a rocky path, so wear closed shoes. For a return flight, leave Setti Fatma at least 4 hours before departure. Our Ourika Valley day trip guide has the full plan. For higher mountain scenery, see the private transfer to Imlil.