Ouzoud Waterfalls: Day Trips and Tours from Marrakesh
A day trip to Ouzoud Waterfalls from Marrakesh is a must for nature lovers and photographers. The cascades are hidden away in the Middle Atlas Mountains, making for a scenic drive from the city. This is the most spectacular cascade in Morocco, with several different cataracts plunging into the Al Abid River gorge. You can hike down to the bottom, enjoy a boat ride and meet the resident macaques during your visit.
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A day trip to Ouzoud Waterfalls from Marrakesh is a must for nature lovers and photographers. The cascades are hidden away in the Middle Atlas Mountains, making for a scenic drive from the city.
This is the most spectacular cascade in Morocco, with several different cataracts plunging into the Al Abid River gorge. You can hike down to the bottom, enjoy a boat ride and meet the resident macaques during your visit.
Read on for all you need to know about Ouzoud Waterfalls, one of the most scenic day trips in Marrakesh.
How to get to Ouzoud Waterfalls from Marrakesh?
The Ouzoud Waterfalls can be found 150 kilometers from Marrakesh, near the village of Tanaghmeilt, in the Middle Atlas Mountains.
From Marrakesh to Ouzoud Waterfalls by car
If you have your own vehicle, you can visit the Ouzoud Waterfalls independently. It’s a dreamy drive that takes you into the heart of the Atlas Mountains.
Follow the N8 east out of Marrakesh, before turning onto the R307 and continuing to Azilal. From there, just drive on the P3105 to your destination. The journey to Ouzoud Waterfalls from Marrakesh takes around 3 hours by car.
Guided tour to Ouzoud Waterfalls from Marrakesh
A guided day tour to Ouzoud Waterfalls is by far the easiest way to visit this famous attraction. You’ll be collected from your hotel and driven to the falls, with a hike and boat trip included in the rate.
These excursions last about 10 hours. The round-trip road journey is about 6 hours, which means that you’ll have around 4 hours at the falls.
What is the typical itinerary of a day trip to Ouzoud Waterfalls?
Your trip to Ouzoud Waterfalls from Marrakesh begins with a pickup at your city hotel. If your accommodation is not accessible by road, you’ll be collected from a central meeting point in town. Travel is by air-conditioned minibus.
Enjoy a scenic drive through the foothills of the Atlas Mountains before reaching the village of Ouzoud. You’ll have time to admire the cascades from the edge of the gorge – the 110-meter drop is quite something.
Then it’s time for a stroll through the olive groves where you’ll visit an argan oil cooperative. Your guide will tell you about local Berber culture and give you the chance to take some photos at the viewpoint.
Next, you’ll go hiking down the winding trail to the base of the waterfalls, where the cascade plunges into a blue pool. As you walk around the site, keep an eye out for the macaque monkeys that live here in the gorge. You can take a boat ride to see the falls up close – wear a light jacket to stay dry in the spray.
Back up at the top, you’ll tuck into a traditional Berber lunch of tagines and salads at a local restaurant. The views from the terrace are spectacular, so take your camera with you. Relax on the drive back to Marrakesh and arrive in the city in time for dinner.
What kind of tours are available to go to Ouzoud Waterfalls?
If you’re looking for an Ouzoud Waterfalls day tour, you have a couple of options. Group trips are the cheapest and most popular choices while private excursions offer more flexibility and comfort.
Guided tours to Ouzoud Waterfalls from Marrakesh with boat ride
Most people opt for these trips when visiting the Ouzoud Waterfalls. The tours are run on a small group basis, which keeps the experience personal while ensuring the cost is affordable. You’ll be journeying with like-minded travelers so it’s a great way to make new friends.
You’ll have round-trip minivan transport and an English-speaking driver/guide who will take care of you throughout the day. This Ouzoud Waterfalls day trip from Marrakesh includes a boat ride in the gorge so you won’t need to worry about managing local payments.
From your guide, you’ll learn about the Ouzoud area and the communities of the Middle Atlas Mountains. This is an inexpensive and immersive tour and makes for a welcome respite from the city heat in Marrakesh.
Private tour to Ouzoud Waterfalls from Marrakesh
Book a private excursion to Ouzoud Waterfalls if you’d prefer a more exclusive experience. You’ll have your own driver with transfers by air-conditioned minivan. There will be options for private guided hikes and boat rides at Ouzoud too.
This is a great choice for couples or families who want a flexible day out tailored to their requirements. You’ll have more attention from your guide than on a group tour and can ask all the questions you like.
You can spend as long as you want at viewpoint photo spots, without worrying about keeping up with a group. This relaxed approach is particularly useful on the hike down into the gorge, as it means you can walk at your own pace. It’s a stress-free experience, and one to remember.
How much does a day trip to Ouzoud Waterfalls from Marrakesh cost?
Trip prices vary according to tour type and the number of participants. Group tours are invariably cheaper, which makes them the most popular choice. However, the private excursions can be cost-effective too if you’re traveling with friends or family.
A small group day tour to Ouzoud Waterfalls from Marrakesh is priced at around $20 - $30 per person. Transfers in an air-conditioned minibus, hotel pickups, a bilingual driver and a guide in Ouzoud are all included.
Lunch isn’t covered on these group day trips to Ouzoud, so you’ll need to pay for food and drink yourself. A meal consisting of a tagine, salad, bread, olives and fruit usually costs around $10 – it’s advisable to take some cash. Expect to pay more if you want to drink something other than water.
For a private jaunt to Ouzoud Waterfalls, prices start at $80 per passenger. For this, you get your own luxury vehicle, plus hotel pickups, bottled water and a bilingual driver/guide. Food and alcoholic drinks will be available to purchase separately in Ouzoud village if you wish.
What will you see and do on an Ouzoud Waterfalls tour?
An Ouzoud Waterfalls day trip is a feast for the eyes, with some of the most dramatic scenery in Morocco. The drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains is spectacular, and you’ll be able to stop for photos at key viewpoints.
The falls plunge into the El Abid River gorge, which makes the perfect setting for your day tour. There are three different cascades, with the longest individual drop coming in at an impressive 75 meters.
Ouzoud Waterfalls hike
The main event on your Ouzoud Waterfalls day trip is going hiking down to the bottom. It can be steep and rocky in places so make sure you’re wearing sturdy shoes. Once you reach the base of the falls, you’ll be snapping photos in earnest – this is the best vantage spot for pictures.
Swimming is an option too, in a pool away from the main falls. This is a refreshing pastime after a hot hike in the sun, so don’t forget your swimming gear. If you don’t want to take a dip, there’s a shady pavilion where you can enjoy a cool drink instead.
Ouzoud Waterfalls boat trip
Many Ouzoud Waterfalls tours include a boat trip in the pool below the cascades. It’s a fun little ride and takes you into the spray so you’re certainly going to get a bit wet.
If you’d rather not go on the boat, there’s a bridge you can use to cross the river instead. From here, you’ll have access to the path that climbs back up the gorge for your return hike.
Olive groves
Olive groves carpet the landscape around the gorge, with trees having been planted here by local families for generations. You’ll enjoy a short walk in the groves with your guide to learn about olive oil production and Berber culture. Some tours visit an argan oil cooperative where tastings are often possible.
Macaque monkeys
You’ll probably meet some of the resident macaques on your hike down to the falls. They live in the trees around the cascades and can often be seen scurrying about the gorge.
These monkeys are wild, so don’t try to touch or feed them. They do love posing for photos and might even hop onto your shoulder if you’re not paying attention.
Berber lunch
Your day trip to Ouzoud Waterfalls from Marrakesh finishes with a delicious lunch on a panoramic restaurant terrace. You’ll have a final chance to savor the views while demolishing a tasty tagine or dish of couscous.
When is the best time to see Ouzoud Waterfalls?
Ouzoud Waterfalls can be visited year-round, but the best time to go will depend on what you want to experience.
If you're hoping to go for a swim beneath the falls, summer (June to August) offers the ideal window. If you want to see the falls at the fullest and avoid the summer crowds, winter (December to February) is the best time.
For the best of worlds, consider visiting in the shoulder months from March to May or September to November.
Top tips for visiting Ouzoud Waterfalls
- Reaching the falls involves hiking. Comfortable, sturdy footwear is a must.
- Make sure you pack a swimsuit, towel and change of clothes if you plan on swimming.
- Bring water and some snacks, especially if you plan to spend several hours exploring the area.
- Remember to respect the natural environment. Keep the area clean and avoid disturbing wildlife.