Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Realising that I had made it and hadn't suffered from the altitude.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hichan was very good. Competant, confident, and calm. very good.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get yourself some winter boots for this. The trip notes don't really stress this enough. I had pretty good Mindl Boots with a good stiff sole, but they weren't really a good enough platform to cope with serious ice. We made it up Toubkal ok in snow, but the day after, the ice was very bad and my boots bent at the ball of the foot and made walking on ice very hard work. My local outdoor shop were very happy to fit a c1 crampon to my boots and tell me they were ok. It was a rather marginal piece of advice.

Suggestions

Exodus booked us on a very late flight which was not the group flight. They did this despite us booking well in advance. It meant that we got about 4 hours sleep the first night. Don't really understand why this happened.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational was our pre trek briefing from our leader Abdullah who welcomed us in a sincere and earnest way to Morocco which is a muslim country surrounded by other countries which are in conflict. This made a deep impression and immediately earned our respect for him.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Abdullah was a fantastic leader,He looked after us kept us informed and was ably assisted by Mohammed and Houssain. Safety was paramount, he checked our kit and trekked with us if we were flagging!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with the Exodus team! push yourselves and find your limits, Its exhilarating, Take up the challenge! Your guides will assist you in every way.

Suggestions

We had a fabulous trek, This is our third time with Exodus and this was the best group ever, We all got on and had a hoot! we experienced fabulous views of the Atlas mountains in winter, the chaos of Marrakesh, the cramped sleeping conditions of the refuge, and loved every minute of it, along with the achievement of conquering Mount Toubkal.

Most Inspirational Moment

Overcoming fears amongst people who have become your friends under the safety of expert guides. Breathtaking beauty surrounds. The journey epic and the rewards are unforgettable.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me, three things; meeting someone who'd completed the trip the day before saying, "would you like to have my hot water bottle" - I'm a guy, no hot water bottle for me (mistake) Meeting someone who was easily 65+ and had completed all the treks with a smile, if they can do it so can I right? The second trek, maybe not as high as Toubkal but by far the most fun! Kept me going.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Top, very tentative, informative, good group leader. Even managed to keep up with us on the - end of trip party - just.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes and take note of the recommended equipment to take. (I missed I needed a sleeping bag) during the winter walks, I'd rent the Ice Axe and crampons on offer rather than taking my own, this is more from a weight perspective than anything else.

Suggestions

Even if you feel physically tired, keep going! It get easier and it's worth it! Where do I go next? Do Exodus offer sailing trips?

Most Inspirational Moment

The views of the peaks surrounding the refuge.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A brilliant young man.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Train hard.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of Toubkal and the views on a sunny, clear day were breathtaking

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good guides who spoke very good English and were always keen and happy to help.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walk to both summits starts very early so make sure you take warm and windproof clothing. Walking up to 2 4000m peaks in 2 days is very difficult and you need to have a good level of fitness

Suggestions

Well worth doing this trip in winter as i think it makes it more fun even though it is harder as a result

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of mount toubkal, we were so lucky to have fantastic clear blue sky's and the views were truly amazing

Thoughts on Group Leader

Due to the size of the group we had two group leaders and two assistant leaders all four of them were very nice and keen to help

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is tough so I would recommend training well. Also take a book or some cards as the nights can start to drag on.

Most Inspirational Moment

The views from the top of the two summits was unreal.  We were very lucky that we had clear days on this trip.  We arrived at the perfect time after the first proper dump of snow - it was very deep but still soft so we actually didn't need our crampons at all.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mohammed is a great guy, just the right mix or banter and seriousness.  I trusted him fully with my safety and we had lots of laughs with him too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Tahe lots of warm clothing and keep your camera in a warm pocket next to your body so the battery doesn't drain down.  Take a book or game because the walks finish quite early in the day and there isn't much to do at the hut in the evening.  Take ear plugs - the refuge rooms are all dorms and you sleep right next to someone else who might be a snorer...  Remember to drink lots of water on the first hike day. A few of us had headaches, presumably due to the altitude, and apparently keeping hydrated helps.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the top of Toubkal and Ouanoukrim

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mohammed was excellent and made the trip thoroughly enjoyable. Excellent local knowledge and went out of his way to help everyone in the group. Organising a trip to the local Hamman was definitely a new experience for us all & one which will not be forgotten!!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

take plenty of warm clothes & ear plugs for the refuge!!

Suggestions

Again would like to thank Exodus for another fantastic experience and cant wait for my next adventure!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Three for me: The first morning at the Toubkal refuge, looking down the valley at peach-coloured skies; The stunning views across the High Atlas from the col below Ouanoukrim, sheltered from the breeze and basking in warm sunshine; The Berber jewellery collection in the museum at the Majorelle Garden - a completely unexpected delight

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mohammed was brilliant - witty (in several languages), knowledgeable and extremely helpful.  His briefings were always clear, and his judgement on trekking conditions absolutely sound.  He was ably assisted by Hussein and Hossein on hiking and cooking duty (apologies if I have mis-spelled their names), with vegetarians amply catered for

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't be dismayed by the prospect of starting and finishing the trip in Marrakesh.  Although it would have been nice to spend every day in the mountains, the complete change of scenery (and temperature) at either end of the trip were a delight,  allowing a Morocco/Africa novice to lose himself in something entirely new.  You might want to leave space in your luggage for shopping - I didn't, and need to go back.You will need relatively little cash on the trip (unless souvenir shopping in Marrakesh) - I spent about 150 euros in total, including tips, eating out and sightseeing in Marrakesh. 

Suggestions

Once in the high mountains, you are entirely at the mercy of the weather.  We were lucky (?) not to need crampons at all for a trip at the end of November, but still had to omit a planned hike due to a snowstorm and poor visibility.  Accommodation from Imlil onwards is basic - particularly in the mountain refuge - and the hot water supply erratic.  It helped that the group were happy to tolerate one another's lack of showering whilst on the mountain, and enjoy evenings playing cards around wood-fuelled fires