Fez to Middle Atlas Mountains: Ifrane & Cedar Forest Day Trip
Three mountain towns and a cedar forest full of monkeys, all in one day from Fez
You're picked up from your Fez hotel at 9 a.m. and driven through three mountain towns and a cedar forest in one day. You see waterfalls and panoramic views in Imouzar, drive around Ifrane's lakes and ski slopes, walk among Barbary monkeys in Azrou's forest, and return by late afternoon. Hotel pickup, private transport and bottled water are included. Lunch is not.
8h–10h
Step-by-step itinerary
Day trip to Middle Atlas Mountains
- Breakfast at your riad or hotel
- Depart Fez at 9 a.m.
- Visit Immouzar and explore nature
- Discover Berber culture in Immouzar
- Drive to Ifrane and tour city
- See skiing slopes and mountains
- Visit stone lion landmark
- Travel to Azrou cedar forest
- Walk through green woods
- Observe Barbary monkeys
- Relax and take photos in forest
- Return to Fez hotels and riads
The Experience
The drive leaves Fez at 9 a.m. after breakfast, heading south into the Middle Atlas with a professional driver and an air-conditioned vehicle that fits your group. The first stop is Imouzar, a small town built around Morocco's largest water sources. You get time to walk around, see the waterfalls and the landscape, and talk to locals about how Berber families live in the mountains. It's not a long stop, but it's enough to feel the shift from city to something quieter.
After Imouzar, the route climbs to Ifrane, which locals call the little Switzerland because of the snow-covered peaks, green valleys and the way the whole place is clean and orderly in a way that surprises most visitors. There's a stone lion statue in the garden of Mohammed V that sits in the middle of town. It's become the landmark everyone photographs. You'll drive around the skiing slopes and the lakes, and the views open up across the Atlas range. This is where you spend the most time, and it's the part of the Middle Atlas day trip most people remember.
Then comes Azrou, an old Berber town that sits inside the largest cedar forest in Africa. The driver takes you through the woods on foot. It's not a strenuous walk, just a path through the trees where the air is cool and quiet. This is where you'll see the Barbary monkeys that live in the forest. They're used to visitors, so you get close enough to watch them move through the branches and understand why the place matters to the region. You get a break here to rest, take photographs and sit in what the itinerary calls a spiritual atmosphere, which really just means it's peaceful.
The return to Fez happens in the late afternoon, and the driver drops you back at your hotel or riad. Bring sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes. The cedar forest walk is gentle, but the sun at altitude is strong, and the ground is uneven in places.
What’s included
- Your day includes hotel or riad pickup in Fez at 9 a.m., private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water throughout the day, and stops in Imouzar, Ifrane and Azrou.
- You walk through the cedar forest and have time to explore each town and take photographs.
- The driver returns you to your accommodation in the late afternoon.
- Lunch is not included.
Operated by Hiba tours
Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the Middle Atlas mountains and Berber culture without arranging your own transport or timing: the fixed 9 a.m. departure and planned stops mean you just show up at your hotel and the day is structured for you.
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Top questions
What time does the tour leave Fez?
9 a.m., after breakfast at your hotel or riad.
How long is the full day trip?
Around 8 hours, including drive time and stops.
What three places do you visit?
Imouzar (waterfalls and Berber culture), Ifrane (mountain views and the stone lion), and Azrou (cedar forest and Barbary monkeys).
Is lunch included?
No. The itinerary includes hotel pickup, private transport and bottled water, but not meals.
Can you walk in the cedar forest if you have mobility issues?
The forest walk is described as gentle and the tour is suitable for all fitness levels. The vehicle and all areas are wheelchair accessible, though the forest path itself is uneven ground.
Will you see monkeys?
Yes. Barbary monkeys live in the Azrou cedar forest and are accustomed to visitors.
Is the vehicle air-conditioned?
Yes, it's an equipped and comfortable air-conditioned vehicle.
Can children and infants go on this tour?
Yes. Infants can sit on an adult's lap or use a specialized infant seat. Small children can ride in a pram or stroller.