Middle Atlas Mountain

Arrival in Fes. Transfer to Riad. Dinner and night in the riad.

In the morning you will visit the Medina of Fes. This old medina is very spectacular. Built in 808 by Moulay Idris de II, you feel like in the middle age. You will see the old University, the Souk with its small shops, the magnificent Mausole of the founder of Fes Moulay Idris II, the huge mosque of Karaouin, the tannerie, among other sights. Later an hour drive by car will bring you up to the Atlas Mountain, where you will have a picnic beside a lake. Locals comes here to enjoy nature.  Afterwards continue to Ifran, a town that was built in 1929 by the French. This little town, with its pointy rooftops and flowery alleys is at a height of 1700m above the sea. Ifran is very popular for its agreeable climate in the summer. The horses are staying outside Azrou. Go on a short ride to get to know your horse. Spend the night in tents.

Start on the high plain, with views to the big Atlas mountain. Gallop over fields, climbing down to the valley of Azrou to follow small roads through little villages and farm houses. It s a region for fruit trees. Then ride up the higher Atlas mountain, stopping for a picnic in a wood of oak trees, which will provide shade. In the afternoon continue on the volcanic ground, but soon the big forest of cedars will put you in a other world.
On the high plains will find the natural reservoir of Afnourir with its lake. The lake gets its water only from the rain, so late in the year it is not too high and the birds can easily find frogs and fish. After covering about 20 miles on horseback today, set up camp on the banks of lake Afnourir.

Today is another long day of riding about 20 miles. Ride across the plains until you reach the forest and descend to the river of Zaouiet Ifran. Monkeys live in this region, and you might find them jumping from tree to tree. Many locals spend their summer holidays by the mountain river. Cross the pretty village of Zaouiet Ifran and climb up on the other side through the oleander bushes, which are in bloom in summer. Take a break and enjoy a picnic. In the afternoon ride up the next plain, cross through beautiful forests and arrive at Lake Wiwane. Camp close to the lake.

Ride around the lake in the morning. Then ride through green pastures with streams passing through. Soon the river turns salt, and the ground looks like ice. Final you reach the forty springs of Oum Erbia. This place is very touristic. Many people stay here to enjoy the freshness of the cold water. After a cool drink we climb the hill to the top where we will picnic beside the salt river.
In the afternoon follow the river through the forest and again over green pastures with sheep, cows, horses and mules. Then cross through an other beautiful forest with cedar trees and climb down to the lake of Aguelmam Aghiza. Camp beside the lake.

Leave the lake in the morning, riding again through lovely forests. You may see the monkeys playing there or asking for food. Beautiful grassy fields invite you for gallops. Picnic on the way in the forest, before coming to beautiful views over the valleys and the mountains. In the afternoon you reach another green valley and soon you will find camp beside the river.

Climb up to another high plain, then follow animal paths through the forest. Later long gallops brings us over grassy fields. Stop at a well so the horses can drink the fresh water, with the sheep of the farmers waiting for a drink. The picnic today will be on a mountain. There is not a lot of shade, but a cool wind will blow. Then climb down to the lake of Aguelmam Sidi Ali. This is the biggest lake in this region and is spring-fed. The camp is beside the lake.

In the morning there’s time to enjoy the lake and swim, even with the horses. After the lunch will ride through a lonely valley with very old tuya trees. It looks like a forgotten place. Open plains invite gallops, before crossing over rivers. See horses eating the short green mountain grass with their foals. The camp will be beside a smaller lake where there are other equines grazing.

On the last riding day climb up the mountain. Another small salty spring is on the other side. Then we cross a huge valley where there are big herds of sheep are grazing. Soon the footing changes to volcanic stones and it is best to stay on the paths. Pass by a few lonely farmhouses. As you near Azrou you will say good by to the horses and the car will bring you back to the riad in Fes.

Transfer from the riad for your onward travel (transfer not included in trip cost).