Reviews

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

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68 Reviews

4.4 out of 5

Reviewed October 2012

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

The trip itself was good and ran smoothly. Unfortunately as I booked my own flights, there was a mix-up over which airport I arrived at – the sales rep did not specify that I needed to order flights to Ourazazate and as the trip notes mentioned transfers from Marrakech airport I assumed that this was the arrival point. When I arrived in Marrakech, the local representative did organise a transfer which I had to pay for locally. I was able to claim this back once in the UK, but it was obviously a rather stressful start to the trip. The only real criticism I have of the trip itself is the amount of driving involved in the itinerary. Whilst I appreciate that due to the distance between sights some long drives where necessary, I did not feel that this had been correctly emphasised in the trip notes. Additionally, it may have been a better idea to begin travelling earlier in the day to allow for more time for sight-seeing when arriving at each destination or to include more activities during the day. I also felt there could have been more opportunity for walking or exploring at towns along the way, especially due to the amount of time spent sitting on the bus.

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).

Reviewed May 2012

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

An excellent trip. Well organised with an experienced, friendly (and patient!) guide. We loved the variety, camels in the desert one day and a walk in the mountains the next. Accomodation was more than satisfactory and the food was plentiful and delicious!

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.

Reply from Exodus

It is very unfortunate to hear these comments regarding our Responsible Tourism project in Morocco, especially when I have worked with the village for many years. Please note first and foremost that although Exodus project work started at the school 10 years ago, our focus is now with the Tjihza Village Association and not the school.

This misunderstanding started when the schoolteachers changed a few years ago – they did not turn up regularly for school to teach the children and were upset that Exodus were providing money for a water tower in the village (so all villagers could have running water) rather than buying laptops for the teachers. We have completed a lot of work at the school but it is not well maintained by the teachers so this would explain why it looks so out of place with the other buildings. Over the years, we have installed new windows, painted classrooms, paid for goalposts, built a sanitary block and provided a computer for the school amongst other things. However we always work alongside the villagers on all requested work so the doors and windows we have bought for the school are waiting to be installed, yet the teachers need to first complete their duties (clearing rubbish from outside, keeping classrooms clean etc).

When Exodus get involved in Responsible Tourism, by no means do we consider ourselves a charity. We simply choose to give something back to the communities we visit. It is extremely regrettable that the teachers cannot support our efforts in the same way the rest of the village has and we are trying to resolve this relationship to help the children of Tijhza (rather than the teachers who are not from this village).

Reviewed March 2012

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

A great introduction to Morocco with a fantastic group of fellow travellers!

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!

Reviewed March 2012

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

I had a fantastic holiday. The programme of events were tremedously varied allowing you to get a good insight into the country. The tour guide and group of travellers were also excellent

Most Inspirational Moment

I enjoyed the sahara by night experience and also the atlas mountain climb

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guide was vey informative and an excellent guide. The trip notes were also very imformative and help prepare you for the trip

Advice for Potential Travellers

The holiday really gives you an experience of some of the key highlights of morrocco. Some days are long and the coach transfer are long on occasions. However you get a great experience of the culture food and people of morrocco. The sahara experience was excellent however the overnight accomodation was slightly more sophisicated than maybe published. I would really reccommend this holiday

Reviewed March 2012

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

A really great overview of Morocco – lovely to include the desert, the mountains and Marrakech. Lots of travelling, but plenty to see along the way.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the sun do down over the Sahara after a camel-trek to the campsite was special, as was sitting round the campfire later on. Exploring the kasbah at Ait Ben Haddou before the big groups of tourists arrived was lovely, really quiet and peaceful, and the bustle of Marrakech was a real contrast!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mohammed was great, very friendly, lots of useful knowledge and good advice on how to get the best from the various places we visited. One bad restaurant choice on our first night in Marrakech, but a great recommendation for our last night made up for it.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some long-ish mini-bus journeys, but the bus was comfy and spacious, and it gave plenty of opportunity for general chat amongst the group. Food was generally great and plentiful - it sometimes felt like more of an eating holiday!!As I've found with trip notes for other Exodus trips, the amount of money they recommend you take is nowhere near adequate, unless you were only to have the most basic meals and spend nothing on extras (and by extras, I mean as basic as fizzy drinks). There are lots of AGMs along the way though, so it's easy to get more currency while you're there.On the flip-side, the accomodation was generally better than the trip notes suggested, particularly in the Sahara campsite (flushing loos!) and the mountain gite. Yes it can be quite basic, but very comfortable.1 day in Marrakech is really no way enough, but it will whet your appetite to go back for a long weekend under your own steam!

Reviewed March 2012

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

I felt that the tour was an excellent for both solo and people traveling as couples.The tour also had a good mix of walking and culture which I enjoyed. We were always kept busy, and I liked this pace, we fitted a lot into a week.

Most Inspirational Moment

One inspirational moment for me was the camel trek in the desert, with a long line of camels walking up and down the sand dunes, travelling slowly towards our desert camp.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The tour leader was very friendly and had good knowledge of all the places that we visited and stayed.Also the group leader was good at making sure that everyone was having a good time and alright.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If I had any advice to any potential travellers thinking about doing this tour, it would be, when you spend the night in the desert bring enough warm clothes to keep you warm all night. It will be much colder than you think!

Reviewed January 2012

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

It was all together enjoyable trip. I have met very interesting and nice people and it was fun to share my experiences with them. I have also realised how easily one off person can spoil such a trip for the whole group. Solo departures are a tricky business after all. I felt safe and taken care of. On the other hand I had enough time for my personal explorations or thoughts – a perfect mix.

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.

Reviewed January 2012

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

Do not choose this trip if you dislike long minibus journeys. Every place we visited was excellent, but I was hugely disappointed by the amouunt of time spent in transit. Maybe too great a distance for a short holiday?

Most Inspirational Moment

Most surprising - finding sheeps testicles on my plate during an excellent New Years Eve dinner in Zagora.(Yes we all tried them)Best Day - into the High Atlas to visit the semi derelict Pasha's palace (read up on him and 20thC history before you go) then on to the Gite.Best memory - Wandering around Marrakesh as night falls - no problems at all if you are on your own, as the people are lovely.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rashid was always charming, cheerful, available and well organised - an excellent leader. Very passionate about a good future for Morocco, improving education in the rural areas etc.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Camping in the desert is unbelievably cold in December - January - take thermals/hat/gloves etc, and loose trousers on the camel ride or suffer!Polish up your French if you want to chat to local people Agree the price before you start a taxi journey, and stick to it. Otherwise the driver simply makes up a number.

Reviewed January 2012

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

A beautiful country and an excellent introduction.

Most Inspirational Moment

Spending Christmas in the desert isn't many people's idea of a good time but meeting a group of fun people and marvelling at the stars in the eerie darkness after a 2 hour camel ride is pretty hard to beat!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent - really good local knowledge and good language skills. Our driver was also a star - the roads can be a little crazy in Marrakech and the mountain roads sometimes look perilous, but I felt totally safe.