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 50 reviews.

Linsey Miller

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

Written January 2011
Overall a great trip, with the contrasts of the Sahara, the Atlas mountains & Marrakech, & some great food!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I enjoyed the whole trip, but the best bits were probably the climb up one of the Atlas mountains - fantastic views, & well worth the effort - and camel trekking to the Bedouin camp.
What did you think of your group leader?
Muhammad was a very knowledgeable and helpful leader, with a good sense of humour! He was also very good at finding us some nice places for lunch!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
We travelled in January, which is a great time to go in terms of there not being too many tourists, but it was very cold in the evenings, so I'd advise taking some extra layers if travelling in the winter!
Also, our luggage didn't make the connecting flight to Ouarzazate, meaning we had to spend 3 days with only the clothes we wore on the plane & whatever was in our hand luggage! Apparently this can happen regularly, so it would be a good idea to take a few emergency clothes etc. in your hand luggage - especially as the second night is in the Bedouin camp.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I'd recommend the trip to anyone wanting to visit Morocco, it had a really good mix of the desert and city, and of active days and more relaxing days. Plus the food was far better than I'd been led to believe it would be!
Deirdre Wells

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

Written January 2011
Do not choose this trip if you dislike long minibus journeys. Every place we visited was excellent, but I was hugely disappointed by the amouunt of time spent in transit. Maybe too great a distance for a short holiday?
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Most surprising - finding sheeps testicles on my plate during an excellent New Years Eve dinner in Zagora.(Yes we all tried them)
Best Day - into the High Atlas to visit the semi derelict Pasha's palace (read up on him and 20thC history before you go) then on to the Gite.
Best memory - Wandering around Marrakesh as night falls - no problems at all if you are on your own, as the people are lovely.
What did you think of your group leader?
Rashid was always charming, cheerful, available and well organised - an excellent leader. Very passionate about a good future for Morocco, improving education in the rural areas etc.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Camping in the desert is unbelievably cold in December - January - take thermals/hat/gloves etc, and loose trousers on the camel ride or suffer!
Polish up your French if you want to chat to local people
Agree the price before you start a taxi journey, and stick to it. Otherwise the driver simply makes up a number.
Louise Sandford

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

Written October 2010
The trip was a good mix of sand, hills and town! We got to see lots of 'real' local life and felt quite remote but arriving in the 'city' was a bit of a shock to the system after all that peace and quiet!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Probably seeing people still relying on donkeys for work and washing clothes in the the stream - humblimg to realise how much we have that we probably don't need. Mind you, getting a better mobile signal in the Sahara than I do at home was also quite up there!
What did you think of your group leader?
He was very good. He made sure he spent time with each member of the group each day and made sure all needs and fitness levels were catered for and felt inclusive.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Book a few days more in Marrakech - the time we had on this trip wasn't long enough. Also, change your money back before you go through passport control. THere are no money exchanges once you are in the waiting area and the airport shops only take Euro.....
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Really enjoyable for a weeks trip, would recommend it.
kenneth cruickshank

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

Written August 2010
My first time in Morocco and found the whole trip very enjoyable,a,great way to do and see a lot in a short period of time.All helped by having an excellent group leader.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
In my opinion the whole trip was great but I did like the camel trek and the walk in the High Atlas.
What did you think of your group leader?
Moustapha was an excellent,knowledgeable and helpful group leader.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Just to enjoy themselves,
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would recommend this trip to anyone who wants to visit Morocco.
Robert Atkinson

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

Written May 2010
I wanted someone to show me places I felt nervous about travelling to alone. Exodus provided an excellent opportunity to do this and the trip exceeded my expectations on all levels
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Sitting high up in the Atlas Mountains looking down over a remote working village. Stunning views, beautiful clear blue sky, fresh air and superb chat with other travellers who made me think long and hard about my life.
What did you think of your group leader?
Great. He did the job but did not get in the way, offered good advice and tips and was freindly and professional.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
This trips is nowhere near as 'tough' as you might expect although be ready for camel riding. I bought and took too much kit with me that I did not need. Have a great camera for lots of fab photo opportunities. If visiting a village with a charitable school it is worth taking some stuff with you as a gift.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This is the first time I have done something like this. I have already booked a second trip through Exodus for 2011 to go back to see other parts of Moroccoa with a friend and am looking at South American itineraries for late 2011 and into 2012.
I have found the staff in the UK and overseas to be excellent, honest and friendly and the holiday they gave me was excellent overall value for money
Sanda Vlasic

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

Written April 2010
The trip was a very good combination : the Sahara desert, the Atlas mountains and the busy Marrakech. The excelent trip was unfortunatlely spoilt by return travel disruptions caused by the volcanic ash. The cost of the four day overland return journey from Marrakech to the UK has not been covered by the travel insurance recommended by Exodus and upon return the Exodus staff have not provided any support or advice when asked for assistance related to insurance claim.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
We loved the camel ride, the stay in the Bedouin camp and the colorful busy Marrakech.
What did you think of your group leader?
Rachid was very good and explained a lot about the country and its customs.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
We would recommend this trip to future travelers. If we were considering booking another trip with Exodus in future we might not take the travel insurance recomneded by Exodus. I would like to point out that some of the group, travelling with us on our return journey, have been refunded all travel costs by their travel insurance companies.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We really enjoyed this trip and have learned a lot about the country, diffrent customs and the people. We would like to add that the trip should include more of the country`s diverse cousine.
The overall impresion has been spoilt because of insurance related problems.We were confident that we have chosen the best travel insurance but have not been instructed about our righst in Morocco and have received no support when submitting the refund claim.
Paul Nevin

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

Written March 2010
Unfortunately not an enjoyable trip. I have travelled with exodus 9 times now and this is easily the worst travel trip I have completed with them. I really don't think that February is the time to visit this country as morocco is prone to atlantic depressions at this time of year; also the sahara is also prone to more severe sandstorms, which we experienced. We did have bad weather, which obviously exodus can't control but there was no contingency for this and we spent a lot of the week in a mini bus
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
sleeping in a tent in the sahara. Please note though that this is not in any way a remote part of the region (as it says in the trip notes) - the city of Zagora is only about 10km away, there was a road nearby, and also some permanent settlements in close proximity - with the accompanying dogs
What did you think of your group leader?
He gave us info about his country on our many long drives but overall I don't think he went out of his way to provide us with an enjoyable holiday. He was, however, keen to take us to lots of pottery and carpet shops around the country. He was not a very animated person and seemed to be going through the motions.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Do not travel at this time of year - it is not worth it. My holiday was ruined by the weather - which is not reliable at this time of year. The food is very monotonous - if you like tajines and omelettes then great. Otherwise don't bother. Morocco is more expensive than you may think. I would not recommend this trip for the sheer amount of time spent on a mini bus.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would recommend NOT taking this trip. Yes, I would have enjoyed this better with more reliable weather BUT... the tour company and guide have seemed really complacent with the running of this trip. There is also too much time spent on a cramped mini bus. I do not feel that I have had a cultural experience at all.
Exodus Response
It is very unfortunate to read that Mr Nevin did not enjoy his trip with us. It is fair to say that the weather was particularly dreadful throughout the week as it was across most of Europe and North Africa. The torrential rains across the country meant that roads, bridges, mosques and houses were destroyed and up to 42 local people were killed. This unexpected weather obviously had a direct effect on the itinerary and while our guide tried to do his best to implement last minute changes to avoid the dangerous or blocked routes this did mean that more time than expected was spent on the minibus. However, we have run trips at this time of year for several years and as described in the trip notes the conditions are usually more stable. Looking back at the reviews on this particular trip, for example there is a great review by John Hewitt for the week that ran at the same time of year in 2008. Regarding the campsite used for the trip, this usually receives positive reviews (see below) and the fact that it is not too remote benefits the logistics of the itinerary enabling more to be included in the actual itinerary. It is true that part of the itinerary includes visits to the souks to see the pottery and carpets but in Marrakech this is optional and you are free to not join the guided tour if you so wish. The traditional dishes of Morocco are well known to include delicious tagines, omlettes and lentil based dishes and our aim is for our clients to enjoy as many traditional Moroccan recipes as possible throughout the week so it is worth bearing this in mind if you do not like this type of food. This particular leader has worked successfully with us for several years and received many positive comments, some of which can be seen below.
We are very sorry that Mr Nevin was disappointed with the week and we shall be answering all his comments directly.

- Exodus Staff