8-Night Small-Group Canyoning and Forests Multi-Adventure Trip from Marrakech to Fez

8-Night Small-Group Canyoning and Forests Multi-Adventure Trip from Marrakech to Fez

Travel through the Middle Atlas Mountains and explore its rich, fertile prairies and many waterfalls and rivers. There’s a reason why it’s called the “Moroccan Mongolia”! Discover a less-known region of Morocco while trekking and canyoning in the stunning Ouzoud waterfalls. Enjoy a unique cedar forest and abundant water in this off-the-beaten-path region, and camp out by one of the biggest lakes in Morocco.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in captivating Marrakech and night at a traditional riad

Stop At: Cascades d'Ouzoud, Ouzoud 22576 Morocco
You can arrive at anytime to Marrakech airport where you will be picked up. Marrakech is a bustling mercantile city that will also be your last stop at the end of your adventure. Its iconic Jamaa Fna square is still busy with storytellers, snake charmers, artisan markets, and all sorts of shopping stalls. The first stop after landing in Morocco will be at your traditional riad in the centre of the medina, or the city's old town. A riad is a traditional building in southern Morocco, a large two-story house built around a courtyard. In the evening, once all the group members have arrived, you'll gather at the riad with your guide to discuss your upcoming adventure.
Duration: 1 day

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Riad in Marrakech

Day 2: From Marrakech to the beautiful Ouzoud Falls

Stop At: Cascades d'Ouzoud, Ouzoud 22576 Morocco
After breakfast, a guided tour of the city’s medina will teach us about its different neighbourhoods, organized by traditional guilds such as carpenters or blacksmiths. Learn about its history and the workings of a busy old town. There will be time to shop and have lunch in the city. Afterwards, we’ll head straight towards the Ouzoud Falls, 150km northeast. These waterfalls are quite an impressive sight, and a popular destination because of their beauty. When we arrive to Ouzoud, we’ll do a little trekking around the area to get familiar with the environment.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Traditional riad

Day 3: Canyoning at the Ouzoud Falls and a visit to Bin El Ouidane Lake

Stop At: Cascades d'Ouzoud, Ouzoud 22576 Morocco
The day’s main adventure will be canyoning around the Ouzoud Falls, a descent that will consist of six rappels down through a range of waterfalls. Afterwards, we’ll explore the canyons by doing aquatic trekking along the area. At the end of the day we’ll drive to Bin El Ouidane, one of the largest lakes in the region, where we will set up base for the night. After a long and active day, enjoying the lake and relaxing by its shore will be the perfect end to our adventure.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Camping/bungalows by the lake.

Day 4: Trekking towards the amazing rock formations of La Cathèdrale

Stop At: Cascades d'Ouzoud, Ouzoud 22576 Morocco
Early in the morning, we’ll start our day by doing some trekking in the area and having lunch outdoors. We’ll get to enjoy the beautiful landscape and the majestic rocky formations of La Cathèdrale, a massive rock wall that stands tall and prominent, dominating the landscape and reminding of a cathedral. It’s common to see Barbary macaques around, the only species of macaque outside of Asia. This is also the area where we we’ll spend the night, in a traditional gîte right by the river, next to an impressive rocky formation.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: traditional gîte right by the river

Day 5: Road trip towards the natural wonders of Aguelmane Azigza National Park

Stop At: Cascades d'Ouzoud, Ouzoud 22576 Morocco
On this day, we’ll go on a fascinating road trip towards Aguelmane Azigza National Park, following remote roads among green valleys and rocky plains. This park is rich in wildlife and has a stunning secluded lake. We’ll make several stops to admire this beautiful natural area in the Middle Atlas. After lunch, we’ll arrive to our lodging by the river in the middle of the national park. The day will be complete with some visits to nearby villages. We’ll learn about agriculture and crafts produced by the people in this region.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 6: Trekking around lakes and valleys at Aguelmane Azigza National Park

Stop At: Cascades d'Ouzoud, Ouzoud 22576 Morocco
This is a day to enjoy the beauty of Aguelmane Azigza National Park. The whole day we’ll be spent trekking through nature, walking by lakes such as Lac Azigza or Lac Ouiouane, stopping by waterfalls like the Sources Oum er-Rbia, and exploring green high-altitude valleys. Gradually, the vegetation gets thicker among rivers and forests with indigenous species. Most lakes and plateaus here are over 1600 metres above sea level, so this region is often called the “Moroccan Mongolia”. We’ll end our day by returning to our riverside accommodation and resting before our next trekking day.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation at the riverside

Day 7: Trekking in a unique cedar forest full of Barbary Apes

Stop At: Monkey Watch, Azrou Morocco
We’ll spend the day trekking in a cedar forest that hosts unique animal species and a rich flora, in addition to the massive cedar trees that populate it throughout. North of Azrou, the Cèdre Gouraud Forest is home to the Atlas Cedar and several indigenous butterflies, but their most noticeable inhabitant is the cheeky Barbary macaque. We’ll enjoy a relaxed walking day around this famous and diverse natural spot. At the end of the day, we’ll head to our lodging, a traditional Moroccan gîte high up on these mountains.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Traditional Moroccan gîte

Day 8: A day in Fez, Morocco’s imperial city and its cultural center

Stop At: Fez Mellah, Fes Morocco
Only one hour away from the Cèdre Gouraud Forest is the city of Fez. This is Morocco’s cultural centre as well as the imperial city, which used to be the capital of the Idrisid dynasty. Fez has the oldest university in the world, the University of al-Qarawiyyin, and a pedestrian old town worth exploring in detail. We’ll do a guided tour of its medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and wander throughout its different neighbourhoods. Learn about traditional guilds, and about the artisanal leather tanneries. Have fun exploring this interesting city on your own as well, and end the day relaxing at a riad in the medina.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Traditional Riad

Day 9: A final day in Fez

Stop At: Fez Mellah, Fes Morocco
This final day of the tour is a free day to get to know Fez a bit further. There will be transfers to the airport arranged according to flight schedules, and plenty to explore in the city if you have time before your departure!
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.