Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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118 Reviews
4.3 out of
5
Reviews
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.
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.
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.
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.
Alison MacLean
Reviewed January 2015
Highlights of Morocco
Excellent trip. Varied from coast to mountains to desert
Most Inspirational Moment
Sleeping in desert and waking up covered in ice
Thoughts on Group Leader
Mustapha was a star. Good sense of humour and knowledgeable
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't expect much of the food. Very disappointing
Annmarie Annmarie
Reviewed December 2014
Morocco
Great to travel round so much of Morocco in such a short time.
Most Inspirational Moment
Camping in the desert and being able to sleep outside.
Thoughts on Group Leader
He was very good of getting us all organised and he was very knowledgeable. M
Advice for Potential Travellers
Make sure you organise yourself as there is no real time to sit and think .
Andrew Dann
Reviewed December 2014
fascinating.
Fabulous trip. Really got an insight into the history and culture of morrocco. Some long days travelling, but there is no way around that on a trip of this sort. Came away with happy memories and admiration for the workmanship of the craftspeople making fabulous items that I would love to own.
Most Inspirational Moment
Highlights for me were the night in the desert, fes and essouria. I loved watching the craftspeople at work and this has given me great ideas and inspitation for my own woodworking projects.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Mustapha was an excellent leader, who dealt with tipping the guides etc and saved us all the hassle of knowing who and how much to tip. He impressed me by his attitude to some of the really poor people we came across, handing out a few coins to some children to buy a new football, a few coins to a beggar in the street and a nomad lad whose shoes were full of holes. He really cared! He was informative and friendly and made sure we got the most out of our trip.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take it all in and enjoy every minute. You dont really need walking boots, just some good trainers and leave plenty of room in your bag so you have room for purchases, there are so many fabulous things to buy.
