This was definitely my last trip with Skyhook. I booked a two part tour. Climbing Mt Toubkal and visiting the Sahara.
To be honest, I would not recommend completing the visit to the Sahara with this provider. As a solo traveller, I contacted the company in advance to confirm whether the trip would still go ahead if I travelled alone. They confirmed that it would, without providing any additional comments regarding quality or potential adjustments other than maybe joining a group. No discussion of any price modifications that would have allowed me to make an informed decision.
After paying an additional £220 for this three-day trip as a solo traveller, I was placed in a van with approximately 20 people, despite the booking suggesting small groups. I was asked to pay for my own lunch, even though the tour description stated that all meals were included. I received back the money I paid for the lunch, however that is not the point! The dinner at the first hotel did not even include water, and a very small plate had to be shared between four people at the table. The stops on the trip also differed from those described in the itinerary, and some locations were not visited at all. People travelling with me paid between €70-80. You can imagine my disappointment!
After speaking with other passengers, I realised that I had effectively been outsourced to a trip booked through the GetYourGuide platform. While I am aware that this platform offers budget tours (and I have used it in other countries), this was not what I paid for in this case. The experience felt like a low-cost tourist trap. During the trip, we were accompanied by local “tour guides” who walked us around public areas and then demanded tips in a manner that felt almost forceful.
To make matters worse, my contact at Skyhook asked me to update him on how the trip was going. When booking a guided tour, it should be the provider’s responsibility to ensure service quality and passenger wellbeing at all times.
The first part of the trip was somewhat better, and I believe this is where their expertise lies. However, this is not an easy climb in winter, and the equipment provided was not always suitable. Two helmets did not fit properly, yet no adequate solution was offered; we were simply told to carry them attached to our backpacks. On the first day, after lunch, we began walking on snow while carrying all our gear but were not advised to use crampons, which would have made that section significantly safer and easier. I was wearing trekking boots, which were listed as suitable in the equipment description, yet the terrain was slippery and unstable in several areas, making that section far more difficult than necessary.
Ultimately, it was the natural environment itself that made the experience worthwhile, rather than the organisation or service provided.
Claim your business profile now and gain access to all features and respond to customer reviews.
