Fes Activities
Middle Atlas Day Trip from Fes
Middle Atlas day trip from Fes: alpine-style Ifrane, the cedar forest of Azrou with its Barbary macaques and Amazigh villages, an hour south of the city.
- DurationFull Day
- DifficultyEasy
- Group SizePrivate
- LocationIfrane & Azrou, Middle Atlas
- LanguagesEnglish / Spanish / Italian / French / Portuguese
Overview
Cedars, Monkeys and Mountain Air
South of Fes the road climbs onto a high plateau that surprises everyone who thinks of Morocco as desert. The first stop is Imouzzer, then Ifrane at 1,650 metres, a town built in the 1930s with pitched red roofs, parks and a stone lion, often called the Switzerland of Morocco and regularly under snow in winter.
Beyond Ifrane begins the largest cedar forest in the country. Near Azrou you walk beneath trees that are centuries old and meet the Barbary macaques that live among them, the only wild monkeys north of the Sahara. The return can pass through the Amazigh market town of Azrou and by the lakes of the plateau.
- Azrou cedar forest
- Barbary macaques
- Ifrane, the alpine town
- Private transport
Middle Atlas Mountains Day Trip from Fes
Price on request
- Duration: Full Day
- Start time: flexible, on request
- Location: Ifrane & Azrou, Middle Atlas
- Group: private experience
- Languages: English / Spanish / Italian / French / Portuguese
- No payment needed to enquire
- Best price guarantee
Detailed programme
Your Day, Step by Step
- FormatPrivate
- 01 MorningFes to Ifrane
- 02 Late morningThe cedar forest
- 03 MiddayAzrou and lunch
- 04 AfternoonLakes and return
Morning
Fes to Ifrane
The road climbs through Imouzzer onto the plateau. In Ifrane, with its sloping roofs and tidy parks, you take a short walk and see the stone lion.
Ifrane was built in the 1930s as a hill station at about 1,650 metres, and in winter it is often under snow.
- Hotel pickup
- Ifrane
Late morning
The cedar forest
Near Azrou you walk under centuries-old cedars and meet the Barbary macaques that live there.
The macaques are wild and endangered. Please do not feed them; your guide will explain why.
- Cedar forest
Midday
Azrou and lunch
Lunch in the Amazigh market town of Azrou, known for its crafts and its rock.
Azrou means “rock” in Amazigh. Its weekly market is on Tuesdays.
- Lunch stop
Afternoon
Lakes and return
You return by the mountain lakes or through Sefrou, depending on the season, and reach Fes in the late afternoon.
This is a gentle day with little walking, suitable for families and a good contrast with the medina of Fes.
- Mountain lakes
- Drop-off at your riad
This is a private experience, so times and stops can be adjusted to your arrival, your pace and the season.
The experience
What to Expect
- 1Imouzzer & IfraneClimb onto the plateau and stroll through Ifrane.
- 2Cedar ForestWalk under the old cedars near Azrou.
- 3Barbary MacaquesWatch the monkeys in their natural home.
- 4Azrou & ReturnThe Amazigh town of Azrou, then back to Fes.
Why choose this experience
More Than a Scenic Drive
Leaving the medina for forest and cool air in the same day shows how varied this country is within a hundred kilometres.
- Local and authentic experience
- Private, just your party
- Flexible timing
- Local guides and hosts
- Suitable for families, couples and solo travellers
What’s included
- Private air-conditioned transport from Fes
- Driver for the day
- Stops in Imouzzer, Ifrane, the cedar forest and Azrou
- Hotel or riad pickup and drop-off
Not included
- Lunch and drinks
- Tips
Good to know
- Best timeAll year. Spring and autumn for walking; from December to February Ifrane is often snow-covered.
- Suitable forFamilies, couples, solo travellers (all levels).
- What to bringA warm layer in any season: the plateau is much cooler than Fes.
Location
Middle Atlas Day TripIfrane & Azrou, Middle Atlas
“An hour from the medina, you are under thousand-year-old cedars.
Frequent questions
Middle Atlas Day Trip from Fes: Frequently Asked Questions
Will we definitely see monkeys?
Almost always. Groups of Barbary macaques live near the road in the cedar forest and are used to visitors. Please do not feed them.
Is there walking involved?
Only short, easy walks on forest paths. The day suits all ages.
Is there snow?
Often between December and February. Ifrane can be several degrees below zero in the morning, so dress warmly in winter.
Is this a private activity?
Yes. It is arranged for you and the people you travel with, so the timing and pace are yours.
How do I book?
Send us a message on WhatsApp or by email with your date and the number of people. We reply with availability and the price, and nothing is charged for enquiring.
Can it be added to a tour?
Yes. It can be booked on its own or added to any of our private tours that pass through Fes.
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Planning your trip? For official information about Morocco, visit Visit Morocco, the website of the Moroccan National Tourist Office.