Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra was amazing and our guide Sami was very knowledgeable, there were some nice touches from him like how we got our first glimpse of the treasury (I wont say as it would spoil it for others). On our 2nd day he took us on a trek to see Petra from the top of the mountains it was great. The night in the desert was good and our meal there was one of the best. Floating in the dead sea was weird oh and quite chilly but a great experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sami was good, helpful and knowledgeable, he did a great job of keeping the group together.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some days there is quite a bit of walking and it can be hilly, so pace yourselves. We went the first week in November and the weather was excellent a nice temperature (evenings a little cool for some) however we were told that it would probably change in the next 2 weeks. The night in desert was fine flusing toilets and sinks, there is lights after about 8.30 but there is a camp fire. great to see stars. Things to take a torch, sleeping bag liner (blankets supplied), pillows were like bricks. Meals each night varied in price and choice, we were given different jordanian dishes depending on the restaurant we were taken to speciality, cost 10-16 Jordanian dinar (JD) drinks extra. Lunch was better when the guide sorted a picnic for the group 4JD. Read the literature exodus provide it is usefuland gives you a good idea of extra costs for trips and tips etc.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many fantastic moments but without doubt, the most amazing was seeing the Treasury buliding at Petra for the first time having walked along the 1 kilometre beautiful canyon before emerging right infront of the Treasury.  The whole of Petra and the two days spend there were incredible.  Apart from Jerash, the desert and the dead sea experience, the other memorable experience was an afternoon spent on a sailing boot, swimming and snorkelling amongst thousands of fish and brightly coloured corals - and in sea so warm it was like being in a bath.  Beautiful!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sammi, our Group leader was fantastic.  He helped make the trip what it was.  He has an incredible knowledge and took time to explain so many aspects of Joran culture and way of life. He also guided us around all the sights and gave us a the background to everything we saw.  Above all though, he has a wicked sense of humour and took great pleasure in having fun with the guests. He was fun, very personable and engaged very well with all of the Group.  I would say that he is the perfect guide and the best one I have ever travelled with.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take sturdy shoes for Petra - not necessary to take full walking boots.  Take something warm for the evenings as it can get a little chilly at times. Don't expect to drink alcohol wherever you go - it is a dry country and only the biggest hotels sell alcohol. Many of our meals were with soft drinks which was a surprise for those not expecting it. If you have time and can do it - add a few days on at the end of the trip to chill out in Aqaba - there's not a great deal there but to relax in the sun and by the Red Sea is great and there are a few very good hotels to choose from.

Most Inspirational Moment

I have always wanted to see Petra and it was just amazing. First sight was on the nightime event outside the Treasury which although short is a magical experience and well worth a first introduction. The next day was a full day sightseeing. Never realised it was such a massive site. The walk to the Treasury was fantastic and later in the day the walk to the monastery was equally as good. Breathtaking. My feet certainly ached at the end of the day. The second full day there involved the walk to the High Place and yet more time to soak up the atmosphere.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The tour leader was excellent. Very well informed and full of information about Jordan and the various places visited. Also just the right amount of information as well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go and enjoy. Make sure you have good comfortable walking shoes for the two days in Petra and something to wear on your feet for the Dead Sea "float". Currency exchange is readily available but make sure you get small notes. They tend to like giving out 50 and 20 Dinar denominations which is equivalnet to £ 50 and £ 20. Country feels perfectly safe. Go now while tourist numbers are low. On our second day in Petra the place felt quite deserted. Even obtained pictures of the Treasury with no one else around. Probably don't go in summer as I would imagine it would be unbearable walking around Petra for a couple of days.

Most Inspirational Moment

Wandering around Jerash with the sound of Scottish bagpipes wafting with the breeze. The sheer scale of the amphitheatres, colonnaded streets and palaces is truly breathtaking. That first glimpse of the Treasury at Petra through the Siq walk - very Indiana Jones! Sitting outside a Bedouin Cave looking across the Petra desert complete with shooting star - following a wonderful dinner (not to be missed). Snorkeling in the Rea Sea surrounded by lots of fish. Bobbing around in the Dead Sea. Night in Wadi Rum with that desert full moon.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Khaled was a fantastic tour leader - making us all feel welcome and informed about Jordan in general as well as the places we were visiting. He always had good tips on evening meals and optional walks to take to get the 'worlds best view' in Petra and Wadi Rum. Highly recommend any trip to Jordan with Khaled - you are sure to have the best experiences possible.

Advice for Potential Travellers

When getting local currency try to get smaller denomination notes (20 dinars and below) as you will find it much easier to pay for meals etc as not all places have change for larger notes. Make sure you have plenty of wet wipes and good walking shoes especially around Petra (as rocks can be slippery). I travelled at the start of October and found during the day temperatures were warm but pleasant (although a sunhat is good idea) at night it can get chilly so a jacket/fleece will be good idea.

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra, nothing can prepare you for how massive and stunningly beautiful Petra is.  Awe inspiring place. One day is spent exploring from the bottom, the next from exploring the hills and caves above the main site. My husband and I wandered down from the Safrifice area all the way down to the main site.  WE explored the caves and temples and didnt see another soul.  One of the best days of my life - if I am honest !

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was very good.  Enthusiastic and full of knowledge. He made the trip fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book this trip !!! Its fantastic !!

Most Inspirational Moment

Sleeping out under the stars in Wadi Rum and listening to the snoring chorus! Four sleepers beautifully in harmony and synchronised to perfection - funny and brilliant! Actually there were too many highlights to single individual ones out. This whole trip just reveals one amazing thing after another.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wael is a wonderful ambassador for his country. His love and enthusiasm for everything Jordanian is infectious and it was a privilege to share this with both him and the group. Nothing was a problem and any suggestions he made were further enhancements to an already great itinerary.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Jordan is amazing! The people, the sights, the history, the culture. This is an amazing trip which allows you to see much that Jordan has to offer and is sure to leave you wanting more.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very knowledgeable and great insight to Jordan, not just the places but the culture too. Organised some great extras too such as the snorkelling boat trip and cave dinner

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are at all dubious about Jordan - don't be. There are not a lot of tourists at the moment which is great for us as have such a greater experience in Petra and other places but not so good for Jordan itself. Jordan needs you and you won't regret it. 

Most Inspirational Moment

This is hard , there's so many ! I think that my fav moment was sitting in the desert with one of my new friends at night after we had watched the sunset as a group . We let the others return to camp and just sat , suddenly we heard the rocks making noise . We got closer and it got even weirder . Until we realised that the walls of rock around our camp were amplifying and sending the sound out like a speaker and the it was bouncing back at us . Wadi Rum makes you understand why the locals believe in Djinn (spirits) that live in the desert . Amtospheric doesn't even come close , awesome !!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was a very nice guy with a big heart and a passion for his country and his religion . He tried to bring us along for the ride and widen our perspectives . For me that is what travel is all about . I was genuinely sad to say goodbye . I think he wanted us to be happy and tried hard to make that happen but he also tried to give us little words of wisdom that might stay with us . 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get fit !!! This sounds like an easy ride but trust me there's lots of climbing and walking for up to 8 hours a day at some points . The first 4 days are full on . Bring walking boots and buy a head scarf in Jordan , very good for keeping the sun off you . The company info and all guide books say you need to cover up more than you do on a cultural level . The Jordanian people seem to appreciate and like westerners , you are kind of given a pass on most stuff . EAT !!!!! Mansaf and Makluba .............delicious !!! Its diet time for me people !  

Most Inspirational Moment

A few things which stood out for me. Floating in the Dead Sea. A weired experience , a bit like floating in oil. Petra. What can I say. AMAZING! Sleeping under the stars ( and shooting stars) in the beduine camp and then riding a camel at 6am the following morning. Scuba diving , seeing the corals, colourful fish and even a shipwreck in the Red Sea. ( my first time scuba diving so I was particularly pleased with this.)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Funny, friendly and seemed to know just about everything. Ala was great. He was incredibly organised and was willing to accommodate the group and change plans when some of the group wanted to visit the site of John the Baptist which wasn't on the itinerary. In his own words, " The food is lovely, the weather is lovely. Everything is lovely! "

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is a lot of walking involved so make sure you have comfy shoes. We found that hiking boots were not necessary and in August you certainly didn't need a sleeping bag for the desert. A sleeping bag liner was fine as there were blankets provided. Food and drink was a lot more expensive than I thought but I suspect that there is some sort of two tiered pricing system for tourists. Most meals were between 10 and 13 pounds and cans of soft drink ranged from 1 to 2.50 pounds. Food was good but quite similar wherever you went. I will now not be eating houmous or pitta for quite some time!

Most Inspirational Moment

I don't know where to start! From floating in the Dead Sea, being touching distance from Israel, having tea with a Bedouin; sleeping and flying in Jeeps over the desert;.... Just brilliant!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

A human encyclopedia! Very knowledgeable and had a passion for the country that was infectious!  Watch out for being ripped off for what I suspect was swapped for commission and freebies (meals and stops at shopping places) though.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do it!