Excursion 1 day : Ourika Valley

When in Morocco, Ourika valley is a must visit. It is about 60 kms from Marrakech. It would take you less than an hour to reach there from Marrakech. It is situated in the foothills of High Atlas. You will find a number of Berber villages, female co-operatives manufacturing Argan oil and a set of waterfalls near the village of Ourika itself.

The valley has several rope bridges crossing the fast flowing river beneath. It is one of the best spots for a photo opportunity.

Argan oil cooperatives are run completely by women. These cooperatives are run to support unemployed or divorced women in the local region. Agan oil is widely used in cooking, for soaps and cosmetics etc. You must pick up some of these for yourself.

Do visit village of Setti Fatma

If you are a nature lover then you must visit this quaint village nestled in Qurika valley. This village boasts of traditional buildings that were once Berber settlements. You can pick up local handicraft and artwork from the shops here. Don’t forget to dine by the river side for a great mealtime experience with local cuisines.

Visit traditional Berber houses

Many families in the valley are happy to have tourists who would like to experience the traditional Berber way of life. They dish out traditional meals and also share their cooking methods and recipes. Tourists swear by their mint tea and freshly baked breads.

Argan oil treat

Argan oil is unique to Morocco. It is often referred to as liquid gold. In addition to health benefits it is widely used in various cosmetics, soaps and perfumes. Argan trees grow only in certain areas of Morocco. You will find many Argan-oil collectives in Qurika Valley. Women peel the Argan fruit before it goes into the extracting process. You will get to learn about the process and you can even buy Argan products which you will surely enjoy.