Reviews

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

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

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115 Reviews

4.3 out of 5

Lee Jones

Reviewed May 2014

Highlights of Morocco

A very comprehensive Moroccan experience with a good balance of organised activities and free time. We had a very knowledgeable tour leader in Mustafa who could share additional information and answer questions informatively as they arose. The tour size was good. We enjoyed the company of our fellow travellers. The bus was comfortable and the driver was capable. We felt safe even on the most challenging roads.

Most Inspirational Moment

Opening my eyes at 2 in the morning to a crystal clear night sky brimming with stars in the Sahara! A bit fresh but well worth sleeping outside to have this memory to treasure forever!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mustafa was organised and accommodating.We had input into where we would dine and the opportunity to enjoy additional experiences if we chose. He was friendly and positive. All we had to do was soak up the sights and culture.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure you read all the information prior to departing! We failed in this endeavour and consequently did not have our sleeping bags and hiking boots! A minor glitch which we overcame!

Cathryn Davies

Reviewed May 2014

Something for everyone!

A great trip providing an insight in to the culture of morocco and a wonderful variety of locations.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved being in the mountain village with beautiful views, sunshine and a chance to meet some locals.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Mustapha was efficient and friendly. He always tried to meet our requests and did his best to keep us happy. He was a proud ambassador of his country!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make the most of souk shopping in meknes - it's cheaper, less crowded and you have more time than in any of the other cities.

Christine D'Souza

Reviewed April 2014

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

Overall this trip is a great way to see the variety of Morocco is a short space of time. We visited a couple of cities in the north, the desert, gorge, mountains, seaside – all very different and interesting.

Most Inspirational Moment

We had a free day in Meknes where we picked up a local guide who took us round the medina - had a wonderful tour seeing all the local artisans and getting local knowledge about the architecture, people and their crafts - one of our better guides on the trip!! I loved the desert and mountains - beautiful scenery and a great night had round the desert campfire.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mustafa was a pleasant guide but seemed to focus primarily on taking us to places to shop - we visited a pottery, weaving and metal work place in Fez. Most of the things on sale in these shops were far more expensive then we later found in the souks. Similarly with choice of restaraunts to eat..we were taken to places where we were given a set menu with no choice - far more in food and cost than we wanted.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Essaouira is a good place to buy cheaper souveniers and there is a good selection of all the knick knacks that we saw along our tour. Don't be tempted to buy argan oil products or djelbas at the places you are taken to earlier in the trip --- you can get the same much cheaper here.

Reply from Exodus

We would like to thank Christine for her valued feedback. This trip does give clients the opportunity to shop at locations where local products are produced, however these are primarily included as an insight into the procedures used and to learn about local industries. We have taken Christine’s concerns regarding the accommodation into account; the facilities in Meknes are being upgraded and electric heaters are being installed in the rooms. The gite at Kasbah Oliver does not offer private sinks in an attempt to reduce water usage; there are, however, now four sinks available. The showers in the gite are currently environmentally friendly, solar powered showers; regrettably this can sometimes cause issues with water heating. These too are in the process of being upgraded, with the hope of excess electricity being produced and sold back to the national grid, a positive contribution to the local economy of Tijhza.

Simon Clifford – Product Manager for Morocco

Reviewed January 2014

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

The tour was great way to see a diverse and culturally rich country. I thought it had a good mix of different cities, activities and sights. Being on a tour, you got to see alot of Morocco in a short amount of time which might take longer if you were to do it on your own. It gave me a sense of the country and a good springboard to decide where I wanted to explore further.

Most Inspirational Moment

My two favourite places were the desert and Kasbah Oliver. The camel ride was fun and it feels quite surreal and magical being surrounded by sand dunes as far as you can see. At Kasbah Oliver, you get away from the cities and can really take time to soak in the beautiful mountains around you.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Yahya was great - very relaxed, patient and easy to understand. He answered all our questions and gave us alot of insight into the local life, customs and values. This helped me to make sense of the unfamiliar things I saw (like why there are mainly men in coffeeshops). He was very open when faced by our battery of questions. Lassan, our busdriver, has great energy, a beautiful smile even though I never knew what he was saying!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I definitely recommend joining in the drumming (if that takes your fancy) that you might hear in the evenings on your trip. Otherwise, bring a good book or some music to pass the time. Most hotels we stayed in did not have computers - so if you need to connect, bring one.Essaouira is a good place to buy cheaper souveniers and there is a good selection of all the knick knacks that we saw along our tour.

Reviewed December 2013

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

Good way to have a whirlwind tour of Morocco if you are unsure about the country, But if after your trip you plan to go back you will probably arrange everything yourself as its will be a lot better value and feel less like a package tour.

Most Inspirational Moment

The best parts of the trip was the local guide at Volubilis who was very entertaining and informative. Also Essaouira is a lovely place, a total tourist trap but it just doesn’t matter. No hassle from anyone, loads of history and a Medina that is easy and interesting to walk around.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The tour leader is a nice enough guy, But he will make excuses to suit his needs. One minute it was OK for half the group to eat at a local market, then when he got the whole group together it suddenly was dangerous for us to eat here and the other half of the group was going to be eating far away. Then when he was pushed on the issue it suddenly became OK to eat at the market and the other half of the group was only going to be 10 minutes way. The tour leader gets a free lunch if he gets his group to eat at certain places, so even when we asked that we stop eating at expensive hotel/restaurants all the time he still kept taking up to expensive places.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The premium trip in November is not worth the money. They advertise pools etc. but none of them are heated so they are too cold to use. Also a number of hotels at the start of the trip have loud music playing till late so take ear plugs. The premium hotel in Fez is in the middle of nowhere so you are stuck listing to the load music from the basement club at night, the pool is also a public pool and across the road from the hotel. Take a good sleeping bag as you will need it for the desert camp and the stay in the mountains. If you don't want to eat where the tour leader keeps taking you stand your ground and tell them you want to eat somewhere else more authentic and local,

Reply from Exodus

Thanks for your valued feedback. We take all comments on board and have communicated your concerns to our local operator. We are particularly concerned re the mention of shopping stops as this is against our policy and something that we stipulate is avoided at all costs. This is being investigated and the leader will be questioned related to this claim. We also thank you for raising your concerns re the hotel in Fez not being up to the Exodus standard. Again, we are discussing alternative options with our local operator.

Reviewed December 2013

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

This tour gives an excellent insight of Moroccan life, country and culture. The trip requires a fair degree of fitness, not least a couple of very long day transfers in a mini bus.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me the best highlights was the Souk maze in Fez, especially visiting the tanneries with the colour and smells!, and also the camel ride into the desert at sunset. The contrast between the cities, remote mountains, desert and coast was particularly striking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Yahya is an excellent guide. Very thorough, knowledgeable and proud of his home country. He responded positively to all our questions.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If arriving late evening at Casablanca airport you can change some money in the baggage hall at a reasonable rate, although I would advise you wait until the next day in town to get a slightly better deal.The transfer day from the desert to Tordro Gorge can be a significant temperature change, be aware that the sun is shielded from the Gorge for many hours and there is little or no heating in the hotel that was very cold when the wind blew.

Reply from Exodus

Thank you for your valued comments. We have taken on board the feedback re the hotel in Fez and have now sourced a new group hotel away from the nightclub.

Reviewed November 2013

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

As a highlights tour this was a good 2 week whirlwind tour of the country. From the hustle and bustle of the northern cities, down to the African south and the beautiful Atlantic coast, this is a good introduction

Most Inspirational Moment

Having the final morning to learn more about how the locals live. We where presented with the chance to do some proper Moroccan cooking, from going with the Riad hosts to the local market, picking very fresh food, including 2 live chickens that where slaughtered and prepared while we watched. This was a real chance to see the culture of the Berber community

Thoughts on Group Leader

He tried his best but i did feel that he was only interested in taking us shopping and spending money rather than spending a lot of time giving us more cultural and historical context. His best bit was finding us some wonderful restaurants for food.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to spend a lot of time travelling in a minibus, some of the days are long, with some breaks enrouteUse antiseptic handwash before or after mealsBe prepared to find yourself on some days spending time shopping, even if you do not want toIf you travel in the winter months, it will be cold in the mountains so be preparedThere are no swimming pools on this trip just plunge pools

Reply from Exodus

Thanks for your valued feedback. We take all comments on board and have communicated your concerns to our local operator. We are particularly concerned regarding the mention of shopping stops as this is against our policy and something that we stipulate is avoided at all costs. This is being investigated and the leader will be questioned related to this claim.

Reviewed November 2013

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

Thought this trip would meet my needs and it certainly did! Active but with rest periods and paced to meet everyones needs.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching Essouira and seeing the rolling waves after fantastic walking and mountain views in abundance!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very discreetly yet alert to all our needs

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go, go go!!

Reviewed October 2013

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

A fantastic holiday experiencing Morocco. Many varied things to see and do.

Most Inspirational Moment

Riding a camel in the Sahara Desert, walking in the Atlas Mountains.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic Mustaffa's knowledge was superb. Great company and nothing was too much trouble.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Tummy problems hit nearly all of us so take the advice given and go prepared. Travel light you do not need much.

Reviewed October 2013

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

If you wish to have an insight in to this wonderful country, this is an excellent starting point. You get to see all that Morocco has to offer – cities, coast, mountains and desert – with a view to being able to decide if there are parts of Morocco you would wish to return to and see in more detail. I would definitely go back. Morocco truly surprised me.

Most Inspirational Moment

Spending time in the Atlas Moutains was wonderful. Kasbah Oliver is a lovely place to stay - you are are cut off from the madness of the outside world and at night time you get to experience true peace and quiet. There is no light pollution and so the stars are a sight to see. I have never seen stars so bright whilst in the northern hemisphere.I am not sure if inspirational is the right word but I did feel like I had landed on another planet when we visisted the medina in Fes. Sometimes you got the full force of being in the Twenty First Century and then you would turn a corner and see something truly medieval - artisans and workers showing off their skills, donkeys in the streets, bizarre products and recycled goods. Sometimes you got a bit of modern and medieval mixed in to one - standing and experiencing the sights (and smells) of the tanneries whilst looking over hundreds of rooftops all laden with satellite dishes. Just wonderful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mustapha is a true legend - intelligent, patient, funny, caring and totally in love with his country. My bag broke between London and Casablanca (the zip died) and within 24 hours (at no stress to myself) he had been to the souk in Meknes and got it fixed for me. We were all poorly (well 13 out of the 16 of us) and he was very helpful in terms of sorting medicines, asking after us and tweaking the itinerary for loo breaks when necessary.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely take anti-septic handwash with you. As stated above, we nearly all had a poorly tummy by the end of the 2 weeks and so be very careful about only drinking bottled water and not eating salads and not eating fruit unless you are peeling it (oranges and bananas). It goes without saying to give the street food in Marrakech a wide berth and also the fresh orange stalls in the main square a wide berth (they water it down with tap water).A lot of children we saw asked if we had pens/biros and so may be take a few extra to hand out.If possible try and experience a hammam - you might get the opportunity in the mountains in Kasbah Oliver where Exodus have helped set up a community hammam. It was unlike anything I have ever experienced before and you will certainly get to know your fellow travellers well/intimately! My skin felt amazing afterwards.If you want to take a carriage ride in Marrakech, ask the driver what is the colour of the current tag for the horses. If a horse has been to the vet for a health check in the past 4 months (and passed the check up) it will have on one of its front legs a coloured tag confirming that. Don't get on a carriage where the horse has not got an up to date tag becuase that means the owner is not taking care of its horse.

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