Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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A Week in Jordan

327 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Veronica Machin

Reviewed November 2015

A week in Jordan

Wonderful time away for a much needed break. Plenty of variety. Jordan is a fascinating country.

Most Inspirational Moment

The first view of Petra through the gap in the rocks. Followed closely by the guided high walk the following day which enabled us to look down on the Treasury. But there were other delights, like the experience of floating in the Dead Sea, riding camels and snorkling over the Red Sea fringe reefs and seeing all those amazingly colourful fishes and coral.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Knowledgeable, enjoyed having fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This may be as a result of the recent incidents at Sharm el-Shiekh- but exiting customs there was a lot of confusion and random decisions made by security about products like Dead Sea mud facial packs and Dead Sea Crystals. Allowed through for some people and not for others. Might be best to purchase from dutyfree or alternatively stow in hold luggage. It may be wise for group leader and group airport escort to remind before checking in.

Liam Curran

Reviewed November 2015

Excellent sights let down by poor guide and hotels.

This was my second time in Jordan. I’d previously done this tour on a bike with Exodus but this time I was on 50 seater coach. There were 20 people on the tour and it didn’t really feel like the “small group” holiday experience I usually get and expect from an Exodus trip. The sights are amazing, Jaresh, Dead Sea, Petra and the boat in Aqaba are real highlights.

Most Inspirational Moment

Completing the long climb to the Monastery in Petra. You'll need to be fit and if you're not get training!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Awful. We were always late and then rushing to fit everything in each day. Poor communication on what we were doing each day and what to expect. On the day we went to the Dead Sea we didn't arrive until about 4pm and it got dark at 5pm It meant the whole experience was very rushed and disappointing.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It gets COLD in the desert at night in November. Be prepared!

Reply from Exodus

We would like to thank Liam for his review, although we are sorry that he was disappointed with aspects of the trip’s leadership; we are currently assessing the performance of the tour leader on this departure so that we can ensure he lives up to our high expectations.

Martin Bigg

Reviewed November 2015

An amazing week packed with great experiences

History, culture, tradition, wildlife, real-life, unique experiences and fun all packed into 9 days

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking down the track and through the gorge into Petra. Seeing the amazing colors of the rocks and the way they had been carved before a glimpse, then the full splendor of the Treasury. But it then gets even better with the royal tombs and the evolving walk and climb to the monastery. And then even better with the climb to the place of sacrifice and the return round the back away from the visitors. Not to mention, swimming with fish in the Red Sea, floating in the Dead Sea, riding a camel in Wadi Rum and the other world heritage sites.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was very competent and knowledgeable with the right balance between leadership and choice of activities. He adjusted and responded well to the group and helped make it a memorable experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Jordan is a great country with a range of very interesting places to visit and experiences. They are relatively close to each other and therefore can be visited together in a single trip without excessive travel. It is a young and ambitious country which works hard to attract and look after its visitors. There is something well worth seeing and doing for everyone here.

Reviewed November 2015

A week in Jordan

If you want to see Petra this is a good trip as you get 2 days to really explore

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra- it is beyond words. So much more to the site than just the Treasury. Make sure you climb the 800 steps to the Monastery, it is really worth it. Also the climb up to the Place of High Sacrifice and then the walk through to the valley- this takes you "behind" the main site of Petra.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very knowledgeable but he does need to loosen up a little- very strict on timings when there was no need to be, making it feel a bit rushed sometimes.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are not into diving/snorkelling then the day in Aqaba can be tedious as there is nothing else to do there, so make sure you take a book to read. On the last day get dropped off in Downtown Amman to wander the shops (souks)- make the effort to say hello and thankyou in Arabic and you will be rewarded with warm welcomes and mint tea from the shopkeepers. I was given a keyring from a shopkeeper as a present when I bought a small item from him- I think they are so glad to see people as tourist traffic is down.

Eileen Bigg

Reviewed November 2015

Jordan from top to bottom

A packed week covering ancient history and modern-day culture

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking down the winding Siq on the way to Petra, past wonderful coloured rock formations, until we were confronted by the Treasury

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great fun, very attentive, pre-empted every situation

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take earplugs (to muffle the early morning call to prayer) and a universal bathplug. And be prepared for lots of walking in Petra - the site is bigger than you think.

James Newcomb

Reviewed November 2015

A WEEK IN JORDAN

Activities were very good, and our guide was able to offer much in the way of useful guidance/information. However, don’t set your expectations too high, with respect to the three star hotels that Exodus will select. Our experience, not least in Amman, was that hotels were poor in terms of bathroom facilities and electrics and, in some cases, breakfast arrangements were not great either. This aspect of the holiday was generally disappointing and below prior standards experienced on Exodus trips. Finally, my wife’s baggage did not arrive in Amman (left at Heathrow) and although this was not a direct fault of Exodus, their representative in Jordan asked my wife to pay $100 to have the bag brought to Petra. It had arrived on the Royal Jordanian flight the evening following our arrival, but no one got it to us prior to leaving the hotel in Amman, for Petra.. She refused to pay the $100 and the bag did eventually arrive in Petra – free of charge – on day three.

Most Inspirational Moment

The two days in Petra - not least the High Places walk on day two.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Generally very good, though at times communication could have been sharper.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ask Exodus what hotels they will be booking you into and think very carefully about any stay at Le Vendome in Amman. I would not return to it if asked to.

Steve Goodwin

Reviewed October 2015

An excellent week in Jordan.

My wife and I recently returned from “A Week in Jordan” and our first holiday with Exodus. Any apprehension we had before travelling to this part of the world was quickly forgotten due to the warm welcome we received everywhere. Jordan is a wonderful country to visit with it’s amazing sites both man made and natural.

Most Inspirational Moment

Our most inspirational moment amongst so many must have been the time spent in Petra. Nothing can prepare you for the dramatic setting of this long lost city. Wadi Rum came a close second.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader Sami, a very well educated, highly knowledgable and enthusiastic guide was not only great fun with a wicked sense of humour but also easy to talk to about the current problems facing Jordan's neighbours.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although this trip is graded a "2", to make the most of this week, you need to be fitter than the average person as it is a very full-on experience with very little spare time to relax.

Jon Mc

Reviewed October 2015

Far far exceeded (already high) expectations

A week in Jordan gives you time to see the main places in a truly amazing country. Guide was really good and knowledgably and the itinerary superb

Most Inspirational Moment

Floating in the Dead Sea..... First sight of the Treasury at Petra..... Walks around Petra (we were quite active and did around 40km over two days in Petra - its huge - walks not that tough if you are relatively fit).... The sunset in Wadi Rum...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ala - our group leader was brilliant. kept us moving, never too pushy to get moving, good advice on where to eat.

Advice for Potential Travellers

People in Jordan are very friendly, and in particular the people trying to sell you stuff are not in any way pushy (something I was worried about after having been to Egypt). You may see some comments on tips and this was no issue. The Trip Notes suggest forming a kitty (as does the guide) and GBP10 for the week did it. I would defo advise to go on the boat trip in Aquba - really relaxing and nice way to spend a day and three hectic ones in Petra and Wadi Rum

Lesley Shane

Reviewed October 2015

A week in jordan

First of all… Don’t listen to friends and relatives who may be concerned about your going off to the Middle East. Jordan feels extremely safe, the Jordanians are understandably proud of their neutral stance in the Middle East and are welcoming and friendly. and yes, they rely on tourism which is seriously down given the current situation in its neighbouring countries.
Having got that out of the way I highly recommend this trip, it is very rushed as there is a lot to see in a scant week, if you can I would strongly urge you to go a day early so you have a chance to see some of Amman, or stay a day later for the same reason. there is so much we did not have time to do.
The highlight of course is Petra and this trip is set up so you have your tour leader introducing you to Petra on day one and on day two you are free to explore on your own. brilliant.
You do need a fairly high degree of mobility if you plan to hike up to the Monastery or the High Places both of which are a must. You can go up by donkey but that looked even scarier than going on foot! But there is plenty to do in the Valley floor if you cannot hike up these incredible mountains.
Did the snorkelling trip in Aqaba and it was a highlight amongst many highlights. The crew on the boat were helpful, experienced, friendly and good cooks! I cannot imagine it could be better on a beach or wandering around the noisy town. It was a perfect end to our very full week. My only regret is that we did not have more time in Amman to explore the brand new Museum and monuments other than the Citadel and to have a bit of time for shopping. We did manage to get about an hour on Rainbow street which was worthwhile but re were several other handicraft shops recommended in the various guides to Jordan and we simply did not have the time.
I would actually urge Exodus to schedule a Fridday evening departure and this give you a 8 days in Jordan.

Most Inspirational Moment

Well it is hard to pick one out above the others but I think for me the climb up to the Monastery in Petra was probably the most inspirational and then of course there was sleeping out under the stars in Wadi Rum and the camel ride to watch the sunrise also in Wadi Rum. Just being in Petra and absorbing the amazing buildings and sandstone cliffs and the play of sun and shadows on those incredibly beautiful rocks and mountains.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ala was really well informed and happy to answer any questions be they political or otherwise. He could advise us on restaurants, on prices for donkey rides, horse rides, whether to take camel rides or not; he adapted to our requests, we enjoyed having lunch on the run and so he would stop at the best Shwarma shops, recommend the best baclava shops for our souvenirs to take home. He recommended in which order to do the hard hikes in Petra and recommended a particular interesting jewellery shop in Petra. Nothing was too much trouble for him to arrange and because he accommodated everyone we were perhaps a little delayed by one or two members of the group spending more time shopping than others.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be fit.... The hike up to Monastery and High Place is hard going, specially in the heat. You can never have enough water with you and while it is readily available everywhere it is very expensive when purchased from restaurants...2jdr whereas if you buy in bulk at a supermarket it is down to .50jdr. Not many restaurants serve wine and beer so if you like a tipple or two make sure you bring it with you from Duty Free. Or buy beer from a supermarket, it is possible. Any shopping for handicrafts that you want to do should be done in Petra as no time in Amman although there are good shops at the airport but to me it is not quite the same as buying locally. I suggest an agreement be made on day one in Petra that any shopping be done on the second day when you are on your own. That way the group can get the most benefit from having the group leader with you to explain all the sights and options. Take a packed lunch with you to Petra both days, the hotel in Petra did not mind if you took extra from the breakfast buffet. Definitely have a pomegranate juice or two and a daily lemon mint juice!

Geraldine Waite

Reviewed October 2015