21 independent reviews for Adventure vacation in Jordan
Reviews for Adventure vacation in Jordan
Gillian Hague-Jones review 15 Apr 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
All of it!! Loved Wadi Rum and of course Petra was always going to be spectacular. A but crowded in Petra but not much can be done about that.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take clothing for all weather. Sunshine and rain, warm and cool temperatures.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Local people definitely benefited from tourism4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
An excellent trip. Well planned and our local guide was brilliant.KATE Boye review 17 Sep 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Petra2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
It's hot, bring lots of light floaty clothes and good walking trainers.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Benefitted local people4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
GreatHelen Johnston review 5 Jun 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Thunder and lightning storm in Wadi Rum. The fantastic Greco Roman site of Jerash2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Expect the unexpected3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Guide arranged contacts with local people4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A full and very varied weekIsabelle Houlbreque review 6 Jan 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Visiting Petra and the companionship with the other participants.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Make sure you are well rested before you leave.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
As tourists, we left quite some financial resources in Jordan.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Wonderful experience. This was my first trip with the operator and I hope to do it again.Karen Chua review 12 Dec 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Every day of the trip was filled with something exciting to do but the best part were the travel guide and companions that made the trip beyond my expectations.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Some of the walks in Petra can be more demanding than expected so bringing a hiking stick can be handy3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, there was evidence of the usage of local services where the people benefitted directly4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
ExcellentAlex Elmes review 28 Feb 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Petra- a bucket list site checked off- and it was as incredible as I'd hoped.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
We had all weathers in February, cold winds and a bit of rain, but also some hot days- so be prepared.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We supported local businesses in restaurants and hotels and guide, not particularly unique though!4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
The vacation was brilliant, just about the right time in each place.Sarah Davis review 31 May 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Probably Petra, but the beauty of the Jordanian landscape, the grandeur of the mountains and the variety of colours was a surprise2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Don't expect peace, darkness and solitude in Wadi Rum, it's full of other camps with bright spotlights. Book a private tent too if you can afford it3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It certainly benefitted local people, which was great4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent. Amazing sights, good accommodation and a wonderful guide, Sal- who must be amongst the kindest people I've metBarbara Furlotti review 21 Nov 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The second day in Petra, when we visited the site on our own, was magical2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
The quality of the accommodations can be disappointing. In particular, the stay at Wadi Rum is not in a remote part of the deser, as stated in the programme nor in a secluded one. You will hear music from the nearby camps and there are many lights3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Local people have benefitted from our tips, which were distributed by our guide, although according to unclear criteria (why 80 JD to the bus driver who got us from Amman to Petra and 20 JD to the one who took us a longer way, from Aqaba to Amman?). Also, it was confusing to be told by our guide that our tips covered services, such as the dinner in the desert camp. My understanding was that I had already paid for all the services included in the programme, so tips should have been an extra, not payments for services already included in the trip. Also, I did not have the feeling that the places where we stayed were particularly enviromentally conscious, nor where the people. Our bus drivers for instance kept the engine idling for hours.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
The programme is well studied and the trip is great, however one has to pay extra for many activities and the level of the accomodation is not always good enough. In Petra, we stayed for 3.nights in a hotel whose only pro was.the location. The rooms smelled of smoke and had an incredibly dirty carpet, which was a problem.for.me as I am allergic to dust mites. I asked them to hoover the carpet but they never did it, we never saw a hoover in the hotel. Also the accomodation in the desert camp was disappointing and we decided to pay extra for a private tent.Read the operator's response here:
Hi Barbara, thanks so much for your feedback - I'm aware you've also been in contact with us directly so I shall respond in due course, once my inquiries are
complete however to clarify at this point, we've had a number of members of our teams travel on our Jordan trips, most of whom have stayed at the same
desert camp.
Emma Hall review 29 Oct 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The whole trip was brilliant and our guide Abdallah made it extra special with his kindness and effort to ensure we were always happy2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared to be on the go a lot and don't always expect accomodation to be of high standards, after all you only sleep in the rooms, the vacation is about what goes on outside. Go with the flow and you will enjoy it.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes as local people helped all throughout the tour and we had a collective tip pot which was divided out between all locals who supported us throughout our trip.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was an experience of a lifetime, made extra special by our tour leader.Andrew Emerson review 9 Sep 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Walking down from the High Altar at Petra2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
It’s hot. Bring loose clothing and good walking shoes.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. We ate in local restaurants and were taken to shops that were run for charitable causes..4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Brilliant I learnt so much.Alfred Heynen review 14 Apr 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Petra and Wadi Rum were the best parts. It was great to have 2 days in Petra- one with guide and one without to explore on our own. Overnight in Wadi Rum was very nice, and sunset/sunrise colors were spectacular. Enjoyed the camel ride the next morning in particular - definitely a better way to experience the desert than on the back of a pickup truck!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
We had cool temperatures and rain during the first days of April . There had been snow in Petra the week before we arrived. Pack layers of clothing and check the weather forecast. The transfer from the hotel to the airport was not a good experience - the driver did not show up on time and we did not know whom to turn to for help. Recommend to carefully check logistics of transfer with the guide.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Nothing specific besides bringing employment to native population via tourism.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A wonderful trip, largely thanks to our outstanding guide Moyad. He gave us abundant insights into the country and its history. Good pace between driving and visits. Great choices of interesting and reasonable restaurants. One negative point: the group was larger than anticipated (19). We would give our vacation five stars.Natalie Fedeczko review 6 Mar 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Wadi Rum and Mohamed Mutlak Camp, despite sand storm.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for cold weather in February and March.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes our guide was tremendous, Aladdin and made sure we understood the nuances of his country. Animal welfare is important.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Fantastic!Karen Exley review 30 Dec 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Wadi Rum2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take plenty of snacks for the long coach journeys and enough cash to cover all the expected gratuities.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Tourism certainly benefits the locals. unsure how this trip reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
4 Star. Excellent trip. Definitely an exploration as up early most days as the tour left immediately after breakfast. Good caring and knowledgeable guide. Glad we upgraded the accommodation as even after the upgrade it was still fairly basic with accommodation located at out of city center hotels. would have preferred the upgrade to have been at Movenpick-standard hotels. The dead sea resort was particularly poor with hardly any facilities to wash after dipping in the sea. also, we arrived at this resort too late in the day to spend much time at this highlight. We travelled the country in rather an old coach which could also benefit from an upgrade. Finally, Aqaba added no value and we would have been happy to spend more time at Wadi Rum instead and experienced more activities in the desert rather than traveling to this very ordinary Red Sea resort for such a short period of time. these comments are made in good faith as positive feedback as generally we had a fantastic time. the sights were amazing. thank you!Richard Knight review 7 Nov 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Petra, Jurash, Kurak and trying to find a camel in the desert at 7 in the morning!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
See if you can get longer in Jurash and Kurak than the trip allows. two days in Petra is about right but you might want to avoid the evening trip to the Treasury as you may get fed up with walking back to the entrance!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
yes a lot of people were involved through restaurants, cafe, drivers, guides etc = so the money did flow to the local economy. We did a lot of traveling and passed through Amman a couple of times, so the environmental impact was probably not good.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
4/5 really good trip that could be 5/5 with just a little less traveling through Amman, Juresh and Mount Nebo, Kurak on the first two daysAndrew Morris review 30 Oct 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
There were so many highlights. Jerash was unexpectedly impressive; Petra was absolutely awesome - around every corner there was so many fantastic sights; Wadi Rum gave us some unforgettable desert vistas (even though it rained!); snorkeling in the Red Sea was fabulous and floating in the Dead Sea was simply bizarre! The food was good or very good and the other people on the tour also made it memorable. The tour guide, Sami Atmeh was also first class and went out of his way a number of times to make it a success, when weather impacted the itinerary.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take an extra day or two to explore Amman at the end of the vacation.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes and no. The vacation definitely benefited local people, but I suspect the increased tourism around the corals in the Red Sea and other sensitive sights may not support long-term conservation.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Fabulous.Read the operator's response here:
Hi Andrew, Many thanks for your great comments about the recent trip to Jordan and you hopefully have some fantastic memories to take back with you! The point about the increased tourism affecting the corals in the Red Sea is an important one. The corals have been affected by bleaching due to rising sea temperatures but also to the influx of tourists littering the shoreline. It is our belief that by educating our own customers in sustainable tourism and by influencing our local guides and agents to address sustainability we have a much better chance of reducing the pollution in areas within and beyond our remit. The more that our trips worldwide put something back into the local community and try to educate , the more that both the local communities and those that they engage with are likely to respect the local environment. Overall there is lots of work to do and we will continue to play our part.
Thanks again for your observations.
Marion Krause review 6 Jun 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Discovering the amazing history of Jordan was, for me, one of the memorable parts of this vacation. In addition, the friendliness and warmth of the Jordanian people will always stay with me.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
1. Read the trip itinerary carefully to determine if it meets your travel objectives. 2. A traveler's tip of "Just Do It" was inspirational for me and silenced any niggling doubts I might have had.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
This vacation benefited local people by providing employment to a whole range of Jordanians: from our guide, our driver, staff at our various accommodations, staff at the local restaurants where we ate, staff at the various sites we visited, etc . As regards reducing environmental impacts, using a single minibus for the 12 people in our small group instead of several vehicles must have made a difference. In terms of supporting conservation, hopefully the revenue from the tickets we purchased will be invested in conservation efforts for sites like Petra, Jerash, the crusader castles at Shobak and Kerak etc.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
WONDERFUL!Anne Webb review 15 Oct 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The glorious olive trees and cyclamens. Great countryside, great walks, great guiding, great company. My first with the operator, I'll be back!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Enjoy it. A lovely way to see a beautiful island guided by a passionate and knowledgeable guide3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It was good to have a local guide who cares about the environment and knows about local issues. We mostly stayed in locally run hotels and used restaurants that felt very local. Plenty of work still to do on reducing consumption and recycling, especially plastic but it's starting.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Well worth it.Diane Weston review 22 Jun 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Spending 2 days exploring Petra2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Ask to change accom in Petra, current hotel doesn't clean or change towels, wet towels are picked up from the floor, folded and put back on the rack!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent experienceJulia Pallant review 13 Nov 2014
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Petra and the night in the desert.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Do go! Jordan is a very friendly and safe country with amazing things to see and do. Support them so they can continue to welcome Syrian and Palestinian refugees3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
See above4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A wonderful experience. So many different things packed into one week.Erica Lay review 1 Sep 2014
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Meeting such a great bunch of like minded travelers. The whole vacation was excellent; great tour guide (Mo), who looked after us all from start to finish. Every single day was another new and exciting experience and we were constantly updated and given as much info as we wanted. Can't fault it in any way.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Bring good walking shoes!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
yes re local people - we all spent money locally, the tour guide took us to a co- operative shop to buy souvenirs and showed us local vendors with good reps, rather than the mass marketed tat you usually get.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Outstanding.Lois Barclay review 29 Nov 2013
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
It was all fantastic; I plan on returning! The best bits for me were: Jerash, Petra, Wadi Rum.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take a second camera battery as you'll be using your camera a lot! Don't be afraid of conversing with the locals - English is very widely spoken.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Most hotels were locally owned (no big chains); the Wadi Rum campsite is owned by Bedouin; the guide was a lovely Jordanian. All hotels want you to conserve water.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Just take the plunge and go on this vacation. I had the best half term break ever!Holiday Reviews
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