Current as of: August 31, 2024 - 08:22
Current as of: August 31, 2024 - 08:22
2 out of 7 - Leisurely/Moderate
Take your family on a time-travelling trip to when Romans roamed and Nabateans built one of the most unusual cities in the world, Petra. Starting with a gladiator show at Jerash, we head south to the mystery-shrouded city of Petra and the Mars-like desert of Wadi Rum (where we stay at a private Exodus camp run by a Bedouin family). At the Red Sea and town of Aqaba, it’s chillout time at a private beach resort. Our adventure ends at the lowest point on earth and with one of the craziest experiences you might ever have – floating in the Dead Sea. The history astounds, the landscapes amaze and the hospitality of the Jordanian people will stay with you long after your trip is over. Jordan has all the ingredients for a great family adventure.
Highlights
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page.
Though this trip has been designed for nine to 12-year-olds, it’s also suitable for 13 to 16-year-olds. Our Family trips are aimed at children in the primary age group, so if your child is in the secondary age group, they may find it a little easier. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
The night in Wadi Rum is spent in a private camp with a toilet and shower block. Beds with mattresses, sheets, blankets and pillows are provided. You may like to pack a sheet liner for extra comfort. Although quite basic, a night in the desert is memorable and should be approached with a sense of adventure.
Although this is a cultural trip, some days (such as the one in Petra) will be busy. Your tour leader will give you options if your family prefer to take Petra at their own pace and meet up with the group at the end of the day’s tour. There are some long distances to travel although we make comfort stops along the way. It is a good idea to bring books or other entertainment for these journeys. The tour leader will provide commentary during the journeys and try to break up the driving as much as possible.
The food in Jordan can be a little spicy and uses flavours that children may not be used to. Please bear this in mind when ordering in restaurants. It is possible to find food that avoids this but the meals may lack a little variety.
It can be hot in Jordan, please ensure your children are well protected from the sun with sunscreen and hats and that you all keep well hydrated. During winter, warm clothes are needed for mornings and nights.
Ramadan is expected to run from approximately 10 March-10 April 2024 and 28 February-29 March 2025. One of the most important periods in the Islamic calendar, it is a special time to visit a Muslim country. Each evening, the streets empty as people head home to break the fast, followed by an air of festivity upon their return. Our leaders and drivers choose to work at this time so we continue to run trips; however, their energy levels may be slightly lower than normal. Many tourist sites, restaurants and shops will have an amended schedule, but your tour leader will know how to adapt the itinerary to still experience all the inclusions on this trip and maximise your experience during this special time.
Adult min age: 9
Min group size: 8
Max group size: 20
Our flight usually arrives in Amman, capital of Jordan, late tonight or very early in the morning tomorrow. We catch our transfer to the hotel and head straight to bed.
Those on the group flight will be met before immigration by our Airport Coordinator who will collect your passport to get it stamped with the group visa. Please be aware in high season this process may be subject to delays. The Coordinator will be holding an Exodus sign, please make yourself known to him. You will then be directed to the baggage collection point and then to the arrivals hall for the transfer to the hotel. It is at this point that the Airport Coordinator will return the passports.
Accommodation: Corp Hotel (or similar)
Welcome to Amman, the capital of Jordan, where our adventure begins. There are free transfers to the hotel from Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) for all customers today. Please note, transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.
Accommodation: Corp Hotel (or similar)
After breakfast, we take our first steps back in time to the Roman city of Jerash. Settled as a town during the reign of Alexander the Great, it peaked during the period of the Decapolis – a group of 10 great Roman cities on the eastern frontier of their empire. Walking along the well-preserved Roman roads, wandering through the marketplace and climbing the theatre steps is bound to capture the imagination of everyone in the family. After our Roman adventure, we return to Amman for free time and maybe a dip in the hotel pool.
Accommodation: Corp Hotel (or similar)
Leaving Amman, our first stop is Mount Nebo where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land. Race to the top and take a family photo on this historic spot. Our next stop is the market town of Madaba, famous for its Byzantine-era mosaics, which includes the oldest map of Palestine in existence. Crafted in 560 CE, it depicts all the major Biblical sites of the Middle East from Egypt to Palestine. A visit to a mosaic workshop reveals how these artworks are made. Before leaving Madaba, fill up your water bottle with one of the many delicious fresh local juices. We journey south through deserts and amazing canyons and stop at a high point for wonderful views. We also see fossils and have a picnic lunch. On arrival at Wadi Musa, the gateway to Petra, we have free time to settle into our hotel.
Accommodation: Standard hotel – see accommodation section for more detail
This morning, we start early to avoid the heat of the day. Maybe your family is too excited to sleep anyway because today is our Indiana Jones adventure into the lost city of Petra. We start our early wandering through the Siq, a natural gateway to one of the most spectacular landmarks in the world. Along the way, we pass djinn blocks – djinn is Arabic for spirits and source of the word genie, so maybe these monoliths can grant wishes!
Through a narrow opening in the rock, we get our first glimpse of Al-Khazneh or the Treasury. Featured in the 1989 blockbuster film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the astonishing sites of Petra were brought to the attention of the world. We continue exploring this amazing city, scrambling up hills to find huge tombs and palaces. Winding our way around the hillsides, we stop for a picnic lunch before exploring the colonnaded street and great temple. Heading back along the main street, we re-enter the Siq leaving a magical city that will stay in your memory forever. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free to relax.
Accommodation: Standard hotel – see accommodation section for more detail
After breakfast, we head to Little Petra to climb through cave rooms and explore a much less crowed site. From here, we head to Aqaba, the premier beach resort on the Red Sea. Our hotel has a private white-sand beach, lagoon-style pool and options for watersports and snorkelling. It has several restaurants and is close to the downtown area, home to a small market and more cafes and restaurants. This afternoon is free to relax. As the sun sets, meet up with the tour leader – it’s time to dive into the colourful bazaars and have fun haggling for a souvenir.
Accommodation: Beach resort
Today you have extra time to enjoy Aqaba or relax on the beach. The pool area of our resort features artistic fountains surrounded by palm trees and there are watersports available, including snorkelling and scuba diving among the amazing Red Sea coral. The hotel also has a spa and wellness centre and a gym so the needs of the whole family are catered for. Your tour leader can arrange fun time on the beach; in the evening, they arrange a group dinner in Aqaba for those who want to join.
Saraya Water Park is also near and features more than 25 waterslides and water-drenched versions of Petra and Jerash – it is suitable for children up to 12 years’ old. Prices start from 20 Jordanian dinars (US$28) for adults and 25 dinars (US$35) for children. Please let your tour leader know if you would like to go and they will arrange a taxi for you (approximately 2.15 dinars/US$3 each way).
Accommodation: Beach resort
Leaving the Red Sea, we head into the desert and to our private Exodus camp run by a Bedouin family. There’s a small dune nearby, which is great fun to roll down. Later in the day, we bounce around the dunes in our 4x4s and then scramble up rocks to watch the sunset. This evening, we can stargaze and maybe even meet up with some of the animals that come out at night. Our dinner is cooked the traditional Bedouin way, underground, and there’s a campfire where we can sit and talk. Camping in Wadi Rum is an experience of a lifetime.
Accommodation: Permanent Bedouin camp
We’re up early today to say goodbye to our new Bedouin friends and head to the lowest point on earth: the Dead Sea. Our family-friendly resort has outdoor pools with waterslides and a terrace overlooking the Dead Sea. Have fun floating in the saline waters, rub on the mineral-rich mud for a great family photo and enjoy the swimming pools at the resort. Tonight, get together with the rest of the group to share all the memories of our Jordan adventures over dinner and maybe cement new friendships.
Accommodation: Four-star hotel
After an early breakfast, Flight inclusive guests transfer to the airport for flight back to London.
The adventure comes to an end this morning and we begin our return journey home. Of course, if you’d like to stay a little longer, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
We spend two nights in a four-star hotel in Amman, two nights in a comfortable hotel in Petra, two nights in a five-star beach resort in Aqaba and the final night in a four-star hotel at the Dead Sea. We also have one night in a desert camp in Wadi Rum. The camp is for the sole use of the Exodus group and offers Bedouin hospitality that your family will never forget.
Throughout the tour we use hotels with air conditioning and wifi. Some have more facilities than others; however, it is always good to keep in mind that the star rating in Jordan is quite different to what you may expect at home. Sometimes we may use less centrally located hotels in the interests of comfort.
Hotels in Petra: Accommodation in Wadi Musa (the town adjacent to Petra) is limited and demands on infrastructure are high; this can create problems with hot water and plumbing. In general, the hotels are of an older style and more basic in comparison to the rest of Jordan. Hotels we use include Petra Plaza, Petra Palace, Edom Hotel, Amra Palace and La Maison among others. All are a similar standard. When not within walking distance of the entrance to Petra, a transfer to/from the entrance is provided (typically a 10-minute drive).
At the Wadi Rum camp, there are traditional-style tents equipped with basic beds, sheets and blankets. There are plumbed toilets and basins, and simple shower facilities with (limited) hot water.
Single supplements are available for this trip; however, this cannot be guaranteed at Wadi Rum. Please enquire at the time of booking for details and up-to-date prices.
While we do our best to ensure families are roomed close together (in some cases, we can arrange adjoining rooms), we can’t guarantee this. Most family trips occur during peak season and we sometimes have little control over where you will be put.
While we do our best to ensure families are roomed close together (in some cases, we can arrange adjoining rooms), we can’t guarantee this. Most family holidays occur during peak season and we sometimes have little control over where you will be put.
All breakfasts, two picnic lunches, a lunch at our Wadi Rum camp, and dinner at our Wadi Rum camp and at the Dead Sea resort are included.
When meals are not included, we usually eat in local restaurants. On some occasions, the leader can take those who wish to a restaurant for a mezze-style meal. These allow fast service with a variety of tasty food and usually cost 15-20 dinars (US$19-US$26) per person. If you are vegetarian, main meals are limited in choice; however, mezze is almost always available in restaurants and is a good, filling option. While camping in Wadi Rum, we enjoy a traditional meal called zarb, which is cooked underground. This consists of rice with a selection including chicken, lamb and vegetables. Vegetables will be cooked separate to the meat. It is great fun to see it being dug up and the result is a delicious, hearty meal.
Alcohol is available in Jordan, but not widely. Many hotels do not sell alcohol but will often allow it to be brought in from elsewhere. It is best to plan ahead if you want a drink, your tour leader can tell you what’s possible and may be able to arrange a stop at a supermarket or liquor store (depending on location). In Petra, the unique Cave Bar in Petra Guesthouse is open to the public. A less expensive option is the bar in the Petra Palace Hotel which is also open to all.
For most of this trip, we use one air-conditioned mini- or midibus depending on group size and local drivers. Occasionally, we use two vehicles for the group. To reach the Wadi Rum camp and to explore the Wadi Rum desert, we use basic 4×4 vehicles owned by the Bedouin family that hosts us. The vehicles are appropriate for local desert travel but may fall below normal vehicle safety standards expected on our trips. As there are no other vehicles available and as we are not travelling by road, we feel they are adequate for the job.
Spring and autumn are very popular as it is cooler, around 24C (75F) in the day and 8C (46F) at night. Rain is more likely, but protracted bad weather is unlikely.
Summer (July and August) is hot and dry. Daytime maximum temperatures can reach around 40C (104F) in parts of the itinerary and care needs to be taken to keep hydrated. Rain is unusual but possible.
In winter, it is generally crisp and warm in the day, approximately 10C-15C (50F-59F); however, the desert can approach freezing or below at night. There are even occasions when it snows in Jordan during winter.
Start hotel: Corp Hotel, Queen Alia Street, Al Shmeisani, PO Box 930530, Amman
Phone: +962 6 568 6666
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: Amman Airport (AMM)
The start hotel is approximately 50 to 60 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Exodus provides free departure transfers for all customers to Amman Airport from the end hotel.
Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Amman
Location end: Dead Sea
You encounter a range of temperatures on these trips. In spring and autumn, the days are generally quite hot (very hot in July and August) and the nights are cool in the desert. Light cotton clothing is suitable for daytime use, but you may need a sweater. For departures from the end of September onwards, you should also bring a warm jacket.
Please note, Jordan is a Muslim country and so modest dress is required when visiting holy sites and rural areas (ie legs, shoulders and upper arms covered). This is not necessary in the larger cities and more popular destinations.
Please try to bring no more than one main piece of luggage per person. On occasion, luggage may be transported separately to the vehicle the group travels in.
Water included
Plastic bottles are a big issue in many countries where recycling isn’t yet widely available; they often end up in landfill or get burned. Both processes are harmful to the environment and we would like to reduce our impact here. For your trip, we provide an alternative to single-use plastic bottles to reduce the plastic used. This means that safe drinking water will be available throughout; all you need to do is bring a bottle to refill along the way. Please add this to your packing list.
Jordan passport information
It is essential that we have your full passport details at least two weeks before the start of your trip (or at the time of booking for late bookings). This is required for the free visa (see below for eligibility details) and additionally, has to be supplied in advance to the tourism police, hotels and sights we’ll be visiting. If we are not provided with accurate passport information in advance, problems may be encountered during the trip and you may incur extra costs.
Visas are required by most nationalities and can be obtained at the border or Amman airport.
We will arrange a free visa (usually 40 Jordanian dinars) for travellers booking a tour and any pre-tour arrangements through us, provided we receive full passport and flight details at least two weeks before arrival.
You will need to pay for the visa if we do not have these details two weeks before arrival or you are making your own pre-tour arrangements (ie extra nights before the tour that are not booked through Exodus).
Our airport representative will meet and assist you with obtaining the free visa on arrival in Jordan at Customs & Immigration. They will be carrying an Exodus sign.
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid. Please confirm all requirements with your doctor or travel clinic.
Jordan's time zone: Asia/Amman (UTC +03:00)
Jordan's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins, European standard), D (three round pins), F (two round pins), G (three rectangular pins, UK standard), and J (three round pins) – 230V, 50Hz
Jordan's currency: Jordanian dinar (JOD)
You can choose to either change your money in advance or on arrival at Amman Airport. Here you find both ATMs and exchange desks. There are also ATMs in the major towns and cities, such as Madaba, Petra, Aqaba and Amman. However, not all ATMs take all cards, so please bring some cash to change if possible. Your leader can advise on changing money and ATMs.
Larger shops in the cities may take credit cards, but do not rely on this. We suggest taking some money in cash (British pounds, euros or US dollars), with a mix of denominations.
Small-denomination cash dollars are useful for times when you want to change a small amount of money outside the major towns or cities.
Our local staff are paid fairly for their work. However, tipping is part of the culture in Jordan and generally expected within tourism and many other areas of Jordanian life. Tipping is best done in Jordanian dinars.
For tipping your driver, hotel staff and other local staff, we recommend the use of a tipping kitty. Your leader can advise on the amount but, as a guide, expect it to be 45 dinars (US$60) for this trip. This kitty can be placed in the hands of one of the group members to look after and the leader will advise where it is appropriate to tip. If preferred, however, the leader can manage this for the group. The kitty is there to ease confusion and embarrassment by not knowing how much or how little to tip.
Most clients also wish to tip their tour leader. As a guide, we suggest 30 dinars (US$40) per person for this trip. Most groups prefer to present the money to the leader at the end of the week in an envelope. The amount is at your discretion and our suggested amount is to be used as a guideline only.
We work hard to create trips that improve life for the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here, and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.
In Jordan, we are very proud to work with a local partner who received the Travelife Partner award in July 2021. Travelife is a certification system dedicated to achieving sustainable practices in the global tourism industry. To receive the award, our Jordanian partner had to comply with more than 100 criteria related to corporate social responsibility. The Travelife standard is formally recognised for full compliance with the UN Sustainable Tourism Criteria.
Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:
People
How this trip helps improve life for local communities.
Places
How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.
Planet
How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.
Tips for sustainable travel on this trip
Cultural respect
Water safety
This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.
Family trips
Our staff and leaders are there to ensure the trip runs as smoothly as possible. However, company policy states they cannot take care of children; it is your responsibility to look after your young ones throughout the trip. During free time or if you decide to opt out of part of the itinerary, you are responsible for your family and any arrangements that need to be made, though your leader will be happy to make recommendations.
This trip goes near an area deemed unsafe to visit by the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whose advice we follow when operating our trips. While our itinerary doesn’t go to these areas, you should familiarise yourself with your local government’s advice if you are planning any pre- or post-trip travel. Any independent travel to areas currently against your local government advice is entirely at your own risk and unlikely to be covered by your travel insurance.
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.