Atlas Mountains, Morocco: Ifrane, Azrou, Monkey Forest, Full Day Tour from Fez

After pickup at your accommodation, you will begin your ascent into the Atlas Mountains. The first village you will pass through is Ifrane, a quaint little town with a panoramic view back to Fes. There is a lovely natural spring nearby with a park where you can stroll along the fresh water stream, if you would like.

Passing through Immouzer, the next feature is the lovely lake Dayet Aoua located just to the north of the town of Ifrane. Dayet Aoua is surrounded by woodlands in an area notably rich in bird life. In warm weather, you can rent a smaill self-paddled boat to enjoy the lake.

When you arrive in Ifrane, you first will drive through lovely tree-lined streets, and then enter into the village where you will be surprised by the village's unusual appearance in the middle of Morocco. With its sloping roofs, abundant flower beds, and shady chestnut trees, the city resembles a charming village of Europe. There is a park where people go horseback riding. In the winter snow season, there is a ski slope nearby Ifrane. Ifrane is a popular summer day trip for picnickers; in the winter, the affluent flock here to ski, and the hoi polloi come for the pure fun of throwing snowballs.

Next as you enter the Cedar Forest, you will have a chance to see the famous Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus), also known as Barbary ape, only found in this national park and in Gibraltar. You can feed the monkeys peanuts (available for purchase at stalls nearby) and take photos with them if you wish. You can also rent a horse (not included in the tour price) to explore the Cedar Forest, which is filled with magnificent old cedar trees, some estimated to be 800 years old. Alongside these ancient wonders grow green oak, juniper & hawthorn trees. (If you choose to go horseback riding, it will add an extra hour to the trip).

The next stop on the tour is a chance for lunch in the delightul town of Azrou, perched on top of a mountain. After having your own lunch in a local restaurant, you will have a chance to enjoy the local sights. The town itself offers you a thoroughly unhurried, relaxing spot in which to wind down if you're feeling frazzled after too many big cities. It's an important Berber market centre deep in the Middle Atlas, with a shaggy mane of woods and high meadows that burst into flower every spring. Azrou's petite medina is quite easily accessible, and is a refreshing place to wander without hassle.

After having lunch and a stroll in Azrou, your driver will bring you back down the mountain to Fez and drop you off at your accommodation, or take you to the airport.