Most Inspirational Moment
We've been wanting to visit Petra for a long time, and the Treasury (the rock-hewn facade that everyone associates with the site) is absolutely stunning, however many pictures you may have seen before. However, we never realised how extensive the site is, and it is full of some of the most amazing man-made structures. The Monastery may be a long, steep and hot walk, but is well worth it, as is the second day hike to take a bird's eye view of Petra. Camping out under the stars at Wadi Rum was very memorable, but to add something that isn't always mentioned, we both enjoyed the boat trip from Aqaba and the surprisingly impressive reefs for snorkelling
Thoughts on Group Leader
Danny was outstanding, and I'm fairly sure that everyone in our group felt the same, even if they don't get round to writing a review. He was extremely warm, friendly and approachable, and nothing was too much trouble. He has clearly been running the trip for some time as it went like clockwork, but Danny was still keen and enthusiastic to tell us about his great country and to make sure that everyone had a wonderful holiday. We had a great group and everyone got on really well, but I'm sure part of that was down to Danny's skill as a leader, making everyone feel welcome and included, and sorting out any minor problems almost before they occurred.
Advice for Potential Travellers
You will receive plenty of warning about this at the time, but it's worth bearing in mind how long, tiring and potentially expensive the days in Petra can be. Going from the gate to the furthest extent, at the Monastery, is a very long way - and then you have to come back again! There is transport on offer, but it is broken down into stages, so if you didn't feel like walking at all, you would have to take a horse, then horse-drawn 'rickshaw', camel and finally donkey up the steps. The horse is included in the ticket price, but the operators still push hard for as big a tip as they can get. All the others are negotiable, but it could end up expensive if you don't bargain hard, and the heat means you end up climbing on that camel when you vowed you would never need one.
Suggestions
If you have ever been put off going to Jordan for some reason - possibly because of seeing where it is on the map, then put those worries aside and go. You can see some truly amazing sites and have plenty of memorable experiences in just over a week's travelling. It's a packed tour, but strikes the perfect balance by fitting plenty in without leaving everyone feeling too tired and harassed. We were also pleasantly surprised by the excellent standard of accommodation, especially considering the price of the trip. We went in late May, when the official high season had just ended, so I imagine at those times Petra can be a bit less pleasant and with a not so good hotel because of the crowds. As I mentioned before as well, Jordanians are very friendly and helpful, and the hassle is minimal, especially compared with the constant badgering from stall-holders in particular that you often get in other Middle Eastern/North African countries.