Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra was by far the biggest highlight. It sounds cliché but the Treasury was stunning and the way different lights affected the colours of the rocks around was beautiful. My particular highlight was the second day, where we went off the beaten track for a 4/5 hour trek to the place of high sacrifice, and for an almost birds-eye view of the Treasury from far above. It was hard work but well worth it.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you do not want to sleep outside when at the Bedouin camp at Wadi Rum, then do not pack a sleeping bag as the bed spread and blanket was plenty warm enough.

Most Inspirational Moment

Viewing Petra for the first time.The peacefulness of my camel ride in Wadi Rum.The afternoon at the Dead Sea Resort.

Thoughts on Group Leader

His English was excellent and his knowledge,particulary historical knowledge of Jordan was superb.A very approachable and helpful group leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't underestimate the strenuousness of the walking in Petra.Wear footwear with a good tread.

Most Inspirational Moment

I can't say one particular part of the trip was inspirational as I was in awe of all of it! I didn't know anything about Jerash and found this very interesting. The Wadi Rum was also awesome and as I said Petra didn't disappoint.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Danny was very efficient, knowledgeable and friendly. He certainly made everyone feel inclusive and helped organise our lunches and evening meals.

Advice for Potential Travellers

So long as you are fit and don't mind walking, then you should be fine. I'm no athletic (never have been) my exercise consists of walking to the car and I'm 65, the climbing in Petra was well worth the effort. Although some of the group will go on ahead, all will wait for the slower people (me). I did take a trekking stick, which I found helpful, although it isn't a necessary requirement. Good quality walking sandals are fine, although it can be very sandy so the grit gets into your feet. (May be socks and sandals, fashionable now I'm told!)

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Petra was one of the highlights of my life! I had wanted to go there since I was 11 years old in junior school and saw a movie on the discovery of Petra in a history class. Exodus is one of the few companies I found to offer two full days in Petra - and both days were full on and only for the fit and active. I had no idea that the Petra Archaeological Park was so extensive as most people are really only familiar with the much-photographed Siq and the Treasury - but there is so much more! We walked and hiked and climbed all over the park for 2 days for about 8 hours a day and saw an enormous amount, mostly with a running commentary from the eloquent Danny. It was an experience etched in my mind forever.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide, Danny Haddad, had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the history and archaeology of Jordan, and patiently answered all our questions about the social, political, cultural, economic and environmental aspects of life in Jordan. He spent about 14 hours of each day with us, and was a great PR person for Jordan, being highly proactive in engaging us in conversation about Jordan and inviting discussion on issues of interest while on the bus travelling between stops. I have not yet come across someone more passionate about his country and more willing to help immerse a group of travellers into his culture than Danny. He was a fabulous guide and is an amazing asset to Exodus. We were extremely fortunately to have him guide our group. The trip to Jordan, and especially Petra with Danny revealing its history and archaeological wonders to us, is one of the highlights of my life.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are fit and be prepared for high temperatures in summer - even in September when I went it was over 35 degrees centigrade in Petra. Wear hiking boots and socks when visiting the Petra Archaeological Park as there is a lot of climbing of steps which are covered in fine dust and are quite slippery on the descent. Even the flat parts are also covered in a lot of gravel which can be quite sharp. I wore hiking sandals the first day and constantly had to empty my sandals of stone and huge quantities of sand! The second day in boots with ankle support which didn't allow sand and stones to ingress was much more comfortable. A hat is essential, as are spare camera batteries if yours doesn't have a rechargeable battery. Even a spare rechargeable battery would be a bonus as you will takes masses of photos! A warning - don't change Dinars back into whatever currently at the airport on departure as the exchange rate is horrendous and I was really stung there. Rather work on about JD 200 for the week and carry some of your home currency in notes to exchange when you run out. It was easy to exchange GBP, USD or CAD via our guide.

Most Inspirational Moment

Arriving at the monastery in Petra -despite the climb, it was spectacular Being in the desert at Wadi-Rum

Thoughts on Group Leader

Danny was very knowledgeable and interacted with the group very well, He gave plenty of information , with a friendly style. He was also helpful when any problems arose.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do listen to your guide's advice relating to tippng, potential rip-offs,(horse guys at Petra), they are local and they know of any scams.

Most Inspirational Moment

Well where do you start ... Petra itself, of course, it is stunning what with the sheer size and beauty of the place. The desert landscape at Wadi Rum ... Amazing, as is the landscape of the Jordanian Grand Canyon along the Kings Highway.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Khaled was a brilliant guide, with his quirky sense of humour! He was very knowledgeable and had really good suggestions for restaurants for the group meals. He organised everything very efficiently and without fuss!

Advice for Potential Travellers

We went in August and I was a little concerned about how hot it would be. However, it was fine! Yes it was hot and sunny, but there was always a breeze. You need a good hat. For Petra you definitely need sturdy walking shoes ... Boots might be a bit warm inAugust. I wore 'all terrain' ATL sandals and was fine, but you really can't do it in flip flops or light sandals/shoes because you walk a long way in Petra (16km on the first day and around 12km on the second) and much of it is over rocky and stony ground, with quite a lot of climbing of rock cut steps and boulders. Take the boat trip with snorkelling in Aqaba ... It was great!

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra and the walks we went on in the area were great.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Khaled was excellent at all times. Very knowledgeable and very professional.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you want to see anything of Amman, and you should, book a few days extra either at the start or end of the trip, but do not stay at the group hotel. We stayed at the Amman Pasha which is in the centre of town overlooking the Roman theatre. It is a little run down but clean and the staff were very helpful at all times.

Most Inspirational Moment

This was definitely Wadi Rum for me and Petra by candle light. Having never seen Petra before, it was a great introduction to do it by candle light.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Danny was superb, extremely knowledgeable and a fun guy to be around. He definitely helped make it a good week. He always seem to be looking for fun things for us to do.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a scarf with you for Wadi Rum (men and women). Although getting something authentic in the Little Petra market is always a good idea.

Most Inspirational Moment

I could say Petra, I could say the sunset in Wadi Rum, I could say sleeping under the stars, I could say wonderful people, I could say very special company........in fact, it's all of them and more

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Danny was inspirational and knowledgeable, which shone through in his pride of his job, his country and its people. Nothing was too much trouble for him

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely sleep under the stars in Wadi Rum and not in the tents.......nothing wrong with them, but you'll miss out on a wonderful experience,

Most Inspirational Moment

Several but notably standing on Mount Nebo and looking out over 'the promised land' and, of course, Petra particularly the walk to the high place of sacrifice and the view of the treasury from above whilst enjoying a cup of Bedouin tea.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Knowledgeable but clearly volatile - got himself into a couple of scraps which meant he was late for our first day in Petra and then in police custody on our day at the seaside resort on the Dead Sea. I wasn't particularly impressed that one of the first things he said to us was how much we would all need to put in for the tip kitty - £15 per person - this meant that my husband, daughter and I handed over £45 which seemed rather a lot for the use of toilets and evening meal tips. It was then the responsibility of each member of the group to look after the, initially, sizeable kitty and dole it out frequently under Danny's supervision - an example being our night in Wadi Rum (which we had already paid for via Exodus) - we were then expected to tip the Bedouin for transporting our bags and us to the camp site, the evening drive through the desert (which was already part of the holiday) and cooking the breakfast and evening meal (each tipped separately!!)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the irritating tip scenario! Accept that in many shops you will be charged more for your goods than Jordanians