Highlights of Morocco - In Comfort

Rose Houghton   -  Traveled, May 2024

A well organised and interesting trip This trip included a really good range of experiences in this eclectic country. We feel that we have got to know a bit about how the people of the country live in quite different environments from mountain village to city, desert and seaside. Our guide, Tariq, worked hard at explaining the culture and was keen to show us the many different ways in which Moroccan people live. He encouraged us to explore and shop (and barter!) on our own. There were some long days but they were well planned with coffee stops and visits to places of interest en route. Our group of 16 enjoyed the journeys by coach which was air conditioned and even had wifi available for some of the time. We stayed in a range of hotels, each of which were comfortable and often had something special to appreciate, such as the amazing painted ceilings in the riads. Most Inspirational Moment Visiting the village hammam was a fun experience and rounded off a day spent walking in the mountains with amazing views and including a visit to the infant school where we started to understand a little of daily life for the children that live in this mountain area. We also enjoyed the camel ride into the desert to see the sunset. Tariq took some amazing photos of the group in the Sahara that will bring back happy memories (yes, the camels were well-behaved!) for years to come. And buying a mini packed lunch to take on our walk around a Berber village where we saw inhabitants renewing the walls of their houses with mud while donkeys walked by piled high with produce from the plots that families cultivated in the valley. Thoughts on Group Leader Tariq was diligent and thoughtful. He shared his knowledge generously and was also keen to learn from us. He found many different places for us to eat and planned our days well. Once he was in charge, things went smoothly. He obviously gets on well with people, not just the tour group. Everywhere we went he knew someone who greeted him and often who could help out with things locally. He gave us suggestions for our free time and his sense of humour was delightful! Advice for Potential Travellers You are going to enjoy exploring Morocco. Money: There are quite a lot of ATMs where you are charged about £2 to withdraw money, but at a better rate than at the exchange at the airport. If you find a post office ATM machine (there is one in the arrivals hall at the airport and in the main square in Marrakech) then you don't get charged, but there can be long queues. Weather: We were there for the last 2 weeks of May and there had been temperatures of 37degC in the weeks before we arrived. We had much lower temperatures during our fortnight (up to late 20s), which included 4degC overnight when in the mountain hotel. It also rained while we were sightseeing in Fez and on our way into the desert, which was a bit unexpected, by the Moroccans as well as us! Take layers and a showerproof coat. Suggestions We had a great time, enjoyed being with our fellow travellers, and are very grateful to our guide for giving us such a good introduction to the country. There were some changes made to the itinerary before our trip, possibly based on feedback that is related to previous reviews. The two night stay in the hotel in the desert rather than spending a night in a tent very close by was, for us, a sensible decision.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 07/25/2023

Chris Mabon   -  Traveled, February 2023

Morocco A good and most enjoyable Trip – educational and enlightening. Superb scenery and sights, both rural and urban, providing good opportunites for photography and bird watching. Most Inspirational Moment There wasn't ONE ...... there were many inspirational MOMENTS - experiencing first hand both Arab and Berber cultures - the amazing diversity of habitats through the Country (especially the scenery around Kasbah Oliver) - the diversity of architecture - from the huge Casablanca Mosque to deserted mud-brick Kasbahs - the (general) friendliness of people - a 'picnic' dinner on the terrace of our Fes Riad watching the City and Mosques light-up and the sounds of many Calls to Prayer. Thoughts on Group Leader Sayeed - personable, helpful, efficient and informative. Note It is regretful that some adverse and totally unfair comments have been made about Sayeed. Such comments are totally unfounded and unreasonable. We would welcome another Tour lead by him. Advice for Potential Travellers Be accepting of a different culture, the different habits and the different standards. Don't consider Morocco to be all sun and heat - it can be cold at night. Suggestions The Exodus Trip Notes contain many inaccuracies, even to the extent of being misleading. Such Notes should accurately and truthfully manage expectations. They contain factual inacuracies (journey times for instance), lack of advice for colder visit times and do not accurately reflect some of the physical difficulties and challenges that will be encountered. Should the latter points be made clearer to prospective Travellers, and if the question 'Is this Trip for you' is answered correctly, it could avoid the negativity expressed by some people for whom this trip is maybe not suitable (as within our Tour Group, unfortunately). That said, the Trip was most enjoyable and would be recommended without hesitation to other (suitable, willing and interested) travellers.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/10/2023

David Chalmers   -  Traveled, February 2023

Touring Morocco An extensive tour of Morocco with enjoyable walking in the Atlas Mountains Most Inspirational Moment Simply just seeing such a variety of scenery in Morocco Thoughts on Group Leader Both group leader and bus driver were very good Advice for Potential Travellers Take extra warm clothing for trips run at that time of the year Suggestions This trip was described as "in Comfort" and "Premium". The accommodation was mostly fine but Kasbah Sawadi and Kasbah Oliver did not measure up to those descriptions, The rooms and bedding felt as if they could have done with a good airing. We did experience unusually cold weather for that time of the year but there was no heating at all at Riad Oliver. The owner of Riad Sawadi was not particularly welcoming e.g. gave us his introduction in French but we found out later that he did speak perfect English. However, his staff were fine. The stay at the Bedouin tent was a waste of time as it was only 100 yards from our previous hotel. It would have made more sense just to have stayed over in that hotel. We fully appreciated that the tents had to be moved next to the hotel because of concerns about protecting the sand dunes.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/17/2023

Hayley Mooney   -  Traveled, January 2023

Not great This trip needs to be looked at and to be honest an exodus person needs to be sent out on it. The itinerary needs to be changed for the colder months, and some parts of it should probably be cut out all together. Also the freelance guides that Exodus are using need to be looked at. The guide for this trip did the bare minimum, nothing that he said was engaging or captivating and certain parts of the itinerary (e.g the argon oil farm) were an after thought for him and he was counting the minutes until we were back on the coach. All in all it was a pretty forgettable trip and really quite disappointing Thoughts on Group Leader Not great. He didn’t seem to care that we were there. Advice for Potential Travellers Maybe book a different trip. Suggestions The accommodation wasn’t great, and by comparing the premium trip with the normal trip I think you should save yourself the extra money and just do the basic trip.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 02/23/2023

David and Louise Simpson   -  Traveled, May 2019

Experience Morocco! A brilliant trip which covered a lot of the country which is an exciting place to visit. Most Inspirational Moment Riding camels in desert, walking in Atlas Mountains, souks in Fez, visiting local families, local hamman in mountains. Thoughts on Group Leader Very good, but could have given more information on long drives even about the country. Advice for Potential Travellers Even though it is a Premium trip, places to stay where not special but ok for our needs. Minibus for 15/16 people far too small and on the very long journeys it was pretty uncomfortable but we survived! Suggestions Morocco is a country with friendly people, sights and sounds and experiences everywhere and this trip covers so much. Would recommend (if transport was improved) for anyone.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 06/22/2019

Jacqueline Menniss   -  Traveled, March 2019

Full on trip with lots to experience Prepare for long days, early starts, long bus journey’s and a full itinerary – but be rewarded by great varied scenery, busy bustling medinas with their labyrinth of noisy disorientating souks, to the tranquility of the Atlas mountains and the spectacular desert. Most Inspirational Moment It has to be the desert - the camel ride through the sand dunes to the Bedouin tent was magical and a great experience. Loved the High Atlas mountain stay meeting the locals and being invited in a home for a simple meal - the berbers were so friendly and welcoming. Really enjoyed the hike through the High Atlas mountains with great views. Enjoyed free time by the sea in Essaouira - a chance to relax and wander the souks which were a lot more peaceful than busy Marrakech. Thoughts on Group Leader Abdullah was a great guide - competent and knowledgeable with a great love of his Berber heritage and culture which he shared with us. He kept us safe and took us to lots of different places to eat, recommending what we should eat and avoid. A lovely man who encouraged us to ask questions about life in Morocco, it's people, culture and religion. He knew everyone. Thanks Abdullah. Advice for Potential Travellers Do some reading and preparation before you go especially if you haven't travelled much outside of Europe. This 'premier' tour is not premier by British standards. The accommodation whilst reflecting the Moroccan experience of riads and kasbahs looks lovely and exotic, in practice they are often very basic with hard beds, faulty equipment, poor plumbing and not cleaned to the standard you might expect. Once you accept this - immerse yourself in its difference as they are beautiful. The people on the whole are very welcoming and friendly especially in the rural areas but you will experience poverty and sights that you may find uncomfortable - but this is Morroco - prepare to experience all it has and you will have a great time. '

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/29/2019

Maria B   -  Traveled, February 2019

COLD country with the hot sun Overall, a good “Highlights” trip, but some of the distances between the “Highlights” are long – there is probably not much can be done to reconfigure that, given the geography. Also, don’ be fooled thinking Morocco is a hot country. It is a COLD country, with a hot sun – in winter months, (we visited at the end Feb/early March) it can be very cold in the mornings and evenings/night. Most Inspirational Moment The desert sky at night – wow! No light pollution, and a wonderful view. The camel ride to get there was great too. Thoughts on Group Leader Our Guide Mohamed was very good – informative, polite, considerate and with a sense of humour. And thank you very much for the cake on my birthday – a lovely surprise! Advice for Potential Travellers Be aware that hotel gradings in Morocco may not equate to the same in the UK. When it says Premium, the hotel won’t necessarily be 4*! The standards (eg. maintenance of buildings - dodgy sockets / broken mirrors etc) may not be what you would expect. The travel times given in the trip notes might be misleading – when there are lots of stops for breaks en-route, the journey will (obviously) take longer. So to manage expectations, the travel times are probably just road travel times, and participants should be prepared for late arrival at some destinations. I didn’t feel it was a problem, as I was happy to have the breaks and enjoy the journey, and don’t understand what the rush to get to destination was. Top tip: Don’t wear your good mesh-top walking shoes/boots in the sand dunes! The beautiful sand is like powder, and your shoes will fill with sand in the structure of the shoe, which then squeezes your toes – and is almost impossible to get it all out. Suggestions We travelled in late February/March, and the rooms in the Kasbah Oliver in the mountains were very cold and wind blew through draughty windows. Thermals are a ‘must’ at night. The Kasbah Oliver had nowhere outside that was partially protected from the sun in the day (at least, I didn't see anywhere). An awning for the roof terrace or outside the front entrance terrace would be good. The trip notes said we would need a towel at Kasbah Oliver, but this was actually provided.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/27/2019

Stephan Schell   -  Traveled, October 2018

You'll know Morocco after this! Really enjoyed this trip – we were lucky to be part of a great group. The trip introduces you to a lot of Morocco, from cities to the coast, from desert to mountains. There is a lot of travelling involved, some long days, but that is the price to pay to see so much of the country. Travel is in a 16 seat minibus (and we were a group of 16) but I didn’t find the seats uncomfortable, and there were plenty of stops for coffee, toilets, retail opportunities! I had been slightly wary of going on this holiday as I can’t stand being hassled to buy things, but (bar the main square in Marrakech) any hassle was low key and less than I have experienced elsewhere. Moroccan people generally were very friendly and had a very good sense of humour. Most Inspirational Moment We walked to the top of the Todrha Gorge and a nomad family were camped there. The group were invited to share tea in their tent and we were able to ask questions about their lifestyle. I found this quite special. There were lots of highlights - I loved walking around the medina in Fez, walking on our own in the Sahara, the sheer variety of all the sights we saw. There were a few more demanding days in the Todrha Gorge and High Atlas, where it was pretty cold and windy, so having a full day in Essouria with no planned activities was much needed by the time we got to it. Thoughts on Group Leader Lachsen was an absolute 100% star. Everything perfectly organised and he made sure we were all aware of what we would be doing every day, start times, when luggage needed to be out. He told us so much about what it was like to live in Morocco, as well as information on the history and geography of the country. Special mention too for Ibrahim, our driver, who had long days and some tricky driving conditions (flooded roads!) to contend with. The local guides were also very good and had great senses of humour. Advice for Potential Travellers We went late October/early November and I don't know if our weather was typical - it was never what I would call really hot - very warm and pleasant certainly - but once you got to altitude at the Todrha Gorge and High Atlas it got very cold and sometimes windy. The accommodation there is also more basic than elsewhere, so I wished I had packed more cold weather gear. Suggestions Accommodation was an interesting mix - all the Riads were great, particularly liked the one in Essouria. Hotel itself in Fez was fine, but the location wasn't great - not easy to find somewhere to eat nearby. The place in the Todrha Gorge was more like a youth hostel, standards wise, and the room was pretty basic and not especially clean. Not too much of a problem for a couple of nights. That though is followed by 2 nights at Kasbah Oliver and our group got the best rooms in the place as another group had not turned up. Those rooms were fine. If those rooms had not been free though we would have been 3 or 4 to a room with mattresses on the floor and toilet/wash facilities elsewhere on the landing which was open to the elements. That would not have been great, coming after 2 nights at Todrha and I think Exodus should always book those better rooms, even if it means a marginal price hike. This was a great holiday though and would thoroughly recommend it.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/23/2018

Penny Houghton   -  Traveled, October 2018

Morocco Interesting trip. [Had spent a week in Marrakesh 10 years ago and loved it; this time found it disappointing] Most Inspirational Moment Camel ride into the desert and night in the camp. Otherwise: Chefchaoen - this was not on the itinerary, but was able to visit it before as I spent 4 days in Tangier before the trip and then took the train to Casablanca (20 Euros First class, highly recommended). Would recommend looking into the possibility of including Tangier and, in particular, Chefchaoen on the itinerary. Thoughts on Group Leader Excellent Advice for Potential Travellers Late October should count as a "winter" departure. We were all very glad that we had packed a few warm clothes and should probably have packed more of them. Suggestions The group was very surprised to be told that, as this was a Premium departure, there would be shared accommodation at the Kasbah Oliver in Telouet. The Trip notes said "1 night in an auberge, 2 nights in a mountain gite and 1 night camping, all with shared facilities" and we all understood "shared facilities" to mean shared bathrooms, but not shared bedrooms. Because another group did not arrive, the married couples and the single man were able to have separate accommodation; however, not the three "single" women. The Trip Notes should make is much clearer that it is not only "shared facilities" that are involved, but "shared accommodation."

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/06/2018

Joseph Harper   -  Traveled, September 2018

The best holiday ever. Basically travelling around for two weeks having a look at almost everything Morocco has to offer. No two days are the same. No two places are the same. The only constants I found was how friendly the locals are and mint tea! Most Inspirational Moment It's between the sand dunes in the Sahara Desert and the High Atlas mountains. Both have to be seen to be believed and the skies were absolutely amazing after the sun went down. Thoughts on Group Leader Youseff was really helpful and just an all round great guy. Also the driver Mustafa, literally nothing was too much trouble for him. Advice for Potential Travellers The travelling times on the trip notes. Double them.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 10/23/2018

Rosemarie Pridmore   -  Traveled, May 2018

Great trip but some journeys too long A good trip covering a vast area gave us a good experience of the country. Most Inspirational Moment Each area had something different, ,enjoyed the desert . also the Atlas Mountains, only problem we had was the distances somedays 8 to 10 hours in total travelling ,too much, not only for us but the driver & guide. Thoughts on Group Leader Very good. Advice for Potential Travellers Be prepared for a couple of really long days. Suggestions No

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 06/27/2018

Diana Schooling   -  Traveled, March 2018

Enlightening Tour of Morocco! Thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the trip. Thought it was well organised. Most Inspirational Moment Riding through the dunes on a camel! Staying in Kasbah Oliver and exploring the village and community in the Atlas Thoughts on Group Leader Mohammed is a brilliant guide. He is very well informed, imparts his knowledge effectively and with enthusiasm and is always happy to explain anything whether to do with the culture or the practical arrangements of the trip. His commitment to us travellers was evident, all details were carefully planned and executed and it is plain that for Mohammed being a guide is more than a job. Overall he gave us a wide perspective and understanding of the people and culture of his country and we travellers have all come back enriched as a result. Advice for Potential Travellers If travelling in the Spring, make sure to bring warm clothes for the desert and, just in case, elsewhere!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/24/2018

Patricia Golding   -  Traveled, March 2018

Highlights of Morocco This trip did what it said – we saw the highlights of Morocco from city to coast to mountain and desert. It was amazingly varied, balancing time in cities and countryside, and illustrating Morocco’s vibrant history, culture and people. I certainly came back with a real feeling for the place and people and a greater understanding of an apparently happily functioning Islamic country. Most Inspirational Moment I particularly enjoyed the stay at the mountain gite because it was very peaceful, there was no wifi, and all you could hear was the the wind in the trees, the river in the distance and the occasional bray of a donkey. At night the stars were wonderful and the walks were lovely. Best of all was our interaction with the local people there although admittedly it was rather limited. But if you have some French you can make contact. Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader was Mohamed. He was excellent - he took care of everything with no fuss and had it all at his fingertips. He was calm, fun, and informative, patient and caring. He had a wide knowledge of the country and we learnt a great deal from him. Advice for Potential Travellers Take a mattress! Even though we were on the premium tour, the mattresses seemed incredibly hard. Depends on what you like I suppose, but I found them pretty uncomfortable with a few exceptions. Take a portable basin plug, wet wipes and a torch. The loos were fine pretty well everywhere we went - at hotels and on the road. Don't assume it's going to be hot if you are travelling in the spring. Take clothes for all seasons. There are a couple of long journeys. I didn't mind the longest, to the Sahara, but the one towards the end, from the mountain to the coast, got me down. I guess I'd had enough travelling by then. I think we all felt the same way. Suggestions We travelled in a sixteen passenger mini bus. It was a comfortable, safe, well-maintained vehicle with a very good driver. But there were sixteen of us which meant for every journey 4 people were squashed into the 4 seats at the back. People mostly took their turn in these seats but it seemed unnecessarily uncomfortable. Had there been 15 people we would all have been happier. However, overall, it was a very good trip.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/16/2018

Maurice Millen   -  Traveled, March 2018

Fantastic trip through incredibly varied parts of Morocco This really is an incredible trip across Morocco. We got to see not just the cities, the history and the landscapes but a huge slice of Moroccan life as well. We covered an awful lot of ground but everywhere we went there had clearly been an enormous amount of background organisation to make everything run smoothly. We had numerous guides at all the sites we visited, who were all very knowledgeable and good at communicating their enthusiasm. We also stopped at numerous other smaller places such as an Argan oil factory, a pottery and even a huge solar power plant! The architecture, and the atmosphere, of the towns and cities is amazing and the variation in the scenery across the trip is extraordinary. We also got to meet, and chat to, enormous numbers of Moroccans who were all delightful and had a great sense of humour. This really was a panoramic journey through an extraordinary country. Most Inspirational Moment Coming down the west side of the Atlas mountains we came through a massive area of blossom and spring flowers which was quite sensational - particularly after coming from the dry and sandy Saharan side of the mountains. Thoughts on Group Leader We had a fantastic group of people, the sheer scale and breadth of what we covered was extraordinary, but the third element that made this holiday so good was our group leader, Mohamed. He remained both laid-back and very organised. He was incredibly enthusiastic about Morocco but not reluctant to mention the country's issues . He has fantastic English, was very witty and was extremely solicitous about everyone's well-being. He really was a great guide and the trip wouldn't have been half as good without his enormous hard work in making it a success. Also worth mentioning we had a fantastic driver. Advice for Potential Travellers The weather varies enormously on this trip so you need to bring clothes for every season. I did have my umbrella up against the rain in the Sahara at one point! Also, bear in mind Morocco is effectively a dry country even though they do produce their own wines and beer. Suggestions Firstly, pretty much everywhere the beds were firm to the point of hardness. Secondly, as our 16 seater coach was completely full, travelling could be a little claustrophobic, but more seriously the back 4 seats were extremely uncomfortable for any length of time.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/17/2018

Debra Turner   -  Traveled, February 2018

Good and bad Enjoyed the places we went to see and the activities planned. Great group of people’. This was my first trip with Exodus so had no idea of expectations. I thought the hotels were a bit lacking for a premium package, however, not having any idea what hotels were like in Morocco, I had no high expectations. I enjoyed the riads as I did feel like I was experiencing the country and how they lived. What I didn’t enjoy was staying at a riad in the High Atlas Mountains with no heat. We were very fortunate that it didn’t rain on our hike to the riad as we would have had no way of getting dry or warming up. It was very uncomfortable to have to go right to bed after eating as we could not be in our rooms unless we were under multiple layers of blankets to keep warm. Showering was impossible as it was too cold. Most Inspirational Moment I enjoyed the local guides but didn't enjoy the pressure of being taken to places where you felt like you had to buy something. Thoughts on Group Leader Rabia was knowledgeable but not engaging at all. Did not sit with us or interact very well. I found myself asking stupid questions just to engage him

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/25/2018

Teresa Lipson   -  Traveled, May 2018

Disappointing holiday with potential to be so much better If there were a category between Fair and Good I would have ticked that one. I was on the same trip as Steve Winfield and concur with pretty much everything he said. Apart from the guide (ssee below) another disappointing matter for a trip called Premium was the variability of the accommodation. From a delightful (but cold) riad in Meknes and a lovely one in Essaouira to a rather sterile (and cold) hotel in Fez and a really miserable and dirty one in Marrakech. The latter was probably the biggest disappointment as I had hoped to stay, at the end of the trip and the hundreds of miles covered, in one of the many lovely riads in the city or at least a hotel that justified the Premium label. We ended up in this ghastly hotel , on a busy noisy road (my room was right on it), a lousy breakfast and unhelpful and rude staff (who denied that the wifi didnt work in some of the rooms when some of us were clearly experiencing the opposite). I am sounding negative because I had hoped better of Exodus but I would not recommend this holiday as it was delivered to us. Most Inspirational Moment Riding the camel through the desert ...the beautiful Secret Garden... the wonderful guide at Todra Thoughts on Group Leader It is extremely telling that the review of the same trip taken in November is much more positive than our experience and that their guide was described as excellent and fun. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for ours and this set the tone of things. I think we all had a good time but this was despite him. He was very efficient on the organizational side so we could travel with no worries about luggage etc but he gave the minimum of information and the kind of cultural and historical background that most travellers seek when visiting a country as rich and varied as Morocco and rarely interacted with us at mealtimes. The information he did give was, as Steve indicates, invariably incorrect as regards timings, temperatures and what to expect on a day by day basis. Briefings were ad hoc - no regular times and opportunities missed to impart details in the coach with a microphone to hand. His English was competent but halting and this was in total contrast to the excellent local guides who were engaging and amusing and interesting. Our young guide in the Todra Gorge, for example, spoke excellent and highly adaptable English learnt from subtitles on TV ! Minimum education but a great love for his area and a desire to impart everything he knew. T Advice for Potential Travellers If you dont like to be cold dont go to Morocco before mid March. This is a fascinating country that pays your attention and the local people , particularly in the country and desert are delightful. Find out who your group leader will be and where you will be staying. However, Exodus was not at all forthcoming with the latter information. Oh.. and avoid the hammam in the mountains..... a few of us women had a less than enjoyable experience. Give the money to support the villagers some other way.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/29/2019

Steve winfield   -  Traveled, February 2018

an experience but quite tiring What you get to see and do is quite an incredible variation: one minute in the hustle and bustle of cities – old and new – next in the snow on mountains, then in the desert and next on the coast! Through all of this you get to experience what Morocco is in terms of a modernising African country but you also get to see that it is not all modern ‘1st world’ living, it hasn’t forgotten or left its past; for me the latter was why I came on this trip. Even for a premium trip some hotels etc and their locations weren’t great; generally cold, damp and you weren’t exactly encourage to explore the local areas at times. The trip downtime all but vanished and this left us with very prescriptive days which wasn’t what I expected or wanted. Add to this the very uncomfortable bus seats and you’re left feeling very drained and stiff at the end of most days, but also feeling that you’d not been able to make the most of what you visited. Sometimes you want to get lost in a city to explore it, not jolly around on a ‘follow the brolly’ excursion; for me that’s not an adventure. Our biggest disappointment was the food. Due to the hotel locations or how your guide presents restaurants there is very little variation beyond beef (or is it goat) / chicken tagines, kebabs and salads. And despite the myriad of spices and herbs in the markets most meals were really very bland. Overall it was quite an experience and I’m glad I’ve done it. Most Inspirational Moment By quite a distance the time in the desert, it is amazing. We had a little bit of time whilst at our auberge to explore the nearby dunes getting a taster of what was to come, but the trip on the camels into proper desert environments and spending the night out in the desert I would happily do again tomorrow. Seeing the wonderful changes of colour as the sun dips down across the dunes, watching the shadows grow and the landscape change is magical. Thoughts on Group Leader Our tour guide was very knowledgeable but at times quite aloof and trip timing seemed to come from a different time zone - 8 hours journeys were 11 hours+. Advice for Potential Travellers I would suggest that the rating of leisurely is compared to other tours they do. Whereas we found it ok some didn't; don't expect just gentle inclines or less and for winter tours bring proper walking shoes - trainers won't be good enough. At the back end of Feb early Mar it is a pain knowing what to pack. During the day in the desert it was mid 20's at night though around freezing. Cities at the start were just into double figures but Riads and hotels a little chilly, not so bad if you can get the a/c blowing warm air though. Suggestions For me I think the route isn't quite correct and there is too much time spent in the cities or too many cities visited and not enough away from urban areas. Additional 'visits' needs to be managed better with some governance and trimmed down somewhat to protect downtime.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/27/2018

Susan Hall   -  Traveled, October 2017

Moroccan Highlights Solo Travel Highly recommend this trip. A really varied trip showing the best that Morocco has to offer. Marrakech is very manic and a bit ‘in your face’ but thanks to an excellent tour leader and local guide the group were able to find our way to such hidden gems as the Majorelle Gardens (Yves St Laurent’s former gardens) and the ‘Secret’ Garden. The trip up to the Atlas Mountains and stay in Douar Samra was nothing short of magical, I got to stay in the Tree House while others stayed in the very unusual and individual rooms in the house or annex. Meals were a delight thanks to the marvellous cooking of Rashida the resident cook and the atmospheric use of candles (there is no electricity in the main house) and traditional low level seating and tables. Your luggage is transported the final distance by donkey and there are also ducks and all vegetables are grown in the Douar’s vegetable garden. Fabulous views and sunsets and great walking in the mountains. However the gem is absolutely Essaouira. I had never heard of this place before but it is the most delightful and fascinating seaside town. Again great orientation tour from local guide Rashida and plenty of time to enjoy the shopping, sweeping sandy beach, bars, restaurants and busy exciting fishing harbour. Our leader, Abdul, was very informative and accommodating and great fun. Morocco is well worth a visit and I will be back! Most Inspirational Moment The walking in the mountains and stay in the Douar Samra. Seeing disadvantaged youngsters being trained to do delicate silver work in Essaouria and having an elderly artisan in woodwork explain all about his 'boites magique' in a backstreet workshop without any pressure to buy. Thoughts on Group Leader Abdul was great fun, very informative and accommodating. He obviously loves his home country and is enthusiastic about its history and culture. Advice for Potential Travellers The walking is not really what I would call 'leisurely', although it is all perfectly manageable so long as you are reasonably fit, have the right equipment and are used to walking in mountain areas. Walking poles are a good idea and proper walking boots essential. You need to fill in forms for both arrival and departure and be prepared for long waits at Marrakech airport getting through Passport control. Money is easily changed at the airport and offers a much better rate than can be obtained in the UK. Take sweets or something like bubbles to entertain the local children in the mountain areas. Suggestions A wonderful holiday experience helped by having a great group of fellow travellers, who all got on really well.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/23/2017

Gayle S Lowry   -  Traveled, August 2016

Highlights of Morocco I appreciated the comprehensive nature of this 15 day trip. We visited the Imperial Cities, focusing on the history, usually staying in the Medina, with time spent touring the souks. In addition, we toured the diverse, gorgeous countryside of Morocco, with overnight stays in the desert, Todra Gorge, and a remote Berber village in the Atlas Mts. I enjoyed the size of our group of 10 people of diverse ages. We all got along well, laughed a lot and enjoyed each other’s company. Most Inspirational Moment For me, the overnight trip into the desert was the highlight. The weather was perfect, our ride on camels was unforgettable and the night we spent sleeping under the stars at the Bedouin camp will remain with me forever. Our accommodations were unbelievably nice, the food the nomads prepared was delicious and their drumming, inspiring us to dance, was delightful. Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader, Samir, was awesome. He had a delightful personality, was patient in answering questions, well informed, told us just the right amount of information. He managed to get us in several places for a meal or tea that would not have happened with a larger group or another leader. He genuinely seemed to like our group and commented that he found us especially great since we didn't "winge" like other groups do. Advice for Potential Travellers Be sure to take several credit cards for getting cash from ATMs. We had difficulty with some cards and some cash machines. Trip will require more cash than the trip notes suggest. Suggestions Since we're from the US, we booked our trip through the Canadian office of Exodus. We found the staff there, especially Julie R., to be impatient, unhelpful with information we requested and outright rude. The others on our trip booked through Exodus in England and they were given much more information, including who else had signed up for our trip. We had no idea until our first night in Casablanca when we met the group that there would be 10 people total. Also we had to pay for our transfer to the airport when leaving because Exodus did not cover it as expected.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/16/2016