Discovering Ourika Valley, Galloping Goats, and Forging Friendships

After returning from our harrowing dessert trip with a different company (review coming soon, promise) I very nearly cancelled this trip since we were so traumatized… but in just a few minutes on our tour with Youssef of Morocco Expert Tours it was apparent this job is his passion. He’s put in the work to know more than any of the guides I’ve met in Morocco combined. 

First thing in the morning we got in the car, still wiping sleep out of our eyes. But Youssef was ready to roll and started in right away giving me the context of his life and background and finding out ours.

We became fast friends and isn’t that what you truly want from a tour company? To feel like you’re visiting a friend in their hometown?

Well it’s what I wanted.

I learned more with Youssef in three hours than I’d learned in all my other Moroccan tours combined. And when I say learned I mean in the truest sense of the word —  not like flash card facts that you’re cramming for an exam but to comprehend and feel the culture. To take home the best souvenir money can’t buy: internalizing Morocco, bonding with it’s people, and leaving a piece of yourself behind in the country.

The best part was that Youssef understood veganism though he’s not one himself. In fact, Morocco is still classified as a third world country and the people often don’t enjoy easy lives — I’m sure you can understand that also trickles down to the animals.

Their lives are far from great and in most instances they aren’t valued beyond the service they provide. But Youssef understood that we didn’t support animal slavery in any way and made sure that our food was vegan and that the muleteers and camel guides didn’t even have a chance to offer us a ride.

This was Berber hospitality at it’s finest.  Many of the people you meet in Morocco are Berbers, but did you know this word stems from the word “Barbarians” and was given to them by the Romans? This is why many will say Amazigh – which means “free man” – instead of Berbers although Youssef assures me that it’s no longer offensive to call them Berbers as many people have readily taken on the title. Either way you call the people, they are kind, warm, and as open-hearted as you can find on this planet. 

We only had time to take a short day trip with Youssef so we chose the Ourika Valley, the best part of the tour for us was the time spent driving with him. The scenery was beautiful and we got the chance to soak in information we would have never been able to string together on our own.

Once we arrived to Ourika Valley I could understand why this becomes a popular summer spot. Restaurants line both sides of the river that runs through the town and just behind them is a cascading waterfall with short tailed monkeys that you see captured and diaper clad in Djemma al Fna in Marrakech.

The appeal of Ourika Valley would be in coming with friends and seeking summertime refuge near the cool river while sipping on mint tea. If that’s on your to-do list in Morocco then this is the place for you but if you’re looking for wild Morocco that is of the tourist trail you would be best to ask Youssef for a different day trip since this town has the tourism game locked down.

Truthfully the views on the way there were worth the drive alone and we stopped several times to take pictures and marvel at the off-the-path towns along the way. Youssef also didn’t mind when we begged to brake and photograph the goats… 

We finished our time in Ourika Valley early and since we’d been asking Youssef so much about the history of Marrakech and the Palmerie he decided to take us on a quick detour there on the way home.  The trip felt custom and informal, like visiting a friend…. a really knowledgeable friend.

This daytrip remains one of the highlights of our time in Marrakech, we loved every minute of our tour with Youssef — in fact, you’ll be hearing about some very special tours that we’re going to collaborate on soon. In the mean time, if you’re coming to Morocco and want to dig deep into the culture with the help and guidance of a knowledgable guide, look no further than Morocco Expert Tours. You’ll be in good hands and great company.

Youssef offered to take us on this excursion in order to review their services but as you know our opinions are never for sale.