Marrakech Day Trip to Ouzoud Waterfalls

Day 1: Marrakech Day Trip to Ouzoud Waterfalls

Escape the heat and hustle-bustle of Marrakech on this day trip to the stunningly beautiful Ouzoud Falls. Surrounded by an emerald cape of thousands of olive trees, these majestic falls plunge 360 feet (110 meters) to the ground below. Admire the falls from various viewpoints and hire a local guide to take you closer if you like. In a country known for its stark desert landscapes, these falls are a dramatic contrast and offer amazing photo opportunities.

After morning pickup from your hotel or riad in Marrakech, travel by 4×4 vehicle or minibus  (150 km) northeast to the village of Tanaghmeilt in the Atlas Mountains, the home of Ouzoud Falls. As you drive past lush green valleys, old water mills, and acres of fruit trees, your knowledgeable guide will share facts and anecdotes about this scenic region.

At  (110 meters) high, Ouzoud Falls are the highest falls in North Africa, Ouzoud means Olive in Berber language, so it’s no surprise the plateau above the falls is draped with thousands of olive trees. The ground below is brick-red because of iron oxides in the soil.

Follow a short path to see the magnificent tableau of six different waterfalls cascading down the cliffside. It is a refreshing and rejuvenating sight here in land often stricken by drought. Keep your camera handy for one photo opportunity after another. In the morning, if you’re lucky, you may glimpse a macaque monkey nearby. In the afternoon sun, you may see a gorgeous rainbow over the falls!

If you’d like to get a different perspective on Ouzoud Falls, you can walk down stone steps to the bottom of the falls. Better yet, hire a Morocco tour guide who can show you some caves along the way.

Savor a traditional tagine at a restaurant in the shade of the olive trees before heading back to Marrakech. Your relaxing day trip to Ouzoud Falls concludes with drop-off at your hotel or riad at about 6 pm.