Middle Atlas Day Trip with Ifrane National Park from Fes
4.6 (1,110 reviews) from travellers who booked this experience
Overview
This shared day trip leaves Fes for the Middle Atlas, the cool cedar mountains south of the city. The usual route passes the hill town of Imouzzer, the Alpine-style town of Ifrane, the cedar forest of Ifrane National Park where Barbary macaques live, and the Berber town of Azrou, then ends with tea at a traditional cave house. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup and a driver, and it suits travellers who want a relaxed day of scenery and village life.
Highlights
- Ifrane, the mountain town of Alpine-style roofs and wide tree-lined avenues
- Cedar forest of Ifrane National Park, where the endangered Barbary macaque lives
- Azrou, a Berber market town at the centre of the Middle Atlas
- A visit to a Berber family in a traditional cave house, with Moroccan tea
- Viewpoint stops over green hills, orchards and pastures
- Air-conditioned shared vehicle with hotel pickup and drop-off in Fes
Full Description
Imouzzer and the hills of Ain Vittel
The first part of the Middle Atlas road leaves Fes and climbs gently to Imouzzer Kandar, a small town on the northern edge of the mountains known for its apple orchards and the apple festival held each September. The air is cooler here and the landscape changes from city to farms, springs and wooded slopes within the first hour of the drive.
As the route continues towards Ifrane, there is usually a photo stop at the green hills of Ain Vittel, a popular viewpoint over pastures and pine woods. Locals come here at weekends to picnic, and in winter the area can be misty or snow-dusted. This is a good place to see how quickly the scenery changes when you leave the Fes plain.
Ifrane, the Alpine town of Morocco
Ifrane was founded in 1930 during the French protectorate as a mountain resort, and its steep red roofs, chalet-style houses, clean streets and gardens still give it a European look, which is why it is called the Switzerland of Morocco. It sits at around 1,650 metres, so winters are cold and snowy, and it hosts Al Akhawayn University, an English-language university set in a wooded campus.
Many people searching for what to see in Ifrane look for the stone lion, the town's emblem, which stands in a small park and is a favourite photo spot. Walk along the quiet avenues, look at the villas and the town centre, and use the free time to stop for lunch. Ifrane is pleasant at any time of the year, as it is only about an hour from the city.
Ifrane National Park and the Barbary macaques
Ifrane National Park protects a large area of Atlas cedar forest, oak woodland, lakes and open plateau in the Middle Atlas. The cedars, some of them centuries old, give the park a quiet and almost alpine atmosphere, and the road passes through the forest, where the Barbary macaque, an endangered primate found only in North Africa and Gibraltar, is often seen on the verge.
The best way to see wildlife is calmly: stay near the vehicle, keep a respectful distance and do not feed the monkeys, because fed animals become aggressive and it harms their diet. The best time to visit Ifrane National Park for walking is spring and autumn, while winter brings snow and summer offers cool shade compared with the heat of Fes.
Azrou and a Berber cave house
Azrou, whose name means rock in the Amazigh language, is a market town at about 1,250 metres in the heart of the Middle Atlas. It is known for cedar-wood carving, carpets and crafts, and the cedar forests that surround it. The traditional houses and local life here give a quieter picture of the Berber communities of the mountains than the larger cities.
The day ends with a visit to a Berber family living in a traditional cave house, where you are welcomed with Moroccan tea and can ask about their customs and daily life. The cave entry fee is not included and is paid on site. Your driver will explain the timing, and then it is a drive back to your hotel in Fes.
Itinerary
- Hotel pickup in FesThe vehicle collects guests from around 09:30 in the area we confirm after booking.
- Imouzzer and Ain VittelDrive into the foothills for the orchards and a photo stop at the green viewpoint hills.
- IfraneTime to walk the Alpine-style town centre, see the stone lion and have lunch (not included).
- Ifrane National ParkA drive through the cedar forest to see the Barbary macaques.
- AzrouA stop in the Berber market town and its cedar-wood crafts.
- Berber cave house and returnTea with a local family in a traditional cave house, then the drive back to Fes.
What's included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Fes
- Air-conditioned transport
- Professional driver
- Fuel
Not included
- Lunch and other meals
- Cave entry fee
- Tips for the driver
Not suitable for
- Travellers who expect a guide: this is a driver-only trip, with no guide included
- Visitors who want a long hike, as most stops are short walks and viewpoints
- Anyone who dislikes winding mountain roads
- Travellers who want a guaranteed wildlife sighting, as the macaques are wild animals
Meeting point
Pickup is from your hotel in Fes, usually from around 09:30. We confirm the exact pickup area after booking, so please be ready at the hotel entrance a few minutes early, as the vehicle is shared with other guests.
Important information
- Lunch and other meals, the cave entry fee and tips are not included, so bring some cash in dirhams
- Wear comfortable shoes and bring a jacket, because the mountains are cooler than Fes and winter can bring snow
- Bring water, sunglasses, a daypack and a camera
- Do not feed the Barbary macaques and keep your food out of sight in the park
- The stops can change in order or timing depending on weather, traffic and road conditions
- Dress modestly in the Berber villages, and ask before photographing local people
- Be on time at the meeting point after each stop, because the vehicle is shared
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Middle Atlas day trip from Fes cost?
The price depends on the date and the number of travellers. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for the option, so choose your date and group size to see the total before you book.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. The trip includes pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Fes, and we confirm the pickup area after booking.
How long is the trip?
About seven hours, starting at around 09:30, with several short stops along the road.
Is there a guide on this trip?
No. You travel with a professional driver and a local guide is not included. At the stops you explore on your own, and the cave-house family explains its way of life.
Are lunch and the cave entry fee included?
No. Lunch and other meals, the cave entry fee and tips are paid by you. Ifrane has several cafes and restaurants for a lunch stop.
Is the trip suitable for children?
Yes, it is a good option for families, since the stops are short and the macaques are popular with children. Bring warm clothes and remind children not to feed the monkeys.
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable shoes, a jacket or sweater, a hat and sunglasses, water and a camera. In winter, bring warmer clothes and be ready for rain or snow.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
The booking panel shows the dates that are open. Because pickup is in the morning, check the panel as early as possible the day before.
What is the difference between the options?
This page offers one option: a shared day trip by air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup and drop-off in Fes and a professional driver.
Is Ifrane worth visiting and when is the best time to go?
Yes, for scenery, cedar forest and a change from the heat of the city. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons; winter is cold and snowy, and summer is pleasantly cool.