Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Riding camels in the Sahara and spending New Year's Eve under the stars. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan was excellent, local and knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour 

Advice for Potential Travellers

take lots of ball point pens as gifts

Suggestions

there were a couple of occaisions where we spent a lot of time waiting for lunch at stops. it would have been better to have phoned ahead and ordered in advance as we had to miss a couple of things off our itinery due to lack of time. Also, although it was not a problem, I was disappointed to share our bedoiun camp with a party that included children esp as this was an adult only holiday but having said that we were lucky and the children did not spoil it for us in the end. 

Most Inspirational Moment

I think my two favourite moments in the trip was 1) signing Auld Lang Syne around the campfire under the stars in the Sahara and 2) being up in the High Atlas.The Sahara was wonderfully beautiful and so silent, watching the sunset turn the sand pink was an amazing experience.  Our group made the most of the two bands that entertained us by dancing and singing along and after dinner going out for a group hug by the camp fire. The night and walk in the mountains was also a brilliant time and more relaxing than i thought it was going to be.  The contrast between the sahara and the mountains was great and everyone we met was very welcoming and looked after us very well. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan our guide and Abdul our driver were both very funny and looked after us very well.  Hassan really enjoyed telling us about his country and was always willing to answer our (endless) questions.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is alot of driving, so bring something to read or entertain yourself with.  Also, take a little more money than advised in the trip notes, you can take it in sterling and change in country as there are exchanges everywhere.

Suggestions

Thank you to Hassan and Exodus for a really wonderful trip.  The group were also fantastic and a great laugh.  I have already booked to go back again next year!

Most Inspirational Moment

It's difficult to pick any one element from such a varied trip as everything was so different and special in its own way but the camel trek and camping under the stars in the desert has to rank up there as one of the highlights. Ultimately however it was the little, unexpected things that made the trip so good - chilling on the balcony of the Gite watching the sunset in the mountains, drinking mint tea by candlelight in the desert, shopping in the souks of Marrakech, seeing the city by horse and carriage at night and sampling the delicious Moroccon cuisine.   

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan is a fantastic group leader, knowledgable, experienced, patient and incredibly good humoured. He was instrumental in making the trip a good one, always ready with a smile and an interesting story. His knowledge of Moroccon culture and history is comprehensive and he went to every effort to ensure everyone had a good trip and that we were all well looked after.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Beware the heat! It is easy to forget just how hot it can get, especially in the summer months. Bring a large, light scarf/shawl for the camel trek - it takes a couple of hours to get to the desert camp and there is no shade so something to cover up with is essential as applying sunscreen while on the back of a moving camel is no easy task! Don't forget your camera :-) 

Suggestions

There really isn't anything left to say other than to reiterate what a great time I had on this trip. It was well organised and provided a brilliant whistle stop tour of parts of Morocco I would never have otherwise had the opportunity to experience. Exodus staff were extremely helpful and accommodating when it came to combining this trip with the Mount Toubkal trip with all flights, transfers and hotels arranged with no fuss at all leaving me with nothing to do but enjoy my holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

The mountain mini-trek was beautiful.  Incredible views, some level of challenge but adapted to meet the needs of our group. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Moustapha was very knowledgeable and calm and helped to make the experience so memorable

Advice for Potential Travellers

It was colder than I expected in April.  Although this didn't spoil my trip, I probably would have packed differently in retrospect.

Most Inspirational Moment

Driving on the roads threw the Atlas Mountains. AMAZING! What ever you do, do not fall asleep on the bus or you will miss the fantastic scenery! Sit by a window and have out your camera!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Leader was very good with the group! He stayed with us for the whole trip and spoke very good English. He had meals with us and was more like a friend to everyone!

Advice for Potential Travellers

When you arrive in Casablanca Airport to get your connection flight. (follow the yellow lines on the floor) that will take you to the waiting area for your connecting flight. I did not do this!!! and got abit lost. I found somebody who spoke English in Casablanca Airport who told me to follow the yellow lines! (The yellow brick road!!!)Not many shops are open late at night in Casablanca Airport so buy food from Heathrow Airport and take it in your hand luggage. Also a good book and Ipod/MP3 as I had almost a three hour wait!!YES you can get Moroccan Dirham at London Heathrow Airport before you fly out. You do not have to wait untill your in Morocco to get any Dirham. Also I exchanged back my money at London Heathrow Airport when I arrived back in the UK. In my trip notes Exodus had said we would only be able to get our Moroccan Dirham once in Morocco!!!Don't stay up to late in the evenings! Go to bed no later then 11.00pm!! You see alot of Morocco in the bus and you don't want to sleep threw it!! arfter paying all of that money to see Morocco!!  Watch the food! Myself and the whole group had tummy upsets half way threw the trip. Avoid salads, Fruit juice from the hotels for Breakfast in the mornings! (Don't drink there tap water) Buy spring water from the local shops!

Suggestions

You do not get much time in Marrakech I found. During your free arfternoon in Marrakech get on the red hop on and hop off double decker buses like they have in London!! Stay on the bus for 90 minits and you will see lot's of Marrakech! You may have to buy a 24hr ticket but is well worth the money just for that arfternoon. It's once in a life time!! 

Most Inspirational Moment

Tough to chose one but i think wandering amongst our sleeping Camels after our trek into the desert followed by an amazing sunset.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both excellent (guide and driver). Coudn't fault them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The hostel in the high Atlas in April is a little chilly in the evening. Take more warm clothes than you think. I didn't and regretted it.

Suggestions

I did the solo trip and we had a an absolutely fab group. Not a single whinger amongst us.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sleeping under the stars in the mountains. Who knew there was so many shooting stars. Defiantly needed a star chart, as a group we only knew three constellations.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Most of the time he worked hard organising the trip and the people. I guess you have to accept that times are flexible, but it's funny when we are all on time for breakfast and nobody else is up.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I'm not sure I could recommend the trip to Vegetarians because there is a lack of understanding in the country as a whole. Your meal it will be bland and boring at best. One evening I had to make a fuss and point out that it was not acceptable to pick vegetables out from between the bits of meat. However the starters were good and nice so you can fill up on those. The main problem is you are booked in as a team and there is no choice of meal. When were able to chose our own meal then there was a couple of nice meals. The more Vegetarians on the trip the better I would guess and in high season it might be better.The airports want Euros and so Dirham and pounds are not very welcome and they will refuse to serve you in most shops. I would advise taking some Euros just for ready cash. You can't change money as you come in at the airport so having a few Dirham for a coffee and bun would be handy. They will take you to a bank the next day but then there was none for 5 days. There was however an ATM a couple of times.The trip notes are wrong on the meal kitty and amounts you need. The trip is now run as pay as you go with no kitty except for tips. I don't know where they got the prices from but everything is more expensive than suggested. Lunch and Evening meal are going to coast 110 to 140 Dirham each. Beers are from 30 to 70 dependant on where you are. Water in the shops is about 5 - 10 Dirham per Lt.There is a lot of travel in the mini bus on interesting roads. Our driver was very good and there were no worrying moments. But the roads in the mountains are very twisty.

Suggestions

Take a waterproof it does rain in the Sahara, who would have thought that. You will get taken to some shops don't feel you have to buy anything.

Most Inspirational Moment

Staying at the mountain gite was both beautiful and peaceful. The opportunity to walk in the mountains, as well as to sleep on a terrace under the stars was the high point of this trip for me.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Mohammed was both knowledgable and interesting. He was helpful when dealing with any issues (e.g. my luggage had gone missing at Marrakech airport and he phoned daily to find out when it could be returned) and in giving us some flexibility in the itinerary.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would stress that this holiday is more leisurely than the trip notes suggest. Whilst this is not a major issue, it is also important to consider if this holiday is suitable for you, given the amount of driving (especially on occasionally rough and winding roads).

Suggestions

Whilst there were some issues with this holiday, I did really enjoy the activities and the landscape in Morrocco. The group all got along well which did make the holiday far more enjoyable. I would recommend this holiday, but stress that if you are looking for a more active week that you consider if this is the correct trip for you.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking in the Atlas mountains. The visit to a local household in the village and the kids we passed who never failed to make us smile. Scenery was incredible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

10 out of 10. He was knowledgeable, experienced and always worked hard to make sure everyone was okay and getting the most out of their trip. Helped members of the group out in countless ways. The minibus driver also needs to be commended, he drove confidently and as safely as he could on roads that were difficult and coped well with other road users.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the Exodus equipment list and try to follow it as best as you can. Don't moan about lack of creature comforts. Appreciate where you are, who you are with, what you do have, and what you are doing.

Suggestions

We would have given this trip five out of five stars were it not for one major disappointment. This regards the school we were shown in the village of Tijhza which has been funded by Exodus charitable giving. The school appeared delapidated, ugly, abandoned and in a very poor condition. Judging it by standards of the other buidings in the village it is of a very poor quality. We were not able to walk around the school.Whilst I appreciate charity projects are often fraught with difficulties Exodus should recognise that this project is not a good example of their charitable aims and should certainly not be used as a showpiece for visiting tour groups. As a customer of Exodus I (and the other members of the group) felt shocked, embarassed and ashamed that this is our contribution to "Responsible Tourism". I hope you take these comments on board and take steps to review the projects in the village. Please consider whether they have truly acheived their aims within the local population.

Most Inspirational Moment

I appreciated the contrasting landscapes -- rocky, desolate desert --> stunning mountains --> the buzz of Marrakech's medina.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mohammed found a good balance of guiding and letting us take things in on our own.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Prepare for some long days of driving, especially in the beginning. The upside is that you'll gain an appreciation for desert life.The desert camp and mountain gite were more luxurious that we anticipated. My husband and I were almost disappointed to find ourselves in a private room with access to Western-style toilets!When you arrive in Marrakech, hop a taxi and have dinner in the Medina. We ate near our hotel which I regretted after visiting the Medina the following night - the buzz is amazing! And try a hammam!