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.

Kate Charles

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

Written May 2013
A whistle-stop tour of Southern Morocco, nicely topped off with a 2 nights in Marrakesh. Great trip for anyone looking for a variety of experiences - desert, mountains, city - packed into a week.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The camel trip was a memorable experience, as was glamping* in the desert and star-gazing. Equally memorable is the trip into the ante-Atlas mountains, and stay in the peaceful village, with gorgeous views from the gite. [* some members of our group were disappointed that the campsite is far more luxury than they were expecting - has low-occupancy tents (2 or 3 sharing max), proper toilets (although flushed with a scoop of water from a bucket and not plumbed) and a 3 course dinner was served on ceramic plates with proper cutlery. Our hosts even managed to rustle up a birthday cake !]
What did you think of your group leader?
Our leader was excellent. Clearly proud to show off his country and impart knowledge and tips. He looked after the group extremely well, always looking out to make sure everyone was ok, but without fuss or being obtrusive. 10/10
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Generally the quality of the accommodation is much better than you might expect from the trip notes. Sheets and blankets are provided at the gite and the camp site, so a light sleeping bag or liner should be sufficient - certainly from May- Sep (despite the trip notes recommending 3 season sleeping bag). Group flights change at Casablanca airport for both outbound and return flights, to/from Heathrow. There are limited facilities particularly for the domestic transit lounge on the outgoing flight (you'll have a 3h wait). You can get small amounts of Dirham in the UK (at poor exchange rates) but Euros also seemed to be accepted at the one and only cafe/bar in the terminal and where the Exodus group congregated! On the return leg, there was nowhere in Casablanca airport to exchange Dirham and most (Duty Free) outlets would not accept them for purchases even. Recommend you try to spend them in Marrakech. As a guide, £180 per person was plenty for the week for most people to cover meals, drinks, tips and small souvenirs. If you are not particular about returning to Heathrow or being on the group flights, there is a direct EasyJet flight to Gatwick leaving at a similar time to the group flights, for the return journey. This avoids another wait in Casablanca and Air Maroc were not the most efficient of check- in staff, to say the least! Some members of our group flew out on the Saturday, because the group flights arrive in Ouarzazate quite late and you arrive at the hotel around 2am, leave to start the first day proper at 9am. This is something I wish I'd done!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Be prepared for a fair bit of sitting in the bus on this trip - necessary to take in so many places in the week. Marrakech is a brilliant experience and assault on the senses, but I was glad to be part of a group for this part of the trip - it meant the women in particular could enjoy it, without being hassled too much. The food in the south of Morocco is tasty but not particularly varied - you may feel like you never want to see a tagine again after a few days.. but the feeling won't last! The only restaurants, unfortunately, are for tourists, as the locals in the south do not eat out. Marrakech, is a different proposition entirely and there are loads of choices. The restaurant our guide took us to on the last night was particularly good. All in all a wonderful trip and would recommend. Travelling with a fantastic group of people also made the holiday special.
Julie Beauley

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

Written April 2013
This was the first time I had gone on a holiday like this and the first time on my own. Although I was a little concerned to start with there was really no need to be. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and will be travelling with Exodus again.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Highlights of the trip were the trek on camels in to the desert and watching the sunrise and sunset, and the walk up in to the Atlas mountiains, it was beautiful.
What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader was great, he was very informative and would answer any questions you had. He even arranged a birthday cake at our last hotel as 2 members of our party celebrated birthdays during the week we were there.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If it's your first time don't worry about it, everybody joins in and the ones that have done this type of holiday before are very quick to help and give advice.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I can honestly say it was one of the best holidays I have ever had and I would not hesitate in using Exodus again, in fact I am going to book a trip to the Inca Trail next year. The whole trip was organised extremely well and covered a lot of ground over the 8 days we were there, the hotels we stayed in were clean and friendly and the food was great. Our groups age ranged from 24 to 64 and everbody got on really well and enjoyed each others company, although you may be a lone traveller you are never alone.
Excellent!!!!
Christine Burridge

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

Written April 2013
Better than I imagined.The trip notes don't do this trip enough justice!!!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Two hour camel trekking into the Sahara and spending the night in a Bedouin camp under the stars. Running up the sand dunes to see the sunset and sunrise and another camel trek back again. Loved it!!!!
Ait Benhaddou was awesome!!!!
What did you think of your group leader?
He was an absolute star. He had a sense of humour, was friendly and was there for us all the way :)
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Enjoy...Enjoy...Enjoy, that is all.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Fantastic trip.
Kate Best

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

Written February 2013
Lots of travelling, but worthwhile to cover the highlights this trip offers. Starts weren't too early and the pace was relaxed. It's not a gourmet experience (nor a particularly alcoholic one!) but food was enjoyable and more than plentiful.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Arriving on our camels at the Bedouin camp in the Sahara then racing up the nearest high sand dune to watch the sun go down. Singing round the camp fire until late, then getting up early to race back up the sand dune and watch the sun rise again.

The trek up into the High Atlas mountains was refreshing - a sensible pace meant it was less challenging than it might have been, and the views were amazing.
What did you think of your group leader?
Lahcen was a great tour leader - friendly, calm, efficient, helpful and knowledgeable. His timing estimates were somewhat 'approximate', but it was all part of this charm! He definitely helped make the holiday.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
My luggage failed to make the connection from Casablanca to Ouazarzata. This is apparantly quite common and the tour leader was very matter of fact that I would be without my luggage for the first three days and nights of the holiday (half the trip). This included the night in the dessert, meaning I was without my sleeping bag, and I had to borrow blankets from the hotel. On the first morning I had to buy emergency essential toiletries and clothing from the market in Ouazarzata, which was challenging. As predicted, I did get my luggage back at the end of day three. Make sure you carry any essentials in your hand luggage.
The trip is run with a kitty for all water, lunches and dinners for the majority of the trip (Marrakech is the exception), with all meals taken as a group as there don't appear to be opportunities to go out independently. This is appropriate and works well, but it would have been nice to know in advance what to expect.
I was able to buy Morrocan Dirhams in London without any problems prior to the trip - and was grateful for them.
Toilet stops are few and far between - and often involve finding your own convenient bush! That said, most toilets we did find were 'Western' style and usually had toilet paper and hand washing facilities.
The night in the gite was extremely cold and very basic. You do need your sleeping bag there, too, as well as an overnight bag. This is the second night you are without your main luggage (the other being the night at the Bedouin camp in the dessert). Take a good book/pack of cards/something to pass time in the gite between sundown and dinner.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
An enjoyable trip with interesting stop-offs and a few great highlights. You're with the group virtually all the time, so fingers crossed you get good fellow travellers!
Catherine Williams

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

Written February 2013
Loved it, a hassle free way of seeing Morocco. It would be difficult to visit all the places we went in such a short space of time independently.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

I think my best bit was the visit to the library and pottery. I think this was partly due to me not expecting much from the day which turned out to be really interesting.

Then the bus broke down, which also turned into a highlight as we went for a walk and had mint tea in a family’s home.

What did you think of your group leader?
He was very knowledgeable and experienced which meant we could just sit back, relax and enjoy all the experiences.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you want to get to know Morocco and don't have much time- Book it
Sophie Brough

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

Written January 2013
Tagine overload, brillant people and amazing countryside.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I think my two favourite moments in the trip was 1) signing Auld Lang Syne around the campfire under the stars in the Sahara and 2) being up in the High Atlas.
The Sahara was wonderfully beautiful and so silent, watching the sunset turn the sand pink was an amazing experience. Our group made the most of the two bands that entertained us by dancing and singing along and after dinner going out for a group hug by the camp fire.
The night and walk in the mountains was also a brilliant time and more relaxing than i thought it was going to be. The contrast between the sahara and the mountains was great and everyone we met was very welcoming and looked after us very well.
What did you think of your group leader?
Hassan our guide and Abdul our driver were both very funny and looked after us very well. Hassan really enjoyed telling us about his country and was always willing to answer our (endless) questions.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
There is alot of driving, so bring something to read or entertain yourself with. Also, take a little more money than advised in the trip notes, you can take it in sterling and change in country as there are exchanges everywhere.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you to Hassan and Exodus for a really wonderful trip. The group were also fantastic and a great laugh. I have already booked to go back again next year!
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.