Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I was really inspired by our time in the Middle Atlas mountains. I loved the setting of the gite and the surroundings and being able to have some interaction with the local children.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mustapha was our tour leader and he was really great. He had endless patience with us, especially when we changed our minds over our meal orders! We also had some great guides in places in Morocco including Rashid in Volubilis who loved using English phrases, Hakima in Fes who showed us through the medina and 107 year old Hassan in the palmery near Todra Gorge.

Advice for Potential Travellers

For women travellers I would really advise sticking to the guidelines of covering your legs and arms as otherwise you can feel a bit exposed. I would have brought some lighter trousers to wear. Spending money of £450 for the 2 weeks was what I brought and with that I had plenty of money to get gifts and was really comfortable in my spending for the holiday. A few managed on just about £300 but it was a little tighter. I would advise people to be VERY protective of their cameras in the desert as a lot of us had serious difficulties with our cameras after the desert (we were warned) and some cameras did not work after the desert (it was quite windy when we were there). Ear plugs for the call to prayer around 5am are highly recommended as some of the hotels are central and therefore near mosques.

Most Inspirational Moment

The camel trip to the desert was great. An a capella version of Molly Malone on top of a sand dune waiting for the sun to set has to be one of my highlights! The walk up through the greenery to the night in the mountains was incredibly peaceful and I could have stayed there for longer. The architechture everywhere we went was fantastic, especially inside the mosque, and the coast was a good laidback ending to the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Moustaffa was incredible, so welcoming and patient. I wasn't sure about a guided tour before I went on one, but the ability of Moustaffa to answer my endless questions was wonderful. It hadn't occurred to me before how nice it is to be able to ask all the things that pop into your head when you're travelling but can't really stop and ask random members of the public about (we learnt about everything from politics to marriage to cooking!). He was also indispensible in recommending places (and even things) to eat and drink.The local guides at each of the stops were also fantastic. Their english was superb and it was nice to have at least one female guide so we got a different view of Moroccan life.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Would advise that you take one of the sealable bags you can get for taking cameras underwater so that you do not get sand in the mechanism in the desert. Also, be aware that there is no where to change Dirham back to pounds/euros at the airport so would advise changing any Dirham you have left before you leave the city.

Most Inspirational Moment

Trekking through the Sahara in a sand storm to the Bedouin camp and climbing the sand dunes at sunrise. Traveling through the mid-atlas in as snow strom! Unexpected and spectacular. The Medina in Fez, amazing!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Mustapha was brilliant. He was very knowledgable and endlessly patient with all our questions. His local connections helped to enhance our experience on numourous occasions. He quickly got to know what we as a group wanted and expected, and acted accordingly. He made out trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do take earplugs, the 4am call to prayers can be very disturbing. Hand gel is a must, no-one got funny tummies because we all used it all the time.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a few stand out moments - seeing the work and support that Exodus has put in supporting the villagers in Tijhza and the benefits this provides to the area as a whole.  The stars in the Sahara were absolutely awesome and visiting the ruined Glaoui family kasbah at Telouet (having read Lords of the Atlas by Gavin Maxwell in preparation for the trip).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Abdullah was great, he was very knowledgeable about the history of Morocco and endlessly patient with his vistors who were a bit rubbish at the Arabic and Berber languages.  Sena Sieda!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I have Coeliac Disease so my advise to anyone else in this situation is to make sure you have plenty of snacks with you (for outside of mealtimes) and consider taking some corn/ rice cakes with you as a bread substitute at breakfast.  And read the trip notes!

Most Inspirational Moment

Sunset in the Sahara on the dunes. It was so surreal and I could happily have sat there all night.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mustapha is a very knowledgeable guide. Perfect - nothing was a bother. He went out of his a few times to ensure we had a good time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack for the cold. It is bitingly cold in the Sahara and the mountains. All layers are necessary! We took water purification tablets and they worked very well so issues for both of us.

Most Inspirational Moment

There are lots of highlights. For me they included- tour of the city of Fez. Amazing place - like going back in time a few hundred years- the countryside of the Atlas mountains. Lovely scenery,and a different way of life- Essouria -indulging in the seafood and a lovely relaxed atmosphere- camel trek into the desert. A little adventure.- shopping in the souks 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Husein is immensely patient and very informative.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I was with a party of 4 ladies and we did some independant exploration and we never felt threatened at any time, but take some comfy shoes - it's hot! Most of our group had stomach upsets at some point (although nothing too major), so do take appropriate medication with you. We left some unwanted clothing with the villagers in the mountains which was gratefully receivedParts of Morocco are becoming westernised and prices are rising accordingly, particularly in Marakech. (This was my third visit in 5 years and I noticed the difference). However, it is still a very different culture. See it while you can.  

Most Inspirational Moment

Auberge in the Sahara, camel trip into the desert and desert camp.Mountain hostel and very friendly people.  The rest of the group really made this a great holiday - would be very difficult to improve on. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mustapha was an excellent guide and really looked after us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip introduced us to the real Morocco which was awesome.  At the end of the trip we encountered Marrakech souk which was disappointing - everybody decided it was "plastic Morocco" just for the tourists.  The Majorelle Gardens were very pleasant and well worth a visit.  The new town area near the hotel was fine too with some good restaurants and bars.   

Most Inspirational Moment

There were several great moments on our trip:The camel ride in the desert with it being made all the more realistic due to a "mini" sand stormWalking in the High Atlas MountainsVisiting a family in the High Atlas MountainsThe souk in Fez

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was excellent and could not have been more helpful and ready to explain anything we asked.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Most important is not to travel during the Festival of Eid (15th October 2013) as virtually all of Morocco shuts down. On our trip the Festival of Eid co-incided with our free day in Marrakech. As virtually everything was shut, it meant that there was very little to do and made the end of the holiday finish on a real low. It even affected our guided tour round the old city as everything was shutting early and the guide had to rush to get us round before they closed. You also need to be aware that on the day of the festival, they burn the sacrificed sheep's carcasses on the street corners (not a very pleasant smell)The standard itinerary does not use any riads and the rooms are pretty basic, so we would have liked to have taken the upgrade accommodation option if it had been available to us. 

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many inspirational moments......Watching the sun come up in the desert; Todra gorge and the spectacular cliffs; the blue fishing boat at Essaouira - seeing the catch landed and fish landing at my feet; the noise, excitement and colour of Djeema el Fna square in Marrakesh; the amazing starry night at the Gite at Tijhza and the wonderful food served there and so much more.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was very knowledgeable about the sights we viewed and helped to give a good insight into life in Morocco. He was very caring and helpful and made sure we got the best out of holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't forget to take your imodium! Many of us suffered with digestive problems. However, this did not stop us really enjoying ourselves. Remember to take suitable 'covered up' clothes for some of the places you will visit - long sleeved top and scarf.It does get very hot at times so be aware of this.

Most Inspirational Moment

Fez medina

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader really was amazing. He was informative, funny (berber sense of humour) and most importantly looked out for us and looked after us.