Fes Middle Atlas Day Trip — Ifrane, Azrou & the Apes
Escape the medina for a day in the green Middle Atlas — Ifrane, the cedar forest of Azrou and its famous Barbary apes.
Introduction
The Fes Middle Atlas day trip is an easy escape from the city into cool, green mountains. In a single relaxed day you'll see the alpine town of Ifrane, walk in the famous cedar forest near Azrou, and meet its wild Barbary apes — a refreshing contrast to the medina and a gentle introduction to the Atlas. Below is the full plan, pricing, the best time to go and our tips.
Overview
A short, easy day from Fes into the cool green Middle Atlas. You'll see Ifrane — the alpine-style town nicknamed 'little Switzerland' — then the cedar forest near Azrou, home to wild Barbary apes, with time among the trees and the Berber villages along the way. It's the perfect contrast to the city and a gentle taste of the mountains.
Why choose this tour
- Cool green mountains a short drive from Fes.
- The Barbary apes of the Azrou cedars.
- Easy and family-friendly — little driving, lots to see.
- Pairs well with a Fes desert tour.
Highlights
- Ifrane, the 'little Switzerland' of Morocco
- The cedar forest of Azrou
- Wild Barbary apes in the cedars
- Berber villages and mountain viewpoints
- Cool, green scenery near Fes
Itinerary
Day 1Full day: Fes → Ifrane → Azrou cedar forest → Fes
Morning. Pickup around 9:00 am and the drive south to Ifrane (about 1 hour), with its chalets, lake and clean alpine air. Continue to the cedar forest near Azrou to walk among the giant cedars and meet the Barbary apes.
Afternoon. Lunch in Azrou or Ifrane (own account), more time in the forest or a Berber village, then the return drive to Fes by late afternoon. Driving: ~3 hours round trip · distance: ~150 km.
Tour route map
Included & not included
- ✓Private vehicle with fuel and driver-guide
- ✓Pickup and drop-off at your Fes hotel
- ✓Free time in Ifrane and the cedar forest
- ✓Bottled water
- ✓English-speaking driver
- ✗Lunch and drinks
- ✗Tips
- ✗Personal expenses
Pricing
Per person for the private day trip; an easy half-to-full day from Fes.
| Group size | Price per person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 people | €70 | private |
| 3 people | €55 | private |
| 4+ people | from €45 | private |
Best time to travel
Lovely year-round. Summer is cool and green up here, a relief from the city heat; autumn is crisp; winter can bring snow to Ifrane, which is beautiful but check conditions. Spring is fresh and green.
What to pack
Comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket (it's cooler than Fes), sun protection and a camera. Please don't feed the apes — it harms them; just enjoy watching.
Travel tips
What to expect: real driving distances on good but winding roads. Tips: carry small dirham notes for lunches, entry fees and tips, and keep onward flights to the evening of the final day or later.
How booking works
Tell us your dates, group size and starting city by the enquiry form or WhatsApp and you hear back personally, usually within a few hours, with a clear all-in price. A small deposit holds your dates and you pay the balance on arrival, so you never prepay in full. Free cancellation up to 7 days before departure, and we confirm your pickup by WhatsApp the night before.
Booking direct with our Berber family
Hotel Les Roches is our own — we were born at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes and have run it since 2004. You deal with the same family that owns the hotel, runs the desert camp and leads the camels, so there is no agency markup, nothing is subcontracted, and the price you are quoted is the price you pay.
What a night at our camp is like
After the sunset camel trek you reach our private camp as the sky turns from gold to deep blue. The tents are proper rooms — a real bed with warm blankets and an en-suite hot shower — and dinner is a home-cooked tagine under the stars, followed by Berber drums around the fire. With no light for a hundred kilometres the Milky Way is astonishing, and you wake early to climb a dune for sunrise.
What our guests say
★★★★★
A great experience at Auberge Les Roches and their camp. The camel desert ride and camping experience was amazing. Special mention for their food and the friendliness of the guys at the camp.
Carlos Sousa · Google · 2024
★★★★★
We travelled all over Morocco and liked Auberge Les Roches especially. They arranged an awesome overnight camel tour, and the camp was deluxe with its own shower, hot water and toilet. The best people.
Ilya · Google · 2023
★★★★★
The hotel backs onto the desert, which was stunning, and the room was spacious and clean. The hosts even packed us breakfast for our early bus. The nicest vegetable tajine we had so far.
Beck Fa'amausili · Google · 2024
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GuideFrequently asked questions
Will we really see the Barbary apes?
Almost always — the apes near Azrou are wild but used to visitors and easy to spot in the cedar forest.
How long is the day?
About 8 hours with a relaxed pace; the driving is only around 3 hours total.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes — it's easy, cool and the apes are a hit with kids.
Can it connect to a desert tour?
Yes — it pairs naturally with our Fes desert tours before heading to Merzouga.
How far is Merzouga from Marrakech, and how long is the drive?
It's about 560 km and 8–9 hours over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, which is why the journey is spread over 2–3 days with stops at Aït Ben Haddou, the gorges and the Ziz Valley rather than driven in one go.
How comfortable is the desert camp?
Very — our private luxury camp at Erg Chebbi has en-suite tents with real beds, hot showers, private bathrooms, rugs and plenty of blankets for the cool desert night, plus a Berber dinner under the stars.
Are your tours private or shared?
Every tour is private by default — your own vehicle, driver-guide and flexible pace. Shared group departures are offered only on the Marrakech–Merzouga–Marrakech and Marrakech–Merzouga–Fes routes.
Is the tour suitable for families and older travellers?
Yes. The pace is gentle, the camel ride is optional (we can drive you to camp by 4x4 instead), and we adapt for children and any mobility needs — just tell us when you book.
When is the best time of year to travel?
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the most comfortable, with warm days and cool nights. Winter nights are cold and summer is hot at midday, so we run camel treks at sunrise and sunset.
Have a question before you book?
Message the team directly — we usually reply within a couple of hours.
⚡ Spring & autumn dates fill fast — book ahead. · ✓ Free cancellation up to 48h before arrival.