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. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Staying and walking in the High Atlas mountains.
Both Essaoura and Marakesh were good but in very different ways, Marakesh noisy and hectic, Esssaoura more peaceful, though the fishing port was busy
What did you think of your group leader?
Mustapha was great! Took us to some really interesting restaurants and told us a good deal about the berber peeple.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Ddin't need walking boots for the High Atlas, stout shoes were fine. Although it was cold overnight (-6 we were told) we were warm and cosy in the acccomodation - plenty of bedding.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Impressed with Hussain our guide in Essaoura. He took a few of us to see the Jewish Synagogue and cemetery kept immaculate by a moslem woman and her family.
Only dissapointment was leaving Essaoura at 1030 in the morning - this didn't give us time either in Essaoura nor later in Marrakesh to do much - could this time be adjusted to give more time in one place or the other.
Really enjoyed the trip (though perhaps not the 30 degree temperature difference between leaving Marrakesh and ariving at Gatwick!!)
Gillian Best
MARRAKECH, MOUNTAINS & COAST
Written
This was one of the best trips that I have ever been on. With the three completely different aspects it almost felt like three different holidays! From the hustle and bustle of Marrakech to the peace of the mountains to the relaxing nature of the coast every moment was wonderful and memorable.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Standing in the mountains listening to nothing, eating a freshly cooked dinner by candlelight then returning to our room to find a log fire blazing and a hot water in my bed, life does not get any better!
What did you think of your group leader?
Mustapha was fantastic. He went out of his way to make sure we were all looked after, he was patient, humourous and answered every question put to him with enthusiasm. We were lucky to have him.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
When you get to the beach just say no to the Happy Cake....
The trip does what ist says on the tin - it is an introduction to Marocco, with three different kinds of experience - two cities, Marakech and Essaouira which is on the coast, and the mountains. Well, the mountains bit is the part everyone else raves about, and we certainly found it the highlight. The hotel is like no other we stayed at.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Waling in the Atlas mountains was the best part of the trip - and certainly we want to do more of the same. However, this experience was enhanced by the amazing, quirky and very friendly hotel - more like a guest house than a hotel. We went late in the year and it was cold - but after dinner we found a fire lit in our room. There was something magical going to bed in a room lit by candles, with the flickering light of the fire. A hot water bottle was placed in our bed. The food there was incredibly good - much the best food we had.
What did you think of your group leader?
Hassan was a nice person, if you know what I mean. That really helps. He was infomative and very helpful, taking good care of us at all times. He really tried to make our visit work, and he was successful.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Essaouira is an easier place to buy than Marrakech, in that that shopkeepers were less desparate to sell, and our guide told us that the prices were a bit lower. Don't miss the tannery at Marrakech. It is not on the official tour, but not difficult to find. You may forget what a palace looks like, but you won't forget the sight or the smell of the tannery.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We had a really interesting group of people - all very different, all with their own individual characteristics, and all great fun to be with.
Michele Langley
MARRAKECH, MOUNTAINS & COAST
Written
Fantastic trip as a taster of Morocco,plenty of variety a good mix of bustling city,peaceful mountains and relaxed seaside.Definately want to go back for more!
Group leader very helpful,good humoured and mindful of our safety at all times
Amanda Seaney-Smith
MARRAKECH, MOUNTAINS & COAST
Written
I seicifically booked this trip to give me an overview of Morocco and it did exactly what it said on the tin!Marrakech was mental in a has to be done but not quite sure if I enjoyed it kindoff way. The mountains were serene and calming and the local people in the mountains lovely and Essouria had a chilled out holiday vibe with the medina but without the hassle.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Probably the view from the high Atlas Mountains
What did you think of your group leader?
Mustapha was a great group leader. He had lots of local knowledge. He made sure we felt safe and secure without mollycoddling us. For instance he always organised a group meal in the evening at somewhere, local and reasonable but there was no pressure to be part of that group. His health and safety for a Moroccan was really good to the extent that the whole group developed obsessive compulsive hand gelling disorder.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I love travelling but am pretty neurotic. Exodus group trips enable me to feel safe to travel and explore in the knowledge that my accomodation, food and back up in an emergency is there. The other thing about group trips is that the dynamics of the group are sometimes as entertaining as the trip itself!
A perfect taste of Morocco. It was brilliant to see the three placs - they were so different, it felt like three different countries! It's very bizarre to think there can be such diversity over such small distances, just over an hours drive and you feel like you're on a totally seperate holiday.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I loved the Atlas Mountains. I'm a big walker anyway but they were just so much more beautiful than I expected them to be; lovely pink colour. My pictures do not do them justice - it'd be a good place to be a painter.
What did you think of your group leader?
Mustapha was excellent. As other people have said he was very conscious of cleanliness and kept us all very well looked after. He was great at recommending where to eat / avoid, and was mortified at the idea of any of us paying over the odds for our souvenirs. He never once led us mindlessly around the souk encouraging us to buy things; every shop he took us to, he always asked about three times to check we really wanted to go to those shops (an argan oil women's co-operative, for example, and a government approved silver shop with quality control, and a Berber pharmacie where we were given a demonstration.) He was also just an interesting guy to chat to.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make sure you take antibacterial handwash, it is invaluable. A proper backpack is needed for the day walk in the mountains, as you need to carry bottled water with you.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Morocco is an incredible country, I am so glad I've been there. Marrakech is mental, the mountains are like a tonic of calm and Essaouira is the perfect beach break to round it all off. A great first timers trip.
Toby Monson
MARRAKECH, MOUNTAINS & COAST
Written
This was a very good taster trip, we saw a lot of places and know where we need to go and spend more time. Overall it is what I expected of the tour.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The accommodation in the mountains, it was a beautiful holiday retreat.
What did you think of your group leader?
He was good...very nice and helpful, but it seemed to me like he was a little bit over it. I know they feeling.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be careful in the square and the markets. Groups of guys move around the square, get close to girls and then feel them up. It happened to my partner and we saw it happen to some other girls. Unfortunately, you feel helpless and don't want to cause controversy because you don't know your rights and don't want to get stuff in a Moroccan prision. Also, when people are being nice to you in the markets, telling you they just want to show you thier fathers shop and how they dye wool.... they are expecting you to buy something, they are not just being nice!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Would have loved to spend a bit more time at some of the inbetween things like the spice talk, Argan oil stop, places where we were interacting with the culture. I really enjoyed cracking nuts ith the ladies, but we were rushed off. Also there was a horse/gun display happening and it took a lot on convincing to get them to stop and again we were only given a few minutes. More time is deserved at all of these things.