Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

My favourite place was the Wadi Rum, it felt so remote from everywhere and sleeping under the stars is highly recommended!!  The Dead Sea was also an incredible place, floating in the salty water - don't get it in your eyes though!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour guide, Zuhair, was fab; passionate, informative, caring and humorous.  He went out of his way to make sure that we were all ok and had everything we needed.  He got to know all of us enough to make sure that we each got the best out of our trip. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

We went on the trip in October, and the weather was hot without being too hot.  Some of the days involved quite a bit of walking around Petra which would have been more difficult if very hot.

Suggestions

Our guide, Zuhair showed us a different route to view the treasury from above which was spectacular.  In order to get the most out of Petra, you need to put the effort in to walk around.  This is no reflection of the Exodus package or tour leader, but I felt quite shocked at the use of donkeys to carry people up the steps in Petra and their treatment by their handlers.  I doubt that UK animal standards would allow this and I would hope that future visitors don't use them. 

Most Inspirational Moment

It is difficult to pick one inspirational  moment because every day had a highlight.Petra is magical ,we saw it initally by candlelight ,then by daylight and on our third day climbed to look down on it.However I would not want to miss out on the Dead sea,having a mud wrap and then floating in the salty waters.I did not want to leave- it was so unusual.Sitting around a campfire in the Wadi Rum sipping tea and listening to Bedouins sing and then when lights out came climbing to a sand dune to watch the Milky Way.The boat trip in Aquaba when we snorkelled looking at fish coral and an an old sunken tank was lovely especially when you could lie on deck with a glass of wine eating a lovely meal cooked on the boat.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Danny was great .We had a great group and had a huge amount of fun.He was knowledgeable and available to deal with any issues or queries.When we got to Mount Nebo[the burial site of Moses and from where God showed him the Promised Land],Danny had the passage from the Bible ready so that one of the group could read the piece from the bible where God describes what land the Israelites would have.It was very moving but really brought the history to life.He gave us an insight into what it was like to be a Jordanian today and gave us an insight into the hopes and aspirations[as well as the trails and tribulations] that face this lovely country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Jordan may be more expensive than you think.While not more expensive that the Uk it is more comparable than you might think.Alcohol is not easily available a lot of restaurants do not serve it.However Danny was able to direct us to restaurants in Petra that served alcohol and Aquaba was the one town where it was much more freely available.

Suggestions

This is a good time to visit.Jordan felt very safe but many people have become nervous and not travelled this year-Petra was quiet so those of us there could enjoy it without the usual crowds.

Most Inspirational Moment

floating in the dead sea, walking round to a view point above petra,  and swimming in the red sea tho it was pretty hairy with the wind making you swm on the spot!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

great very knowledgeable but a bit too pushy re religion

Advice for Potential Travellers

take a travel kettle and a big water bottle you will save £££s

Suggestions

how can you comment on near perfection?

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a few top class moments... Our first glimpse of the Treasury and the view of the Monastery.The rarely visited view of the Treasury - from above!Petra at night.The ruins of Jerash.Camping in Wadi Rum, desert meal and the beautiful clear sky. Floating in the Dead Sea, Snorkelling in the Red Sea. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Mo, was excellent. A historian who loved his country, history and archaeology. He explained everything in great depth, spent time to answer our questions and looks after us impeccably. He also organised a private yacht for us in the Red Sea, took us to fabulous restaurants and took the adventurous of us to the top of the Treasury for a fabulous and rarely visit view.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go. We had a great time and would have no qualms about recommending to a friend.

Most Inspirational Moment

The first sight of the Treasury at Petra was awesome.  We did it by night, as recommended by the tour guide, which was an excellent tip.  The whole experience of Petra exceeded the high expectations we had!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Enthusiast, knowledgeable, engaging - although he sometimes struggled with time management.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Jordan is an excellent country full of interesting sights and deep history, and the people are very friendly and welcoming.  It would be best to have some Jordanian currency on you at arrival and not rely on local facilities.  Our flight times also meant that as a week off from work there was little downtime on returning.  If you get motion sick, come prepared with tablets for the Red Sea and desert 4x4s.  Finally, have a great time!

Suggestions

This is an excellent trip and good value.  This was our first group tour on land, and this added the convenience of having things arranged and local insight from the guide.  The way Exodus operates was excellent, as usual.  Petra was handled very well and the option of staying in the desert was a big appeal - but make sure you are comfortable with the 4x4s!

Most Inspirational Moment

The blissful silence and exquisite colours of Wadi Rum and the desert Bedouin camp reminded one of how much simple pleasures are still central to the human experience and our contemplative side.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent - a man for all seasons and travellors with asense of adventure.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try to do a few "local" things yourself. There's plenty of opportunity.

Suggestions

An extra night in the Desert to have enough time to see all of te main attractions - e.g. the arch bridge, Lawrence's spring.The Petra hotel was a bit dismal with poorly motivated staff and some facilities not working.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hiking in Petra, which many tourists do not get to do.The 4x4 ride in the desert, followed by sunset, food, dancing and then a silence that you cannot get anywhere else.Snorkelling in the red sea is like entering a completely new world.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was really friendly, helpful and most importantly very knowledgeable. We were a small group, so he tried to accommodate different people's needs and helped getting good bargains when shopping. I spend additional days on my own, met other tour guides and none were anywhere near as good as the exodus group leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

On some days you might have to be adaptable in terms of food as you don't get much choice in some tourist areas. If you are spending additional days on your own as a solo female traveller, make sure you have enough appropriate clothes for a muslim country.

Suggestions

I loved smoking the shisha!

Most Inspirational Moment

Singing in the desert!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very helpful, well informed, patient, kind manner.Perhaps could have given more options for evening activities.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get involved and make the most of getting to know the group and you'll have an awesome time!

Suggestions

This was my first Exodus holiday - would throroughly recommend to friends

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra by night + star gazing at Wadi Rum.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was very knowledgable, highly accommodating and great fun.  However, he did seem to have worked out the restaurant and shop stops to his advantage, but really - who can blame him?!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do some pre-holiday reading as a basic knowledge of the book of Exodus along with Roman and Nabotean history will add to your experience. 

Suggestions

Food is quite expensive on this trip and the Jordanians are not big fans of the sandwich lunch - you will be buffeted and picniced out by the end!