Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The moment when I reached the first summit- I was so overwhelmed by the achievement and the exhaustion that I very nearly cried. The other moment when I got in the shower when we reached the lodge at the end of it all. Running water never felt so good. I've never done anything on a holiday before where I felt such a sense of accomplishment (and maybe a bit of relief that it was over and that i'd made it!). 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Matthew, the group leader, was a great guide and always there to keep our spirits up as we walked. On the way down from the summit he supported me through a whole section of scree, literally holding me up in parts.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

All the websites seem to recommend chocloate bars like Mars to take as a summit snack. Don't do this! The caramel freezes solid and believe me when I say that there's nothing more frustrating than being desperate for a energy fix and trying to gnaw your way through a snack with the consistency of a brick.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved riding through the small berber villages and Christmas day with the carpet makers in Tiznit.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz was really hard working and really put the effort in to make sure our bikes were able to cope with the terrain.  She had knowledge of the area and the routes and encouraged people when necessary.  She was also very accommodating for different levels of experience and confidence.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go on this trip pretty fit to get the most out of it.  It really is all about the biking, not so much the culture.  However our guide Liz had good knowledge and of course the local support crew.

Most Inspirational Moment

Living in the village gite where things were basic and simple.Exodus has a very responsible role within Tighza by providing for villagers. For us this created a nice enviroment where as tourist we were priviledged to live and visit this small village without the feeling of being too intrusive.The views during the walks were probably the most inspirational !

Thoughts on Group Leader

Yahya was a fantastic guide. Genuine person. Always helpful and friendly. Able to explain about morocco and enlighten on Berbor life.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Marrakech in the evenings is a little chilly but only to the extent of a jumper/ sweater. The mountains- light jumper in the day. However on the walks which ascends up to 2700m, one needs a warm waterproof jacket and good comfortable waterproof walking boots (as though you were visiting a ski resort). Morocco is a developing country. Tourist may sometimes dismay or feel shocked at things like the traffic, slightly mad taxi driving, hassle in souks, haggling down prices of hourse carriage rides, rubbish/ poverty in the old town streets etc. I felt a little like this on the first day. However once I realised that we are in North Africa, this is the way it is and the whole point to visiting an exotic place; the holiday proved to be a truly wonderful enlightening experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

The ascent of the second peak beat the ascent of Toubkal as the scenery and variety of the ascent was alot more impressive.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent, very professional and explained the safty aspects of walking on snow or ice. Perhaps his dry sense of humour was down to spending alot of time with exodus clients.

Most Inspirational Moment

Undoubtedly reaching the top of Toubkal, especially as the visibility was outstanding and the snow covered scenery breathtaking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan was very efficient and confidence inspiring. Not only did he know everything you needed to know about the mountains but he was from the local village which we used at the beginning and end of the trek so that was a guarantee against unexpected surprises

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a lot of snow! Shortly before our departure there had been a very heavy snowfall so we reached the snow line at just over 2000 metres. It also meant that beyond the hut some of the walking was on fresh deep snow - I frequently sank in up to my knees or beyond so was grateful to have lots of energy bars with me!Take gaiters. As indicated the snow in places was very deep and the last thing you needed wass soaking boots, especially as the possibilities for drying them out in the hut were limited.Make sure you take on plenty of fluid, to help deal with the altitude but also to counter the effects of  abundant perspiration on the way up the montain. In the hut the toilets were two floors down from the dormitories but it was better to have to get up during the night than to get seriously dehydrated on the mountain!

Most Inspirational Moment

Last 20 minute climb to Stella point - after a tough climb then seeing the sun rising off to your right and feeling the warmth of the sun, giving a great sense of achievement and happiness!  Big smile as itching to get up to the Summit and take in the fantastic views and scenery. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great guy - very calm collected and experienced.  Never had any doubts in his abilities as a climber, leader or organiser.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pay very close attention to your kit - make sure you have what you need and practise packing and unpacking.  Prior preparation and planning.......  Also make sure you have good waterproof wear and when the rain and mud comes :) You can make the most of everything then without worrying, i.e. the scenery, the company, the experience :)  Fitness I did not think was such a big issue - but that depends on you personally.  You dont need to train for a marathon but make sure you are in good shape.  The final climb is a long way up and you will feel it - but don't worry and keep going you will make it - its as much mental fitness as physical for the last climb.

Most Inspirational Moment

Unexpectadly the scenery and terrain is so varied and different at every corner that walking alll day is a joy. The choice is yours, hang out with the group or be solitary and walk at your own pace till the next shade and sweet herbal tea break - of which there are many - for everyone to catch up. This stunning and quiet landscape can't help but make you feel at one with nature and yourself. Wild camping is brilliant and a must experience for anyone in the desert. Lying on your back with the sky above a blanket of glittering, shooting stars. In late April the nights were so warm that a sleeping bag was more than cosy. In fact every night we would all individually wander off to find a perfect place to bed down and get some privacy of sorts. Log fires and incredibley delicious and fresh food (hummous, tomatoe salads, bread, lamb stews, halva...yum), tea, and as much water as you could drink kept us all happily satiated. On one night some musicians came to play their local instruments and sing folk songs by the fire. On another day we walked to a caravan of camels and were welcomed into Bedoiun tents with tea.Perhaps the only tough day was climbing up to the arch of Burdah - a rock bridge across a canyon. Pretty precipitous in parts, with everyone helping each other and relying heavily on the strength and guidance of the local Bedoiun leaders. By the time we made it back down 4 people had ripped there trousers, one so badly the leader took his sweatshirt off to cover an indescently exposured derriere!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Zuhair was kind, patient, very knowledgeabe and above all really helpful from start to finnish.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take loads of baby wipes (biodegradeable) to keep yourself clean and un-smelly for all those nights of not washing! Lots of Sumcream (was in mid 30C in the day) and some SPF lip salve. A head torch (Petzl are good ones) is pretty useful at night when your are trying to locate your toothbrush. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting up to 'Dead Womans Pass' is hard work but getting to the top and seeing the view of the valley, it was worth it. Obviously getting to the Sungate and seeing the clouds clear and reveal the icing on the cake brought a tear to my eye, not only was it beautiful but, I did it! The rainbows, ruins and snow capped mountains were also magical.   

Thoughts on Group Leader

Disnarda, was a great guide. Her and Orlando made sure that as a group we were fine and despite feeling like the weakest link in the group they did not make me feel as though I was holding anyone back. Be warned, they may be vertically challenged but they move like the wind along that trail with endless energy and enthusiasm.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you have a good mechanism for keeping your kit dry, we weren't in the wet season but it rained and hard. Don't worry about taking too many snacks, you get given stuff daily. Toilet roll is always a good one. Take a good sleeping bag and pack some thermals, high altitude camping can get cold. Metal water bottles are good as they can act as hot water bottles when it is really cold but 'plats' are good whilst trekking. If you don't like things flying in your face get a face mosi net (I was so jealous of those that had the common sense to take them). Trip to the hot baths on the last day, I'd skip it if I were you, the 'hike' to get up there, in my opinion, is not worth it, better off sharing the cost of a hotel room and getting a good hot shower that way. Day pack rules for Machu Picchu seemed a bit 'changeable'. I had a 35 ltr pack but we told that the limit for day packs for the following 1 day entry would be 20ltrs. Luckily we were allowed in with our packs but I think it is one of those 'fickle' policies and walking poles are not allowed during your day at Machu Picchu.Final day, before train ride back to Cusco, get something to eat, you will be on the train for several hours, they serve drinks but that is about it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Highlights were the Draa valley and the Atlas mountains but for me personally the most inspiring moment was the end of the road in Mhamid. I wish we could spend more time in the area and explore it a little more.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Yaya (or whatever it spells) was doing a great job. Nothing to complain about.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Nothing more than is written in Trip notes.

Most Inspirational Moment

Spending the night in the Sahara.Amazing.Never been in such a beautiful environment before.Never seen so many stars.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mustapha was a joy to be with.Extremely knowledgeable,very accomodating and fun.Nothing was too much trouble for him.A true gent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A little French would be helpful.Take plenty of money with you.So much to buy, but you must be prepared to haggle.Its good fun but towards the end of the trip can be a bit tiresome.Watch out for the child pickpocketers in the square in Marrakesh especially at nightime.