Ourika Valley

We wanted to get out of the city and see more of Morocco so booked a tour through the Ourika Valley and out towards the Altas Mountains. We had Mohammed as our guide with his comfortable 4x4 which allowed us to stop wherever we wanted to explore or take pictures.

Our day started with panoramic views of the Altas Mountains as we drove out of Marrakech. We were so lucky with the weather as we had clear blue skies giving us perfect views of the snow-capped mountains. Our first stop was a family run pottery and we got to see the traditional potters wheel and kiln. We then carried on following alongside the Ourika River to a traditional Berber house. It was like stepping back in time and the family were so kind to show us around their home. The houses are made of mud and straw and they cook in a handmade oven or using tagines heated with coals from the fire. They also have a donkey, cows, sheep and goats all living under the same roof.

We passed through small villages with lots of roadside stalls selling pots, carpets or home cooked tagines for lunch. I couldn't get over how lush and green the countryside was with villages camouflaged into the hills and the snow-capped mountains always in view.

Our next stop was a woman's cooperative who work together to make argan oil to support their families. They crack the shells off the nuts using a rock and then grind the nuts between two stones to extract the oil. It was great to buy some products to support the project.

Our last stop was a Berber market and it was fascinating to see the contrast between a place where the locals shop to the tourist souks of Marrakech. Mohammed was a great guide and explained so much about the history, culture and everyday life in Morocco. It was a brilliant day and topped off with a dinner of tapas at the Riad.


Ourika Valley, Morocco