Morocco Eco Tours

Loved the whole experience although it was a challenge to me. Was v grateful for the patience of the 2nd guide with me, the slow one always last. Impressed by the standard of meals in spite of v basic facilities. Also impressed that the flimsy looking tents at base camp actually kept us warm and withstood a significant storm. They were v good. I would have liked an even slower pace to allow time not just to recover breath, but to appreciate the views and take photos more frequently. I was sorry for the others’ disappointment that the summit could not be attempted due to dangerous wind conditions, but I was satisfied to have made it to base camp. We were grateful to Explore for flexibility that was required to accommodate us in Aremnd due to a necessary early descent (because of the poor weather). That last place was the nicest. Omar was an excellent guide. Both he and Jamal had a great sense of humour, they did their job well, usually there was v good communication at every stage, and they were totally accountable with the tips. The first night in Hotel Kennedy was not v promising, as the toilet was broken, initially there were no towels or soaps and the room just a bit dowdy, so we were pleasantly surprised that the rest of the expedition met all expectations and upon our return, the room we had was significantly nicer. We were glad we had booked 2 extra nights.

Our tour leader, Hassan, was excellent. He anticipated our needs. He also responded to occasion unrealistic requests by clients calmly and with diplomacy. He is a charming, funny, knowledgeable, professional tour leader.

The tour manager, Mohamed, was exceptional. Very informative, engaging, and entertaining. I particularly enjoyed the camping in the Sahara, even with the dust storm! The accommodations were much better than I expected, where a "Moroccan 5 star" was as good as any "5 star" in the US. I also liked having a bus for transport that gave us room to spread out and sit where we liked. Also, the food was excellent, varied, and delicious (though I did get a little tired of tagine by the end). Well done overall.

A wonderful way to see Morocco, visiting many of the major cities (not Tangier) and travelling through High Atlas and into desert. Our tour leader Mohammed was very good, informative and well organised and we had a lovely group of like minded people. Transport was mostly by a comfortable bus with an excellent driver (Khalid) as well as a brief trip by 4WD vehicle and then by camel. Highlights for us included a visit to a Berber house, the medina at Fes, the Todra Gorge walk and the camel ride. Accommodation is functional rather than characterful with a couple of exceptions. If accommodation is important to you maybe consider one of Explore’s upgraded trips. It was perfectly fine though. Overall highly recommended.

Our guide, Mohammed, added a great deal to our experience by his knowledge and experience in Morocco. His ability to communicate everything about the history, culture people the farmland in the south versus the cities in the north and everything else gave us an extensive understanding of Morocco. Most everyone would say their favorite part was being in the desert. The camp was extraordinary and riding a camel is not something you can do just anywhere. While we enjoyed every part of the trip, the desert was the most unique.

The tour covers an area roughly the size of california in just 10 days, so you spend a lot of time in a very comfortable bus, with frequent stops for restrooms, coffee and sights along the way. Our tour director was engaging, friendly and very well-informed. He took very good care of us, responding to individual needs as required. The country is spectacular, and the tour is a movable feast that leaves you wanting to sample more of the delights surrounding you. Highly recommended!