Day Trips from Marrakech

Embark on a full-day tour to the Ouzoud Waterfalls from Marrakech. Learn about Berber culture as you explore the land. Descend winding trails and admire stunning views of the falls on a boat ride. Begin with pickup from your hotel or riad, before departing for one of the most spectacular waterfalls in North Africa, located 93 miles (150 km) north of Marrakech. Upon arrival in the village of Ouzoud, admire views of the cascades that plunge 360 feet (110 meters) into the pool below. Follow your local guide through olive tree groves to an argan oil co-operative and learn about Berber culture.  Continue down a network of trails to a viewpoint where you can buy fresh orange juice. Board a traditional boat for a short ride on the pool at the bottom of the waterfalls. Then, enjoy a Berber lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the falls. After, take 20 minutes of free time to take pictures, admire the views, or explore the souvenir stalls. In the mid-afternoon, climb a series of stairs for your transfer back to Marrakech.

Head out of the hustle and bustle of Marrakech in the comfort of an air-conditioned car and into the nearby endless desert. From here, embark on a thrilling tour of Jbilets Desert, known for its attractive lighting, on a quad bike. Slip away as you explore the fascinating history and culture in this unique area with your local guide. Only 30 minutes from the center of Marrakech, experience the real Morocco and get to know the locals. Discover the Jbilets desert area and take in the views of the Atlas Mountains. Visit a little village to stretch your legs, sip hot tea, and enjoy Berber hospitality. At this point, the guides will be happy to show some of the best tracks and spots in the area. On request, this excursion can also be tailored to suit you and your party’s tastes for exploration and adventure. Opt for program explanations, equipment briefing, and training for driving the quads to ensure maximum safety during trips.

See the Agafay desert up close with a guided quad bike tour, a traditional meal in a Berber Tent, and fresh mint tea around a warm fire. Head out of the city with your fellow-quad bikers, admiring the view of Jamaa Lafna Square and the New City (Gueliz). At the quad station, pick up your helmets and glasses to stay safe while adventuring. Learn from experienced quad bikers how to ride your quad, and get an in-depth briefing on your itinerary for the evening. Before beginning your adventure, spend some time getting the hang of your quad bike in a large field. Ask your friendly instructors any questions about riding technique or your upcoming drive. Once you feel comfortable on your new bike, follow your guides on a journey through the stunning Morrocan dunes. Midway through your ride, take a well-earned rest to admire the gorgeous view of the towering Atlas Mountains in the distance. End your ride back at the quad station, where you can clean off the sand and dust with an innovative wind machine. Snap a photo of the beautiful Agafay desert from the terrasse while your meal is prepared. Next, enter a traditional Berber tent and enjoy an authentic Moroccan meal in a beautiful setting. After eating your fill, relax under the starry night skies with a glass of hot fresh mint tea, warmed by a crackling fire. Finish your tour of the Agafay desert with a return trip through the dunes back to Marrakech.

Escape the hustle and bustle of Marrakech for a full-day tour to the dramatic Ouzoud Falls, located near the Grand Atlas village of Tanaghmeilt in the province of Azilal. Following a pick-up from your hotel or riad, transfer to the Ouzoud Falls by air-conditioned minibus. Along the way, marvel at the traditional towns and typical Berber villages of the Grand Atlas, and pass through the shade of ancient olive trees as you approach the waterfalls. Upon arrival at Ouzoud, after an approximate 3-hour drive, enjoy about 4 hours at the cascades to soak up nature. Look out for the resident monkeys, and take a swim in the crystal clear waters. Upgrade your tour to include an optional boat ride here. After a relaxing afternoon, depart for the return transfer to Marrakech, with an estimated arrival of 6 PM.

Just one hour away from the legendary Jemaa El Fna Square, your hot-air balloon will fly over the beautiful countryside, letting you see the amazing contrast between Morocco’s urban and rural areas. After an early morning pickup from your hotel in Marrakech, you will drive 45 minutes out of the city to the balloon launch site. Here you will receive a full pre-flight safety briefing and have a chance to watch the launch team prepare the balloon for departure. Once in the air, your journey will cover a distance between 9 and 15 miles (15-25 km), depending on the wind speed, taking you over a local village and the picturesque surrounding areas. The flight will last one hour, and after a gradual descent back to land, you will be taken to the village for mint tea and home-baked bread at a local Berber household. Following tea and bread, you will be taken back to Marrakesh and dropped off at your hotel. See a new side of Morocco on this exciting trip, and see how traveling a few kilometers outside of Marrakesh can take you back in time more than 2,000 years!

Depart from Marrakech in a small-group or private tour to the Atlas Mountains in the company of an experienced, English-speaking guide, heading to the Ourika Valley, which is about a 1-hour drive from Marrakech and famous for its waterfalls. Visit the waterfalls after a 1.5-hour walk with a mountain guide and spectacular views of different landscapes as far as the eye can see. Visit Berber women extracting Argan oil, which is unique to Morocco. Continue through the Oukaimden Valley, taking a secluded mountain road and passing through traditional Berber villages built from adobe and stones. Discover the authentic life of Berber people and enjoy a delicious lunch in a typical Berber house with an amazing view over Sidi Fares Valley. After that, visit the Asni valley, famous for its apple, walnut, almond and peach trees and enjoy the sight of the snowy summits of the Atlas Mountains. This thrilling tour concludes with a drive back to Marrakech passing by the fifth valley, Tahnaout, arriving at approximately 17:00 PM.

Start your day trip with pickup from your Marrakech accommodation from 7-8 AM. Hop inside your air-conditioned car and soak up the scenery as you travel into the Atlas Mountains. Your first stop will be at a small village called Ait Ben Barka near the amazing natural areas surrounding Toufliht. Explore the area with your driver and learn about the schedule for your trip, and the sights that you will see on your trip. You'll take a little break to enjoy the beauty of this natural landscape and get excited for the next part of your journey. The second stop on your tour will be the Tizi n'Tichka pass, 7,415 feet above sea level (2,260 meters).  Your third stop will be at Atlas Film Studios at Ouarzazate. This is the largest film studio in the world, famously featured in the TV series Game of Thrones. You will have the opportunity to visit the studios to explore on your own. You'll be able to learn more bout the actors and films that have been filmed here, and take some pictures of the unique Moroccan scenery in the area. After the studio, you will go for lunch at one of the best restaurants in the area, with excellent prices and stunning panoramic views. The next and last visit after lunch will be at the famous Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, recognized as a UNESCO site and one of the most extraordinary kasbahs in Morocco. You'll end your day of scenic views and memories by relaxing in your comfortable air-conditioned vehicle on your drive back to Marrakech. You'll be dropped off at your accommodation in Marrakech between 8-8:30 PM.

Leave Marrakech at 08:00, ready for a 3-hour journey to the beautiful Essaouira on the Atlantic Coast. Once you arrive at the port city, formerly known as Mogador, you will have time to enjoy the charming sights of Essaouira, including its ocher-colored walls, the beautiful Moulay El Hassan square, and the souks, as well as the little streets of the city's old Medina. Enjoy a lunch of fresh fish in a local restaurant. During your trip, visit an association of Berber women producing argan oil, see the local markets, and marvel at the gems in the jeweler's quarter.  You will return to Marrakech at the end of the afternoon, arriving back to the "Red City" at around 19:00.

Experience the beauty of the Ourika Valley up-close on this full-day scenic tour from Marrakesh, and escape the hustle and bustle of the city for the day. The Ourika Valley is the closest day trip from Marrakesh, but it’s not just its convenience that makes it special. Drive towards the Atlas Mountains, taking in the beautiful landscape of green meadows and authentic 16th and 17th-century Berber villages. If you take your tour on a Monday, you can even stop at a roadside souk. See fruit orchards, vegetable terraces, and villages clinging to the side of hills. Marvel at the labor undertaken by the Berbers who hoisted materials to construct small houses up mountain sides, and work the terraces in a hostile environment. Continue along the valley of palm trees, following the Ourika River. Fruit trees, tiny hamlets, riverside restaurants, and the summer homes of the wealthy will keep you occupied. Go to Setti Fatma to feel the refreshing waters. Feel the spray on your face as you cool down from the African heat, along with the locals of Marrakech who have made it their favorite weekend retreat.

Embark on an adventure by quad bike and dromedary through the Moroccan desert. Visit a berber village and encounter traditional hospitality as you get to know life in the country outside Marrakech. After being picked up at your hotel, you will be driven to an otherworldly arid landscape where your adventure will begin. Your guide will provide you with all the necessary instruction and equipment, including nomadic dress, for your dromedary tour. Upon your dromedary, see what life is like outside the bustle of Marrakech. Visit a Berber village and enjoy a tea break in the desert. Experience the hospitality and authenticity of Morrocans. Then dismount, put on your helmet and gloves and speed through the desert on top of your quad bike. Race among the palms underneath the vast blue sky and discover an open and thrilling world that awaits just outside the big city.