Atlas Essaouira

We had a fantastic time. Thank you for all your help, advice and guidance in organising our holiday. As this was not our first booking with Tourdust we were confident that all our transfers would work perfectly and they did - everything ran so smoothly! The riad in Marrakesh was stunning - a truly beautiful oasis of calm in such a busy, bustling city. As you can imagine, we were very grateful for the air conditioning in our room as outside was so hot! I was nervous about walking through the souks at night, but as they were well lit we felt perfectly safe and found our confidence grew in navigating the journey home each time we ventured out. When we arrived at our lodge in the Atlas Mountains we were blown away by the scenery. The views were amazing and the beautiful lodge gardens were the perfect place to sit and relax before taking a dip in the pool. Our day trek was truly amazing - no small thanks to our guide Rashid, who was so helpful and knowledgable. The lunch in the traditional Berber village was delicious and we were were made to feel so welcome. The home owner showed us how to make bread and then cooked it for us in her traditional clay oven. This was a memory we will never forget as we stood surrounded by her chickens and goats watching her use her bare hands to prepare the fire! Our night in the desert was breathtaking. The camel ride at sunset was so incredible and the quad biking the next morning was brilliant fun. I am so glad we added in these extras as they really made the experience! We finally made it to our hotel at the coast, where the surf lessons were a hit and the hotel was a great place to relax and read! Thank you again for all your help. We would definitely recommend Tourdust to all our friends and family. Tanya

Tanya G reviewing Marrakech, Mountains & Coast Family Holiday on 18 August 2023

Hi Lisa, We had a wonderful time, thank you. Sidi Kaouki is the perfect retreat from the chaos of life. We all said it was our favourite trip to Morocco, even though it's our third visit. We are already thinking of returning at Xmas. Next time we will fly to Essaouira though, because the hike to Marrakech is too long to be comfortable when we could fly to a place 20 mins away. Thanks for all your help! Alex

alex c reviewing Family surf holiday in Morocco on 16 July 2023

We had an amazing time thank you very much! The riads and hotels were outstanding and everything went as clockwork. We had really bad rainfall on the day we transferred to Marrakech but our driver didnt give up and we eventually found a passable road ( which I think was the last possible one to get us there!)

Thank you so much!

Matthew A reviewing Morocco Coast, Souks & Mountains on 05 December 2014

We would very much like to give our feedback regarding our trip to Morocco because it was absolutely fantastic. From start to finish there was nothing to fault, Mustafa our guide in the mountains was great - discrete when necessary but delightfully eloquent and informed about a wide variety of subjects. The food in the mountains was superb ( though the toilet facilities in the gites d'etape left a lot to be desired!!) The guest house Dar Adrar was beautiful with amazing views. The riad in Marrakesh was lovely and such a welcome respite after the hectic souks.....and as for the surfing.....it was fab!!!! Mohammed our instructor was patient and so super cool....a real gem and great with our children.
All in all it was wonderful and we were all sad to leave. We will definitely consider using Tourdust again and wont hesitate to recommend you to our friends.

trevor l reviewing Two Week Family Trek & Surf Holiday on 20 November 2014

We had a wonderful holiday, thank you. Something for everyone! It will be hard to find something else so unique and interesting again.

Michelle C reviewing Morocco Coast, Souks & Mountains on 05 September 2014

An amazing holiday - thank you.

Trekking was excellent, Mustapha, our guide, was lovely, and food was delicious. Hotel in Imlil was also great. But litter on the mountains was upsetting.

Marrakesh is incredible. Riad (Dar Vedra) was lovely, although we were a bit unsure whether we could ask for drinks etc. The owner was away and I'm not sure the staff were as attentive as usual - or maybe we'd just been spoilt in the mountains.

Surfing was fun. We just did two mornings, but this was fine. We visited Essaouira one afternoon and went on a camel ride the other. Really liked the accommodation at Windy Kaouki. But would have been good to know that there was no cashpoint in Sidi Kaouki.

Brilliant holiday - thanks again.

Rachel C reviewing Two Week Family Trek & Surf Holiday on 22 August 2014

General Feedback:
This was the first time in years I could a) afford a holiday, b) take a break from other commitments and c) spend a full week (instead of the odd Saturday afternoon) with my kids. For that reason this holiday HAD to be right. So I was careful to shop around. I spoke to several companies that all had euphoric smiling families on their websites but when I spoke to Tourdust it was immediately apparent that they had both on-the-ground experience and a genuine enthusiasm for the destination.

Tourdust did what a travel company are supposed to do – added value; I simply gave them the challenge (two hard to please teenagers, one adventurous and active, the other not so) and they put together a perfect package (e.g. a challenging but short 2 day trek, a mule for back up for the girl who has only ever exercised her finger tips). The week seemed like a month. Holidays usually require so much effort on working out what to do next, how to get from A to B, how NOT to be ripped off etc, but on this holiday all of this stress was lifted. Each time we were transferred from one location to the next it involved no more effort than throwing our things into bags and handing them to an obliging driver. All my attention and energy was therefore spent on enjoying the holiday and most of all watching the kids not just enjoy themselves but surprise me by walking (actually running!) up a mountain and not complaining, sleeping in “basic” accommodation (3 walls and not much more) and telling me it was the most enjoyable night of all, making an effort to understand a culture and see their prejudices disappear, build their confidence in a new language and taste new foods – still can’t believe they both ordered and ate a camel burger!

Thank you Tourdust for delivering the best holiday I’ve ever had and a shared experience with my kids that will be the talking point for many years to come. I only have one outstanding request from Tourdust – where are you taking us next year!


Special Mentions:
Rebecca can you please make sure that our gratitude to Yousseff is communicated; I appreciate that his job is far from easy – balancing being informative whilst allowing us privacy, encouraging us to take on the challenge but ensuring our safety and comfort. He did a thoroughly professional job – constantly attentive to our needs and providing us with a wealth of knowledge about the locality that made the trek a much richer experience than it would have been. To my delight my kids were very interested in Morocco’s culture and religion and they quizzed Yousseff extensively. He was very generous in sharing his own perspective despite some of the questions being a little undiplomatic. His pride of Morocco and especially of the local area challenged our western materialistic perception of what is of value and this was the best souvenir we took home with us.

Also could you make sure to thank the manager (Tino?) of Windy Kaouki for going out of his way to provide an alternative WiFi network connection after the usual one failed. I cannot over state how important this was to me; if I could not have responded to the support call on that Thursday evening I may have lost a major contract I’ve held for 12 years. So please pass on my thanks to him.

Constructive Criticisms:
My kids and I came up with a few suggestions that we think would have made the trip more enjoyable:

1. If the drivers could speak English it would have added to the experience – we were lucky enough to have Yousseff with us on the trip from the Atlas Mountains to Marakech and it would have been nice to have someone speaking English on all journeys to answer all our questions about the surroundings.

2. I would advise anyone staying in small places like Sidi Kauoki not to eat in any of the small local establishments but to stick with the hotel; my son got very sick from a burger in a sea front Café.

3. Quad biking would have been great if it had been included

4. €20 for a 10 minute trip from Beldi Country Club to the airport is extortionate

Finally Rebecca, thank you for taking on the responsibility of organising my holiday. Your commitment and attention to detail was no less than what I imagine you’d dedicate to your own holiday plans.

john t reviewing Morocco Family Adventure: Marrakech, Trek & Surf on 22 August 2014

We had a fantastic time in Morocco and everything worked to plan.

We were collected on time by Ibrahim and he took us to Imlil in his Toyota Land-cruiser. Good journey to the Imlil Lodge which is very well placed with wonderful views down the valley. It is a little way out if Imlil but that suited us fine. the lodge is very comfortable and the food was very good and certainly set us up for the trekking.
They struggled a little with the hot water but in this location this is not a surprise.

The guide on the treks was Yousef who is a lovely lad and happy to engage in conversation as ‘required’. He has a detailed knowledge of the area and is happy to share this.

The treks were about the right length being long enough to make us feel as though the trek was worthwhile without being too onerous. They were reasonably challenging but Ok for people with a fair degree of fitness and some stamina and determination. The views are of course spectacular and we are so pleased that we went.

The Gites were fine. Yes basic but I would not have wanted to stay in a hotel as you would miss out.

We were well looked after by Mustafa as well and he and his mule carried and prepared the food as well as our kit.

The travel from Imlil back to Marrakech was again well organised and fine and we were met at the ‘taxi rank’ by Asif. He is a credit to the Riad and did a great job in looking after us.
The Dar Hanane riad is wonderful and we had a very good suite there. Food was excellent. We ate there one evening and it was lovely to sit on the roof terrace as the sun went down.
The half day cooking course was also worthwhile.

The final stop was Ryad Watier is Essaouira. Jean-Gabriel is a character and is rightly proud of what he has built there. Excellent place to relax with good food and a brilliant welcome. We ate in the riad one evening and that was lovely too.

Ibrahim took us back to the airport and dropped us off just a short walk from the terminal.

It was a truly wonderful holiday with the right mix of activity, culture and relaxation (we took 4 nights in Essaouira) and we came back feeling refreshed and invigorated. The organisation was spot on and the places we stayed were carefully and skilfully chosen. We would not have changed a thing.
I also don’t think we would have saved much by organising the trips ourselves and I doubt we would have found anything quite as good.

Michael C reviewing Morocco Coast, Souks & Mountains on 30 April 2014

You arranged the most magnificent holiday for us – thank you so much.
All the 3 hotels were brilliant – very different from each other. Mohammed was very helpful when we needed him.
Pleased we weren’t actually in Marrakech last week when it was so hot – the Beldi was perfect as I spent the time in their blissful pool!!!

Melanie M reviewing Morocco Coast, Souks & Mountains on 17 April 2014

Overall it was an Excellent holiday great time had by all, organisation like transfers always very smooth and professional.
Trekking with personal guide excellent, muleteers and chef great, trek just right level for us.
Riad Bel Haj excellent high class accommodation, luxurious, staff very friendly, ideal situation for exploring, peaceful in heart of the old city. Strongly recommend it.
Riad Ribali excellent spacious luxurious, staff very helpful. Meal in was excellent. Also strongly recommend.
Surfing lessons fantastic. Instructors great strongly recommend.

Selwyn R reviewing Morocco Family Adventure: Marrakech, Trek & Surf on 19 March 2014

We very much enjoyed the bespoke holiday to Morocco everything ran very smoothly and very much to time. The trek was just what we wanted and Youssef, the guide, Hammid the cook and Mohamed were all excellent and made the trip very enjoyable. We loved Dar Adrar guest house and Riad Watier in Essaouira, good service and excellent local knowledge and lovely meal at the Riad. The drivers were all good and we felt safe.

Karen B reviewing Morocco Coast, Souks & Mountains on 12 March 2014

Thank you for arranging such a memorable trip for us. We were taken care of from the first greeting at the airport, thanks to Mohamed and his efficient team, but still felt like the independent travellers we wanted to be.

The accommodation you chose for us was always a delight to discover, and the cookery course at Maison Arabe one of our highlights.

Gill B reviewing Morocco Coast, Souks & Mountains on 05 February 2014

The whole holiday was fabulous: we really enjoyed it all, but three things really stand out as exceptional.

1. Adil, our guide in the Atlas, was a lovely guy - helpful, kind and considerate, really good company, informative, nothing was too much trouble, and he gauged our speed really well, also when to leave us to our own devices. I'm sure you get lots of enthusiastic feedback for him. Plus it was really nice to be met at the airport with bottles of water and sweets.

2. Roro / Le Kaouki. We so enjoyed it here. The hotel is lovely, atmospheric, beautiful, and also cosy with a fire on chilly / windy evenings. Roro is a really fantastic host who again was brilliant company, and very considerate to us, for instance making us some bland food when one of us was unwell. She went out of her way to make us feel welcome and comfortable.

3. The Morocco Blue surf company. All the instructors were great (esp Mohammed), adapting the lessons really well to our individual progress and ability (or lack of in my case). There was a really good, fun cameraderie in the classes and we enjoyed having lessons in both Sidi Kaouki and Essaouira. On one afternoon we did not feel up to having a class, so they gave us an extra one on the final morning, which we did not expect. They also arranged and paid for a taxi for my husband and daughter when they finished early in Essaouira one day. I would recommend them to anyone and the manager (Azhul?) was great.

Of course we also loved the Dar Vedra in Marrakech. All the arrangements for transport etc. worked out very smoothly. I really felt like I didn't have to worry about anything.

Joanna L reviewing Two Week Family Trek & Surf Holiday on 22 November 2013

We had a great time. The boys enjoyed trekking - although I think it was more of a mule ride than a real trek! The guide was fantastic and realised quickly that Tristan walked faster and whined less if he held his hand rather than Adeline! Food was amazing throughout this part of the trip. Dylan was not overly impressed with squat toilets - but learnt to get on with it fairly quickly!

Surfing was a big hit - Dylan's favorite part of the trip. The surf instructor (Mohamed) was brilliant with them all. Adeline's only comment on this was that the driver did not know where he was taking her on the way there (I think she called the office at this point).

Accommodation and food for the first week was great according to Adeline and the boys.

Nicola W reviewing Morocco Family Adventure: Marrakech, Trek & Surf on 18 November 2013

We would like to thank you for all your advice and pre trip departure information that you gave us. It proved to be most informative and helpful.
Where to start?
The transport and drivers were all very helpful and punctual and ensured that throughout the transfers they were able to enlighten our journey with facts and stories.
The surf team were patient, great with the children and even managed to coax me to stand on the board. We thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and surfing somewhere different each day, giving us a real insight into coastal life. Mohammed really made the experience fun and diverse.
The accommodation was clean, quiet and the staff very attentive at the coast.
Riad Wo, really was WOW! A peaceful haven amongst the busy hassle and bustle of the city. Again the staff were attentive and always there in the background if we needed guidance, help or a mint tea. The children especially loved the pancakes each morning for breakfast!

All in all a truly memorial trip. If you can pass on my thanks to all involved in making our holiday a superb experience.

Joanna J reviewing Morocco Family Adventure: Marrakech, Trek & Surf on 29 October 2013

We have just arrived home from Morocco following 10 wonderful days, Our trip from beginning to end was excellent with absolutely no hiccups! We loved every moment of our 3 part holiday.

The mountain trekking came first and we were absolutely bowled over by the whole thing, we loved Dar Adrar and they couldn't have made us more welcome, Our guide Mohammed was great and it was fab to see Rashid our Muleteer every time we caught up with him, we think the best food we had was in the mountains! It was really good to get to the grass roots of trekking and even though the gites were basic it all added to it for us. We really felt we had achieved when we got back and would recommend it to others.

The transfers were also perfect with not one problem, and the timings were spot on.

Dar Vedra in Marrakesh was a perfect haven just like the reviews said, it was a beautiful place to stay and we were very well looked after, It was very quiet when we were there and I can't understand why it is not full to overflowing.

Villa D'Lo was also fantastic and we loved it there, the only thing was we had a nice room but it didn't have a window to the outside and was one of the cheapest rooms, it would have been nice to have one of the better rooms with a window but were unaware of this when we booked, saying that it didn't detract ,from our holiday at all.

Overall I would mark Tourdust 10/10 an excellent holiday which ran perfectly. We would use Tourdust again and recommend to others.

Andrew T reviewing Morocco Coast, Souks & Mountains on 16 October 2013

We had an absolutely fabulous trip, teens, adults and child. The trekking was the highlight for all of us, and we could have done another day. Not to worry - it was a first for us, so we weren't to know. The guide Yussuf was great with all of us - kept the pace just right, helped Lydia when necessary, played cards with us all, talked about the villages, the life, the local history. Omar, who was in charge of the mule with Lydia was also very kind to her. Even shared his MP3 player with her, though I don't know what she made of the Berber pop! The food on the trek was something we all really looked forward to: not just the picnics but the breakfasts and dinners (to be honest, these were our favourite meals in Morocco). We also enjoyed hearing Ibrahim singing while he walked.

Any negatives? Well the gite in Tiziane was a bit grubby, but we got on with it ok, having our own sleeping bags, and the other gites and refuges were comfortable and clean.

The rest of the trip: well, Chez Momo was lovely and good food, but we didn't really want to just hang around by the pool after the previous days' trekking. Hence we called Mohamad and arranged the trip up to Tin Mal. It was nice that we were able to do that and pay later. I think Chez Momo's not on your usual itineraries. If it is, a few suggestions about things to do in the area might have helped - even just how to walk down to the village and anywhere to visit in it. They weren't able to do that in the reception there (I guess most guests are just there for the relax).

Dar Vedra in Marrakech was so stylish, a great location, and we had the place to ourselves. Again, lovely breakfasts, helpful staff. One of the most comfortable beds I've ever stayed in.

Essaouira: I know it wasn't your usual accommodation, but it was ideal for us, being so close to the old town and beach. Good clean accommodation, nice breakfasts, clean pool, helpful staff. But the charms of Essaouira were outside the hotel. We got in the sea, once we'd walked a bit South down the beach, and enjoyed exploring the town, eating at the seafood stalls, riding camels etc.
This was outside Tourdust's control, but the weather was with us the whole time. We left the mountains just as it was starting to get cooler, and arrived in Marrakech after the summer heat had dispersed.

Altogether the organisation was fantastic, all the pickups went smoothly and it was reassuring to know that we could call you or Mohamad up if we needed any help or advice. I know that one of my friends has already been in touch, looking to do similar.

Joanna Rowan P reviewing Marrakech, Mountains & Coast Family Holiday on 26 September 2013

We had a great time in Morocco and would love to give you our feedback.

We felt that the descriptions given online and from talking to you were a very honest and fair reflection of all aspects of the holiday. All of the transfers and arrangements that you had made for us worked well and were problem free.

Atlas Mountains: Our guide Ibrahim was lovely, full of information, happy to talk about his life and we were looked after and catered for really well by all of his team. The donkey was a great success! We are really glad that we didn't decide to do the Toukbal option, which we could have done with 12 and
14 year olds. Our kids are all really sporty and fit and actually we couldn’t have coped with any more walking than we did. 7 hours was our limit. Some of us didn't want to camp but we're glad now that we did because of the flexibility it gave us. It's spectacular and a complete culture shock coming from London and we all loved the mountains.

Marakech: The riad was absolutely beautiful and a welcome spot of luxury after camping. Again, all of the staff were very helpful and pleasant. We were grateful for their local recommendations - places of interest and eateries!
At night the best food we ate was from the stalls in the main square, particularly number 14, the fish stall. We visited the palaces, Marjorelle Gardens, got lost in the souks, all of the usual things, but balance is absolutely key and three days was enough before we were ready to go to the coast. Tip - start early in the morning, back to the riad after lunch and then out again in the evening. It avoids the crowds and the heat of the midday.

Sid Kaouki: Windy Kaouki apartments were great for our needs and it was brilliant to have an apartment just for the children so thank you for that. Of the limited cafes in the resort, Izeke's was our favourite, but luckily we discovered that the Italian owner of the apartments is a great cook and he's trained all of his kitchen staff to be the same. Please highlight that this is an option to others. So we ate at the apartments most evenings and at lunchtime grabbed a sandwich there as the food was really delicious and very good value. We would highly recommend doing the same to other families
as it was so good.

The surfing came as a bit of a shock to some of us (the mums really). The first two days the waves were 1.3m high and because of the tides we did a five hour session in one go with a small break in the middle. Ashar, Redwan and Mohammed were really patient and lovely but we didn't all make it through the week... The children all completed the week and so did one of the dads but actually it was just a bit too much even though they enjoyed it they were exhausted. I'm not sure if there's an option for three days surfing and three days complete chilling but maybe that's another thing that you could offer. I think that one of our favourite parts wasn't actually the surfing but talking to the instructors about Morocco and finding out what life's like and how they hope the country is going to develop. Lovely people; we really enjoyed meeting them.

All in all a fab holiday. Would we visit Morocco again? Yes to the Atlas Mountains .......... Would we travel with Tourdust again - a definite YES. It took the worry and angst out of what would have been quite a difficult trip to organise independently. Will it be memorable .....YES and for all the right reasons..........

Helen L reviewing Two Week Family Trek & Surf Holiday on 18 September 2013

The trekking was fabulous. We were looked after so well and the children loved the guys. Our accommodation was extremely basic on the first night of the trek, we decided not to shower!! but it was all good fun. The second night was quite luxurious and a cool shower. The food was wonderful and the children nor us went hungry. I was very surprised at the terrain and will admit it was hard going some of the time but at the end of the day, it was quite an achievement. The boys never moaned at all and loved riding the mules. They loved playing a card game with the guys which they taught them. I cannot express enough how attentive the four guys we had, and if you are able to, please pass on our thanks.

Our next part of the holiday went well. Dar Vedra was amazing and except for the first night (they had another guest) we were the only people there and were looked after very well. The room we had was fabulous, comfy beds and soft towels and really nice breakfasts. We decided not to have a guide and made our way into the square and the souk quite easily. We even ventured out in the evening and ate in the square. On our return that first night we found we were locked out of the Riad. They had forgotten to give us a key and we were waiting outside for some 30mins. Tim managed to call Mohammed and then just after they came to open the door.

Unfortunately William caught a bug on our second day there and we spent the afternoon in the room. They were really good and at short notice they cooked dinner for us as we had to stay in.

It was certainly an adventure driving out of Marrakech. We had the directions which you had sent but there were no road numbers on the few signs along the roads. Not once did we see a road sign with a number on it. I think it would be better to have some landmarks on your directions.

The Atlas Kasbah was really nice. Our room was ok, beds and towels not as soft as previous, and as the water is solar heated, a hot shower was not always guaranteed. The pool was lovely and our first full day there was spent around the pool. We ventured out into Agadir the following day and went on the beach for a picnic but found it far too touristy so we headed back to the hotel and in the pool. The food again was superb.

Timothy S reviewing Marrakech, Mountains & Coast Family Holiday on 12 September 2013

First, overall impression: terrific holiday, excellently organised at UK and Morocco ends.

Now some detail:

· Pre holiday contact with Tourdust: Rebecca, as the only person I ever spoke to, you represent Tourdust for me: you were consistently extremely responsive to all my questions by phone and email with both speed and helpful replies - customer service at its best. Your offers of extra service were also much appreciated e.g. purchase of bus tickets from Marrakech to Essaouira for us in advance.

· Punctuality of pick ups and driving in Morocco: pick ups always on time, and drivers were courteous and interesting to talk to. Comfortable cars/mini buses.

· Imlil: Dar Adrar is a wonderful place, with extremely kind and helpful staff. We were the only guests on that first night, and sitting on the terrace in the fading light as we ate our dinner was a magical way to start our holiday.

· Trek: Lahsen was great: we particularly liked the fact that he quite often left us to walk on our own when the trail was very obvious. Ibrahim, our muleteer and cook was also great, though his English was more limited than Lahsen's. However, as Alison and I speak reasonable French we were able to talk to him too. We learnt a lot from Lahsen about the villages and vegetation that we were walking through. He seemed to know the whole world, and often stopped to talk to shepherds, shop keepers, and village elders as we walked. Those exchanges were always in his native Berber language, and we therefore felt just a bit left out of these sometimes long conversations. We didn't feel able to interrupt him, or to ask questions, but would have liked to. Perhaps he could be encouraged to somehow involve his client walkers in some of these conversations, or at least tell them afterwards about some of the content of the conversation? On one occasion, when we accompanied a couple of village women with their five cows for about 40 mins along a path, we did ask what they were talking about, and learnt that they were exchanging family histories. One of the women had worked in Marrakech as a maid, and had known members of Ibrahim's family. This interested us, as it led to a discussion about how women from villages sometimes have to work in the cities as servants to earn money - rather like in pre WW1 England.

· Food on trek: superb: we were astonished at the quality and quantity of food every lunch time on the trek, and the evening meals were great too. There was always good veggie food for Alison, with often a fishy or meat option for me. At lunch times there was always a super view and shady spot and a two hour siesta on a foam mattress before setting off again - brilliant!

· Accommodation: you had told me that we would be sleeping in tents when not in Imlil. However, Lahsen told us that only happened in the high season when gites sometimes fill up. So we were pleasantly surprised to be on foam mats in gites every night, with showers of varying sophistication - but showers nevertheless! - wonderful after 5-6 hours walking in temps of over 30 !

· Trek day three description: your text is a bit confusing here we think. We walked 4-5 hours to lower village, and then another 1.5-2 hours to Tamsoult, with additional altitude gain. We chose to stay at the refuge of Tamsoult (not a village), rather than in the village of Tizi Oussem, Lahsen gave us a choice, being careful to warn us, (on Mohammed's instructions!) that we might have to share a dormitory in the refuge). It was a long day but worth it . We were extremely glad that we chose this option, as the new (just two years old) refuge is fantastic, with stunning views from the terrace, wonderful showers, European style toilets, and comfortable bunk beds - the best night of the trek. There were only four other walkers staying in the refuge, so we had an eight bed dorm to ourselves. We gently teased Lahsen for not telling us in advance just what a great place this refuge is! The next morning - Trek day 4 - starting in Tamsoult meant that the waterfall was only 25 mins away, going up, away from the refuge. We then returned to the refuge, picked up our packs, and set off for Imlil which we reached at lunch time (so your description of trek day 4 needs amending a little).

· Ascent and descent numbers: Our impression was that these were not terribly accurate, as they missed all the ups and downs within the walk every day. We were fit enough every day, but we reckon that on some days we walked a total of quite a lot more than the amounts of ascent and descent given on the descriptions for each day of the trek.

· Marrakech accom: Riad Tzarra was wonderful - just four rooms - we were the only guests. Staff couldn't have been nicer or more helpful. Air conditioning was great (it was over 40 outside!). At this time of year the roof terrace of Riad Hanan is too hot to be really useable, and we reckon that the courtyard and rooms of Tzarra are nicer!

· Sites in Marrakech: we would recommend that you add the Museum of Photography to your list - just round the corner from Riad Tzarra and Place Moukef. Wonderful photos of Morocco in bygone times, and films of people in the Atlas mountains taken by a Frenchman in 1957 - fascinating - in many ways not much has changed. One ticket allows for unlimited entries over many days.

· Bus to Essaouira: very comfortable. We did not know where Villa de l'O was, but found it after asking – worth mentioning, perhaps, on your notes, that it is only five mins walk from Supra Tours depot - a wonderful little oldy worldy place, with colonial era furnishings, and a roof terrace overlooking the beach. Great place, and great little town.

· Return bus to Marrakech: when we received the bus tickets on arrival on first day in Morocco we were told that there was no 5pm bus from Ess to Marra (as we had requested), so we were given tickets for a 6pm bus. (which did not worry us) . However, at SupraTours office in Essouira we discovered that the 5pm bus did in fact exist - a relatively newly introduced Super Confort bus with wider seats (three across the bus – rather than usual four) and more leg room than the normal bus, and costing just 20 DH (2 euros!) more - so we swapped our tickets for that bus and had a very comfortable ride back to Marra, arriving in plenty of time for dinner.

· Picking up a taxi in Place Moukef: not always easy: we had to wait 15 minutes a couple of times, so travellers need to be warned.

· Dress code: many western women (and some men) tourists in Marrakech were very scantily clad, and we did not notice them getting leared at, or insulted, so it seems that in the big cities it is accepted nowadays that western women like to bare a lot of flesh short shorts, bare shoulders etc) . Still something that we, like you, would not encourage, but it seems to be no longer frowned upon as much as it was only a few years ago (according to friends who were in Morocco a few years ago). However, in the mountains life is still more conservative, so we think that shorts, and bare shoulders, should still be avoided (for both sexes).

· Restaurant recommendations in your notes: we ate at your recommendations Cafe Epices, Fondouk, Earth Cafe and Djemaa foodstalls - all excellent. We would recommend Cafe du Livre in French quarter as excellent too (ten mins walk from Supra Tours depot.), and free wifi!

In summary: a fantastic holiday - many thanks. We might well be asking you about Ethiopia next year....

stephen L reviewing Morocco Coast, Souks & Mountains on 25 July 2013

We had a wonderful trip. The accommodation was all great. Dar Hanane was probably our least favorite but having said that I could not really find fault with it in any way. The taxis all arrived on time and the drivers were all extremely pleasant. The trek was great too. the food was excellent and our guide and cook were both extremely nice. We were lucky with the weather on the way up- cold but dry. we woke to snow on the following day which turned to torrential rain as we got further down the mountain! However we kept walking till lunch when the guides found us shelter and Mohammed sent transport to pick us up. I would certainly recommend your company to others, and indeed have already done so.

Elizabeth S reviewing Morocco Coast, Souks & Mountains on 09 May 2013

We had a really good time and would thoroughly recommend anyone to go to Morrocco with Tourdust. The trekking was really good, although basic gite is exactly what they were!! We had a bit of an issue with a loo which caused a little concern but apart from that the guide was great as were the cooks. The food was generally good though i must admit i don't need to have a tagine again in a hurry!! Chez Momo was lovely, a real relaxation. I'm lead to believe that it is not quite as good as it was, the menu was a litte uninspiring, but for us it was perfectly timed as we needed a little R and R then onto Marrakech. The riad (Bel Haj) was amazing as were the staff there it was a little haven of tranquility in the hustle and bustle of Marrakech. Blue Morocco was so good the kids loved the surfing and the whole ethos of the place. They made us feel so welcome and I would send the kids back there no porblem!!

All in all a real success

Sophie H reviewing Two Week Family Trek & Surf Holiday on 18 December 2012

I have nothing but praise for both your company and the people that you deal with. My initial contact with Ben and Anna was wonderful, they are both friendly, helpful and were always ready with a comforting or helpful reply when called upon. From the get go I knew that I had struck it lucky in my dealings with Tourdust.

Imlil:

Mustafa collected us from Marrakech train station, he was quiet but efficient and went out of his way to find a bank machine for us so that we would not be stuck for dirhams. As we drove further into the mountains his pride in his home village became apparent as he opened up a little and began to point out little things of interest. In Imlil we were met immediately by Hamid (of Dar Adrar) who escorted us to the gite. Upon arrival he showed us to our rooms and prepared the first of many mint teas that we were to sample in our time in Morocco. Realising that we may struggle to find somewhere to eat for lunch, seeing as it was Eid al Adha, he did not hesitate to offer us lunch, a tasty omelette and salad was promptly delivered to us in a cosy sitting room. Hamid was so hospitable and a pleasure to deal with. The rooms are exactly what we expected them to be - better in fact. They were comfortable and clean and typically rustic. The views from the terrace were breath-taking. Early on that first afternoon, a roaring fire was lit and we snuggled up and relaxed, reading our books in the tranquil atmosphere of the gite. Dinner was served and was a delight. We met with Mohamed as we were retiring to bed and he suggested we be ready to leave around 9.30 the next morning - perfect. After a good nights sleep, we hate a wonderful breakfast and set out. The guide (Lassan) was wonderful - a very experienced guide with years of training. He was talkative and absolutely marvellous with Katy (my nine year old daughter). The chef, Ibrahim was a bit of a wonder, we really couldn't figure out how he could consistently provide such wonderful meals on a portable stove. Mention must also be made of Hassan the other local that escorted the mule - he was constantly helpful and looked after Katy so well. The overnight in the village was wonderful, the Gite d'Etape, whilst expectedly basic, was a great night. The owner was present much of the time but stayed in the background making sure everything was running smoothly. There was only one slight glitch which was unavoidable I suppose, we had not realised that we would not be returning to Dar Adrar after the hike and had left many of our belongings there. We were met in the village by Mustafa for the return journey to Marrakech with all of our belongings but they had missed Katys two pairs of shoes that had been left in the communal shoe area, it was not a big deal and we were not put out at all.

Marrakech:

Mohamed had organised everything to perfection, we were met in Marrakech by Direse the man with a cart who steered us through the Marrakech back alleys like a pro. At breakneck speeds we careened through the frenetic streets until we finally arrived at Riad Boussa. Anyone who has never been to Marrakech before may have worried that they were being sucked into some little side alley for dodgy dealings but I knew the score. The door to Riad Boussa opened and we were led into this oasis. The first words my daughter gasped were 'it’s a sanctuary' and she was so right. The wonderful scent of essential oils drifted in the soft candle lit air. We were made comfortable by Madame Grillion and brought yet another round of the ubiquitous mint tea. Madame Grillion sat with us and went through a map of Marrakech with super suggestions for both sights to see and restaurants. We took all of her tips and were delighted with each one. Special mention needs to be made of Dejeuner de Marrakech for lunch. We had a wonderful time exploring Marrakech and enjoyed the many sights and sounds of this truly colorful city.

Sidi Kaouki:

The next morning, after another tasty breakfast in Riad Boussa, Madame Grillion confirmed our driver was on the way and Direse was called upon to guide us to Djem el Fnaa once more. Mohammed, our driver delivered us safely to Sidi Kaouki and all was fine. There had been quite a lot of inclement weather which had caused some problems for the taxi service and the surf school Blue Morocco but nothing that we were aware of in any negative way. The first afternoon the weather meant we were unable to have a surf lesson but I think we all welcomed the time for relaxation. There was a little confusion about meals with the Auberge owner (Auberge de la Plage), I believe her name was Francoise but I may be wrong, I am afraid it has slipped my mind. The surf instructors and owner of the school were all so friendly and really went out of their way to make the lessons an experience as opposed to just a lesson. The owner of Blue Morocco was friendly and a pleasure to deal with.

Sonja O reviewing Morocco Family Adventure: Marrakech, Trek & Surf on 05 December 2012

In the past I have always been a believer in independently organising my own holidays, as that has always been part of my holiday experience. However, I was wary about taking my wife and children (aged 15,14 and 10) on an adventure without some help to organise the trip. After some careful searching on-line I found 'Tourdust' who organise adventure travel 'everywhere'. All the reviews raved about their services, so I sent them an email...

Ben and Anna helped us plan a eleven day holiday to include trekking in the Atlas Mountains, exploring Marrakesh and surfing on the Atlantic coast. Using their wide knowledge they made some excellent suggestions and encouraged us to make choices that would not have occurred to me had I booked independently. This included an excellent last minute suggestion, based on up to date weather information, to stay in the mountains on our first night rather than in the heat of Marrakesh. They were also immediately on the case, by phone, when our taxi failed to turn up on the last day to take us back to the airport.

I could rave for a long time about the holiday; the amazing cooking on the trek, the beautiful Riad in Marrakesh and the friendly surf instructors... but you need to experience it yourself. I am complete convert to their style of adventure travel and knowledgeable advice and would think twice before attempting to organise my own holiday again, especially if travelling as a family.

PATRICK R reviewing Morocco Family Adventure: Marrakech, Trek & Surf on 02 August 2012

We really had a wonderful time (despite us being unwell for a few days of the trip) and we found Anna at Tourdust and Mohammed in Morocco both really supportive, flexible & accommodating when we had to change our itinerary at the last minute due to being unwell. All of the staff at our riads and hotel were equally as fantastic & I think overall we would give the customer service and the trip itself five out of five!

Miranda W reviewing Morocco Coast, Souks & Mountains on 27 June 2012

I'd be lying if I said our holiday started of in the smoothest of ways (with a phone call telling us that high winds and stormy seas looked set to spoil our week at the surf camp) but it was with this news that the proffesionalism and customer service skills of Tourdust really shone through! Within the hour the guys at TD had arranged to put us up in the most beautiful of Riads (Rhiad Dar Thania) in the busy city of Marrakesh. This Riad proved to be the perfect oasis to escape from the excitment of the city at the end of the day. I'm pleased to say that we did make it to coast eventually where we spent 3 incredible days learning to surf with 'Blue Morroco' a surf school expertly ran by Azhar and Alice in the tiny town of Sidi Kaouki. Azhar's passion for the sport and the ocean is evident in his teaching style and I can honestly say that he and his wife Alice made us feel more like friends rather than guests in their beatiful Berber beach front home. I for one will certainly return to Morroco and Sidi Kaouki in particular in the future and will have no hesitation in using Tourdust to do so. If anyone would like to see photos of our trip please find these in the album named Morroco 2012 on my facebook page at the link below:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.10150606289819288.413565.818599287&type=1

As a final note I would suggest to anyone who plans to go to Morroco that mastering a few basic phrases in french or Arabic would improve their experience. These are by no means essential as nearly everyone in the tourist industry speaks English but I found my basic knowledge of Arabic and my girlfriends ability to speak french certainly came in handy on the odd occasion!

Rob D reviewing Trek, Cook & Surf in Morocco on 29 February 2012

we had a great time, all of the people we worked with were great, everything went pretty smooth.

A couple of bits which may help you when booking this for others:-

- Day one of the trekking we arrived with not enough water, believing that they would already have it for us to buy, luckily one of the guys had his car and drove off and got us some.
- Food was traditional and excellent!
- At the surf place due to Ramadan we couldn't stay at the centre but was placed in a hotel 200 yards away which had no electricity!! however living including showering by candle light was fab, we played cards, chess and read a lot of books which was great for the kids and i would sell this!!
- There was some confusion over the use of the surf boards outside of the lessons, they were very good about it but insisted that one of them was present at all times. This felt like we added a lot of pressure on them and as such rarely did it, partly because it was Ramadan and in the afternoons when we wanted to go out they were sleeping. To be honest we went to go out on 3 occasions and weren't able to. The team were great so i don't want you to go back and criticise but recognise that during Ramadan its far more complicated and if the equipment is to be used outside of the lessons that it has to fit in with them as well.

Ian H reviewing Morocco Family Adventure: Marrakech, Trek & Surf on 12 September 2011

The trip was a huge hit... A massive success

The trekking was good... We were a bit out of shape but our guide was amazing. He just got it and was super knowledgeable. I really think he was the gem. We were cold at night even though we had terrific sleeping bags but that is part of the fun.

The people from the surf school were awesome. The accomodation was a wee bit to funky for us and the man moved us into a super duper cute little studio bedroom with terrace near the village. He was terrific even had everyone to his house for dinner one night and that was one of the best meals I ever had. The surf instructor was perfect.

I found tourdust online and I am sure after our amazing trip that they are a gift from heaven. In two days they created a personal trip for me and my 10 year old son. We wanted adventure,surfing and hiking and it was feb half term we had 5 days to travel...ben and anna could not have been cooler or more organised. We knew every detail of our trip and had an itinerary that met our individual needs and interests. We even had a hand drawn map where no map had existed before. Both harry and I were sorry that the rest of our family couldn’t be with us but feel that we lucked out with our wonderful adventure.

Anon reviewing Morocco Family Adventure: Marrakech, Trek & Surf on 16 March 2011