HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

15 days from GBP959 to GBP1,069 including flights
Tripcode: AMH

Countries Visited: Morocco

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Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 48 reviews.

Philip Risdale

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

Written January 2012
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).
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
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.
What did you think of your 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.
Do you have any 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.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
If the trip is full (16) then do not expect any comfort or room in the minibus! Also, pack as light as you can as there's very little boot space either and rucksacks etc will have to stay with you under your legs or on your lap. And bear in mind that there are two very long transfer days - Fes to the desert took us over 11 hours.
alister ortlepp

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

Written January 2012
Whay a stunning and diverse country Morocco is.Deserts,mountains,valleys,gorges,seaside,bustling towns and cities.Friendly people
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Spending the night in the Sahara.Amazing.Never been in such a beautiful environment before.Never seen so many stars.
What did you think of your 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.
Do you have any 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.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Loved every minute of this trip.Breathtaking
Sally Cheyne

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

Written January 2012
It was the best value for money trip that we have been on for a long time. It far exceeded our expectations.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
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.
What did you think of your 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.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go on this one, it is an absolute winner!! Something for everybody.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
All the Moroccan people we met were absolutely charming but the people at the Auberge Sahara and the hotel in Essaouira were quite exceptional.
Mack Skinner

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

Written November 2011
A whirlwind of diverse activities/accommodations/experiences that in 2 short weeks encapsulated a true and deep Moroccan experience.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
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.
What did you think of your 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.
Do you have any 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).
Is there anything else you would like to add?
If you have 2 weeks to devote to Morocco, this is the tour for you. Though I tend to shy away from tours generally, I came to realize that to accomplish the same on my own would have taken twice as long and involved significantly more hassle, and likely cost too. And I was pleasantly surprised at the depth of travel experience, much of it pretty rough-and-ready, among the tour participants. I will certainly consult Exodus before taking my next 3rd world trip.
Jennifer Irvine

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

Written November 2011
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.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
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.
What did you think of your 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.
Do you have any 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.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Now that I'm back home, I can honestly tell my friends that I really got a chance to see Morocco. This was my first tour ever, and I found Exodus to be the right mix of both easy and rough and ready travel. I liked the pace of the two weeks, relaxing into a routine of rising early for breakfast, ready to hit the road by 8am, a few sites along the way, at our next destination by late afternoon and dinner around 7pm or so.
I have learned that tours bring people from all over the world together to learn about cultures often far different than our own. It opens our minds, sets our prejudices aside, and allows us to learn that people everywhere are more alike than we often realize.
Thank you for allowing me to find my mode of travel!
MONICA AVRAM

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

Written November 2011
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.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Essaouira, hiking in the mountains, sleeping in the desert under the stars
What did you think of your group leader?
He was great.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you go during November take warm clothes and your sleeping bag with you.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would have liked to spend one more day in Fes.
Joanna Cook

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

Written November 2011
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.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
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.
What did you think of your group leader?
He was very knowledgable and enthusiatic.
Do you have any 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.