Essential Jordan Trip Notes

Trip Overview

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Immense culture, breath-taking natural wonders, and ancient monuments jam-packed together with adventure.

Start your Essential Jordan tour in Amman, the capital and one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Take in the impressive ruins of Ajloun and Jerash before venturing to your desert camp with a jeep safari in the magical Wadi Rum. Prepare your lenses for the world-famous UNESCO World Heritage site of Petra, Jordan’s crown jewel. Have a cleansing mudbath and float waist-high in the Dead Sea.

Duration : 7 Days

Destination : Jordan

Start/Ends in : Amman / Amman

Group Size :13-35 People

Age Req. : 18+

Trip Theme : Classic, Overland

Hotels : 4 Star

Departs : All Year Around

Why you will love this tour

• * Discover the must-see places in Jordan in a week filled with history, adventure, and exploration. Travel in modern private buses with no long rides!

• * Stay in carefully-selected 4-Star hotels and spend a night at the magical Desert Camp in Wadi Rum following a local feast.

• * Embark on an unfrogettable Jeep Safari in Wadi Rum, and get to swim and mudbathe in the healing Dead Sea.

• * Plenty of time to explore the most impressive sight in the region, the Rose City of Petra – one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

• * Explore the capital Amman with a guided city tour and extensive free time for your personal discovery.

• * Take a day-trip to the remarkable ancient ruins of Ajlun and Jerash with your expert guide.

Arrival Details

The group welcome meeting with your guide and other travelers is held around 18:30 at the hotel lobby on Day 1 of your tour unless otherwise notified.

Meeting Point:

The meeting point for the Essential Jordan tour is:

SULAF LUXURY HOTEL – AMMAN – 4 Star

Al-Madina Al-Monawara St, Amman

Phone : +962 6 554 4515

or

SEVEN ROSES HOTEL – AMMAN – 4 Star

Address: Saleh As-Samadi St. 19, Amman, Jordan

+962 6 581 4214

Emergency Number: +44 203 14 99 200

Airport Transfers :

All tours starting in Amman include arrival airport transfer if your flight lands in Amman on the first day of
your tour between 5am and 11:30pm or if you have booked pre-accommodation with us.

To arrange your airport transfer please email us the following information at least 2 weeks before your departure date. [email protected]

Travel Date, Flight Number, Local Arrival Time, Name/s of the Passengers

Making Your Own Way to the Starting Point

The arrival hotel is located 40 km away from the Amman Airport (AMM). It takes about 30 minutes by taxi depending on the traffic. You can take a taxi from the airport directly to the hotel, which is expected to cost around 8-12 Jordanian Dinar.

Finishing Point

The finishing point for the Essential Jordan tour is:

SULAF LUXURY HOTEL – AMMAN – 4 Star

Address : Al-Madina Al-Monawara St, AmmanEmergency

Phone : +962 6 554 4515

or

SEVEN ROSES HOTEL – AMMAN – 4 Star

Address: Saleh As-Samadi St. 19, Amman, Jordan

+962 6 581 4214

Emergency Number: +44 203 14 99 200

Highlights

Ajloun: The home of Ajlun Castle, built in 1184, shows great examples of Islamic architecture. Ajlun Archaeological Museum has all sorts of artifacts from the region.

Jerash: Less than an hour’s drive from Amman takes you 2000 years back in time. Jerash hosts the best-preserved sites of Roman architecture in the world outside of Italy.

Amman: The modern and ancient capital of Jordan is one of the oldest inhabited cities. The city’s modern buildings blend amazingly with the remnants of ancient civilizations.

Dead Sea: the Dead Sea is a 30-minute drive from Amman and you reach this unique spot in Jordan. The Dead Sea brings a sense of unreality to any traveler passing through.

Petra: Petra, A UNESCO World Heritage Site, is described as “one of the most precious cultural properties of mankind’s cultural heritage”. Simply amazing.

Shobak Castle: Shobak is a Crusader castle on the eastern side of the Arabah, perched on the side of a rocky, conical mountain, looking out over fruit trees below.

Wadi Rum: Absolutely stunning is its natural beauty, Wadi Rum summarizes the romance of the desert. You may meet some friendly Bedouins living close by at the desert.

Itinerary

Inclusions & Exclusions

The tour price covers the following services:

Accomodation : 4 star hotels and desert camp.

Airport Transfer : Arrival airport transfers on first day of the trip

Meals : 6 breakfasts, 1 dinner

Transportation : Air-conditioned modern non-smoking coach or mini-bus

Guide : Services of experienced Travel Talk local guides licenced by the Ministry of Tourism

Sightseeing : Petra, Amman, Ajloun, Jerash, Wadi Rum

What is NOT included in the tour price?

• Any flights not mentioned above

• Travel insurance

• Meals not stated above

• Items of a personal nature

• Tips & gestures

• Entrance fees to the sights and museums

• Optional activities

• Other services not stated in the itinerary

Hotels & Accomodation

Solo travellers will be roomed with another solo traveller of the same gender in a twin or triple room or can upgrade to a solo room by paying the single supplement. You may choose the solo room option when booking online or contact us to arrange a private room.

CAPTAIN’S DESERT CAMP – WADI RUM – Superior Campsite

Experience an unique experience in Wadi Rum, while staying at Captain’s Desert Camp. This campsite features tents with attached bathrooms for a comfortable stay.

PETRA MOON HOTEL – PETRA – 4 Star

Just 150 meters from the entrance gate to Petra and only 100 meters from Petra Museum. This hotel features spacious rooms with flat-screen TVs. It also has a roof garden with a seasonal outdoor pool.

SULAF LUXURY HOTEL – AMMAN – 4 Star

This hotel is located in the heart of Amman. The Sulaf Luxury Hotel has been specially designed to provide every level of comfort and service in keeping with today’s demands.

SEVEN ROSES HOTEL – AMMAN – 4 Star

The contemporary design hotel features an on-site restaurant & lounge and air-conditioned rooms with flat screen TV, kettle, bath robe and slippers.

Distances

Please find below the distances between the sights visited in Jordan and the approximate driving times. We will always strive to take a short break every few hours to enable passengers to stretch their legs, purchase snacks and use wash facilities during long drives.

Wadi Rum – Petra: 115 Km – 1h 45 min
Petra – Dead Sea: 200 Km – 3h 30 min
Dead Sea – Amman: 60 Km – 1h

Amman – Ajlun: 70 Km – 1h 20 min

Jerash – Amman: 51 Km – 1h

Budgeting

Please note that entrance fees to sights and optional activities are not included in the tour price. Optional activities are not operated by Travel Talk and may require a certain number of attendees to run. Your guide will be happy to inform you further about the available optional activities at the start of your tour. Optional activities are also listed under each day in your tour itinerary.

Entrance Fees

Jerash — 10 USD

Wadi Rum — 7 USD

Petra Ancient City — 70 USD

Dead Sea — 10 USD

Shobak Castle — 1,5 USD

Ajloun— 10 USD

TOTAL 108.5 USD

Optional Activities

Please note that optional activities are not operated by Travel Talk.

Lunch at Dead Sea — 12 USD

Group Dinner — 22 USD

Ajloun Natural Reserve Trail — 25 USD

Camel Ride in Wadi Rum — 17 USD

Petra By Night Tour — 25 USD

Personal Spending

The currency of Jordan is the Jordan Dinor (JOD). ATMS are widely available in major towns and cities across Jordan. Credit and debit cards are generally accepted, but cash remains king in the souqs and regions such as Wadi Rum. While every traveller’s spending habits may differ slightly, we have estimated the average daily
expenses to help with budgeting for your next trip. Here you will find the average cost for a meal or drink and advice for best practice in tipping.

Meals

Lunch at restaurant: US$ 3-7

Dinner at restaurant: US$ 10-13

Falafel sandwich at a stall: US$ 2

Kanafeh Sweet: US$ 1

Drinks

Bottle of water: US$ 0.6

Coffee: US$ 1-2

Tea: US$ 0.5-1.5

Bottle of beer: US$ 4-5

Tipping

Tipping, known as ‘baksheesh’ in the Middle East and while it is not mandatory, is a common reward for good service paid by both tourists and locals alike. It is reasonable to tip around 10% if a service charge is not already applied to a bill. While on tour, a budget of 5-10 USD per day will usually cover tips. Your Guide and Driver would also appreciate this kind of gratitude at the end of your tour or their service.

Shopping

Traditionally, the people of Jordan have always crafted the goods they needed – meaning over time they have developed a strong craftmanship for certain goods. We recommend keeping an eye out at local souqs and markets across the country for a glimpse into the local arts. Unlike neighboring countries such as Egypt, haggling in Jordan is far less fierce or common.

Traditional Keffiyehs

The most iconic textile in Jordan would have to be the headscarf, called keffiyeh. The traditional design is a houndstooth, red and white pattern, frequently worn by the Bedouins. They are incredibly practical for exploring the desert and their compactness makes for the perfect gift to take home! Expect to pay between 5-10 USD.

Gold Jewellery

The Bedouins place a high value on jewelry with past ancestors traditionally investing their money in jewelry rather than banks. The Gold Souk in Downtown Amman offers distinct jewelry of Jordanian design from striking necklaces to semiprecious stones.

Hand-painted Ceramics

Mosaics are a distinctly Jordanian art form and while purchasing mosaic goods while travelling can be both expensive and weighty, mosaic-style ceramics is a great alternative. Throughout the souqs and along the streets of Amman you’ll find local artists customizing mosaic designs on all kinds of traditional pottery including mugs, plates, and vases. Prices for customise products start at approximately 15 USD.

Travel Advice, Visas & Insurance

All visitors to Jordan are required to have a visa, which can be arranged through Jordanian consulates worldwide or upon arrival in Jordan. Visitors from the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the EU, and South Africa may acquire their visas upon arrival in Jordan. Single-entry tourist visa fee is 40 JOD and it can
only be paid in JOD (Jordanian Dinar).

You can visit the Jordan Tourism Board website to check if you are able to obtain a visa upon arrival http://international.visitjordan.com. Please ensure that you check with the Jordanian Embassy or Consulate of your country for up-to-date visa information. You may also purchase the Jordan Pass which waives the visa fees for tourists while covering the entrance fees to many touristic sites.

Passport validity entry requirements: Travellers entering Jordan must also carry a passport or travel document valid for at least 6 months.

This information is provided as a guide, we strongly advise that you check with the consulate or embassy as this information can change at any time and with little notice. It is your responsibility to make sure that all the required travel documents are ready when travelling. For more details, visit our Jordan travel advice page.

Jordan Pass

Jordan Pass is considered to be the best option for tourists visiting Jordan. It covers the entrance fees to more than 40 touristic sites, including Petra, and waives the visa fees for tourists. Jordan Pass must be purchased 3 days prior to your arrival date. We strongly recommend that you get the Jordan Wanderer package, so that you may enter Petra more than once. You can check all the details from the link below and buy the Jordan Pass online. It costs about JD70 (USD99).

Travel Advice

We are closely monitoring the latest travel updates to Jordan and follow the advice of the UK Foreign Office.
For the latest travel advice from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), please visit: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/jordan

We recommend all travellers to check their Government National Travel Advisory prior to their departure:

Australia – https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

Canada – https://travel.gc.ca/

New Zealand – https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/

USA – https://travel.state.gov/

Travel Insurance

All passengers travelling with Travel Talk are required to have personal travel insurance before participating in any of our tours. Your guide will collect your travel insurance details on the first day of your trip. It is your responsibility to make sure you have an adequate and suitable travel insurance for you in place, you may read more at https://www.traveltalktours.com/travel-insurance

Health & Safety

The health and safety of our passengers, staff and communities visited is of utmost priority. As we monitor and comply with the official advice from the UK Foreign Office, as well as World Health Organization and government authorities regularly, we have implemented several policies and precautions on our tours for your wellbeing. You may find our Safe Travels Protocols at https://www.traveltalktours.com/safe-travels

Travel Talk Adventures has received the Safe Travels stamp by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), which allows travellers to recognise companies around the world that have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols – so consumers canexperience ‘Safe Travels’.

Please make sure to regularly check your Government’s travel advice before travelling and be well-informed of any requirements. Your tour guide will also notify you of the regulations and protocols to follow throughout your trip with us.

Please note that if any traveller is unable to complete the itinerary or possess a potential risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to remove them from all or part of a trip.

Please consult with your doctor for the latest medical travel information and any vaccinations you may need. We recommend that you bring any personal medical requirements and medications with you as these may be difficult to obtain while on tour.

Weather

The best time to visit Jordan is typical during Spring and Autumn when temperatures sit in the high twenties with warm, pleasant days perfect for exploring. During the Spring, travellers can also expect to see Jordan’s beautiful flora in bloom as mountains and fields are coated with rich greenery and wildflowers. With 90% of Jordan covered by desert, the summer months can be very hot with July and August seeing their hottest temperatures in the forties. While these temperatures can be challenging for those not accustomed to the heat, it is still worth considering a trip at this time if you are not adversely affected by heat, as you will have the chance to see the nation’s best sites, such as Petra, without the crowds! It is worth remembering that the nights can be cold, though – the sands of Wadi Rum dropping to 4°C in winter.

Check out our weather guide for the best time to visit Jordan.

Money Matters

The local currency of Jordan is the Jordan Dinar (JOD).

Major credit and debit cards are widely accepted in major cities and tourist sites across Jordan. However, if you’re travelling off the beaten track to regions such as Wadi Rum, come prepared with some cash on hand for inexpensive purchases. ATMs can be easily found in many places across the cities, however, are not as common in rural areas. We recommend you do not exchange bulk sums of money at the airport, as the exchange rates are usually more favorable in the major cities. Your Tour Guide will be happy to help if you need any assistance.

Please remember that everyone has different spending habits, some prefer to spend more on souvenirs, some on experiences and others on a night out! Make sure to budget your trip to your spending habits for shopping, drinking, and tipping.

Tipping is known as ‘baksheesh’ in the Middle East and while it is not mandatory, is a common reward for good service paid by both tourists and locals alike. It is reasonable to tip around 10% if a service charge is not already applied to a bill. While on tour, a budget of 5-10 USD per day will usually cover tips. Your Tour Guide and Driver would also appreciate this kind of gratitude at the end of your tour or their service.

Eating & Drinking

Jordanian food is delicious and full of flavour, sharing a lot of similarities with neighbouring Middle Eastern nations. Dishes such as falafel, hummus, lamb, mezze, and kebabs can be found in every market stall, village, or city! Searching for unique and authentic dishes can often be overwhelming if you are not a local, so here are a few must-try dishes to get you started in Jordan. For more, check out our Jordan Food Guide.

Baklava: The quintessential Middle Eastern dessert, Baklava is a sweet syrupy layered pastry with honey and nuts.

Falafel: A combination of ground chickpeas, mixed with a variety of spices, then deep fried into mini patty like shapes. Falafels are one of the most common street food snacks in Jordan.

Moutabel: Like baba ghanoush, this dip consists of eggplant roasted over an open fire. The creamy and smoky flavours are further accentuated with yoghurt, tahini, garlic and lemon juice.

Galayet Bandora: This dish consists of tomatoes stewed until soft and pureed, with a few seasonings like garlic, olive oil, and salt. The tartness and sweetness of the tomatoes is what really shines, and it tastes great scooped up with bread or eaten with rice.

Tabbouleh: Tabbouleh is a mixture of finely minced parsley, tomatoes, garlic, andwheat, all dressed in lemon juice, salt, and olive oil. In Jordan the dish is served as a starter or salad, and is not scooped up with bread like Hummus or Moutabel dips would be.

Manakish: Sometimes referred to as the Arabic Pizza, Manakish is a round of dough topped with Za’atar (Thyme spice mixture), olive oil and sometimes halloumi, eggs or ground meat. It is commonly cooked in a brick oven and is a common buy at food stalls and marketplaces.

Mujadara: A typical everyday Jordanian food – Mujadara is mixed with lentils, rice and seasoning and is a favourite vegetarian dish nationwide. The rice is often cooked with the lentils, so the flavours melt and blend in a galvanizing way.

Mensef: Known as a national dish of Jordan, this Bedouin meal consists of lamb or goat cooked with herbs in a yoghurt sauce and served with rice and bread.

Throughout the Middle East, drinking tea is quite common with Jordan being no exception, especially if you are shopping or meeting people for the first time. Mint, thyme, or sage are often used to flavour the tea. Although Jordan is a Muslim country, alcohol is commonly available with Amstel the most popular beer of choice, followed by the local brew Petra. There is also a great range of wine available across Jordan with cabernet, merlot, sauvignon blanc, and chardonnay the most notable varieties. It is important to note that during Ramadan, some hotels and shops may limit their sale of alcohol for religious reasons.

Essentials to Bring & Internet

-Face mask/cover and hand sanitiser enough for your personal use throughout the trip – See more at https://www.traveltalktours.com/safe-travels/

-Travel Documents: Passport, Visa (if required), flight or transport ticket (and photocopies)

-Travel Talk Tour Voucher (printed or digital)Travel Insurance Policy (and photocopy)

-Personal medical kit and medicine

-Money (cash, credit card, travellers’ cheques)

-Power Adapter

-Reusable water bottle

-Ear plugs and eye mask

-Sun protection – hat, sunglasses, sunscreen

-Comfortable, closed walking shoes

-Wind/water proof jacket

-Warm clothes, hat, and gloves for cold weather

-Sandals, swimwear, shorts for warm weather

Internet Access

Internet access has become increasingly common and available across hotels, cafes, and restaurants in large Jordanian cities such as Amman and Aqaba. Make sure to enable data roaming on your mobile if you wish to use 3G/4G abroad, although the connection may be unreliable in smaller towns and rural areas. Purchasing a Jordan SIM card for the duration of your tour may be a cost-effective option. Your Tour Guide will be happy to advise on this.

Culture, Religion and Etiquette

Jordan is an ideal destination for those seeking cultural knowledge, spiritual enrichment and sights of marvel. Officially known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, it is a gem of the Levant region and home to fascinating ancient history. While predominantly an Arabic nation, Jordan truly values the diversity of its
population’s ethnicity and religious beliefs, providing cultural rights to all of its citizens. There is a strong tolerance and appreciation for cultural differences in Jordan, contributing to the nation’s stability and peace. The desert-dwelling Bedouin population have a distinct and noteworthy culture. Living the largely nomadic lifestyle across barren landscapes in Jordan, their traditions have been passed down for centuries. The Bedouin people rely on the herding of animals and creation of handicrafts, as the lands they populate are not fertile for farming. If lucky, Travel Talk travellers may get to witness the Bedouin traditions of music and dance during the Desert Camping experience in Wadi Rum.

More than 92% of Jordanians are Sunni Muslims and approximately 5% are Christians. The majority of Christians belong to the Greek Orthodox Church. As Jordan is predominantly an Islamic country, religious traditions are strong with spectacular mosques signalling the call to prayer five times a day and Ramadan widely observed each year.It is important to keep these religious beliefs in mind when packing for your trip and determining how you plan to dress when visiting Jordan.

Jordanians place a great emphasis on personal grooming and style of dress that tends to differ from that shown in the Western world. Men are expected to dress in long trousers where possible across city, country, and desert locations. When trousers are not possible, we recommend wearing loosing-fitting knee-length shorts. Wearing T-shirts or any top covering your shoulders is acceptable. For females, we recommend loosefitting, opaque clothes that cover your legs, arms, and chest with either high collars or thing cotton scarfs to cover your neck.

Please also keep in mind that when visiting religious sites, appropriate attire is required. It is recommended to pack at least one set of modest clothing that covers both shoulders and knees, to be worn when visiting mosques and other religious complexes. A headscarf for women is necessary when visiting religious sites. In summer, cotton clothing is much more comfortable than materials like nylon. Clothing that will protect you from sunburn is an absolute necessity. Especially in summer months, white or light coloured, long sleeve cotton shirts are preferable. In winter (December-March) you will need some warm, woollen clothing but in general, the weather is still quite warm. Always ensure to pack comfortable closed walking shoes

Solo Travellers

We have many solo travellers joining our tours. Solo travellers will be roomed with another traveller of the same gender. If you would like a private solo room, please contact us. You may see out solo travels page for more details.

Rules to Follow

We are committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. We do not tolerate any form of violence (physical or verbal), bullying or harassment involving customers, partners, Travel Talk staff or locals. Sexual relationships between a tour leader and a passenger are forbidden.

We will not tolerate any illegal activity, including but not limited to: use and possession of illegal drugs, trespassing, and disrupting public order. If you consume alcohol, please ensure that you drink responsibly and follow the local laws and regulations.

You must follow the advice of your tour leader and local officials regarding health and safety measures. We operate all tours under Safe Travels protocols for the wellbeing of our passengers, staff and communities visited. Please ensure that you have read the https://www.traveltalktours.com/safe-travels/ and are fully prepared for your trip.

If someone is acting inappropriately regarding these matters, please notify your tour leader immediately or contact us on the emergency contact number provided below.

Your tour leader has the right to remove from the group anyone not abiding by these rules, with no right of compensation or refund. See more at https://www.traveltalktours.com/booking-terms/

Please remember that our travellers come from different parts of the world and will have various needs and preferences. Be understanding and patient with your fellow travellers, and always strive to be on time.

Responsible Travel

We believe that travel is a force for good and show our support through various initiatives and charity organizations, as well as keeping the principals of responsible and sustainable travel at the core of our ethos. These values are engrained in our business culture and the design of our trips just the same. Together with you, we strive to make a positive impact on local people and economies, respecting the local culture, environment, social fabric and customs; encouraging respectful and meaningful cross-cultural exchange. Read more at https://www.traveltalktours.com/responsible-travel/