Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking back towards the village on the last day in the mountains, seeing the stark contrast between the barren brown mountains against the lush green of the irrigated land in the low sun. Whilst we walked and talked, we passed many of the villagers walking into the 'fields' to work. It looked beautiful and it was humbling to see the locals go about their daily lives.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Leader was good but could perhaps have been more accepting of our questions about what was happening - us Brits like to ask lots of questions about what the plan is for the next day BEFORE it gets to the night before!!However, besides above, Hassan was very modestly and quietly caring, looking out for EVERY member of the group at all times. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you're going in November, don't underestimate how cold it might be in the evenings!! It wasn't ridiculously cold, I admit, but I was still FREEZING in the late afternoons/evenings in the gite - probably due to the temperature change more than anything else. I needed full thermals and as many jumpers as I could squeeze on. I wished I'd taken a warmer jacket (I left it at home thinking it wasn't needed). However, the gite does provide really warm blankets, which you can use any time and I was more than warm enough at night with a 2-3 season sleeping bag plus their blanket. The temp in the day was more variable but there was a definite chill in the air even in the sunshine. Quite pleasant when walking but could be a little chilly when stopped.

Most Inspirational Moment

Arriving at " The Blue Lake" after a 10 mile trek through some of the most beautiful countryside I have ever seen. The weather was great, clear blue sky and bright sunshine, we could not have asked for better!Also I really enjoyed the picnic(s) thoughout the week, not a hard boiled egg in sight, Its clear that Exodus does NOT DO fast food!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan was great, friendly and very knowledgeable.However, I felt he could have made a better effort to motivate us,there were periods of long silences and at times he appeared to isolate himself from the group. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are fit ( I was ) and capable of walking 20 miles over mixed terrain. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Making it to the top of the first walk without too much agonyFinding the local people in and around the gite so friendly and welcoming

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan was wonderful, a really dry sense of humour that got us all through any difficult points

Advice for Potential Travellers

Practice hills before you leave

Most Inspirational Moment

The welcome we received from the villagers in the mountains.  I can never fail to be inspired from those who do not have the material wealth or development that I am used to in the UK, but who still go out of their way to be hospitable.  The food, both at the gite and during the rest stops on the walks was nothing short of sensational.  The goat herders whom we saw during our walks - our leader told us that they live in the villages but come into the moutains every day to round up the goats and take them to the nearest source of water.  I found this very humbling, to think these people walk into the mountains, sometimes for a few hours, to find their livestock and move them on.  I couldn't imagine that happening in the UK.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was fantastic, approachable, knowledgeable and with a good sense of humour.  He joined in with the group of an evening, even to the point of bringing out a set of drums and teaching us Moroccan songs!  His appreciation of the area and its people was amazing.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure your walking boots are comfortable and in good order - you will be on your feet for many hours!If you go the same time I did - late August - be prepared, it is HOT.  Even in the mountains we were walking in plus 30 degree C temperatures and Marrakech was closer to 50 degrees C.Mingle with your group - you will be amazed who you meet! 

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a few - visiting the Berber family for tea was very humbling and was one of the highlights, finishing the long 19 mile walk in good spirits, the buzz of Place Jamaa as dusk fell to nightfall and the different smells, sights and general excitement buzz around the place and all without alcohol !  Oh yes the horse and carriage ride around sights on the sunday morning....The whole holiday was good and the group magic - Thanks everyone!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan was very knowledgable, organised and good company. You felt you could ask him anything. He had this week off to a fine art and it showed! He was very attentive to needs of group and helped those who found some of it more difficult.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Well - we were lucky and didn't get a funny tummy but a good few did so be prepared for that.  We only needed a sheet sleeping bag ( September) and saved us lugging a bigger one over. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking 10 hours in the harsh terrain soaking in the solitude and summer sun, sharing seriously sugar infused tea with a local family and watching the view from our Gite were all awe inspiring moments of our trip. We also had a thunder, rain and hail storm on our first night which was awesome + apparently pretty rare. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader gave us a warm and welcoming introduction to Morocco. His ability to have once run 45km in under 3hrs at altitude and through mountains caused a sense of awe in our group. We felt totally safe in his hands.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We travelled in late August which was hot and unforgiving so if you do travel then a good hat, glasses and sunscreen are essential. A little pocket fan would have been a nice luxury to have as in the still heat of the night it was pretty hard to sleep. Travel wash also came in handy and definitely take the toilet paper. The beds in the Gite are pretty hard and basic so if you get a bad back you might want to take a camping matress. Do take colouring books, pens, pencils etc for the local kids, they will really appreciate it. Quite a few in our group got sick so i'd also recommend taking a good supply of immodium and electrolytes. Bottled water is available to buy everywhere, so unless you're trekking for days in the mountains the water purifying tablets aren't really essential. In Marrakech, definitely make the effort to take a cab into the old part of town to experience the markets and evening food extravaganza. We recommend stand #31 for a tasty dinner, even if you do leave a little smoky! 

Most Inspirational Moment

The panoramic walk on the second day in the high atlas where it is possible to view the high and anti atlas mountain

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan was very informative about the Berber way of life

Most Inspirational Moment

The last day's walk along the river and opening up into a wonderful view of the Atlas mountains.Staying in the village - welcoming smiles, slow pace of life and beautiful setting. It was a privilege to visit such a remote part of Morocco.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hasan was very calm, experienced and caring. It was great to have a local guide who understands the Berber culture and language and was able to relay his knowledge to us. He had a good sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take warm clothes! The Gite was very cold in early April - it even snowed. Most of us were under-prepared and needed gloves, hats and thermals and a warm coat/jacket.

Most Inspirational Moment

It's hard to decide on a favourite part, but probably have to settle on the walks in the beautiful mountain scenery, with the views of the snow-capped mountains, beautiful valleys and picnics by the river. Then again, the square and the souks in Marrakesh at night were a smorgasbord of smells, sounds and sights. Lots of nice memories - sitting chatting over cups of mint tea in the gite at night, wrapped up in blankets then venturing outside to see a skyful of stars.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We felt very confident in Hassan's experience and knowledge of the mountains. He had an innate sense of timing in terms of walking pace and stops. Certainly won't forget the snowball fights at the pass on the second day's walk! He was always calm, friendly and good-natured. The staff at the gite were lovely, too. Managed to get some recipes out of the cook.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Always take warm clothes - especially gloves and hats! Don't believe forecasts that predict the mountain temperatures will be 3-5 degrees lower in the mountains than the city. We travelled in April and it was very cold, although worth it for the snow scenery!

Most Inspirational Moment

Waking up to snow one early morning in the High Atlas.Taking tea with a local family and watching it being prepared - pure magic and humbling. Hearing a nightingale in the valley near the gite.The last walk on the last morning down to meet the van when we were leaving. The morning was perfect and we ambled along with Hassan while some went ahead (breaking the golden rule we'd kept all week) and felt very relaxed. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely wonderful. Kind, patient, but with enough authority for us all to want to do what he requested.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You must take warm clothes - you will need them on the mountains (we climbed in snow and very strong winds); you will need a hat and gloves whatever the season! Waterproofs essential.  Take a torch.Be prepared for being cold in the gite at night before you retreat to your (hopefully) very warm sleeping bag. Once again, thermals needed and extra layers.  Use a rucsac rather than carry the free unwieldy Exodus bag. When we received it, we checked it was ok to take a large rucsac instead and it was - much prefer to carry stuff on my back.  (Plus of course a day sac).