Marrakech & The Sahara of Morocco - Discovery Holiday

Our Clients’ Reviews

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...

Average Review Rating: from 51 reviews.

sue edgar

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

Written January 2013
First group holiday for us but we thoroughly enjoyed it
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Riding camels in the Sahara and spending New Year's Eve under the stars.

What did you think of your group leader?
Hassan was excellent, local and knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
take lots of ball point pens as gifts
Is there anything else you would like to add?
there were a couple of occaisions where we spent a lot of time waiting for lunch at stops. it would have been better to have phoned ahead and ordered in advance as we had to miss a couple of things off our itinery due to lack of time. Also, although it was not a problem, I was disappointed to share our bedoiun camp with a party that included children esp as this was an adult only holiday but having said that we were lucky and the children did not spoil it for us in the end.
David Donoghue

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

Written November 2012
A great way of seeing as much of Morocco in one week. Very busy holiday and always on the move!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Driving on the roads threw the Atlas Mountains. AMAZING! What ever you do, do not fall asleep on the bus or you will miss the fantastic scenery! Sit by a window and have out your camera!
What did you think of your group leader?
Our Leader was very good with the group! He stayed with us for the whole trip and spoke very good English. He had meals with us and was more like a friend to everyone!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
When you arrive in Casablanca Airport to get your connection flight. (follow the yellow lines on the floor) that will take you to the waiting area for your connecting flight. I did not do this!!! and got abit lost. I found somebody who spoke English in Casablanca Airport who told me to follow the yellow lines! (The yellow brick road!!!)
Not many shops are open late at night in Casablanca Airport so buy food from Heathrow Airport and take it in your hand luggage. Also a good book and Ipod/MP3 as I had almost a three hour wait!!
YES you can get Moroccan Dirham at London Heathrow Airport before you fly out. You do not have to wait untill your in Morocco to get any Dirham. Also I exchanged back my money at London Heathrow Airport when I arrived back in the UK.
In my trip notes Exodus had said we would only be able to get our Moroccan Dirham once in Morocco!!!
Don't stay up to late in the evenings! Go to bed no later then 11.00pm!! You see alot of Morocco in the bus and you don't want to sleep threw it!! arfter paying all of that money to see Morocco!!
Watch the food! Myself and the whole group had tummy upsets half way threw the trip. Avoid salads, Fruit juice from the hotels for Breakfast in the mornings! (Don't drink there tap water) Buy spring water from the local shops!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
You do not get much time in Marrakech I found. During your free arfternoon in Marrakech get on the red hop on and hop off double decker buses like they have in London!! Stay on the bus for 90 minits and you will see lot's of Marrakech! You may have to buy a 24hr ticket but is well worth the money just for that arfternoon.
It's once in a life time!!
Frances Ridley

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

Written November 2012
A great, whirlwind tour of Morocco! A lot of variation - desert, mountains and city life but be prepared for a few long journeys.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Camel trekking into the Saharra desert and sleeping in the camp was a wonderful experience. The camp is well catered for and the living conditions were comfortable. Seeing all of the stars including shooting stars as it got dark was a very memorable experience! The tents were smaller than I had expected, with 2-3 people sharing each one. There was a basic toilet block (lit by candles) and a central tent where we ate. Be warned - during the winter months it can be very cold and hat, scarves, gloves and thermal layers were definitely required!
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader was very good. Informative and willing to sort any issues that arose. My luggage didn't arrive until mid-way through the holiday and he dealt with the logistics of this and ensured that I had adequate equipment to endure the cold evening in the desert. He also did what he could for those who became ill on the trip. His English was very good and he was always willing to take any questions that we had.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
There are a few long journey's which I personally didn't mind. There is only one way into and out of the desert however, so you do have to take the same road in and out, resulting in a 4 hour 'repeated' journey.
You can take Dirams into the country - there is a limit but I got them from a Currency Exchange in my home town before I left. The exchange rate wasn't fantastic but it does mean you have some money to spend in Casablance airport were we had around 3 hours before our internal connecting flight. Casablance airport didn't have many facilities so make sure you have a good book!

My luggage didn't turn up until a few days later, which didn't seem particularly uncommen. Do remember to pack your essentials into your hand luggage!

In November it was cold in both the Saharra at night and in the mountains. Take plenty of warm clothes. The mountain gite was basic and chilly!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This is a holiday that covers a lot of ground in a week. There isn't much time in Marrakech, so some people may find that they would prefer a little bit more time to explore. I wish I'd done a bit more reading to make the most of the 'free' afternoon. Marrakech by night was much more fun that by day - the central square was a sight to be seen!

There wasn't much free time for individuals to do their own exploring and we tended to eat as a group, especially as we all paid into the optional kitty at the start of the holiday which covered the costs of lunches. Many of the meals were 'set' menus, so there wasn't a lot of choice in what you ate, but the food was genrally good - slightly blander than I had expected.

The mountains were spectacular and it's definitely worth going for the walk from the gite. Be prepared for some rought roads to get into the High Atlas Mountains!

A great holiday - the group was very mixed. Individuals, couples, young and slightly more mature.
Georgina Osborne

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

Written September 2012
The trip itself was good and ran smoothly. Unfortunately as I booked my own flights, there was a mix-up over which airport I arrived at - the sales rep did not specify that I needed to order flights to Ourazazate and as the trip notes mentioned transfers from Marrakech airport I assumed that this was the arrival point. When I arrived in Marrakech, the local representative did organise a transfer which I had to pay for locally. I was able to claim this back once in the UK, but it was obviously a rather stressful start to the trip. The only real criticism I have of the trip itself is the amount of driving involved in the itinerary. Whilst I appreciate that due to the distance between sights some long drives where necessary, I did not feel that this had been correctly emphasised in the trip notes. Additionally, it may have been a better idea to begin travelling earlier in the day to allow for more time for sight-seeing when arriving at each destination or to include more activities during the day. I also felt there could have been more opportunity for walking or exploring at towns along the way, especially due to the amount of time spent sitting on the bus.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Staying at the mountain gite was both beautiful and peaceful. The opportunity to walk in the mountains, as well as to sleep on a terrace under the stars was the high point of this trip for me.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader Mohammed was both knowledgable and interesting. He was helpful when dealing with any issues (e.g. my luggage had gone missing at Marrakech airport and he phoned daily to find out when it could be returned) and in giving us some flexibility in the itinerary.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I would stress that this holiday is more leisurely than the trip notes suggest. Whilst this is not a major issue, it is also important to consider if this holiday is suitable for you, given the amount of driving (especially on occasionally rough and winding roads).
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Whilst there were some issues with this holiday, I did really enjoy the activities and the landscape in Morrocco. The group all got along well which did make the holiday far more enjoyable. I would recommend this holiday, but stress that if you are looking for a more active week that you consider if this is the correct trip for you.
Len Richardson

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

Written September 2012
An intresting quick snap shot of Morocco.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Sleeping under the stars in the mountains. Who knew there was so many shooting stars. Defiantly needed a star chart, as a group we only knew three constellations.
What did you think of your group leader?
Most of the time he worked hard organising the trip and the people. I guess you have to accept that times are flexible, but it's funny when we are all on time for breakfast and nobody else is up.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I'm not sure I could recommend the trip to Vegetarians because there is a lack of understanding in the country as a whole. Your meal it will be bland and boring at best. One evening I had to make a fuss and point out that it was not acceptable to pick vegetables out from between the bits of meat. However the starters were good and nice so you can fill up on those. The main problem is you are booked in as a team and there is no choice of meal. When were able to chose our own meal then there was a couple of nice meals. The more Vegetarians on the trip the better I would guess and in high season it might be better.
The airports want Euros and so Dirham and pounds are not very welcome and they will refuse to serve you in most shops. I would advise taking some Euros just for ready cash. You can't change money as you come in at the airport so having a few Dirham for a coffee and bun would be handy. They will take you to a bank the next day but then there was none for 5 days. There was however an ATM a couple of times.
The trip notes are wrong on the meal kitty and amounts you need. The trip is now run as pay as you go with no kitty except for tips. I don't know where they got the prices from but everything is more expensive than suggested. Lunch and Evening meal are going to coast 110 to 140 Dirham each. Beers are from 30 to 70 dependant on where you are. Water in the shops is about 5 - 10 Dirham per Lt.
There is a lot of travel in the mini bus on interesting roads. Our driver was very good and there were no worrying moments. But the roads in the mountains are very twisty.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Take a waterproof it does rain in the Sahara, who would have thought that. You will get taken to some shops don't feel you have to buy anything.
susan o'connell

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

Written June 2012
This trip was not on the agenda as initially I simply wanted to do the Mount Toubkal trip, however I decided to make the most of my time in Morocco and experience as much as possible by adding the Marrakech and Saharah trip and all I can say is I am very glad I did!!! A whistle stop tour of some of the most beautiful parts of Morocco which only left me wanting to come back again and again.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
It's difficult to pick any one element from such a varied trip as everything was so different and special in its own way but the camel trek and camping under the stars in the desert has to rank up there as one of the highlights.
Ultimately however it was the little, unexpected things that made the trip so good - chilling on the balcony of the Gite watching the sunset in the mountains, drinking mint tea by candlelight in the desert, shopping in the souks of Marrakech, seeing the city by horse and carriage at night and sampling the delicious Moroccon cuisine.

What did you think of your group leader?
Hassan is a fantastic group leader, knowledgable, experienced, patient and incredibly good humoured. He was instrumental in making the trip a good one, always ready with a smile and an interesting story. His knowledge of Moroccon culture and history is comprehensive and he went to every effort to ensure everyone had a good trip and that we were all well looked after.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Beware the heat! It is easy to forget just how hot it can get, especially in the summer months. Bring a large, light scarf/shawl for the camel trek - it takes a couple of hours to get to the desert camp and there is no shade so something to cover up with is essential as applying sunscreen while on the back of a moving camel is no easy task!
Don't forget your camera :-)
Is there anything else you would like to add?
There really isn't anything left to say other than to reiterate what a great time I had on this trip. It was well organised and provided a brilliant whistle stop tour of parts of Morocco I would never have otherwise had the opportunity to experience.
Exodus staff were extremely helpful and accommodating when it came to combining this trip with the Mount Toubkal trip with all flights, transfers and hotels arranged with no fuss at all leaving me with nothing to do but enjoy my holiday.
Benjamin Keens

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

Written April 2012
An excellent trip. Well organised with an experienced, friendly (and patient!) guide. We loved the variety, camels in the desert one day and a walk in the mountains the next. Accomodation was more than satisfactory and the food was plentiful and delicious!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Walking in the Atlas mountains. The visit to a local household in the village and the kids we passed who never failed to make us smile. Scenery was incredible.
What did you think of your group leader?
10 out of 10. He was knowledgeable, experienced and always worked hard to make sure everyone was okay and getting the most out of their trip. Helped members of the group out in countless ways. The minibus driver also needs to be commended, he drove confidently and as safely as he could on roads that were difficult and coped well with other road users.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Read the Exodus equipment list and try to follow it as best as you can. Don't moan about lack of creature comforts. Appreciate where you are, who you are with, what you do have, and what you are doing.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We would have given this trip five out of five stars were it not for one major disappointment. This regards the school we were shown in the village of Tijhza which has been funded by Exodus charitable giving. The school appeared delapidated, ugly, abandoned and in a very poor condition. Judging it by standards of the other buidings in the village it is of a very poor quality. We were not able to walk around the school.
Whilst I appreciate charity projects are often fraught with difficulties Exodus should recognise that this project is not a good example of their charitable aims and should certainly not be used as a showpiece for visiting tour groups. As a customer of Exodus I (and the other members of the group) felt shocked, embarassed and ashamed that this is our contribution to "Responsible Tourism".
I hope you take these comments on board and take steps to review the projects in the village. Please consider whether they have truly acheived their aims within the local population.
Exodus Response
It is very unfortunate to hear these comments regarding our Responsible Tourism project in Morocco, especially when I have worked with the village for many years. Please note first and foremost that although Exodus project work started at the school 10 years ago, our focus is now with the Tjihza Village Association and not the school.
This misunderstanding started when the schoolteachers changed a few years ago - they did not turn up regularly for school to teach the children and were upset that Exodus were providing money for a water tower in the village (so all villagers could have running water) rather than buying laptops for the teachers. We have completed a lot of work at the school but it is not well maintained by the teachers so this would explain why it looks so out of place with the other buildings. Over the years, we have installed new windows, painted classrooms, paid for goalposts, built a sanitary block and provided a computer for the school amongst other things. However we always work alongside the villagers on all requested work so the doors and windows we have bought for the school are waiting to be installed, yet the teachers need to first complete their duties (clearing rubbish from outside, keeping classrooms clean etc).
When Exodus get involved in Responsible Tourism, by no means do we consider ourselves a charity. We simply choose to give something back to the communities we visit. It is extremely regrettable that the teachers cannot support our efforts in the same way the rest of the village has and we are trying to resolve this relationship to help the children of Tijhza (rather than the teachers who are not from this village).
Please see the reviews from our Get involved: Morocco Volunteer trip or our project page for further details or email me direct with any further questions you have. I sincerely hope this information has not only detailed this complicated situation but also explained Exodus' commitment to Responsible Tourism.

- Exodus Staff