Holiday Reviews
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same trip can have different views!
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Morocco holiday, High Atlas peaks and valleys, independent reviews
 Reviewed 9 Sep 2006 by Anna Boddy |  |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The walking through the villages and contact with Barber people. The scenery was also fantastic.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Ensure that you have wet wipes as there are not always streams to wash in every day.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, except at Toubkal where there are very severe effects on the environment which spoils the end of the holiday slightly.
| Reviewed 18 Sep 2005 by Amanda Dudman | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Climbing up to Mount Toubkal, the highest point in North Africa at 9.30am as the sun rose and having spectacular views for miles of the plains of Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains in all directions.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be fit before you come; take the minimum clothes (don't over pack); take walking poles; take the fact you will be in a Muslim country seriously and no vests/skimpy tee-shirts and shorts for women; bring a book(s) to read; try and get as much loose change (coins) in dirhams as you can as in remote places they find in hard to change large notes.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, definitely. We saw at the Toubkal Refuge how some groups just left their litter and mess and there is not enough being done here in particular to stop the negative impact on the environment. We took everything with us, leaving no rubbish etc behind. All the staff were locally employed which was excellent, and all food sourced locally by the cook and muleteers when necessary.
4. Any other comments?
It was a unique and great holiday and I give it ****
| Reviewed 18 Sep 2005 by Nicola Webb | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Reaching the summit of Jbel Toubkal and seeing Morocco stretching out below us.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared to eat like royalty and to learn some minimal Berber/Arabic in order to reciprocate the generous and courteous welcome offered by local people. Also be prepared (whatever your walking pace) to compromise and to work as a group member - helping each other out and finding ways round any challenging moments.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I believe it benefited local people as we were guided and supported by local guides/workers. It appeared that they were aware of the environment and careful with rubbish although I did not see this myself. It would have been even better if our guide had openly talked about what efforts we/our group could make along the way to minimise negative environmental impact.
4. Any other comments?
Thanks I really enjoyed myself.
| Reviewed 4 Sep 2005 by Ross McLagan | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Most memorable part of the holiday was getting to the summit of Mt. Toubkal. Very rewarding!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't fly British Airways!!!! They lost my wife's bag with all her climbing equipment so had to buy her trainers etc. before leaving Marrakech! She got the blisters to prove it! One more tip - Be prepared for a VERY long summit day - After reaching the summit and getting back to the Toubkal refuge you still have another 3-4 hour walk back down the mountain... All in all you are walking for around nine and a half hours... Not a problem for us but we were rather knackered that evening!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Definitely benefited the local people but as with tourism anywhere in the world negative factors have crept in but nothing to put people off. I am talking about people selling drinks/souvenirs along the way and the associated litter that goes with it. I did expect it to be a little more remote than it was...
4. Any other comments?
Great trip! I wouldn't say reborn, that happened a while ago on a similar trip in Tanzania and that is why we did another trip like that one but there were people on the trip that were doing something like this for the first and would defiantly say that they are converted!