Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspiring moment for me was being able to go to Imlil, in the high Atlas Mountains. The village where our guide Lahcen grew up and still has a home. We were in his village when we heard what was a call to inform the villagers that someone had passed away in the village. Within minutes, we saw people coming from all directions to go to the town to support the family and participate in the ritual of honoring this fellow villager.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lahcen was very informative and organized. Lahcen is very kind, calm and understanding. He also has a good sense of humor. I really enjoyed his company throughout the trip. He explained to us about everything that we passed while we were in the bus and in the villages and cities. He answered every question that we had about the culture in Morocco, religion, beliefs and rituals. He shared his passion for his way of life, growing up in a village community that is one big family. He shared his passion about his family and we were fortunate to meet them . He transferred that passion to all of us. We had a lot of fun with Lahcen. He made sure that he kept an eye on all of us and kept us together. We all were very safe and well cared for. I arrived not knowing much about Morocco and left feeling like I really understood the people and the culture. As one of our guides said to us. “ we seek to build bridges“ and that they have!

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is so much to see in Morocco. This really gives you a full view , highlighting many different aspects of the Moroccan culture. It’s a great start and you will want to go back for more.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Muayed

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t worry about a thing!

Most Inspirational Moment

Two moments: We had a lovely and delicious picnic set up for us at the monastery of Caños Santos on Day 3. This was a peaceful respite after our walk from the Cortijo. Also, I thoroughly enjoyed the Caminito del Rey on Day 6. Our guide made sure we beat the crowd and I am grateful for that. We were able to walk it at our own pace, stopping as much as we wanted for photos and to admire the El Chorro gorge.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michael was a good and knowledgeable (history, plants, wildlife) guide who set an appropriate walking pace for our group. He aptly timed quick rest stops and photo stops and was good at pointing out birds, plants and features we might be interested in and might have missed otherwise. He knows many of the locals so we were often warmly greeted along our way. I found him to be encouraging and supportive, showing each of us interest and a good sense of camaraderie.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I advise you use hiking shoes/boots and sturdy trekking poles. I used poles from the Cortijo but someone had theirs shipped beforehand. I also wore trail runners which I always hike in and they were fine, but I did wish I had brought my boots. Be sure to have what you need because there are not many places to shop until you go to Seville or Ronda. Most importantly, make sure you are in good enough physical shape to do the walks safely.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. It's great having a local guide who lives in the area.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roberta

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't hesitate

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking along the algarve coast

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Best I've experienced with Exodus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

No advice as trip was exactly as described.

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra had to be the most awe inspiring point of the trip, it was magnificent! Having walked around all the amazing tombs, monuments and Roman ruins during the day we then went back in the evening to see it by candle light. This was a very moving experience with local Bedouin musicians playing traditional instruments creating a very contemplative atmosphere.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ahmad was wonderful! He was very knowledgeable and obviously proud of his country and its heritage. He went out of his way to make sure that everyone was catered for as we were a very mixed age group with varying levels of fitness. The day we went to Madaba we discovered that the King of Jordan was visiting the same day so it was very crowded and many roads were closed off for the visit. Ahmad made sure we negotiated the crowds and, after seeing the King drive past (and wave to us!) he took us to a restaurant, owned by a ‘cousin’ were we all had coffee and waited for the crowds to disperse. This delay meant that we could not visit Mt Nebo that day but Ahmad made sure we visited on the way to the Dead Sea on the last day. Instead he took us to Little Petra which was lovely in the evening sun. We could not have wished for a better, more knowledgeable and helpful group leader than Ahmad.

Advice for Potential Travellers

When staying at the Bedouin camp overnight you will definitely need a sleeping bag liner, the facilities are very basic and the bed covers not very clean. Also it would be advisable to take walking boots as through the whole week you will be walking on quite rough rocky and/or sandy terrain.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the top of Kala Patthar as the sun was coming up round the side of Everest is a memory that will live with me forever

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tenzi Sherpa was an inspiration. Always jolly and with the most infectious laugh. He really looked out for the whole group and seemed to conjure medicines and cures for everyone's ailments and ills wherever we stopped. He truly seemed to enjoy his job and took pleasure in introducing us all to his culture and country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Wear a buff all day and every day to keep the dust out of your lungs. Despite the warnings before we went a few of our party didn't wear them because they complained that it made breathing difficult, especially as we got to higher altitudes, but they all then subsequently came down with the Khumbu Cough

Most Inspirational Moment

Can't choose- every day had it's inspiring moment. The National Park was amazing, but what was unexpected was the mind blowing display of wildflowers at this time of year (April 20-27) on all walks. The walk through the oak wood and meadows day 4 was particularly memorable for the wildflowers, followed by the tapas picnic at the monastery, and then the visit to Setenil with the cave houses. We also saw so many birds of prey throughout the week- vultures, rare eagles etc which Miguel quickly identifies and lends you his binoculars!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Miguel inspired us all to embrace everything Andalusian with his expert knowledge of the fauna, flora, history and people. He led the walks at the right pace and pointed out so many things each day. He gave excellent advice , especially restaurants and bars in Seville and Malaga. Exodus is very fortunate to have him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are into bird watching, bring your own binoculars. Have a wander round the village on your own late afternoon. We revisited the bar where we had coffee on day 4 the other side of the village. We were instantly recognised and welcomed, and either side of us had guys passionately playing dominoes!

Most Inspirational Moment

I liked visiting the different Chateaux and learning about the history. It was a tight and well run schedule.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Yannis is a great tour leader. Always available for questions or requests. He was inclusive of the diverse group and helpful in any way possible. He went over and beyond helping me plan my travels after the trip ended, as well as checking on me. I hope to join another tour led by him.in the future!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Visiting the beautiful estates and gardens. Hearing about French history in an interactive way. The vineyards and countryside paths were great as well.