Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra. For me it was going into Petra alone on the second day when it opened. It was so quiet. There were some people on the walk to the Treasury but after that they disappeared. For the walk up to the Monastery I saw no one. Not even any locals or animals. I would definitely recommend doing the walk to the Monastery early in the morning when it's quiet. It felt surreal because it was like I had the place to myself. It's not something I expected and I just tried to take it all in and enjoy the experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mikhled was fantastic. He was knowledgeable, calm and always willing to help and make things work for everyone. He organised the option of group dinners every night with the aim of trying a different Jordanian dish for those who wanted to go along which most of us did. He worked around people's choices so that we could fit in the optional activities for those who wanted to do them. He had a lot of patience for all the questions that we asked and the general stuff that comes with having a group of people to organise.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Water shoes help when at the beach in Aqaba and also at the Dead Sea. Loose long sleeved shirts and trousers means you don't stand out and I found actually kept me cooler than I thought. Definitely take a sun hat of some form. The family dinner option in Wadi Musa is worth it. Go a day earlier and explore a bit of Amman and adjust to the time zone as otherwise you'll find yourself arriving in the early hours of the morning for the trip to start only a few hours later. If you're in Amman on your own before or after the trip, Uber works and is cheap. Go into Petra early on the second day. Have some Jordanian diner as most optional activities had to be paid in cash - I changed mine in the UK - but nearly all restaurants took card. Laundry was only really an option in the hotels so take enough outfits for the week otherwise you're washing in the sink or paying hotel prices. I had read that the mud at the Dead Sea would stain my swimming costume. It didn't. I'd also read that the sand in Wadi Rum would stain my shoes. It didn't.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the siq in Petra and finally having the Treasury come into view. Truly magical and pictures does not do it any justice.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader Mikhled was amazing as he was able to share the history on sites we visited and areas we passed through, which was fascinating. He was able to see to the entire group's needs and cared for everyone's well-being.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack light and make sure to carry cash, even though cards are widely accepted.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many! Petra of course is stunning, from the Treasury to the Monastery and Altar of High Sacrifice as well as walking of the main routes to capture different views, and enjoy tea with the local Bedouins. Mount Nebo. Watching the shooting stars in the clear night sky Wadi Rum was pretty special too. Walking through the local streets at night and experience the local culture and food. Visiting the mosque (in my free time) in Aqaba. Finally Bethany was a particular highlight and was peaceful and moving.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mikhled was our group leader who worked so hard to keep us all happy and somehow found the energy and time to look after all our individual needs. He has the patience of a saint and worked tirelessly to make sure we had every opportunity to enjoy the authenticity of Jordan. Clearly very knowledgeable, kind, considerate, passionate and committed to his job and country .

Advice for Potential Travellers

Dont hesitate. I felt very safe and looked after. Jordanians are very peaceful and gentle. This was such an incredible experience that will stay with me forever, made even better by the stunning country, local people, history, sites, wonderful personalities in my group and group leader - I cant wait to return some day.

Most Inspirational Moment

I have two, and I cannot decide which one should be most inspiring! 1) Petra was everything I had imagined, and the "reveal" of The Treasury as you walked down towards it was breathtaking. 2) The night in the Wadi Rum was perfectly serene - from watching the sunset, to star gazing to seeing the sun rise was just magical.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I was very lucky to have had Mikhled as my Tour Leader for this trip. Mikhled is a wonderful leader. We could not have asked for a better or more knowledgeable Tour Leader. He shared his knowledge and love for his country with passion together with a sense of fun. He guided us with sensitivity, kindness and with the patience of a saint. Exodus are truly lucky to have him as a Tour Leader, and as a proud Jordanian he is a true representative for his wonderful country of Jordan. He went above and beyond on several occasions including sharing some wonderful historical photos of Amman, Jerash and Petra after we had visited them - a real insight.

Advice for Potential Travellers

GO! Jordan is totally safe, in fact I felt safer in Jordan than I do in London. The people of Jordan need our support as tourists. Hope that Mikhled is your tour leader. Be prepared for large meals - the Jordanians like to feed people! Take loose comfortable clothing. Take some cat treats - there are dozens of friendly cats. Mind the salt in your eyes in the Dead Sea.

Most Inspirational Moment

2 winners for me; Petra at night - to see the treasury lit up at night and to walk down the gorge lit by lanterns was simply magical against the beautiful night sky. Also camping in the bedouin camp. This was also truly magical; sleeping under the incredible night sky, sitting around the campfire then watching shooting stars until we could no longer keep our eyes open - I will never forget this night!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ayyad was brilliant - great sense of humour and always looking for the best experiences for us such as joining us to climb to the high place of sacrifice in Petra but then showing us an alternative longer route down. He clearly loves his country and did his best to teach us about his culture and language which all went towards making the trip even more special. As a vegetarian, he was great at always ensuring that I was catered for when we had our evening meals and did a good job of organising a group meal almost every night.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do it! Be prepared for lots of walking, especially on the days visiting Petra and for varying temperatures eg Aqaba typically much hotter than Amman. Wearing loose clothing covering knees shoulders (for women) was actually great at keeping cool. As a vegetarian, main meals were scarce but there was always something to eat, usually mezze style dishes - just be prepared for limited choice. Don't take your best swimwear to the dead sea - the mud might not come out afterwards..!! Walking sandals are fine for most days but walking shoes at least for Petra as it's difficult underfoot at times. Do Petra by night - don't expect much and you might be surprised! It was a highlight for me. If you have room, take your own snorkel to save renting them in Aqaba and if you're a cat lover, some cat treats will be very much welcomed by the Jordanian cats..! I was very popular..! Cash was needed for the optional trips but I mainly used cards in shops and at restaurants - they were accepted widely. Finally no need to take towels and all hotels had hairdryers!

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra by night.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic. Unfortunately this cannot make up for the extremely negative experience I had with a supplier Exodus continues to do business with yet claims it is unable to obtain an explanation from.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go to Jordan! But don't book with Exodus. I have friends who have traveled to Jordan with competitor companies and have thankfully not had the woeful and distressing experience I had with Exodus.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved walking into Petra for the first time and sitting on a rock in Wadi Rum late afternoon with my eyes closed feeling the desert.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I feel fortunate that Amer was our group leader, he shared with us his global knowledge and love for his country with passion and a sense of fun. I value the opportunity to learn about the world from a different point of view. He guided our group with clarity, sensitivity and kindness.

Advice for Potential Travellers

GO! It is important to know it is safe and Jordan is so safe, welcoming and inspiring.

Most Inspirational Moment

I remember the moment I fell in love with Jordan: we were wandering around in the Amman citadel and just after 4pm the call for prayer came, in that moment I knew I was in trouble. I left a part of my heart in Jordan and I've come back heartbroken.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had an amazing leader, Abdullah, who was warm, kind, humorous, and who made everything that much more special.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't worry about anything, just enjoy it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to just pick one out. Every day brought new sights and experiences.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group was fortunate to have Ahmad as the Group Leader. We could not have asked for a better guide to take us through Jordan. Friendly, knowledgeable, professional and with a great sense of humour - a true ambassador for the wonderful country of Jordan.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with an open mind and go with the flow. On a trip like this, sometimes you just can't stick to the itinerary. For example, our group were visiting Madaba and the King of Jordan rocked up (yes, really), meaning that we couldn't visit two of the planned sights that particular day. But Ahmad, our brilliant guide, managed to take the group to one alternative venue that day and then squeezed in Mount Nebo on our penultimate day at the Dead Sea. Flexibility is key.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Muayed

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t worry about a thing!