Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I have to say the most inspirational moment was definately seeing the treasury in Petra for the first time, it just takes your breath away! However the whole trip was inspiring and I wouldn't have missed a single bit!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Khaled our group leader was a very knowledgeable man with a huge passion for his country! It was so sad to see the sadness in his eyes when he spoke about how their economy is dying being people think it is unsafe to visit with the trouble in the surrounding countries.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I took a sleeping bag for when we camped in Wadi Rum and I was glad I did because with it being February it did get a bit chilly at night and the blanket provided wouldn't have been sufficient. My only other advice is "JUST GO!"

Most Inspirational Moment

2 days in Petra is just amazing! Make sure your fit enough to walk to the Monastery!

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking through the atmospheric, narrow passage way (the siq) towards the Treasury, the anticipation of knowing what was to come and then having your first glimpse – the excitement continuing to build as the Treasury is revealed in all its splendour - the only thing to say is ‘wow’! Climbing in those rose coloured mountains to the High Places and looking down at the Treasury from above was hard but so worth it! The views were amazing! And we got a cup of tea!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Khaled was wonderful and without him I wouldn’t have had the same sort of experience. His historical knowledge was immense and he was able to make a complex history accessible and so interesting . I especially admired his honesty about the situation in his country and his openness in answering all our questions. He was attentive and responsive to our needs and to boot he was really funny!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t be put off! I had so many friends telling me not to go because it wasn’t safe! It is safe. The people are so friendly – everywhere we went we were greeted by happy, smiley faces, saying ‘welcome to Jordan’!! By the way, it's cold, really cold in the desert at night! I went in December which is their winter, but it didn't put me off as there weren't so many tourists around to ruin my photos!

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra, climbing up and looking down on the Treasury. I also enjoyed riding a camel which gave me a small insight into how people must have travelled over the centuries. The Petra exhibition is well done. Also we saw a marvellous setting of the sun at the Dead sea which was very romantic.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Khaled was well informed, sophisticated, energetic and willing to talk about local issues with frankness. He looked after people with specific needs eg vegetarians, people who didn't want to come on all the excursions etc. Khaled chose good restaurants to eat out in each night and we found the cost reasonable - £10 -£15 per head which was for starters, main and a pudding, sometimes a fizzy drink too. We got into the habit of making a snack at breakfast time which saved getting lunch. He gave sensible advice on tipping, shopping and behaviour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We were not prepared for the weather, expecting relatively warm temperatures and unprepared for rain. In fact we had snow, driving rain, flash floods and generally it was just like the UK. So if you are going in winter take waterproof jackets and boots, hats, layers etc. In the desert the sleeping bags provided were a bit grim. The other thing I had and found invaluable for the climbing was good gloves. The sweet, cardamom coffee and the falafel sandwiches at about 50p each are highly recommended. Most local people are very friendly and keen to talk - English is the second language.

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing up to look down on the Treasury in Petra

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sami was excellent, despite mounting personal tragedies in his family, he maintained his professionalism and care for us as a group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the Trip Notes and ensure that you have good walking shoes and a good-sized day pack.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the boat trip off Aqaba, and the first reveal of Petra does not disappoint. But that first magical glimpse is a tiny fraction of the Petra archaeological site. The food was pretty good too - especially Tawaheen Alhawa in Amman (but you'd better like hoummus, you'll be seeing a lot of it ;-)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was knowledgeable and resourceful / flexible in adapting the schedule to changes in circumstances.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You will need proper walking boots if you are going to attempt the walk on the second day in Petra (they are a pretty good idea for the rough ground around all the archaeological sites anyway). To get to the high places above Petra there is some scrambling, and walking along narrow cliffside paths, but your grip of boot on sandstone is generally good, and there are good natural handholds for the scrambles. If you suffer from vertigo, you may want to think carefully about it! At the Bedouin Camp I would definitely recommend you take a sleeping bag / liner, and mosquito protection which works in your tent, i.e. without electricity (a lot of us were badly bitten) [- if you take mozzie coils you will need the tin so there is no fire hazard to the rush mats on the floor of the tent]. Jordan is not malarial, but our bites made for an uncomfortable last couple of days. Head torch is always good (not only for the camp, but also for peering into dark corners of castles, and the further reaches of the Petra site) - I LOVE a good head torch! If you have the slightest tendency to dry skin, take plenty of body lotion / moisturiser to combat the sandblasting effect of sightseeing in the desert. It is not cheap in Jordan - simple meals in restaurants are quite expensive for what they are - and you'll probably want a [soft] drink which will also be quite expensive - we managed to get through JOD40 per day easily before beer, souvenirs or any other extras.

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.

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!

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.

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.