Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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119 Reviews

4.5 out of 5

Martin Nicholls

Reviewed July 2024

Fun week trekking in the High Atlas Mountains

A really enjoyable week trekking in the High Atlas. The trip was very well paced with several challenging days but still enough time to rest, acclimatise and enjoy the spectacular scenery prior to summitting Mount Toubkal itself. There is also a mix of wild and arranged camping which gives a nice contrast throughout the week.

Most Inspirational Moment

Summitting Mount Toubkal - had but worth it for the views and sense of accomplishment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Ibraham and his team were excellent throughout. Professional, competent and assured, we had no doubt we were in safe hands

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy the experience. Yes you can climb Mount Toubkal in a long weekend but this longer trip enabled us time to explore the lower valleys , experience Berber life and enjoy the scenery in this spectacular part of the World.

Steven Barnett

Reviewed August 2023

Mount Toubkal Climb

The mount toubkal trek is an amazing week away. We were looked after the whole week, kept well fed, and taken up the climbs at a good pace. There were great views throughout, and plenty of rest time from the treks.

Most Inspirational Moment

Early morning summit of Mt toubkal. Closely followed by the street food in the medina, which was amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mo was excellent throughout. Happy to join us in the evening, kept everyone's spirits up during the treks, was always up early helping with breakfast, and was stood out in a downpour during a thunderstorm digging trenches to help keep the tents dry.

Advice for Potential Travellers

During August, you don't need a huge amount of cold weather gear. Light gloves and a thin warm jacket/fleece for the summit if it's windy. Definitely need a waterproof. Don't book with easyjet.

Garry Ward

Reviewed August 2023

An excellent short trip

This Exodus Mount Toubkal trip is a little longer than some and I feel it is much better for it. The route undertaken allows for good altitude acclimatisation over the common two day itinery direct from Imlil village. I/we found the estimated walking times on the trip notes to be quite conservative, our group must have been pretty speedy. Most days we arrived at camp at least an hour under the estimate. The camps themselves are wild camps with no on site facilities other than a portaloo toilet tent. Local people or team members did bring bottled water and fizzy drinks to the camp for purchase, with an altitude price premium. The tents used were by Salewa and a good size, they seemed quite new. At Toubkal base camp our camp was set up a few hundred metres downhill of the two constructed mountain refuges, across a stream. It was a short, few minutes, walk to the refuge where you could use (for a small charge) the showers or buy snacks, water and fizzy drinks from the kiosk shop. During the trek all food is provided and it was very good, my only slight criticism is that maybe there could have been some more variety but I also fully understand we were on a mountain… where Tesco don’t deliver. For any trip like this we often find ourselves deliberarting over the best kit and clothing to take. My departure was 6th August. It was blazing hot in Marrakech and on our last full day in the Medina it was 47C. On the low slopes of the first day of hiking it was 41C. On summit day we started off before dawn and it was 18C. Heavy thermal gear (and sleeping bag) was not required. I did not need my hybrid fleece jacket at all but we are all different. A long sleeve heavy merino t-shirt and wind jacket was as heavy as I went on summit day. What took me by surprise was the rain. Don’t forget your rain gear. In the afternoon of our summit day there was a torrential rain storm for maybe two hours of non stop very heavy rain. In fact every afternoon in the mountains there was short lived rain and thunder. I don’t know if this pattern was a high summer thing or all year round. I’m not the biggest user of walking poles ever but was glad I brought them for the summit decent. It’s often steep with a lot of loose stones just waiting to put you on your bum.

Most Inspirational Moment

100 metres from the summit of Mount Toubkal, guide Mohammed stepped back and ushered the group forward to complete the last steps by ourselves.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Mohammed. Mohammed is a great leader and guide worthy of respect. I can't fault Mohammed, it was a privilidge for us as Exodus customers to be guided by him and I feel we received something more as a consequence of his leadership. Mohammed could read the group amazingly well. He knew when he could drive us along and pick up the speed and conversely when anyone needed to slow down he accomodated that without pressure or question.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you travel during the summer do not underestimate the heat. The trip notes do mention that it can be hot in the lower valleys during July and August, they are not kiddding. On our first day of hiking during early August I measured 41C. I struggled badly in this heat which in turn lead to cramp due to sweat/fluid loss. Be ready for it or avoid it. Things do cool down the higher you get but even during the second day it was at times over 30C. A couple days later I measured 18C in the early hours of the morning when we began our summit climb and on the summit I measured 9C, I was wearing shorts and t-shirt by this point. Mobile network coverage is often patchy or non existant in the mountains but if you do want to stay connected, I was advised by Mohammed that the best SIM/Network to opt for is "INWI". I bought an "Orange" SIM card at the airport and it was borderline useless in the mountains. There was reception at the base camp, in the vicinity of the refuges but even then I had to get myself in a favourable location for reception. Not so for the people using Inwi. The Moroccan Dirham is a closed currency, so not easy to obtain as holiday money in the UK. You might obtain your Dirhams from one of the large and prominient exchange counters in the baggage reclaim hall at Marrakech airport. I was given all my Dirhams as 200 and 100 notes. These are far too large to spend in the mountains and often in the city too. Ask the cashier to mostly give you 20 and 50 Dirham notes, these are much more convenient values in Morocco for the kind of spending we are likely to do. A 1.5L bottle of water in the mountains was 10 and 15 Dirhams, a can of Pepsi about 15 too. In the city my first evening meal, chicken skewers and a cola was 61 Dirhams.

Lynda Berry

Reviewed July 2023

Gret trip, harder than I expected having trekked up Kili, but amazing views of the Atlas mountains.

Overall a great trip, the Atlas mountains were amazing. Views from top of Toubkal were stunning, and we had the summit to ourselves. The terrain was harder than I thought it might be, having already trekked up Kilimanjaro, but it was do-able. The team including the mule drivers worked really hard and deserve to be paid more. June was a good time to go. Hot but not unbearable, until we returned to Marrakesh to 47 degrees! Was only 32 when we left. Shame there wasn’t more time alone in Marrakesh to bargain hunt in the souks. Would have happily forgone the guided tour of Marrakesh if I had known.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of Mount Toubkal to have it all to ourselves, so spent an hour up there taking photos, and drinking in the sight of all the surrounding mountains which go in every direction. Our guides took a bit of lunch up for us so we sat there in the peace and tranquility eating sardine and cheese sandwiches. Fabulous.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Omar was great, and clearly knew the mountains like the back of his hand.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A water pouch (Camelbak or similar) was a must. Those with just drinking bottles didn't keep hydrated half as well. Take lots of small local currency to buy the freshly squeezed orange juice on the way (15 dirhams and worth every penny - delicious). Good well worn in walking boots are a must as the terrain was very rough with rocks and shale. Hard on your feet. Blister plasters a good idea too. And lots of layers as even in June it was cold at night and early morning till you got going. Take double the suggested amount of tip as it appears the mule drivers in particular are not paid for all the jobs they do (like setting up tents etc). And don't forget your loo roll!!

Sal Jefford

Reviewed June 2023

An amazing experience from start to finish!

Absolutely brilliant! The itinerary was very well thought out, with the planned treks progressively taking us up to a higher altitude during the day and then back down lower overnight, to allow us to acclimatise in preparation for the summit(s). The scenery was stunning, and the last day visiting the medina and souk in Marrakech was the perfect end to the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

It's hard to pick just one! Summiting Toubkal (4167m)was obviously a highlight (as was being licked by one of the mountain sheep at the summit!), but the optional ascent of Ouanakrim (4088m) the following day was almost better, due to the section of scrambling near the top - I loved it, but definitely not one for the faint-hearted or sufferers of vertigo...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mo was absolutely amazing; he was funny and engaging, and couldn't do enough to make sure everyone enjoyed their trip to the fullest. He was calm and unflappable, and extremely supportive to those members of the group who struggled on some of the trickier terrain. We couldn't have asked for a better leader. The rest of his team were also fantastic, and we were delighted at the quality and quantity of the food that Hassan (the chef) delivered on a daily basis. Beautifully prepared and presented salads, delicious tagines and local dishes, not to mention freshly fried chips at the top of a mountain! He had the added challenge of catering for both gluten free and vegetarian diets, and he succeeded at every meal.

Ali Walker

Reviewed September 2022

Amazing adventure

This trip is perfect – 5 days’ trekking in the beautiful Atlas mountains with optional extra peaks to stretch yourself. It was an unforgettable trip of a lifetime.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of Mount Toubkal was very special. The views and sense of achievement were amazing. Another highlight was climbing an optional peak and running down the scree. Very exhilarating!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Omar was an excellent leader. He went out of his way to make sure that everyone was enjoying the trip. He was very informative about local geography and culture. Abdul, assistant leader was also very friendly and helpful. We felt so well looked after. I can't praise them enough!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Highly recommended- a fantastic trip.

Peter Healy

Reviewed October 2021

A Real Adventure

When I got back I was asked several times ‘did you have a good time / holiday’? It felt like the wrong question. This trip required a LOT of physical effort, with consecutive days of several hours walking up steep inclines. But damn… what an adventure!! It was an ‘experience’ – clambering up rocky dirt tracks in an arid heat the first day, before sauntering through Berber villages that feel like a lost world. Ascending to cooler climes with endless vistas that seem to go on almost to the Atlantic Ocean… to clambering over scree fields in the dark with only your head-torch spotlight to illuminate the final push up the mountain before you.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a petite lady in our group turn up at 5am for the climb, after the previous day spent recuperating in bed dealing with an unexpected illness… and then leaving me in her dust!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Youssef was a star. Though young, he had a calm about him that inspired confidence – you always felt looked after, and every contingency prepared for. Once he realised my mischievous sense of humour he also displayed a deft ability for dead-pan wind-ups. He also displayed supreme patience – which sadly was needed more times than should have been the case due to one member of the group who turned up woefully out of shape and IMO should never have been on the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The Exodus category for this trip is ‘Challenging’. I would not disagree with that. I’m early 50s, a little too fond of real ale, and only an occasional hiker (partly due to problems with mechanics of one foot, but I won’t bore you on that…). I booked this trip with 2 months to go, and started to do some prep – each weekend going on hike for couple of hours, maybe 6-8 miles over rocky ground. I also started some cardio (jogging to the pub) and weights (deadlift) – but of course it’s impossible to prep for a 4000m mountain in the UK – my main motivation being “I don’t want to be that person holding everyone up at the back”. In the end I did ok, almost always being in the middle of ‘the pack’, only close to the summit starting to find breathing difficult. In comparison: one person turned up with no prep, but he’d been there before, works as a farmer, and got the nickname ‘Terminator’ – he took it all in his stride. Another turned up hugely overweight, and poorly conditioned… every day he held us up again and again... until Youssef was resourceful enough to allocate the cook (!) as his personal baby-sitter! In conclusion: be realistic with yourself about your fitness levels. Don’t be that person, that as one of our members wittily said: “let himself down, let the group down, and let the mountain down”!

Steve Calder

Reviewed October 2019

Mount Toubkal

One of best holidays of my life and maybe even one of best weeks of my life. Everything was superb about it which has been stated in other reviews.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing other people out of their comfort zones thriving in a new environment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Capable and held it together so well. Absolute gentleman too

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure you are fit and train for it.

Joy Frendo

Reviewed October 2019

Exhilarating

Our climb of Toubkal was challenging, it was quite hot and the terrain was difficult at points but our guide was superb, he was extremely experienced and kind. The food was incredible, with excellent variety, taste and presentation, we never felt hungry. The hotel stays were also very good and the guided tour of the city at the end of the week was very informative and interesting. All in all, it was extremely organized and well planned out. We will definitely travel again with Exodus in the future

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing group members all helping eachother reach the summit.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lhoucine Oumahjoub, our guide was incredible. We couldn't have asked for a more experienced, competent guide. He was also very kind and helpful with excellent English so communication was never an issue.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the heat if travelling in late September.

Ian Kilpatrick

Reviewed September 2019

A great experience

This trip was with my son before he left for university and we both had a fantastic time. A wonderful group and supported by a really dedicated staff of guides, chef, muleteers (many thanks to Moha & Zuhir).
The walking was very good and felt challenging but appropriate- amazing views.
Camping was fun, good equipment and quickly transitioned mindset to “trip mode”.
I totally underestimated the quality of food and we ate like kings all week – it was amazing to see such meals being prepared in a tent at 3000m !

Most Inspirational Moment

The climb up Toubkal was an experience and it was great to have that highlight on day 5.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Moha was group leader and really did an amazing job. From the moment we landed until we got on the airport shuttle he we on everything. He have some insights to Morrocan life that we’re valuable and definitely added to the experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

An extra bed mat for “50s frame” was nice. Sterilised water was provided and there was no need to stress about purification etc. We went in 1st half September and the nighttime temp was -2 approx so warm sleep-stuff and clothing is a must

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