10-Day Morocco Imperial Cities & Middle Atlas Trek with Chefchaouen

Présentation du voyage

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Programme détaillé

Detailed Itinerary – Morocco Imperial Cities and Middle Atlas Trek

Day 1: Arrival in Fes

Arrival at Fes airport, welcome and transfer to the city centre. Check into your hotel and enjoy some free time to discover the historic medina. This first day is a gentle introduction to your Morocco imperial cities and Middle Atlas trek, combining cultural discovery with several days of hiking in the mountains.

Day 2: Fes – Ifrane – Zaouiat Ifrane

Leave Fes for the Middle Atlas, passing through Ifrane, a mountain town known for its distinctive architecture and green surroundings. Continue to Zaouiat Ifrane, a traditional village and the starting point for your mountain journey through forests, rural landscapes and pastoral areas.

Accommodation: Local guesthouse
Driving time: approximately 2h30

Day 3: Tisgdli Plateau – Lake Tisnfit – Ouiwan

Begin the walking stage across the Tisgdli Plateau, following trails through forests and natural springs toward Lake Tisnfit. After a picnic lunch, descend to the village of Ouiwan. This stage offers a beautiful introduction to a Middle Atlas lakes trek, surrounded by peaceful mountain scenery and traditional rural life.

Walking time: 5h30 to 6h – Elevation: +500 m / -220 m
Accommodation: Guesthouse

Day 4: Ouiwan – Oum Er-Rbia Springs

Continue walking through Berber villages, rolling hills and pastoral landscapes before reaching the famous Oum Er-Rbia springs. Enjoy a traditional tea break and time to appreciate the quiet atmosphere of the Middle Atlas. This stage reflects the natural character of Middle Atlas hiking in Morocco, far from the busier mountain routes.

Walking time: 5h30 to 6h – Elevation: +150 m / -550 m
Accommodation: Local family guesthouse or inn

Day 5: Aït Boumzough Valley – Lake Aguelmam Azgza

Walk towards the valley and surrounding agricultural land before stopping for a picnic in a cedar forest. Continue to Lake Aguelmam Azgza, one of the natural highlights of the Middle Atlas. Depending on conditions, there may be time for a swim or simply to relax beside the lake after the day’s walk.

Walking time: approximately 5h – Elevation: +365 m / -200 m
Accommodation: Bivouac beside the lake or return to the guesthouse

Day 6: Meknes – Volubilis – Chefchaouen

The cultural part of the journey continues north with a visit to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, followed by the route towards Chefchaouen, the famous blue city of the Rif Mountains. This transition from mountain hiking to heritage sites gives the 10-day Morocco cultural and hiking tour its varied character.

Accommodation: Riad

Day 7: Free Day in Chefchaouen

Spend the day discovering the blue medina of Chefchaouen, its kasbah, traditional market and the Ras El Maa spring. Wander through the photogenic blue streets, enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and take in the surrounding Rif scenery. This is one of the highlights of the Fes and Chefchaouen tour.

Day 8: Chefchaouen – Fes

Return to Fes through the landscapes of the Rif Mountains. On arrival, check into a riad in the heart of the medina and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. The journey now brings together Imperial Cities and Chefchaouen after several days immersed in the landscapes of the Middle Atlas.

Day 9: Guided Visit of Fes

Discover Fes El Bali with a local guide, exploring its traditional souks, madrasas, tanneries and historic alleyways. Visit Bab Boujloud and some of the city’s most important cultural landmarks. This final cultural stage complements the mountain experience with the rich heritage of one of Morocco’s great Imperial Cities.

Lunch: In a traditional palace
Accommodation: Riad

Day 10: Fes – Departure

Transfer to Fes airport according to your flight schedule. Your Morocco imperial cities and Middle Atlas trek comes to an end after 10 days combining mountain lakes, cedar forests, Berber villages, Fes, Volubilis and the blue city of Chefchaouen.

Fiche technique

Technical Information – Morocco Imperial Cities and Middle Atlas Trek

Recommended Period

This journey is best enjoyed from March to late October, when the Middle Atlas is green and temperatures are generally pleasant for walking. It is an ideal season for Middle Atlas hiking Morocco, while also allowing time to explore Fes, Meknes and Chefchaouen as part of a wider cultural journey.

Difficulty Level

The trek is suitable for walkers in good physical condition. Daily stages usually involve 5 to 6 hours of walking, with no technical difficulty and relatively gentle elevation changes. You only carry a small daypack, making the walking section comfortable and well suited to a 10-day Morocco cultural and hiking tour.

Luggage Transport

During the Middle Atlas walking stages, your main luggage is transported by local vehicle and delivered to each overnight stop. You only carry the personal items you need during the day, which keeps the trek light and comfortable.

Accommodation

The itinerary includes 3 nights in a riad or hotel in Fes, usually in a double room, with triple rooms available when necessary. During the trek, accommodation is in traditional guesthouses or with local families, offering an authentic experience of rural life in the Middle Atlas and the Chefchaouen region.

Meals

Meals are prepared by an experienced Moroccan cook. Lunches are usually served as picnics or shared with local families, while dinners are prepared on site and may include tagines, couscous and Moroccan salads. These meals provide a warm and practical part of the Middle Atlas lakes trek.

Guide and Local Team

The journey is led by Ali, a certified French-speaking Berber guide trained at the Tabant mountain guide centre. He is supported by a local team that may include a cook, muleteers or drivers depending on the stage. The team helps organise the trek, encourages encounters with local communities and acts as an interpreter when needed.

A Typical Day of Hiking

A typical day begins around sunrise with breakfast, followed by preparation of the luggage for transport. The walk usually starts about 1 to 1.5 hours later, with regular breaks for rest, photography and snacks such as dried fruit and oranges.

Lunch is taken in a shaded place whenever possible, followed by an afternoon walking stage through forests, lakes, villages or pastoral landscapes. Arrival at the accommodation is planned early enough to settle in and enjoy dinner prepared by the local family or cook, making each day a balanced part of this Morocco imperial cities and Middle Atlas trek.

Prix et prestations

Middle Atlas & Chefchaouen Tour Prices

Prices per Person by Group Size

Prices vary according to the number of participants. This journey combines Middle Atlas hiking Morocco with cultural visits to Fes and Chefchaouen. Rates include accommodation in riads, guesthouses or inns, meals as detailed in the technical information, and the services of our local guide.

Price Includes

• Arrival and departure transfers.
• 3 nights in a 3-star hotel in Fes.
• 2 nights in a riad in Chefchaouen.
• 4 nights in local guesthouses during the trek.
• Guided visit of Fes and its main historical monuments.
• Round-trip transfers to and from the starting point of the hiking stages.
• A French-speaking Berber guide throughout the journey.
• Full board during the Middle Atlas lakes trek.
• Full board during the stay in Chefchaouen.
• Local transport for the main luggage.
• Drinks during the trekking stages.
• Guided visit of the Roman archaeological site of Volubilis.

Price Does Not Include

• International flights.
• Travel, assistance and repatriation insurance.
• Personal expenses.
• Tips for the local team.
• Evening meals in Fes.

This pricing applies to the complete Fes and Chefchaouen tour combined with the walking stages in the Middle Atlas.