Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved that you saw so may different things on this trip like the Dead Sea, Red Sea, a night in the dessert, amazing Petra and other historical sites. I honestly cannot think of a better way to see Jordan and being on the bike in this remote country was also an experience in itself. Petra was truely amazing and a very unique experience for me.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The tour leader was very knowledgeable about his country and very interested in telling you his stories. He was also part of making Petra really special when he took us walking for 9 hours and most of the days outside the normal touristy routes.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared that Jordan can be extremely hot even outside the high season - so you need a lot of water while exercising on the bike. Otherwise just enjoy every moment of this trip - it is truely special.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking above Petra and seeing the treasury for the first time in day light from above in the clear sunshine.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was lovely, friendly efficient open and funny. We learnt so much about Jordanian life history and politics but a bit too much about his personal life! A few more moments of quiet and direction to find meals at night our selves some of the time would have been appreciated. Some people may well want to be lead all of the time but some independence is what most are after.

Suggestions

None of us suffered or complained but I didn't expect to be in the midday sun quite so much but then it was hot for October and I loved all the outdoor activities. We all felt very secure but did not expect police presence in the bus all the time and a2 police in a car in front of us through out the cycling. Cycling into the huge beautiful barren desert would have been different if the there hadn't been a police car in the middle of the view. The hotels were not quite as good quality as I expected but there may be several reasons for this. The generator did not work at the camp - thank goodness- I wound have hated a rattling generator and bare light bulbs in the desert. The 4x4 ride after desert camp was short and disappointing. I am sure there was more or better things to see. I did not want a joy ride but we really only saw what had already seen on the way in. We had some lovely food but do they always have the same mezze everywhere?

Most Inspirational Moment

too many to say.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was magical.  He really brought Jerash and Petra to life for us with his wonderful stories and frank open nature.  We felt truly looked after and loved having him as our host and guide to this wonderful country.  I would visit Jordan again, and would specifically search out Zuhair to be my guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I was worried about clothing but, I shouldn't have.  Take a light pashmina, which you can wrap around your head in the hot sun, or, in the evening if you want to go un-noticed in the street.  However, Jordanians are very hospitable people and, they will not comment on your clothing or make you feel uncomfortable. It is you who will want to blend into the surroundings so that you can observe these kind people without being invited in for tea!

Suggestions

Really, please do use Zuhair.  He is wonderful.

Most Inspirational Moment

Definitely, Petra. It's not just the Treasury (as we know it from Indiana Jones 3), but the whole area. Two days are not enough to explore it. Then it was a night in Wadi Rum desert. The third most inspirational moment - Jordanians. Very nice and warm people with a great sense of humour.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ali is a perfect tour leader. Looking after us and feeding us during cycling, educating us during sightseeings. Very patient with us, specially with our late arrivals :) Thanks a lot, Ali!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't bother with your own bike. Their mountain bikes are good quality and well maintained. Good road quality. The cycling was quite demanding, but with frequent stops to regroup and refresh. Up and downs, steep or slow, almost no flats.  You can go with your own speed, or if tired just hop on the accompanying vehicle. Weather was quite hot during the day, but while cycling it didn't feel hot, because is very dry. It is worth to bring a helmet cam. The hilly moon country in a speed can look very impresive and you do not have to stop for an interesting shot while riding down the hill. Every hotel had a free wifi, so worth to take even a tablet. I had feeling that Jordan is more expensive than UK (food, drinks and alcohol). Don't forget to try lime and mint juice.

Suggestions

It is more christianity in Jordan than in whole Europe.  

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a few memorable moments. Sleeping under the stars in the wadi rum desert was amazing and very tranquil. You really are in the middle of nowhere and it's a real experience to spend the night gazing up at the stars. The dead sea was great, its a very strange feeling to float in water without a lilo underneath you! Petra by night was lovely and the cycle into wadi rum was just stunning scenery and that was the case for quite a lot of the cycling. I also developed a passion for hummus and would now consider myself something of an expert.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nice guy, very knowledgable and helpful but I did think it was a shame he didn't join in the cycling, especially as this is marketed as a cycling holiday. He was a lot more interested in the cultural and historical side to Jordan and was excellent in this respect but I kind of got the feeling the cycling was a slight distraction that got in the way of a cultural tour of Jordan.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't expect too much down time, you pack a lot in. It's also very hot, more so than I was expecting. It's pretty expensive as well, especially if you like a beer or glass of wine, certainly London prices plus a bit more. Take an eye mask; some of the hotels have very thin curtains and it gets light very early.

Suggestions

Im a fairly keen cyclist and I wouldn't describe this as a cycling holiday. It's more of a multi activity trip. There were 5 days of cycling, 2 of which could have been completed in not much more than an hour -hour and a half, roughly 30-35km. There was also a lot of stopping, literally every 20-30 minutes which got a bit frustrating especially as it was very hot. I did ask the tour leader if i could go out by myself with one of the cycle guides for a few extra miles at the end of the days cycling but due to insurance reasons this wasn't possible apparently which I thought slightly ridiculous and not very accommodating. Anyway, that aside this was a great holiday and I had an excellent time.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to single out, however trip to the Dead Sea was amazing, seeing Petra by Night was fabulous too!  Meeting all those other like-minded people was good too!

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was good, however did not cycle with us which was a shame.   Also think at other times he had his own agenda.  He had been out 12/13 weeks on the trot and I basically think he was too tired for all of us!

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is very hot, just be aware of that.  However you will see all of Jordan and it is a fantastic place.  A camelback is a good thing to have too.

Suggestions

Watch your mobile bills.  Most hotels have free wifi but you must remember to turn the roaming off, or you will get caiught out with a massive bill.

Most Inspirational Moment

I had a great time in Aqaba.  Its a great place to people watch and gave me the only real opportunity to meet the locals - don't forget to visit the mosque - they are so welcoming there!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Zohair was a great leader, who could think on his feet and make adjustments to the programme where necessary. He kept us well entertained during the longer bus rides and arranged fantastic lunches and snacks for us on the road

Advice for Potential Travellers

Buy a cheap gel seat cover before you go - my saddle appeared to be covered in petrol - but I didnt realise until I'd ruined a pair of shorts!If you're a vegetarian, don't rely on exodus to book your in-flight meal!Don't pack too much! There's plenty of time to do laundry in Petra, if needed 

Most Inspirational Moment

Looking down on the Treasury in Petra after a beautiful hike; getting up higher to the monastery in Petra; and a great boat trip on New Year's Day in Aqaba.  But mainly I have lovely memories of spending time with our guide, learning about Jordanian people, practising Arabic! and whizzing down windy roads perfect for cycling.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sounds like a cliche but Zuhair was a brilliant guide.  He spent time with us explaining Jordanian history, explaining about the people of Jordan. He was open, kind and warm, and provided a lot of entertainment, teaching us to speak Arabic (habibi), dancing at safe stopping points on the route.  He went the extra mile wherever he could, enabling us to pack in lots of extras like the boat trip on New Year's day; arranging for us to eat Jordanian specialities at dinner and amazing local snacks throughout; or providing a surprise little treat around the bonfire at the camp in the desert.  He definitely made our trip special, as did our bike team, tourist police and bus driver - all of whom were super helpful and supportive if you couldn't make it up a hill, they were there to pick you up!! Speical note of thanks to Zuhair who made sure we had a taxi waiting for us after the desert trip, as we left the group to spend a few days in Aqaba before we went home.  Thanks again for everything.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take more warm clothes than you think you need - in December / Jan anyway was our experience.  I failed miserably to pack anything appropriate!! - would have really appreciated some fleeces, some bike gloves, a few hats; and more trousers. We also would have taken a bit more local currency for tips etc, as kept having to withdraw cash to top up the tip purse.  We were both pleased that we hadn't bothered to bring bike shoes - we didn't feel we were on the bikes long enough to need them.  It is also worth noting that you shouldn't expect amazing hotels throughout the trip - they were definitely clean, comfortable and well located but don't expect luxury!!!

Suggestions

The cycling gives you an amazing way to see the country adn landscape, but there was a lot of downhill, especially at the beginning; and there was less cycling than I expected (Even though I'd read some of hte reviews on here before leaving which explained that).  It was still a fantastic trip, becuase there was so much else to do other than the cycling, but I probably would have wanted a bit more time on the bike, so you could feel a bit more like you'd truly cycled from one place to another.  That said, there was a real mix of abilities in the group - and it was good to meet lots of different people in one place.  Thanks generally to Exodus for making quite a complex itinery sail by, without us ever feeling any hassle.   

Most Inspirational Moment

We climbed up the mountainside oposite Petra's "Treasury" and saw it from above.  Looking down on the famous site, with all the tourists looking like ants was amazing!

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was fantastic.  Very attentive, very knowlegable, and he gave us a lot of colorful information about the country, the history, the people, and the culture of Jordan.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you travel in the winter months be prepared for dramatic temperature swings, quite cold in the north and the mountains, quite warm at the Red Sea and Dead Sea.  Layers are a must!  Also, there is some trekking (well worth doing) so if you prefer to hike with poles, bring them along.

Suggestions

This was a wonderful trip with a great group of fellow cyclists.  We were of varying ability, but it was easy to enjoy ourselves no matter what our level.  The food was spectacular!

Most Inspirational Moment

We did this trip to see Petra - and it did not disappoint!However, we also loved all the trip and the Jordanian people were just so friendly.  The stay in Wadi Rum on Christmas Eve was rather a special way to celebrate Christmas. Go for it!

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader, Danny Haddad, was superb. His knowledge was boundless and he was a great organiser. What a lovely person! However, the Jordanian culture is rather male dominated, even though they don't think so. Danny had some problems with the very high-powered women in our group. I think he was the best leader we have ever had. Truly inspirational!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go to Jordan with an open mind. The country is amazing and the people just lovely. It is a great way to see the country - just remember to have a good basic fitness level for this sort of trip, and you will get a lot out of it.Some modest dress is required. Be thoughtful to other cultures and you will have a ball.