Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole time at Petra but yes it has to be seeing the Treasury upon fully exiting the Siq - awesome sight and something to behold in both design and natural surroundings. Though it must be said Wadi Rum on the jeep drive has an amazing landscape and must be held with as much regard for me. Floating in the Dead Sea is a really good experience albeit very strange most relaxing and moisturising for your skin all at once.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Zuhair was very organised, and extremely knowledgeable about his country and it's past and present and the Geography of it's areas. He also was friendly with the group and became part of the group as opposed to ordering the group for this and that which is always a bonus - overall a good Group Leader that earns respect of his group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Food in Jordan is not cheap, ensure when you eat out that you either have Mezze or a main - both in general are not needed as way too much food. If you like Lamb try the Mansaf - just do it you won't regret it. Do the Camel ride to sunset - very enjoyable indeed and if you have the legs for it do all walks offered around Petra by your Leader - as there are lots of out the way hidden extras there.

Most Inspirational Moment

Camping in the Wadi Rum desert was incredible, as was snorkelling in the red sea.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very informative and very witty!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Camel back riding is available at 20jd and a boat trip including snorkelling, lunch and drinks on the red sea is available for 35jd. These are fab trips and well worth the while. Please don't rely on Lonely Planet guides no matter how up to date they are, as prices, times and availability change depending on the seasons, days of the week, and other events such as Ramadan.

Most Inspirational Moment

Two days in Petra is brilliant when most of the tours seem to stay about 2 hrs. On our second day in Petra we climbed the 800 or so steps up to see the Monastery. Fewer people go up there and it's stunning! We also climbed more steps that day to see the High Places of Sacrifice - just amazing! Our 4WD tour through the Wadi Rum culminating in perching high up on a rocky escarpment waiting for the sun to go down and turn the landscape pink was also a real highlight.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Emad was great fun and very knowledgeable - we really enjoyed his company. He stepped in at the last minute when our original leader dropped out after one day and it must have been fate as Emad made our holiday even better! Our driver Nel was excellent too!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Jordan is quite expensive and there is a tendency for you to be taken to a restaurant where it's an all you can eat buffet - ask the price first it can be as much as 20JD and as it's roughly £1=1JD it will eat into your spending money quite quickly!! Do take something to put on your feet when you go to the Red Sea as it's very rocky under foot (the Berenice Beach Club at Aqaba is worth going to if offered to you!) and don't shave before you go in the Dead Sea (the salt water will find every little paper cut or nick in your skin that you had no idea existed! If you like a drink, do buy some duty free on the way there as alcohol is quite expensive in the hotels and bars aren't common - the exception being Aqaba where there are duty free liquor shops.

Most Inspirational Moment

walking up the many steps to get to the peak to view the Monastery in Petra - breathtaking! it was made all the more worthwhile because of the effort it took to climb up to the viewing point.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ala was fantastic! He fielded every question with immense knowledge and entertained every random request from the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

when dining out, order either a mezze OR a main and not both as it's way too much food otherwise!

Most Inspirational Moment

Floating in the Dead Sea, exploring Petra, experiencing Wadi Rum, snorkelling in the Red Sea, amazing food and wonderful people (both the Jordanians and my fellow travellers).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sami was a very good guide and trip leader. Full of jokes, wind-ups and local and international knowledge.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Visit Jordan! The people were so friendly and I always felt totally safe, don't be put off by problems in other parts of the Middle East.

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra, Jerash, Mount Nebo, Wadi Rum and probably others I have temporarily forgotten, vie for top place in this category. From another perspective, the people of Jordan and a delight, joy and inspiration. They were very friendly and helpful and added to a feeling of safety in their country.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very knowledgeable, friendly and professional. He went out of his way to keep us all safe and happy and aware of what was happening. He also had a wonderful range of very entertaining stories and a great delivery style.

Most Inspirational Moment

The extra day in Petra climbing on the top and looking down. And the desert experience in the Bedouin camp.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Guide, Zuhair, was brilliant. He had good knowledge, good English, and was full of extra information. He gave us an all-round experience on top of the trip details.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Clothing - layers, layers, layers. It can be cold at night in the desert. Hot in Aqaba. Also it does rain occasionally, so a thin mac over a fleece is useful. Sunglasses and sun-tan lotion. There can be mosquitos in the south but no malaria. You definitely need some sort of footwear to go in the Dead Sea, the sea bed is very rough. Jelly shoes would be ideal. (Flip-flops tend to float away!) The temperature variation between north and south is quite large. You'll need to carry food and water, so a small rucksack essential. Don't forget your camera!!

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlight for me was Wadi Rum - a silent, still, other-wordly landscape. It was interesting to see how the Bedouin cooked the supper in a hole in the sand called a Zarb and made their flatbread called shareeq - delicious too! It was great to sit around the campfire hearing the sound of the oud and the Bedouin songs. The mock wedding with one of the girls from the group was hilarious!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wa'el was so informative and enthusiastic. Good to hear a narrative that differs somewhat from the usual guidebook spiel. He obviously loves his country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Petra involves a lot of walking so bring a good pair of approach shoes/trainers.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking through the Siq and then seeing the Treasury in Petra, simply mind blowing. The time we spent in Wadi Rum was great as well, with the evening meal (cooked in teh traditional way) very very good

Thoughts on Group Leader

Waed was great, very passionate about his country and could not do enough to make our trip as enjoyable as possible. A really nice bloke who managed to keep a group of 18 of us entertained throughout

Advice for Potential Travellers

Where good walking boots in Petra, enjoy the food and try and experiment it will be worth it. At the Bedioun camp beds and blankets are provided, so I am not sure a sleeping bag is necessary .

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra - your first sight of the Treasury will not disappoint......

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was extremely knowledgably and couldn't do enough to ensure our trip went smoothly. Likewise the driver with whom I felt totally safe and confident despite some of the driving, and some of the roads!