Middle Atlas Day Trip From Fes
Middle Atlas Day Trip From Fes: Lakes, Cedar Forests and Barbary Monkeys
Swap the medina for fresh mountain air. This day trip takes you into the Middle Atlas, with a small town famous for its apple festival, a lake framed by cedar and oak trees, the alpine-style city of Ifrane and an ancient forest of cedars where Barbary macaques play.
Our Middle Atlas day trip from Fes is one of the most enchanting excursions from Morocco’s imperial cities. It leaves at 8 am, the usual start for our day trips, and takes you through a very different side of the country: green, cool and full of wildlife, only a short drive from the old streets of Fes.
The day ends in Azrou, with its Berber market, before you return to Fes in the late afternoon. It is a perfect choice if you have already seen the medina, if you travel with children, or if you simply want a day of scenery, easy walks and fresh air without the effort of organizing it yourself.
- DurationFull day, from 8 am
- Pick-upYour accommodation in Fes
- HighlightsImouzzer Kandar, Dait Aoua, Ifrane, cedar forest
- WildlifeBarbary macaques
- ReturnLate afternoon in Fes
- Activity levelEasy walking
Middle Atlas Day Trip Highlights
- Stop in Imouzzer Kandar, a small town known for its annual apple festival
- Admire Dait Aoua lake, set among cedar and oak trees
- Explore Ifrane, a small city founded by France in 1930, with a cool mountain climate
- See the famous stone lion before lunch
- Walk in the vast cedar forest and watch Barbary macaques
- Visit Azrou and its Berber market
- Enjoy fresh mountain air and green landscapes, far from the heat of the city
- Travel in comfort with hotel pick-up and drop-off in Fes
Your Middle Atlas Day, Step by Step
This day is all about scenery, fresh air and wildlife. We keep a relaxed rhythm so you can enjoy each stop without rushing.
Departure from Fes
We pick you up at 8 am at your accommodation in Fes, the usual start time for our day trips. The morning drive climbs gradually out of the city, and the air gets cooler and fresher with every kilometer.
Settle into the air-conditioned vehicle and watch the landscape change from city streets to farmland, orchards and the first hills of the Middle Atlas.
Imouzzer Kandar and its apple orchards
The first stop is Imouzzer Kandar, a small town about 40 km from Fes, known for its annual apple festival. Its population mainly speaks the Amazigh dialect of the Berber language, and the town gives you a first taste of the Atlas way of life.
Stretch your legs, take photos of the orchards and the mountain views, and enjoy the cool air, which is a welcome change from Fes in the warm months.
Dait Aoua lake
Visit Dait Aoua, a famous and picturesque lake on the road to Ifrane, surrounded by cedar and oak trees. It is a beautiful place for a quiet walk by the water and for photos in soft mountain light.
If you like birds and open scenery, this is a peaceful stop where you can slow down and listen to the wind in the trees.
Ifrane and lunch
Ifrane was established by France in 1930 and has a very different look from other Moroccan cities, with chalet-style houses, neat gardens and pleasant mountain weather. It is often praised as one of the cleanest towns in Morocco.
Explore its most beautiful places, see the stone lion, a favorite photo stop, then pause for lunch at a restaurant of your choice, with plenty of warm dishes for the cooler mountain air.
Cedar forest and Barbary macaques
After lunch, venture into the vast cedar forest to see the Barbary macaques that live there. The tall cedars create a cool, fragrant shade, and the monkeys often come to the roadside and trails to see who has arrived.
Keep a respectful distance, do not feed them and keep your food and phone in a closed bag, since they are wild animals and very quick.
Azrou and return to Fes
Visit the town of Azrou and its Berber market, a good place to see local life and look for cedar wood crafts and woven goods. Azrou sits at the edge of the cedar forest and has a real mountain-town atmosphere.
Then drive back to Fes in the late afternoon, relaxed and full of fresh air, and your driver drops you at your accommodation.
Why Book This Tour With Visit the Desert
Nature after the medina
A cool, green break from the crowded lanes of Fes, with views, wildlife and mountain villages.
Easy and family friendly
The walking is easy and the stops are short, so the day suits couples, families and anyone who wants a gentle excursion.
Hotel pick-up, zero stress
We collect you in Fes and bring you back, so you skip taxi haggling and public transport timetables.
What Is Included in the Middle Atlas Day Trip
Included
- Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation in Fes (4×4 or van)
- All transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Multilingual driver for the whole day
- All taxes and service charges
Not included
- Lunch and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments and sites
- Tips for your guide and driver
Good to Know Before You Go
Weather
The mountains are cooler than Fes and can be cold, rainy or even snowy in winter. Bring a jacket and layers, whatever the season.
Monkeys
The Barbary macaques are wild. Do not feed them, keep food in a closed bag and hold on to phones and sunglasses.
Shoes
Wear shoes with grip for forest trails, which can be muddy after rain.
Best season
Spring and autumn are lovely, with green scenery and mild temperatures. Summer is a good escape from the heat of Fes.
Lunch and cash
Lunch and drinks are not included, so carry some cash. A small amount of cash is also useful for the Azrou market and tips.
Children
The day is easy and suits families. Keep young children close in the forest and near the monkeys.
Ready for the Middle Atlas?
Choose your date in the booking form on this page, or send us a message and we confirm your pick-up details with you.
Middle Atlas Day Trip: Frequently Asked Questions
What will we see on the Middle Atlas day trip?
You visit Imouzzer Kandar, Dait Aoua lake, Ifrane, the cedar forest with Barbary macaques and the town of Azrou with its Berber market. It is a full day of scenery, with a lunch stop in Ifrane.
Can I see monkeys in the Middle Atlas?
Yes. The cedar forest is home to Barbary macaques, and they are one of the highlights of the day. Keep your distance, do not feed them and keep your belongings in a closed bag.
What time do we leave Fes?
At 8 am from your accommodation in Fes, which is the usual start time for our day trips. You return to Fes in the late afternoon, so you have a relaxed evening.
What is Ifrane?
Ifrane is a small mountain city founded by France in 1930, with a pleasant climate and a look that is very different from other Moroccan cities. It is often called the Switzerland of Morocco, because of its chalet-style houses.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch and drinks are paid separately. We pause in Ifrane for a meal, and you choose from the restaurants in town.
What should I wear on the trip?
Comfortable shoes and layers. Mountain weather is cooler than in Fes, and a light jacket is useful even in summer, especially in the forest.
Is the trip suitable for children?
Yes. The walking is easy and the monkeys are a big hit with kids, but keep young children close in the forest and do not let them feed the animals.
Can I also visit the Fes medina?
Yes. Many travellers combine this trip with a day in the old city, for example on our Fes medina day trip. Ask us and we help you plan the order of the days.
