Reviews

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

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115 Reviews

4.3 out of 5

Reviewed April 2012

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

An amazing trip that really did explore the highlights that Morocco has to offer. The mixture of cities, desert, mountains and the coast enables you to fully experience Morocco’s very different landscapes. Friendly people, yummy food and delicious mint tea also helped make the experience what it was!

Most Inspirational Moment

The auberge in Merzouga, literally right on the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes, and the camel trek and night out in the bedouin camp was awesome! It was such a relaxing place to be after the hussle and bustle of the cities in the north, and had it not been a full moon (which in itself was great) i'm sure we'd have seen millions more stars. Do make the effort to get up early for sunrise, we did it both days and it was great, although suprisingly freezing cold!! The desert Berber's music after dinner was great too!Essaouira was also a favourite, a real laid-back and charming city. Make sure you resist tempatation and do all your shopping here...it's cheaper and you can get everything here (including the cool wooden soup spoons that you'll be using in the mountain gite!).Jemma el fna square, Marrakech - you must eat at the food stalls! It's an amazing experience, the food is piping hot and so much fresher than anywhere else we ate, plus hearing the banter from the guys working on the stalls "take a butchers", "see ya later aligator", etc. will have you in stiches! I can personally recommend stall 114!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mustapha was great! A really friendly guy who seemed to really enjoy sharing his country, its culture and his Berber roots with us. He'll happy answer any question you have and do his best to help you with anything you need, including buying the music that was played in the minibus and teaching us the amazing Berber card game Bonjour Madame, Bonjour Monsoir! It'll be spreading across the UK soon!I have to mention Abdul too, our lovely driver who took us very safely on this wonderful tour! ..and always with a smile!

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's easy to change money in the airport in the baggage reclaim area, there's also loads of ATMs available, just tell the guide you need one and he'll find somewhere to stop.The meals worked out more than in the trip notes so be aware of that. We ended up having 3 course meals for both lunch and dinner on some days at the start which was both excessive and expensive, although cheaper than in the UK. I wish I'd spoken up sooner and asked for more cheaper places or supermarket stops for lunches! A few words of French would be really useful if you get the chance to learn some before you go, otherwise English and body language will be fine.

Reviewed March 2012

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

We had a great time and Morocco was a wonderful experience. The Group of 15 merged together very well and we were inspired through all the extremes of temperature by our sensitive and entertaining Tour guide, Mustapha and his excellent driver Mohammed.

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to select as the trek up and down the Todra Gorge, the camel ride into the Bedhouin camp in the Sahara and the scenery in the High Atlas were all up there. Not forgetting the relaxing time back in the warmth of the resort of Essaouira, with it's fascinating port and wonderful fresh sea food.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mustapha was informative, knowledgeable and very enthusiastic about his Country, sensitive to the Group's needs and had a wonderful sense of humour. He seemed really happy and excited when he was able to manoeuvre a mock Wedding celebration between a pair in our group the man[Tim] of which was going to propose to his partner[Kensie] on Valentine's evening, for which he had already invested in a beautiful engagement ring!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do believe the weather advice that Exodus give you in terms of the cold temperatures at this time of year and take plenty of warm clothing. After 6pm and through until about 10am the temperatures were very low and some of the buildings had no heating[as 75% of the year, I guess the temperatures are so high as to be uncomfortable]. However, our own cocern from the Climate sites we had investigated, which predicted up to 9 days of rain in Morocco during February, were totally unfounded from our experience of 5 minutes of showers in Marrakech on the Friday before we came home on Sunday.

Reviewed January 2012

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

Whay a stunning and diverse country Morocco is. Deserts, mountains, valleys, gorges, seaside, bustling towns and cities. Friendly people

Most Inspirational Moment

Spending the night in the Sahara.Amazing.Never been in such a beautiful environment before.Never seen so many stars.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mustapha was a joy to be with.Extremely knowledgeable,very accomodating and fun.Nothing was too much trouble for him.A true gent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A little French would be helpful.Take plenty of money with you.So much to buy, but you must be prepared to haggle.Its good fun but towards the end of the trip can be a bit tiresome.Watch out for the child pickpocketers in the square in Marrakesh especially at nightime.

Reviewed January 2012

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

It was the best value for money trip that we have been on for a long time. It far exceeded our expectations.

Most Inspirational Moment

The visit to the Roman City of Volubilis, the camel ride into the desert and the camp in the Bedouin tent in the Sahara. The Auberge in the mountains and the morning hike along the mule track.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Group leader Lahcen was possibly the best we have ever had. He was enthusiastic throughout, could not be more helpful and eager for us to get the best from our holiday. His knowlege was exceptional and the level of information was pitched just right for our need. His English was easy to understand (not always the case we have found) and he listened to all our questions and needs very attentively. Mohammed (our driver) was brilliant both at driving, attending to our suitcases and accomodating his passengers. He quickly became one of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go on this one, it is an absolute winner!! Something for everybody.

Reviewed January 2012

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

A great trip with a good mix of cities, desert, mountains and seaside. You will see a lot of what Morocco has to offer with ever changing landscapes and scenery around every corner.

Most Inspirational Moment

Really hard to choose just one! Walking through the sand dunes of the Sahara in Merzouga just enjoying the silence and amazing scenery, sunrise, sunsets and post dinner drumming and singing sessions with our local guides. Sitting at the summit of our hike admiring the view of the snow capped High Atlas. Listening to the call to prayer and experiencing Moroccan tradition and culture.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rachid was knowledgable and enthusiatic and proud of his Beber heritage. Special mention also has to go to Hassan our driver - he did an amazing job and alwys felt extremely safe on the roads, even when other drivers were kinda crazy!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are travelling in winter then be prepared for some very cold weather. The hotel in the gorge and the gite in the mountains do not have any heating so make sure you have enough warm clothes, thermals and a decent sleeping bag. Hot water for showers was available though thankfully! Desert was also v cold at night so be prepared. The gorge and Atlas mountain hikes do require some level of fitness. Although not technically difficult, you are hiking for 4-5 hours with a lot of uphill. We did hike in rain and a blizzard in the gorge and through snow in the mountains so decent waterproofs recommended! Shopping seemed to be better and cheaper in Essouira than in Marrakesh. Prices were cheaper and they were more willing to bargain. Although there are a couple of long travel days, you do make frequent stops. And with so much to see out the windows of the bus the time did seem to fly by very quickly. Try to pack light for two reasons - there isnt a whole lot of room for luggage on the mini bus and you will end up shopping and buying stuff there. Oh and dont forget earplugs - the first call to prayer at 530am can be very very loud!!!!

Reviewed January 2012

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

As the holiday title suggests, what you get on this holiday is an insight to the highlights of Morocco – a country with a lot to offer the traveller. This therefore does involve a lot of time spent travelling, which in our case was extremely cramped as the trip was full with 16 adults on a small, old 18 seater mini-bus (plus guide & driver).

Most Inspirational Moment

Morocco really does have a lot of contrasts - from the Imperial Cities, the Desert, Mountains and the Atlantic coast as well - personally I find it difficult to pick a favourite, although I did enjoy the walking and would have liked a bit more.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mustapha was all you could want from a local guide - always helpful, polite and knowledgeable - unfortunately on the bus the technology (microphone & speakers) often let him down, meaning we couldn't hear a lot of his commentary.

Advice for Potential Travellers

For winter departures of this holiday, pack for a winter holiday - it gets very cold at night in the desert, the mountains and especially in the gorge. Most hotels do not have room heating, so thermals and thick jumpers are required.

Reviewed January 2012

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

This was a great holiday that included so many aspects of Morroco. To travel from city to desert to mountains to coast meant that there was something new to experience everyday. This seemed to make the holiday longer as looking back we did so much.

Most Inspirational Moment

The reason I booked the trip was the camel trek into the Sahara and camping out under the stars in the desert. I wasn't disappointed. It was amazing sitting around the camp fire after a delicious dinner, singing and drumming Berber style. Teaching four Berber men how to do the Hockey Cockey was absolutely hilarious, their ability to let themselves go was inspirational and a memory I won't forget.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was very knowledgable and enthusiatic.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would pack a range of clothing when travelling in winter months. The temperature dropped whilst travelling and walking in the Atlas mountains and it was essential to have some dry warm clothes to come back to. A good way to warm up was going to the local Hamam or baths, lovely hot steamy water and interesting insight into everyday Morrocan life.

Reviewed December 2011

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

Except for the weather, which unfortunately was incontrollable, it was a very interesting trip, we did and we saw a lot of things without any rush.

Most Inspirational Moment

Essaouira, hiking in the mountains, sleeping in the desert under the stars

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was great.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you go during November take warm clothes and your sleeping bag with you.

Reviewed December 2011

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

A diverse tour that took me to cities, mountains and villages, highlighting the wide range of Moroccan culture from sheep and goat herders, Berber people and progressive city life – something that would have taken a month to do on one’s own.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the Berber Villiage in the High Atlas. The Gite we stayed in was the most sparse accommodation of the trip, with mattresses on the floor and communal bathroom/showers, but with warm Berber blankets and good food. Hot porridge in the morning, a fabulous pasta and salad for lunch, and delicious tajines for dinner. Our visit to a Berber home for strong, spicy Berber coffee and sponge cake was an experience that doesn't come around often, if at all. I felt honoured to be invited into this home. Our guide Mustapha provided all the details on how people live in the High Atlas whether we were relaxing together, eating or walking through the village and the surrounding area.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mustapha was friendly, caring, genuine, and kind. He is proud of his Berber heritage and was happy to explain it all to us as the two week trip unfolded. His patience was exemplary as it's tough juggling 14 people's tastes and wishes. When I mentioned to him it was sort of like herding cats, he just smiled as if it was no trouble at all. He went out of his way numerous times to make sure we were comfortable with our questions answered, sometimes over and over again. He even came back to visit my partner and I in Marrakech after we had been travelling on our own for a week. He had previously helped us book our last night of accommodation in a Riad off the Jemaa el Fenad, which made me feel much better that I knew where we were staying on our last night in Morocco. You have a first rate guide in Mustapha and I hope he has an opportunity to travel himself, perhaps on a complimentary Exodus tour! He deserves it. I consider him a friend and hope to stay in contact.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring warm clothing for the High Atlas and don't forget your sleeping bag. Sunscreen is more important than you think, even if you're travelling during the cooler months. As a Canadian I was introduced to the Moroccon sun - real sun that can burn (but only slightly because fortunately I had 30 SPF on - another traveller wasn't so lucky) regardless of the temperature outside.

Reviewed December 2011

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

A whirlwind of diverse activities/accommodations/experiences that in 2 short weeks encapsulated a true and deep Moroccan experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Living in a High Atlas mountain gite in a Berber village and touching all-too-briefly on the simple, hospitable, authentic and friendly Berber lifestyle -- simply unforgettable. A close second was briefly experiencing the nomadic Berber lifestyle with camel riding and a night in the desert.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Outstanding. Mustapha is an authentic Berber man and the perfect guide to the real Morocco. He was funny, social, knowledgeable, warm and caring, with endless energy in dealing with a diverse group of travelers and their needs. He took the time to help people individually when needed, and was clearly loved and respected by the many Moroccans who crossed our path. Kudos to Exodus for providing a leader who was the "real deal" for this quintessential Moroccan odyssey.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't show too much interest in merchandise in the Fes medina, unless you're clear in your own mind on buying, especially in the leather area. Though the Fes medina is obviously a must-see, these merchants can be somewhat ruthless in their sales approach. I needed help from Mustapha to extricate myself from a leather jacket deal that most merchants would have realized I had no intention of completing. Don't expect too much from the much-vaunted Jemma-el-fna square in Marrakech. Though tourists/travelers pay most of the freight in Marrakech's economy, this square is completely aimed at Moroccans. My anticipation of hearing some authentic Moroccan stories that I could understand was misplaced and, though I take personal blame for this, it nonetheless was disappointing that this important aspect of Moroccan life was inaccessible here. On the plus side, pay no attention to the hype about hawkers here being rapacious. And do purchase some dirt-cheap ginger tea (ask for a little eucalyptus to be added too) here; makes a nice change from the excellent Berber whiskey (aka mint tea).

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