Reviews

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

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66 Reviews

4.4 out of 5

Reviewed January 2013

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

A great, whirlwind tour of Morocco! A lot of variation – desert, mountains and city life but be prepared for a few long journeys.

Most Inspirational Moment

Camel trekking into the Saharra desert and sleeping in the camp was a wonderful experience. The camp is well catered for and the living conditions were comfortable. Seeing all of the stars including shooting stars as it got dark was a very memorable experience! The tents were smaller than I had expected, with 2-3 people sharing each one. There was a basic toilet block (lit by candles) and a central tent where we ate. Be warned - during the winter months it can be very cold and hat, scarves, gloves and thermal layers were definitely required!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was very good. Informative and willing to sort any issues that arose. My luggage didn't arrive until mid-way through the holiday and he dealt with the logistics of this and ensured that I had adequate equipment to endure the cold evening in the desert. He also did what he could for those who became ill on the trip. His English was very good and he was always willing to take any questions that we had.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are a few long journey's which I personally didn't mind. There is only one way into and out of the desert however, so you do have to take the same road in and out, resulting in a 4 hour 'repeated' journey.You can take Dirams into the country - there is a limit but I got them from a Currency Exchange in my home town before I left. The exchange rate wasn't fantastic but it does mean you have some money to spend in Casablance airport were we had around 3 hours before our internal connecting flight. Casablance airport didn't have many facilities so make sure you have a good book! My luggage didn't turn up until a few days later, which didn't seem particularly uncommen. Do remember to pack your essentials into your hand luggage! In November it was cold in both the Saharra at night and in the mountains. Take plenty of warm clothes. The mountain gite was basic and chilly!

Reviewed January 2013

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

First group holiday for us but we thoroughly enjoyed it

Most Inspirational Moment

Riding camels in the Sahara and spending New Year's Eve under the stars.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan was excellent, local and knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour

Advice for Potential Travellers

take lots of ball point pens as gifts

Reviewed January 2013

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

Tagine overload, brillant people and amazing countryside.

Most Inspirational Moment

I think my two favourite moments in the trip was 1) signing Auld Lang Syne around the campfire under the stars in the Sahara and 2) being up in the High Atlas.The Sahara was wonderfully beautiful and so silent, watching the sunset turn the sand pink was an amazing experience. Our group made the most of the two bands that entertained us by dancing and singing along and after dinner going out for a group hug by the camp fire. The night and walk in the mountains was also a brilliant time and more relaxing than i thought it was going to be. The contrast between the sahara and the mountains was great and everyone we met was very welcoming and looked after us very well.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan our guide and Abdul our driver were both very funny and looked after us very well. Hassan really enjoyed telling us about his country and was always willing to answer our (endless) questions.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is alot of driving, so bring something to read or entertain yourself with. Also, take a little more money than advised in the trip notes, you can take it in sterling and change in country as there are exchanges everywhere.

Reviewed January 2013

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

This trip was not on the agenda as initially I simply wanted to do the Mount Toubkal trip, however I decided to make the most of my time in Morocco and experience as much as possible by adding the Marrakech and Saharah trip and all I can say is I am very glad I did!!! A whistle stop tour of some of the most beautiful parts of Morocco which only left me wanting to come back again and again.

Most Inspirational Moment

It's difficult to pick any one element from such a varied trip as everything was so different and special in its own way but the camel trek and camping under the stars in the desert has to rank up there as one of the highlights. Ultimately however it was the little, unexpected things that made the trip so good - chilling on the balcony of the Gite watching the sunset in the mountains, drinking mint tea by candlelight in the desert, shopping in the souks of Marrakech, seeing the city by horse and carriage at night and sampling the delicious Moroccon cuisine.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan is a fantastic group leader, knowledgable, experienced, patient and incredibly good humoured. He was instrumental in making the trip a good one, always ready with a smile and an interesting story. His knowledge of Moroccon culture and history is comprehensive and he went to every effort to ensure everyone had a good trip and that we were all well looked after.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Beware the heat! It is easy to forget just how hot it can get, especially in the summer months. Bring a large, light scarf/shawl for the camel trek - it takes a couple of hours to get to the desert camp and there is no shade so something to cover up with is essential as applying sunscreen while on the back of a moving camel is no easy task! Don't forget your camera :-)

Reviewed January 2013

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

I loved this holiday. Beautiful mountains, incredible desert vistas. It was varied and interesting, and the amazing group made it even more memorable.

Most Inspirational Moment

The mountain mini-trek was beautiful. Incredible views, some level of challenge but adapted to meet the needs of our group.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Moustapha was very knowledgeable and calm and helped to make the experience so memorable

Advice for Potential Travellers

It was colder than I expected in April. Although this didn't spoil my trip, I probably would have packed differently in retrospect.

Reviewed December 2012

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

A great way of seeing as much of Morocco in one week. Very busy holiday and always on the move!

Most Inspirational Moment

Driving on the roads threw the Atlas Mountains. AMAZING! What ever you do, do not fall asleep on the bus or you will miss the fantastic scenery! Sit by a window and have out your camera!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Leader was very good with the group! He stayed with us for the whole trip and spoke very good English. He had meals with us and was more like a friend to everyone!

Advice for Potential Travellers

When you arrive in Casablanca Airport to get your connection flight. (follow the yellow lines on the floor) that will take you to the waiting area for your connecting flight. I did not do this!!! and got abit lost. I found somebody who spoke English in Casablanca Airport who told me to follow the yellow lines! (The yellow brick road!!!)Not many shops are open late at night in Casablanca Airport so buy food from Heathrow Airport and take it in your hand luggage. Also a good book and Ipod/MP3 as I had almost a three hour wait!!YES you can get Moroccan Dirham at London Heathrow Airport before you fly out. You do not have to wait untill your in Morocco to get any Dirham. Also I exchanged back my money at London Heathrow Airport when I arrived back in the UK. In my trip notes Exodus had said we would only be able to get our Moroccan Dirham once in Morocco!!!Don't stay up to late in the evenings! Go to bed no later then 11.00pm!! You see alot of Morocco in the bus and you don't want to sleep threw it!! arfter paying all of that money to see Morocco!! Watch the food! Myself and the whole group had tummy upsets half way threw the trip. Avoid salads, Fruit juice from the hotels for Breakfast in the mornings! (Don't drink there tap water) Buy spring water from the local shops!

Reviewed November 2012

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

This is a trip in 3 parts, Sahara, High Atlas and Marrakech. All three are excellent experiences in their own right although the hustle and bustle of Marrakech, after the Sahara and Atlas Mnts, was a bit a jolt back to reality.

Most Inspirational Moment

Tough to chose one but i think wandering amongst our sleeping Camels after our trek into the desert followed by an amazing sunset.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both excellent (guide and driver). Coudn't fault them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The hostel in the high Atlas in April is a little chilly in the evening. Take more warm clothes than you think. I didn't and regretted it.

Reviewed October 2012

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

An intresting quick snap shot of Morocco.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sleeping under the stars in the mountains. Who knew there was so many shooting stars. Defiantly needed a star chart, as a group we only knew three constellations.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Most of the time he worked hard organising the trip and the people. I guess you have to accept that times are flexible, but it's funny when we are all on time for breakfast and nobody else is up.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I'm not sure I could recommend the trip to Vegetarians because there is a lack of understanding in the country as a whole. Your meal it will be bland and boring at best. One evening I had to make a fuss and point out that it was not acceptable to pick vegetables out from between the bits of meat. However the starters were good and nice so you can fill up on those. The main problem is you are booked in as a team and there is no choice of meal. When were able to chose our own meal then there was a couple of nice meals. The more Vegetarians on the trip the better I would guess and in high season it might be better.The airports want Euros and so Dirham and pounds are not very welcome and they will refuse to serve you in most shops. I would advise taking some Euros just for ready cash. You can't change money as you come in at the airport so having a few Dirham for a coffee and bun would be handy. They will take you to a bank the next day but then there was none for 5 days. There was however an ATM a couple of times.The trip notes are wrong on the meal kitty and amounts you need. The trip is now run as pay as you go with no kitty except for tips. I don't know where they got the prices from but everything is more expensive than suggested. Lunch and Evening meal are going to coast 110 to 140 Dirham each. Beers are from 30 to 70 dependant on where you are. Water in the shops is about 5 - 10 Dirham per Lt.There is a lot of travel in the mini bus on interesting roads. Our driver was very good and there were no worrying moments. But the roads in the mountains are very twisty.

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).

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