Kingdoms of Jordan - Premium Adventure

Discover Petra, Wadi Rum, the Red Sea and Dead Sea in comfort

Join one of our expert named leaders on a wonder-filled journey through Jordan. You’ll spend two days exploring the temples and tombs of Petra, before taking in the Mars-like landscape of the Wadi Rum desert. In the latter, you’ll stay in a desert camp in luxurious Bedouin inspired cabins, witness fiery sunsets and experience star-filled skies around the campfire. We’ll also spend time in the classical age, exploring the excellently preserved Roman city of Jerash, before soaking up immense views across the Red Sea and floating in the salt waters of the Dead Sea.

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips which improve life for the people and places we visit, and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here, and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

In Jordan we are very proud to work with a local partner who received the Travelife Partner award in July 2021. Travelife is a certification system dedicated to achieving sustainable practices in the global tourism industry. In order to receive the award our Jordanian partner had to comply with over 100 criteria related to Corporate Social Responsibility. The Travelife standard is formally recognised for full compliance with the UN Sustainable Tourism Criteria.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

• The use of a local guide means our customers will be well informed about local traditions, and cultural and social sensitivities.
• This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally-owned hotels and restaurants, the emphasis on eating locally produced food and support of other local enterprise.
• The hotels and camp we stay in are dedicated to hiring local staff, this helps to benefit the surrounding community by providing employment opportunities and income alternatives where they may be otherwise hard to come by.
• This trip stays one night in Wadi Rum desert where all camps are run by local Bedouins.  This not only provides a source of income for their families but is a wonderful opportunity for our guests to interact with local people and share aspects of their traditions.
• In Wadi Rum we also do a jeep safari which provides another source of income for local people.
• This tour encourages guests to visit local cafes and restaurants and use markets to purchase traditional crafts.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

• Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels.
• By travelling in a small group, led by a local guide, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
• On this trip we visit national heritage sites and the entrance fees included generates income which is used for the upkeep and development of these important monuments and nature parks.
• Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices with regard to working animals and wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
• In Petra we do not recommend that guests ride horses or mules as we are not convinced their treatment is in line with industry-leading animal welfare guidelines.
• We work with our partners on the ground to proactively eliminate or reduce waste, for example eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles and instead providing refills for re-usable bottles.
• It is standard practise in Jordan to distribute left-over restaurant food to people in need through local charities.  On this trip we include a dinner at a restaurant where this is the practise.
• Where possible on this trip paper bags are used as an alternative to single-use plastics.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

• Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.
• Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally-sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
• A number of hotels on this trip adhere to sustainable practises as part of their corporate goals. For Example the Crowne Plaza and Intercontinental adheres to the groups Green Engage system which takes into serious consideration the environment and its conservation.
• At theHilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa they have a number of sustainability initiatives including Soap for Hope – recycling used soap bars and donating them and using recycled water for irrigation.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

• Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish behind in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, we’d ask you to consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
• Plastic waste reduction: Please bring your own re-usable water bottle on this trip; filtered water will be provided where tap water is not drinkable.

Cultural respect:

• Some Jordanians especially women and the elderly object to being photographed so please ask first.
• Jordanians are very proud of their country and can be offended if you take pictures of anything ‘negative’ or suggestive of poverty. Photography in military zones and strategic areas like public buildings is prohibited.
• Handshaking is only between members of the same sex.
• It's polite to use only your right hand when eating something without cutlery and when handing money and small objects to someone else.
• It is common practice to remove one’s shoes before entering a mosque or someone’s home and you should tuck them under if sitting on the floor. It is respectful for women to cover their heads with a scarf when entering a mosque. Please note many mosques are not open for tourist visits.
• Generally men’s and women’s clothing should cover shoulders and be on or below the knee.
• During the holy month of Ramadan Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking during daylight hours. Even chewing gum is considered haram. (forbidden). Although foreigners are not expected to follow these practises it is respectful to be discrete and not eat, drink, or smoke in general public.
• Making the effort to fit in is invariably appreciated so being aware of these aspects of cultural respect will assist you during your travels in Jordan.

Visa

Jordan

Visas are required by most nationalities and can be obtained at the border or Amman airport.

We will arrange a free visa (usually 40 Jordanian dinars) for travellers booking a tour and any pre-tour arrangements through us, provided we receive full passport and flight details at least two weeks before arrival.

You will need to pay for the visa if we do not have these details two weeks before arrival or you are making your own pre-tour arrangements (ie extra nights before the tour that are not booked through Exodus).

A Travel Declaration form needs to be completed before travel and may be requested at check-in or on arrival in Jordan: https://www.gateway2jordan.gov.jo/form/

Our airport representative will meet and assist you with obtaining the free visa on arrival in Jordan at Customs & Immigration. They will be carrying an Exodus sign.

Vaccination

Jordan

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid. Please confirm all requirements with your doctor or travel clinic.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts, three lunches and four dinners are included.

Dinners are included at the Wadi Rum camp and Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa. In Amman, we include a welcome dinner at a restaurant known for its excellent Jordanian food. Dinner on the first night in Petra is included at our hotel.

In Aqaba, we include sundowners from the private beach overlooking the Red Sea.

When not on half board, we usually eat in local restaurants and the leader arranges bookings for those in the group who would like to join. We suggest you budget around 15-20 Jordanian dinars per person (US$21-US$28) for non-included meals.

If you are vegetarian, please note that main meals are limited in choice; however, meze is almost always available in restaurants and is a good, filling vegetarian choice. There is a good choice of seafood available when at the Red Sea. At the Wadi Rum camp, we enjoy a traditional dinner called zarb, which is cooked underground. This consists of rice with a selection including chicken, lamb and vegetables. Vegetables are cooked separately to the meat.

Weather

Spring and autumn are very popular times to visit Jordan as it is cooler, around 24C (75F) in the day and down to 8C (46F) at night. Rain is more likely, but protracted bad weather is unlikely. It is hot and dry, but not unpleasant, throughout Jordan in the summer. Daytime maximum temperatures are around 32C (89F) in Amman. Jerash temperatures are the same.

Wadi Rum is around 30C (86F) on average in summer, though it can get as high as 40C (104F). At night it is usually cooler (30C/86F). In winter, it is much cooler and can get as low as 10C (50F) during the day. In the evening, it can hit freezing. There are occasions when there is rain or even snow in the desert. If weather conditions require, we may need to modify the itinerary or the camp location for your comfort and safety.

Aqaba is very hot when the air is still, but there is usually a breeze. Rain is unusual but possible.

The Dead Sea air temperatures vary from around 14C (57F) in winter up to 37C (98F) in summer. The water temperature doesn’t drop below 20C (68F). As with many countries in the world, seasons can go on longer than usual so it is advisable to always check the weather of the country you are travelling to a week or two before your trip so you can pack appropriately.

Is this trip for you?

This trip has been rated Activity Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate).

Although this is a cultural trip, some days, such as those in Petra, are long and you should be ready to expend some energy. To do the optional 850 steps up to the monastery or the climb up to the High Place of Sacrifice you should have a reasonable level of fitness. Your leader can provide you with further advice about these hikes. It is not advisable to do the High Place of Sacrifice if you suffer from vertigo as there are some very steep narrow steps and cliffs. The leader always accompanies anyone doing this option. If you don’t do the optional hikes, there is still plenty to see by wandering through the ancient city.

In very rare instances where local conditions require, we may need to amend the order of the itinerary, but we will ensure that elements of the itinerary are still included and site visits are of the same duration.

Please note, Ramadan is expected to run from 22 March 2023 to 21 April 2023 and 10 March 2024 to 10 April 2024.

Ramadan is a special time to visit Jordan as it is one of the most important periods in the Muslim calendar. Each evening the streets empty while people return home to break the fast and then there is an air of festivity every evening. Our leaders and drivers choose to work at this time, so we continue to run trips; however, please be aware their energy levels may be slightly lower. Tourist sites are still open, although closing times may be earlier than usual. Your leader will know how the timings for each day need to be adapted to still experience all the inclusions on this trip. Restaurants may close during the day and this is also accounted for in planning meal arrangements for your group. Shops are usually open, though their hours may vary and they will definitely be closed during the breaking of the fast. To fully enjoy your holiday experience at this unique time of year we suggest patience and flexibility (in fact these are useful at any time of year on any overseas holiday).

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.