Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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111 Reviews
4.3 out of
5
Reviews
Reviewed November 2015
Brilliant trip!
This is an excellent look at Morocco from every aspect.
Most Inspirational Moment
SJVtaying in the mountains in a small village where most people lived on next to nothing.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Rashid was a very good leader, he explained everything very well and did everything he could to make things good for us, and he had such a lovey personality.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take plenty of Imodium. The 4/5 hour walk in Todra gorge was in fact climbing up to the mountain top which I found quite challenging. The views from the top were breath taking and well worth it, but I think had I know the extent of the climb in advance I would have declined.
Go with an open mind on the accommodation. They were all different and some quite basic, but still this added to the authenticity of the trip.
Suggestions
I would recommend anyone to go on this trip if you have not been to the country before as it shows you everything, and I loved every minute.
Jonathan Stoneman-Merret
Reviewed November 2015
Highlights of Morocco
A thoroughly enjoyable way to see Morocco, excellent guide, great company, good weather, good transport and driver, good variety of hotels and food, brilliant scenery and fabulous city’s, towns and villages filled with friendly hospitable local people.
Most Inspirational Moment
The changing scenery from the differing mountain ranges to the huge Atlantic waves crashing in on the coast. The sights, sounds and smells of the different medinas.
Thoughts on Group Leader
A very friendly, funny and knowledgeable person, he interacted with the group and ensured we were fully organised at all times.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take Imodium with you, drink lots of bottled water and steer clear of drinking local green tea unless completely sure the glasses are clean and the water boiled.
Suggestions
This is not a standard package holiday, you really do see the highlights of Morocco, warts and all. It's not exactly back packing but for us oldies (age group 57 & 60) it was a real adventure. We enjoyed it so much we have already booked a second "highlights" holiday for early next year.
Tim Waudby
Reviewed October 2015
Lots packed in!
This trip covers a lot of ground. I have been to Morocco several times so knew what to expect to a degree and I took my partner along this time to see some of things I have enjoyed in the past. We booked the Premium departure as I wanted to ease my partner into travel in the African continent with as many comforts as possible and we were very glad we paid the little extra as the better desert riad is definitely worth it! It has been mentioned that this is quite a sanitised trip, where there is little interaction with locals and I would agree with this to an extent but you do have free days and we took ourselves off to visit a local (non tourist) hammam, where we had a blast with the locals. We knew that the better parts of the trip would be the desert and mountains so went with the flow in the cities. The city guides were very good and knowledgeable and spoke very good English. I would agree with other comments that the day in Fes does become frustrating as you are herded from one selected shop to another, Fes is a maze and without help you would get very lost. We did feel we learned a lot though and the shopkeepers were good fun. It’s just a long and tiring day in the heat.
Many of the group were ill and I think this made it difficult for some of the group to enjoy much of the trip. One couple were quite rude about making sure they always had the best seats and their insensitivity extended to wildly inappropriate dress when visiting a local household. There was a fair bit of moaning and this spoilt the trip to an extent. I felt like a tourist at times and not in a good way but there were opportunities to make a break for it and do things on our own.
Most Inspirational Moment
The desert camp. We had a fantastic camel driver called Sayeed, we got massages and even a concert at the desert camp, which was all a wonderful experience. The walk through Todra Gorge was excellent, we got to see an eagle soaring over its nest and a nomad family camped up in the mountains.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Yahya was very patient and gave us a very comprehensive intro at the beginning.
Advice for Potential Travellers
We took sleeping bags, which we didn't need. A sleeping sheet/sleeping bag liner is enough until late October early November. You won't need full walking boots just good walking cross trainers with good soles are enough in the warmer months.
Plan ahead what you want to do in Essaourria. Had I known, I might have booked some surfing or quad biking.
You need to go and look for your own entertainment on the free days as few options are presented to you and this can lead to not making the most of your time but there were times we were happy to rest.
We changed about £350 each, which paid for meals and a few souvenirs plus a hammam session for two in Essaourria and a Caleche ride with visit to the Jardin Marjorelle in Marakesh.
Yes there is a lot of time spent on a minibus - but - you stop every hour/hour and a half for toilets/drinks/photo stops so it doesn't seem too arduous. I have been on other trips where you can spend 8 hours in a cramped bus with one stop. Don't let that put you off if you want to see a lot of Morocco in a short space of time.
Don't expect there will always be hot water, working air conditioning, lights in the bathroom and you'll be fine.
Suggestions
There are some 'shopping trips' involved on this trip but if you go along with good humour they will at least be an experience and a good laugh. The Argan product place is well worth supporting and there are plenty of ethically sound places to barter for goods, should you wish to. If not, just enjoy the banter and the mint tea.
Daniel Gradwohl
Reviewed October 2015
Visual highlights indeed, unique experiences not really
If you’re looking to see a vast amount of Morocco this is a great trip. If you want to meet and interact with Moroccans and have in depth experiences and understanding of Morocco, this possibly won’t deliver. There are several long days on the bus and we believe Essaouira could be deleted to spend more time in other interesting areas like Fes or the Todra or Dades Gorges.
Much of a trip’s enjoyment comes as a result of the tour leader and also group dynamics. We felt the group of 15 generally bonded (with a few exceptions) but that the tour leader was very restrained and overly cautious. We believe we saw a lot of beautiful countryside but never really met or interacted with any Moroccans who weren’t in retail or at a hotel.
The food was much more expensive and bland than we were expecting and seemed very generically “Moroccan” with unflavored couscous, limp vegetable tagines, and overcooked meat skewers. Bring some Tabasco if you like food with some flavor.
Hotels were generally of good quality but not always within walking distance of sights (in Fes it’s in New Town and nowhere near the Medina or restaurants).
We do enjoy learning about different cultures and their history, socio-economic policies, and arts and crafts, but each time we stopped somewhere to learn about these it became a (sometimes high-pressure) sales job. The afternoon in Fes seemed completely devoted to going from craft shop to craft shop.
Generally we are happy with the trip and the fellow travelers we met. The hotels were very adequate (this IS Africa, after all) but the food uninspired. The shopping pressure turned us off and we felt our tour leader’s over abundance of caution prevented us from really having contact with local Moroccans. It was disappointing due to heavy rain we weren’t able to experience the Kasbah Oliver hammam. There wasn’t very much physical activity. The long days in the van could have been made more enjoyable and interesting, but instead most of us spent the hours either reading, listening to music, or sleeping. On the days we had free time the trip notes mentioned optional activities but most were never presented to us, weren’t possible, or were reatedly forgotten by our leader. The free morning & afternoon before the camel trek seemed a complete waste with no optional activities and only shopping possible. It seemed we spent a lot of time sitting around between meals and group meetings.
Most Inspirational Moment
Sleeping under the stars at the Erg Chebbi dunes, the camel trek, the rushed hike in the Todra Gorge; seeing the ruins at Volubilis and marveling at the society that lived and flourished there 2,000 years ago.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Moustafa (he never told us his last name, even when asked) seemed to operate with an over abundance of caution, wanting to protect us from dangers never facing us. As a group we'd ask to do something and his first instinct was to reply "It's not safe" and we were constantly warned about pick pockets, unsafe local food, unsafe water, unsafe weather, and unsafe souks where we'll be ripped off if we attempt to buy anything without him around to protect us and supervise our bargaining. Oh, and don't forget the hand sanitizer! This got very old very fast. He did present some basic information about Morocco but tended to repeat himself. With the repetition and constant safety warnings we tended to ignore him.
The last two days in Marrakech required us to meet with him about airport transfers twice. This is unnecessary and intrusive (it messes with the whole day). Just put a note in the room's pigeonhole or post it on the wall. We're adults. If the information is gone, we will get a ride to the airport one way or another.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring a sleep sack for the desert camp (and warm socks). It was colder (and wetter) in September than we were expecting. I was glad I had my trekking poles for the Todra Gorge hike and the 5km walk to/from Kasbah Oliver. Hiking boots were not necessary, but was glad to have trainers with support and grip. A headlamp/torch was also handy. There were not kettles in the hotel rooms so if you want tea/coffee in your room bring a travel mug and immersion heater. Most hotels outside the cities did not have hair dryers in rooms or even for loan from the front desk. Again, if this is important, bring your own.
Suggestions
Overall we enjoyed the trip but not as much as our Exodus Sri Lanka trip a few years ago. We felt we went through Morocco cocooned in the bubble (and safety) of the van and don't feel we've increased our knowledge and appreciation of Morocco much. If anything we're more cynical about the interactions we did have with Moroccans involved in the very important tourism industry. Without tourism Morocco would be lost. However, there are ways to make travelers feel they are welcomed and appreciated without taking them on shopping trips and expected to buy items of questionable quality just because we are considered "rich" in Morocco. We all went to Morocco because we were curious and interested in Morocco so please help future travelers increase their knowledge and feed their curiosity. We left feeling hungry for more-in both body and mind.
Sheila Tanner
Reviewed October 2015
Highlights of Morocco
This was a great way to see a lot of country in a small amount of time. There was a lot of “on the bus, off the bus” and a couple of very long days on the bus. There was only a few of days where there was any physical activity. We also found that we were taken to see “how things were made” but it ended up being a buying trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the sun rise and set in the Sahara, and riding a camel.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader tended to be overprotective. I feel he even scared people out of doing things they would have enjoyed. He was knowledgeable but he tended to repeat himself so much that after a while I tended to ignore him.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for long days in the bus.
Jacqueline Caverly
Reviewed May 2015
So much to see
There is definitely no way I could have seen all of the things shown on the Highlights of Morocco tour on my own. The tour covered almost all of the famous landmarks and showcases Morocco’s diversity. That being said, there is a lot of time spent on a bus and some limitations on your everyday freedom to choose activities. I definitely felt safe being part of the exodus group and I thought the accommodations were excellent.
Most Inspirational Moment
I loved seeing the Hassan II Mosque. It is beautiful!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our leader was very knowledgeable and helpful. He gave us tips on where to go and what to do during our free time. It isn't easy dealing with a group if 15 adults but he was patient and kind.
Suggestions
Morocco lives on tourism and there are a lot of similar tours. I would say that being on tours makes you feel a bit disconnected from the city and the local people but in exchange you feel safer and more certain that you are not being tricked by locals.
Zoubir Zouiti
Reviewed May 2015
Highlight of Morocco
It was excellent trip ,from the desert to the mountain to the west coast essaouira.
Most Inspirational Moment
My most inspirational moments were when we went to desert (Merzouga)and to the Todra Gorge,We had a great time there and poeple running the hotels were excellent.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Moustafa our local guide was excellent,very experienced and knowledgeble person,very friendly and very helpful .
John Roberts
Reviewed February 2015
Highlights of Morocco
This was a brilliant trip with a wide variety of landscapes and interesting cultural highlights to marvel at. Not a trip for the wildlife enthusiast as not many birds or other animals but still well worth the intensive immersion in all things Moroccan .
Most Inspirational Moment
Our stay in the village in the High Atlas was magical. It reminded me a bit of Shangri La in 'Lost Horizon' with the cultivated valleys covered in fruit trees in blossom with a backdrop of mountains in the most striking colours.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Abdullah was fantastic. Patient, knowledgeable and efficient. We couldn't have asked for a better leader.
Advice for Potential Travellers
One word of caution - it is VERY cold in the cities in winter - we were expecting it in the countryside - but be prepared and take lots of layers. If you have room, a hot water bottle and travel kettle are worth taking.
Thomas Robson
Reviewed January 2015
morocco delights
A very interesting tour. Lots of diversity. Great guide with us .
Most Inspirational Moment
The camel ride to our desert camp. It was nearly sunset on the on our 1 hour journey by camel . The scenes and colours were amazing.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Yaya was a good guide always there to help without being over powering.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you go in December or in Morocco's winter take plenty warm clothes for day and night. The walks can be quite rugged and difficult so wear walking boots for support. Take plenty dina when you arrive as sometimes banks and exchanges were not always open.
Suggestions
take a good camera or tablet pictures fantasic.
Thomas Robson
Reviewed January 2015
Morocco Highlights
an excellent trip, plenty of diversity. Being Dec/Jan the weather was a lot colder than I expected and I did’t pack enough warm clothes. I expected being in the desert and in the mountains would be cold but not in some of the cities we visited. However there was wall to wall sunshine and this made the 2 weeks very colourful. We found the local people very friendly and the shopping areas easy to walk around without too much hassle.
Most Inspirational Moment
The Medina in Fez was exciting and we had a great local guide who knew her way around so well.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Yaya our group leader was very helpful without being too pushy. He looked after us very well and had loads of local knowledge. He took us out to dine most nights and helped sorting out menus and drinks.
Advice for Potential Travellers
make sure your clothing is right for the time of year you are travelling. Take a reasonable amount of local money as some times the banks and ATM's were shut. Take very strong walking boots in Toddra Gauge as the paths are very rugged and uneven.
Suggestions
We travelled on a Sunday and had loads of trouble getting in touch with someone on the out of hours help line.
