Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to just pick one out. Every day brought new sights and experiences.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group was fortunate to have Ahmad as the Group Leader. We could not have asked for a better guide to take us through Jordan. Friendly, knowledgeable, professional and with a great sense of humour - a true ambassador for the wonderful country of Jordan.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with an open mind and go with the flow. On a trip like this, sometimes you just can't stick to the itinerary. For example, our group were visiting Madaba and the King of Jordan rocked up (yes, really), meaning that we couldn't visit two of the planned sights that particular day. But Ahmad, our brilliant guide, managed to take the group to one alternative venue that day and then squeezed in Mount Nebo on our penultimate day at the Dead Sea. Flexibility is key.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many, but I think what resonates the most was being in Imlil and in the village where Lachlan grew up. Listening to him talk with such pride about this community and then seeing the village and meeting the people was amazing. The warmth, the kindness, the support they have for one another. It was an honor, especially to be there as a member of the community passed away and to be witness to them all come together. Again, Lahcen was very generous as he explained this very important burial custom to us all in the midst of his own personal connection.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Patient, humorous and very attentive. He managed us all very well and took care of us to ensure we felt safe and everyone had what they needed. It would not have been the same trip or experience without Lahcen.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is a lot of time traveling, so be prepared for that, but worth it to see as much of Morocco and have the vast experience of the country.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspiring moment for me was being able to go to Imlil, in the high Atlas Mountains. The village where our guide Lahcen grew up and still has a home. We were in his village when we heard what was a call to inform the villagers that someone had passed away in the village. Within minutes, we saw people coming from all directions to go to the town to support the family and participate in the ritual of honoring this fellow villager.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lahcen was very informative and organized. Lahcen is very kind, calm and understanding. He also has a good sense of humor. I really enjoyed his company throughout the trip. He explained to us about everything that we passed while we were in the bus and in the villages and cities. He answered every question that we had about the culture in Morocco, religion, beliefs and rituals. He shared his passion for his way of life, growing up in a village community that is one big family. He shared his passion about his family and we were fortunate to meet them . He transferred that passion to all of us. We had a lot of fun with Lahcen. He made sure that he kept an eye on all of us and kept us together. We all were very safe and well cared for. I arrived not knowing much about Morocco and left feeling like I really understood the people and the culture. As one of our guides said to us. “ we seek to build bridges“ and that they have!

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is so much to see in Morocco. This really gives you a full view , highlighting many different aspects of the Moroccan culture. It’s a great start and you will want to go back for more.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Muayed

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t worry about a thing!

Most Inspirational Moment

Two moments: We had a lovely and delicious picnic set up for us at the monastery of Caños Santos on Day 3. This was a peaceful respite after our walk from the Cortijo. Also, I thoroughly enjoyed the Caminito del Rey on Day 6. Our guide made sure we beat the crowd and I am grateful for that. We were able to walk it at our own pace, stopping as much as we wanted for photos and to admire the El Chorro gorge.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michael was a good and knowledgeable (history, plants, wildlife) guide who set an appropriate walking pace for our group. He aptly timed quick rest stops and photo stops and was good at pointing out birds, plants and features we might be interested in and might have missed otherwise. He knows many of the locals so we were often warmly greeted along our way. I found him to be encouraging and supportive, showing each of us interest and a good sense of camaraderie.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I advise you use hiking shoes/boots and sturdy trekking poles. I used poles from the Cortijo but someone had theirs shipped beforehand. I also wore trail runners which I always hike in and they were fine, but I did wish I had brought my boots. Be sure to have what you need because there are not many places to shop until you go to Seville or Ronda. Most importantly, make sure you are in good enough physical shape to do the walks safely.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. It's great having a local guide who lives in the area.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roberta

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't hesitate

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking along the algarve coast

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Best I've experienced with Exodus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

No advice as trip was exactly as described.

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra had to be the most awe inspiring point of the trip, it was magnificent! Having walked around all the amazing tombs, monuments and Roman ruins during the day we then went back in the evening to see it by candle light. This was a very moving experience with local Bedouin musicians playing traditional instruments creating a very contemplative atmosphere.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ahmad was wonderful! He was very knowledgeable and obviously proud of his country and its heritage. He went out of his way to make sure that everyone was catered for as we were a very mixed age group with varying levels of fitness. The day we went to Madaba we discovered that the King of Jordan was visiting the same day so it was very crowded and many roads were closed off for the visit. Ahmad made sure we negotiated the crowds and, after seeing the King drive past (and wave to us!) he took us to a restaurant, owned by a ‘cousin’ were we all had coffee and waited for the crowds to disperse. This delay meant that we could not visit Mt Nebo that day but Ahmad made sure we visited on the way to the Dead Sea on the last day. Instead he took us to Little Petra which was lovely in the evening sun. We could not have wished for a better, more knowledgeable and helpful group leader than Ahmad.

Advice for Potential Travellers

When staying at the Bedouin camp overnight you will definitely need a sleeping bag liner, the facilities are very basic and the bed covers not very clean. Also it would be advisable to take walking boots as through the whole week you will be walking on quite rough rocky and/or sandy terrain.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the top of Kala Patthar as the sun was coming up round the side of Everest is a memory that will live with me forever

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tenzi Sherpa was an inspiration. Always jolly and with the most infectious laugh. He really looked out for the whole group and seemed to conjure medicines and cures for everyone's ailments and ills wherever we stopped. He truly seemed to enjoy his job and took pleasure in introducing us all to his culture and country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Wear a buff all day and every day to keep the dust out of your lungs. Despite the warnings before we went a few of our party didn't wear them because they complained that it made breathing difficult, especially as we got to higher altitudes, but they all then subsequently came down with the Khumbu Cough