Jebel Sahro Ride & Marrakech: Morocco Mountain Biking 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 16 reviews.

Catherine Adams

JEBEL SAHRO RIDE & MARRAKECH

Written April 2013
A fantastic trip. Ordinarily I'm more likely to be found on a spinning bike than a mountain bike, so I'm quite fit. I have some experience of mountain biking upto red route standard. This trip was perfect for me, with enough to challenge my fitness with a couple of decent up hills , but without taking me to out of my comfort zone. The accommodation was basic, as was the food, but it was all authentic, adding to the overall experience. Great guides and a real mix of people all added to the enjoyment. Looking forward to my next cycling experience .
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Watching all those who finished the 16 km climb cross the finishing line
What did you think of your group leader?
Liz was fantastic. Taking the time to get to know all the group members and helping them to get the best out of their mountain bike experience .
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make sure you have good padded shorts, well fitting sunglasses and a willingness to move just far enough out of your comfort zone and you will love this holiday.
Catherine Thome

JEBEL SAHRO RIDE & MARRAKECH

Written April 2013
It was a great sporty holiday in a beautiful part of South Morroco and mostly off the beaten track.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I was in awe of some travellers' fitness and was pleased I pushed my physical limits a little and managed to cycle as much as I did (without any previous experience). The scenery was truly stunning, from lush oases in the valleys, to the rugged hills, to the old villages, ksour and kasbahs. I also really liked the fact that we were pretty much on our own, not surrounded by lots of tourists everywhere.
What did you think of your group leader?
Liz was brilliant. She worked really hard organising our bikes, meals, travels all the time. Very friendly and sociable, looked after us well. The local team were great too, friendly and helpful.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I believe the rating for this trip should be moderate to challenging or require previous experience. Some of the terrain and hills were really tough, for me at least since I had no previous experience. I thought I was fit, but obviously not cyclying-fit! I still had a great time.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Looking forward to my next Exodus adventure! I think the trips are very well organised and highly recommend you. Thanks for a great holiday.
Lesley Foote

JEBEL SAHRO RIDE & MARRAKECH

Written March 2013
Real time out of life. You get to see some wonderful scenery, very different from our own. You cycle hard, it is not an easy cycling holiday. It is well lead by a very experienced Exodus professional. \really good variety of scenery. You think "desert" but the scenery is spectacular and changes day after day. Wonderful photography opportunities.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Riding to the top of the optional hill climb of 17K. I was the oldest woman on the trip, and thought I would not be able to make it, but I did. Thanks to support of everyone on the trip and particularly the leaders.
What did you think of your group leader?
I have been on quite a few Exodus trips and have experienced different leaders. Liz Proctor is way ahead of the best. She lets you have your freedom, but at the same time her authority is clear, and boundaries of safety are made apparent from early in the trip. She led her team by example, always the one to forego her lunch when the need to do some technical work on the bikes took precedence. She made the trip for the group because she was attentive to the group needs, the individual needs within the group, and always attended to the basics - the bikes themselves. It was evident that her support team were right behind her. Also, she knew the terrain like the back of her hand.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
This is not an easy cycling holiday. Moderate means moderate mountain biking, which is technically harder than moderate road cycling. Give yourself time to acclimatise to the severity of the cycling. But having done that, you are richly rewarded with the challenges of the trip, day on day.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Our particular trip was made enjoyable by the nature of the other travellers. Nobody was there to race against the clock or be "the first" at anything. Everyone participated and supported others. I felt comfortable stopping to take photographs, something that was sometimes frowned upon on other trips. I felt well supported by the Exodus team, with Liz Proctor as the Leader and firmly in charge.
Philip Organ

JEBEL SAHRO RIDE & MARRAKECH

Written March 2013
An excellent cycling trip over differing trails; some rocky, some sandy and some bumpy with the occasional bit of tarmac. Also with some challenging hill climbs and descents.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The trip was very well supported by three 4x4 vehicles and crew, with regular and timely snack and lunch breaks.
What did you think of your group leader?
Liz Proctor was an excellent tour leader. She gave a great overview of the week ahead and each day explained what the daily trip entailed as well as giving updates along the way. Sorted out any bike problems or punctures promptly. Also made sure everyone was aware of the meal options and made sure everyone was catered for. Full marks.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Some off road experience is necessary.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A great way to see Morocco.
John Moneta

JEBEL SAHRO RIDE & MARRAKECH

Written November 2012
Well organized, good leader (Liz Proctor), good support crew (especially Idi and Ali), good routes in a fantastic natural landscape, and luckily great weather. Simple, but adequate hotel rooms, interesting hotels and staff. The food was a bit same, same after a while, but entirely adequate and in keeping with the trips intentions. A master stroke having a final day to explore Marrakech. All in all the best activity holiday I have ever been on.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Completing the 16km / 900m technical climb. Liz said that someone had done it in 1:13. He must have had his own bike and been on the same stuff that Lance uses is all that I can say.......
What did you think of your group leader?
Liz be a cool, cool gal.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Cycle some before hand
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Nope, I think you guys have a trip that has some appeal for all ages and abilities, so long as the group knits reasonably well.
Michael Burton

JEBEL SAHRO RIDE & MARRAKECH

Written November 2012
A wonderful trip that enables you to see the real Morocco as you cycle through the small villages and towns as well as through some stunning scenery with both lunar-landscapes as well as lush date-palm groves along the river. There are some reasonably strenuous climbs, but with the support vehicles following, it is open to all. Our trip had ages 24 to mid 50s, with an average age around 45 (other trips will bound to be different) so will be challenging for older age groups depending on fitness whilst moderate to challenging in places for the younger age group.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Cycling up desolate hill climbs only to be rewarded on the other side by a drop down into lush date-palm groves and cycling through the mud villages and past Kasbahs with children running out to say "bonjour".
What did you think of your group leader?
Liz Procter and the support team were excellent. She clearly loves her job, had in depth knowledge of the area, pushed the stronger ones ahead whilst supporting the whole group. She has an incredible energy often getting up at the crack of dawn to ensure the bikes were in top condition and to ensure a timely departure.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The lanscape is varied, and how hard or easy it is often depends on the temperature and cyclist's age. We had 35 degree days and then dropped down to a cool and drizzly 16-17 degrees on certain mornings, so a full range of cycle kit is required. Beware of cycle clips which can be more hindrance that help given the often varied terrain. Hire bikes are very good and make it much much easier than bringing your own.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This was my first cycling trip and mountain bike experience so have little to compare it to, but I loved it. You do need a reasonable level of fitness, but the 100% vehicle support ensures that help (or a lift!) is always on hand. Accommodation is varied, but all are comfortable with good food (Chez Jacob especially good) but water pressure, hot water can understandably be sporadic in remote locations (although it was not a major issue). I would highly recommend this trip which apparently is one of the longer running trips - testament to the group leaders and varied cycling landscape.
Philip Ayerst

JEBEL SAHRO RIDE & MARRAKECH

Written November 2012
An excellent, well organised trip in a fascinating landscape which that I would recommend to all with an adventurous outlook. The riding is very technical in places and considerably harder than grading – moderate to challenging at least. To someone like me with little rough mountain biking experience, I suggest that some off road cycling experience really is needed - but don't be put off as the trip is amazing.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Cycling through semi desert, green valleys, dusty mud brick villages and the kasbahs which seemed from a different world.
What did you think of your group leader?
Liz had an amazing ability to fix and maintain the bikes, as well as being one of the most organised leaders I have met. She was well supported by the rest of the cycling and back up team. The 4x4s were essential supply and support wagons as well as convenient lunch tables.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don’t hesitate – try it, but practice those steep hills first.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
As constructive comments, my knowledge of the country would have been improved by meeting some local guides. Perhaps using lunchtimes stops for an introduction to plants, villages and community, minerals, history, possibly even religion and politics, so the group could have a wider appreciation of the culture of Morocco. I would be prepared to pay extra for such guides.

Not sure whether the last day is best spent in Marrakesh - it is a long transfer to a place which is easily accessible by commercial flights. Would it be possible to have the return Ouarzazate flight and as the USP have night in, say, Berber tent ?