This is my third trip with Exodus and overall I have to say that it was a great experience - with... David Jordan, 2019 See more reviews
A very interesting week, lots to do and some amazing places to see.... Joanne Hart, 2018 See more reviews
With short winter days in November there is a lot packed into this week - the early starts are... Andrew Thomas, 2018 See more reviews
We had planned to visit Jordan on our own but in the end decided to go with a group. This... May Chapman, 2018 See more reviews
Well organised, stress free and great itinerary with an amazing tour guide. If ever you was... Charlotte Ainge, 2018 See more reviews
Being solo this was my first time taking a group holiday and it was great. ... Nick Bebb, 2018 See more reviews
Overall a great trip to Jordan. Lots of adventure, culture and a great experience. Jordan is a... Bhavika Halai, 2018 See more reviews
The week was very enjoyable and there was a lot to see and it was a very varied itinerary. Sarah Robinson, 2018 See more reviews
Highlight was night in the desert. Trek round Petra also very good. Trip to Aqaba seemed a bit... Sally Bruce, 2018 See more reviews
Itinerary Include flights Expand all London to London Day 1 Fly to Amman; transfer to Amman hotel. Fly to Amman; transfer to Amman hotel. The hotel is a 35 minute transfer from the airport.Comfortable Hotel Day 2 Visit Jerash then Amman city tour This morning we drive north to Jerash, known as Gerasa in ancient times. This was one of the ten wealthy, self-governing cities of the Decapolis during Roman times, and was famous throughout the Roman world for the luxury of its lifestyle. Buried for centuries under blown sand, Jerash is the only city of the Decapolis to have survived, with a dramatic oval forum, colonnaded main streets which remarkably have the drains still intact, two theatres and the impressive temple of Zeus. After a good look around we head back to Amman for a city tour including the Citadel, the Roman Theatre and the old city.Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 3 Drive down King's Highway to Petra via Mt Nebo, Madaba and Kerak. Today is a long driving day down the King's Highway which takes us up and down huge 'wadis' (valleys). There are several stops of interest en route including Madaba, known as the city of the mosaics, Mt Nebo and Kerak, which is a magnificent fortified town. Further south we reach the magnificent city of Petra; Jordan's premier historic site and one of the world's most outstanding ancient cities.Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Days 4-5 Two full days to explore the expansive sights of Petra. Two full days to explore Petra, the so called rose-red city, 'half as old as time'. Petra was hidden for centuries until the Swiss explorer Burckhardt made his great discovery in 1812. It was founded by the Nabateans, an Arab tribe that arrived here in the 6th century BC. Building at Petra began in the third century BC and continued through the Roman period, financed by taxes levied on the desert caravans. Two features of Petra are unique: firstly, it is a city made defensible by being built down a series of chasms, rather than on a hilltop. Secondly, it is built directly into the rock - beautiful red and yellow sandstone carved into the most impressive facades which glow in the brilliant sunlight. To enter Petra we must begin by walking down a narrow chasm, known as the Siq, surrounded by high cliffs on either side. Unveiled at the end of the Siq is El Khazneh, the Treasury. This is just the first breathtaking sight of a remarkable day. Continuing to the centre of the city, we pass the houses and tombs of the rich citizens and the remarkable scale of the site begins to unveil itself. A long walk beyond the centre is El Deir, the monastery, with its superb facade topped by a huge urn (the walk up is by a series of steps). On one of the days we take a walk to the High Places which only few people attempt to visit. This can be quite arduous and is not recommended for those who are unsure of their fitness. However, those who do make it to the top are rewarded with wonderful views over parts of the site visited on the previous day.Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 To the Wadi Rum desert; 4WD excursion and overnight in a Bedouin camp. This morning we join the modern Desert Highway and make our way south to Wadi Rum, a beautiful desert area where dramatic sandstone mountains rise from the sandy desert floor. This is where Lawrence of Arabia and Prince Faisal assembled the Arab tribes for the attack on Aqaba in the First World War and also where sections of the 1962 epic film were shot. We join our Bedouin guides for a 2-hour 4x4 trip to explore the highlights of the protected area. Towards the end of the day we return to our private camp, located near the small village of Disseh where we enjoy traditional Bedouin hospitality and may have the chance to sleep out under the stars.Basic Camping Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 7 Morning in Wadi Rum; desert drive to Aqaba; free afternoon to relax or optional snorkelling over the coral reefs of the Red Sea. We wake amidst the dramatic desert scenery and then make our way on to Aqaba, Jordan's port and holiday resort, famous for beautiful coral reefs. There is time to relax on a local beach with transport and entrance included. You can add to the experience with optional snorkelling and lunch packages which your leader will explain. Please note there is a cost for these extras. There are several good restaurants in Aqaba for our evening meal together.Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 Drive from Aqaba to the Dead Sea Leaving the Red sea behind we will head to the Dead sea which is one of the most fascinating places on earth. Free time to experience floating and trying the dead sea mud then cooling off in the swimming pool. This evening there will be a group dinner to celebrate your time in Jordan and say your farewells. Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 9 Fly to London. Fly to London. Meals included: Breakfast
Jordan Visas are required by most nationalities, including British, and can be obtained at the border or Amman airport. At time of print, visa fees (usually 40JOD) have been waived for all nationalities travelling to Jordan with a tour operator and spending a minimum of 2 nights in country. Our airport representative will meet and assist you with obtaining the free visa on arrival in Jordan at Customs & Immigration. He will be carrying an Exodus sign. For more information on the free Jordan Visa, please see the link below:http://international.visitjordan.com/MediaCenter/News/JordanianGovernmen...
Jordan There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid.
Hotels and Camp We spend 2 nights in a 4-star hotel in Amman, 3 nights in Petra, and 1 night in Aqaba and the Dead sea. We also have one night in a desert camp in Wadi Rum. The private camp is for the sole use of the Exodus group and offers an unforgettable experience. Throughout the tour we use hotels with en suite facilities and air conditioning. You may find some of the hotels have more facilities however it is always good to keep in mind that the star rating in Jordan is quite different to what you may expect at home. In some cases we may use less central hotels in the interests of comfort. Accommodation in Petra is limited and demands on the infrastructure are high; this creates occasional problems with hot water and general plumbing for all hotels. The accommodation we use here is generally the most basic 3-star of the week. One night will be spent in the Wadi Rum desert. Traditional style tents are equipped with basic beds and blankets. There are plumbed toilets and basins, and simple shower facilities with (limited) hot water. The single supplement is available on request. Please enquire at the time of booking for details and up-to-date prices.
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Reviewed January 2019 David Jordan Trip: A Week in Jordan Review of A week in Jordan trip This is my third trip with Exodus and overall I have to say that it was a great experience - with lots of variety and some fantastic highlights. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Definitely Petra - the best thing about this trip is that there is two whole days in Petra and your really need it as the place is VAST!!! With this trip you get to see huge areas of the lost city - especially away from the crowds around the Siq and the Treasury - we basically had the place to ourselves - and it really added to the experience. I do acknowledge it was the low season and we were lucky with the weather! Indeed, the blue skies and cool temperatures (15c) helped make it very pleasant to do the all walking and climbing steps - there is a fair bit of walking involved around Petra! The highlights for me was walking down the Siq to the Treasury - its very length created real anticipation which was rewarded by the final view of the treasury!! Also the trek up to the Place of High Sacrifice was incredible - again a little of the beaten track so devoid of any crowds apart from our group. Another highlight was the roman city of Jarash - I thought it would just be a few interesting ruins but it really exceeded my expectations - it is vast and very well preserved - and again due to the time of year we had the place pretty much to ourselves - which was great for taking photos! What did you think of your group leader? Issa - was a great tour guide - very professional and if you asked him for something...be it an ATM, a toilet break, Pharmacy he would make it his priority. He had a great knowledge and love of the country and went out of his way to show it. I should also mention the bus driver Admed - who also great at his job and very careful on the roads (unlike some past travel experiences I have had). Despite his limited English he was also very friendly and courteous, easy going and had a great sense of humour. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Overall I would say definitely go.... but when you do keep in mind the follow issues: - Be prepared for long days (leaving the hotel at 8pm -so really up before 7am) - this is needed particularly in the winter as it gets dark in Jordan at 4.30 pm and lots of sites close at sunset. -I'd advice people to bring some snacks, cereal bars etc as the days are long and you stop at a lot of places to buy snacks which are ridiculously over priced for the country - for example I was charged between 1 and 1.50 dinar for a Mars Bar in a touristy type service station but paid 0.3 dinar for one in Amman in a regular shop. - Bring sandals to wear into the Dead Sea - I cut the bottom of my foot pretty badly on the extremely sharp salt crystals on the seabed - this caused me a lot of grief in the subsequent days when I was hiking for long periods. Is there anything else you would like to add? The only bad experience I has was when my friend and I wanted to climb the cliff path in Petra to look down on the treasury (a great photo opportunity). However when we attempted to walk the path the locals that loiter around the site - blocked our path and demanded money to guide us up (this is free!!!) - when we refused they got very aggressive and verbally abusive toward us - we tried to ignore them but it got so bad that we just gave up and walked away. Maybe it was the time of day - everyone was leaving the site and it was pretty empty but I would advice anyone that if they want to see the Treasury from above take the more scenic (but more round about route) from behind the Royal Tombs (ask your guide) - you won't be bothered by these people (others members of our group did this). We later heard that this is a con job play on tourists as after paying these people to 'guide' you up to the top of the path they then demand even more money to escort you back down! While some of the meals we got were amazing ( especially in Amman, Karak and at the bedouin camp) others were more miss than hit - and a number of us definitely felt ripped off at being charged the equivalent of 20 euro for some falafel, a piece of chicken and some flat bread - this was particularly the case when we ate in Petra. One point I would like to make about the Bedouin Camp is that it gets very cold at night - so definitely bring a base layer and some warm pyjamas. Also there were huge holes in the roof of my tent - If it had rained it would have been a pretty miserable night!!!!! Lastly - I advise you to not waste your money on a Turkish Bath in Petra - for anyone that has been to a proper turkish bath you will be very disappointed. If you do want to have the experience, go to the one opposite the hotel the group stays in Amman - its a bit pricey (about 50euro) but its worth it!!
Reviewed December 2018 Joanne Hart Trip: A Week in Jordan Perfect Petra A very interesting week, lots to do and some amazing places to see.... What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Walking through the souk and walking out to see the Treasury What did you think of your group leader? He was good and friendly and knowledgeable. I did feel that we could have had longer at certain places and I felt rushed on a couple of occasions to get to the hotel. When we were at Aqaba we only had 3 hours at the resort and this wasn’t long enough to relax properly... we had to eat lunch all together on a set menu and I think we could have got our own lunch when we wanted it and then we had to leave at 2pm and go to our hotel with nothing to do in the afternoon. We should have stayed at the resort for the day or been given the option to get a taxi back to the hotel.... I also felt our time at the Citidel in Amman was rushed - there wasn’t enough time to walk around the site which is disappointing as we could have stayed much longer. The Citidel is incredible Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Book the trip - you won’t be disappointed... But I’d say get a taxi back to the hotel and stay at the seaside resort in Aqaba all day....
Reviewed November 2018 Andrew Thomas Trip: A Week in Jordan A delightful Week in Jordan With short winter days in November there is a lot packed into this week - the early starts are worth it though. Travel arrangements in Jordan went well - even with a large group of 20 it never seemed as if we were rushed anywhere. The remains of the city of Jerash visited on our first day were impressive (those Romans got around). The Dead Sea was a novelty but either side of our 'private' beach was a lot of rubbish. On the whole Jordan is not a 'picturesque' country - they have a huge challenge ahead with the amount of plastic waste strewn across the countryside everywhere - roadsides, fields, olive groves etc etc are all littered with the remains of plastic bottles and bags - they seem to be blind to it. That said, the fantastic highlights of the trip - Petra and Wadi Rum - both superlative world class sites (and with a huge number of visitors) were not littered - so it is possible! The two days in Petra are worth the whole trip alone - a spectacular and huge site (wear comfortable shoes or boots) but you quickly loose the large crowds after the Siq and the Treasury. The drives through the desert and night spent in the tented camp in Wadi Rum also provided really amazing memories. Dramatic sand blasted scenery and sweeping sand dunes had us all humming the Lawrence of Arabia theme tune. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Climbing up to 'The Monastery' at Petra - 850+ steps but worth them all - lots of chances to get coffee or tea (and buy a souvenir) from local Bedouin stalls on the way. The quieter climb up to the the 'High Place of Sacrifice' also makes an excellent circular loop away from the main valley but still passes some spectacular tombs and caves (they are everywhere). Great views across the whole valley from the tops. What did you think of your group leader? Issa our group leader was great - he really did make the trip a success. Very enthusiastic, with great organisation and local knowledge he is a great ambassador for his country. He made sure everyone had what they needed by way of ATM stops, toilet breaks and chose good restaurants for lunch or supper (not always easy for a group of 20) explaining the menus and ensuring there were always vegetarian options where wanted. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? If you usually use a walking pole over uneven ground consider taking it for Petra (I was pleased I did). Take warm clothes, a torch and a small towel for the desert trip. The bus travelled with large water bottles on board - so you just need your own bottle to fill every day. Just go - its a great trip Is there anything else you would like to add? The Jordanians are really friendly, proud of their country (they should be) and delighted to share it with foreign visitors. Over the past few years they have taken in millions of refugees from their war torn neighbours but remain positive about the future.
Reviewed November 2018 J S Trip: A Week in Jordan What a fascinating country A full itinery with a wide range of things to see, do and contemplate. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Petra What did you think of your group leader? Provided a safe environment for us. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? It seemed like we got the less well positioned rooms; facing busy roads and in the basement with the noise of the restaurant starting at 6.30 am overhead. Ask to be moved. I does work sometimes.
Reviewed November 2018 May Chapman Trip: A Week in Jordan Been back for two weeks and am still floating back to the desert! We had planned to visit Jordan on our own but in the end decided to go with a group. This undoubtedly was the right decision as there is lots to see and learn about. Our wonderful, enthusiastic guide made this so easy and accessible. I have always wanted to see Petra but did not have any clue about all the other treats that were in store.........the huge Roman city at Jerash, mount Nebo and the unforgettable Kings Highway. And more, and more.....everyday full of delight and rich photo opportunities. The landscape is truly stunning. The desert is spectacular......seen one desert and you have seen them all? No way, this scenery was quite different from the other three desert experiences I have had and it offered the very best starscape as the night was so clear. Beautiful. Have snorkelled quite a bit as well, and the afternoon at the Red Sea was up there with the best. Warm water, easily accessible from a jetty. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Impossible to pick on one moment so I won't. Approaching the Treasury at Petra is very exciting. The path is so narrow and after a fairly long walk, there it is, the glorious carving of the Treasury, still with details after 2,000 years. On we walked, enjoying the huge scale of the city. Another exciting moment after a long walk is seeing the Monastery with a carved facade just as impressive as the Treasury. It was great having two whole days to get to know this place a bit. In Amman there is also a Citadel, big scale Roman remains on a hill. Lovely to see the sunset from up there, whilst hearing the call to prayer resonating around the busy car packed city below. What did you think of your group leader? Eddy was great, an excellent raconteur with a lovely sense of humour. He shared his knowledge and love of his country throughout our trip. I think he took us slightly off piste a few times. In Petra we took tea with an elderly man who was born in his cave there, and still lives there, the last and only resident of the city when it was emptied out of its residents to make way for tourists in the 1980's. He refused to leave. A wonderful character. We also had a fun time at the spice shop in Aquaba. Eddy and the owners seemed to be the best of friends but what was great for us was that we were able to taste a lot of the products and taste the tea. It was all so fresh compared with the stuff we get here. We bought rather a lot and the Jordanian tea with sage has already been enjoyed by some friends. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Prepare to be overcome by the awesome scenery. Take sandals that can get wet in the Dead and Red Seas and embrace the absence of alcohol. Learn how to tie a scarf round your head......functional and fun! Is there anything else you would like to add? Go ahead and book this trip. We have travelled much further afield but Jordan offers the real attraction of a completely different culture, climate, history and very interesting position in the world!
Reviewed November 2018 Charlotte Ainge Trip: A Week in Jordan Amazing trip can’t recommend it enough Well organised, stress free and great itinerary with an amazing tour guide. If ever you was thinking about seeing Petra, this trip is the way to do it. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The overnight stay in the Bedouin camp, we had a meal prepared for us out of a sand pit, and sat by a log fire underneath the stars in wadi rum. Absolutely incredible. What did you think of your group leader? Aladdin was amazing, super friendly and nothing was ever too much trouble. He was very informative and really passionate about the history and heritage of his country. He honestly made our trip. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Just to make the most of the optional extras on the trip. We done Petra by night and that was well worth seeing. The camel ride was fun and another tick off the bucket list. Aladdin also recommended Petra kitchen, where you get to cook your own Jordanian meal. After a long day walking it’ll be the last thing you want to do but if you push yourself it was a great evening with some of the best food we’d had the whole holiday- and bonus you get the recipes too.
Reviewed November 2018 Nick Bebb Trip: A Week in Jordan First Exodus trip Being solo this was my first time taking a group holiday and it was great. Nice people who all made me welcome and a fantastic trip. Jordan was a real eye opener with lots of WOW factors. The tour guide was a great guy and couldnt do enough for the group. If i could change anything about the trip it would be to have an additional day at Aqaba which looked like a great city. No words i can write can describe seeing Petra for the first time. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Petra. Aqaba. What did you think of your group leader? Top man - Eddie Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Enjoy Is there anything else you would like to add? Another day in Aqaba
Reviewed November 2018 Bhavika Halai Trip: A Week in Jordan Excellent trip to Jordan Overall a great trip to Jordan. Lots of adventure, culture and a great experience. Jordan is a beautiful country with friendly people. Our tour guide, Eddie is very passionate and knowledgeable about his country and we were very happy with his service. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Petra. What did you think of your group leader? Very passionate and enthusiastic Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Be sure to take yourself a torch for the night in the Bedouin camp and clothes to wrap up warm Inthe winter weather.
Reviewed October 2018 Sarah Robinson Trip: A Week in Jordan Great holiday, but communication could have been improved The week was very enjoyable and there was a lot to see and it was a very varied itinerary. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Visiting Petra and seeing the Treasury for the first time. What did you think of your group leader? Alaa was clearly very knowledgeable about the history of Jordan and the sites that we visited. He was very friendly and helpful if you asked him a question. He gave us the opportunity to see the sites by ourselves once he had given us an overview, which was good and made the holiday feel less rushed. The main issue I had with him was that there were a number of occasions with poor communication. For example: - He said that Dead Sea mud products were expensive at the Dead Sea resort but cheaper at a shop we stopped at later, but this was not the case and the price difference was substantial. - He didn't explain that it was possible to buy Dead Sea mud at the Dead Sea from vendors on the seafront and therefore that we should take money with us down to the sea shore, rather than put it all in the lockers 5 minutes walk away. - There was confusion about whether we needed to pack a separate bag when staying at the Bedouin tent, but our main bags were brought to the camp anyway, despite being told this was not the case. - At the Red Sea resort it was not explained that there were other options for food, rather than just paying the 11JD for the group buffet. It would have been nice to have had the opportunity to try different foods rather than just the standard bread, hummus, meat skewers etc. - We stopped at a shop during one of the drives, and Alaa didn't explain why he got out but we couldn't. However, these were minor issues and the vast majority of the week was very well organised and planned. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Have fun - it's a fantastic and fascinating country. Bring some comfy shoes for Petra.
Reviewed October 2018 Sally Bruce Trip: A Week in Jordan A Week in Jordan Highlight was night in the desert. Trek round Petra also very good. Trip to Aqaba seemed a bit superfluous. Maybe cancel that and have two nights in desert camp instead? Plumbing in hotels variable in efficiency. Likewise air-conditioning on buses. Attempt to reduce use of plastic bottles laudable but unfortunately we found that we needed more than our own flask-full of water when leaving the coach for expeditions which meant we ended up buying plastic bottles as well. Could suggest having water 'on tap' in the hotel foyers as well as on the coach? What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Night in the desert What did you think of your group leader? He was very conscientious, considerate and polite. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Take lots of loose, comfortable long-sleeved garments, not your best clothes!
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