Entry to the falls is free. The only things you pay for are getting there, the optional 10-minute raft ride under the spray, lunch and the guide. Any "Ouzoud ticket" on a platform is a tour.
Prices 2026
| Option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shared minibus day trip | €15–30 pp | Pickup ~8:00, 12–17 people, guide at the falls; lunch not included |
| Shared trip with guide & boat ride | €22–35 pp | Same, with the raft ride paid for |
| Private driver (car, up to 4) | €90–150 per car | Your own schedule, leave earlier, stop at Demnate or the natural bridge |
| Raft ride at the base | 20–30 MAD | 10 minutes, gets you under the spray |
| Lunch on a terrace | 80–150 MAD | Tagine with the view; tours take you to a set restaurant |
| Rental car + fuel + parking | ~€50–70 | Parking 20–30 MAD at the top |
Platform prices in October 2026. Tours do not usually include lunch or the boat; bring 200–300 MAD cash per person.
How the day goes
- 7:30–8:30 pickup in Marrakech, then a loop collecting others. Allow an hour before you actually leave the city.
- Drive 2.5–3 h via the Tadla plain, with a coffee stop around Demnate. The last 40 minutes climb into the Middle Atlas foothills.
- 11:30–12:00 arrive at the top. The viewpoint is right by the car park. Then a local guide takes you down the 500-step path on the far side, past the mills and the macaques.
- Bottom of the falls: raft ride, swimming in summer, photos in the spray. Lunch at one of the terrace restaurants on the way back up.
- 15:00–15:30 leave, back in Marrakech 18:00–19:00.
At the falls
- The viewpoint path at the top is flat and follows the rim: olive trees, old grain mills, the best overall view. 15 minutes.
- The descent is steep steps and dirt, slippery when wet. 20 minutes down, 30 up. Flip-flops are a bad idea.
- Rainbows appear in the spray when the sun is high, roughly 11:00–14:00, which is exactly when tours arrive.
- Monkeys are wild Barbary macaques. Keep food in your bag and do not hold phones loosely near them.
When to go
- March to June: most water after the snowmelt, greenest gorge. Best overall.
- July and August: hot (35°C+), less water, but swimming is lovely and the gorge is cooler than Marrakech.
- September to November: lowest flow but still impressive; fewer people.
- Weekends and Moroccan holidays: very busy with domestic visitors. Go on a weekday if you can.
Things nobody tells you
- The cheap tours are fine. Everyone ends up on the same road and the same paths; the price difference is mostly group size and whether lunch is bundled.
- The guide at the falls is local and tipped, 20–30 MAD per person is normal. Tours describe this as "optional"; it is expected.
- Phone signal is patchy in the gorge. Download your map.
- Motion sickness: the last stretch is winding. Sit near the front of the minibus.
- Alternative with less driving: the Ourika Valley (1 h) has smaller falls at Setti Fatma and makes a half day. Ouzoud is better; Ourika is closer.
Ouzoud waterfalls: frequently asked questions
How much does an Ouzoud day trip cost?
Shared minibus from Marrakech: €15–30 per person, usually with a local guide at the falls and sometimes the boat ride. Private driver for the day: €90–150 per car. Entry to the falls themselves is free; the raft ride at the bottom is about 20–30 MAD; lunch at a terrace restaurant 80–150 MAD.
How far is Ouzoud from Marrakech?
About 150 km north-east, 2.5–3 hours each way by road. Day trips leave at 7:30–8:30 and return around 18:00–19:00. It is a long day for about 3 hours at the falls, but most people think it is worth it.
Can I swim at Ouzoud?
Yes, in the pools at the bottom. The water is cold year-round, muddy after rain, and there are no lifeguards. Fine from May to October; bring a towel and water shoes. Locals swim in shorts and T-shirts; a swimsuit is acceptable but a cover-up is polite.
Will I see the monkeys?
Almost certainly. Barbary macaques live in the gorge and come to the paths for food, mostly in the afternoon. Do not feed them: they bite, and they steal anything in your hands.
Can I get to Ouzoud without a tour?
Yes but it is slow: CTM or Supratours bus to Azilal (3.5 h), then a grand taxi 40 minutes to Ouzoud. A rental car is easy (good road via Demnate). For a day trip, a shared tour is cheaper than a car and simpler than the bus.
