April 29th – May 9th, 2024
Your exciting trip to Jordan is just around the corner, promising to be a truly memorable experience! Please read the next document carefully as it has important information to help you get ready for the journey ahead. Prepare to immerse yourself in Amman’s vibrant culture, explore the ancient ruins of Jerash, wander through the mystical Wadi Rum desert, and discover the timeless city of Petra.
You will need a passport to travel to Jordan. Your passport should be valid until at least January 2025 and it should have 2 full empty pages.
If you don’t have empty pages, please contact us and we will send you instructions for getting a new passport in time for the tour.
Citizens of the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most European countries need a visa to enter Jordan. However, to facilitate this process, we will obtain your visa for you. As a result, you will not need to pay for any visa and you will not need to complete any visa process.
Two weeks before the tour starts, we will email you your personal “Jordan Pass”. This pass will act as your visa and your entry ticket to many sites we will visit during the tour. You will need to print your Jordan Pass and present it to the immigration officer upon arrival in Jordan.
Please note that both the arrival and departure airport for this tour is the Queen Alia International Airport (AMM).
Jordan doesn’t require any immunizations to enter the country. However, as is the case when traveling to any country, it is always good to speak with a medical professional about what immunizations might be right for you and to ensure you are up-to-date with standard immunizations such as Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Tetanus.
Embarking on this 11-day journey through Jordan, we’re set to immerse ourselves in the rich tapestry of the region’s history, culture, and stunning natural beauty. Known for its historical landmarks, Jordan will also surprise us with its breathtaking landscapes and the genuine warmth of its people.
Our journey will start in the heart of Jordan, in Amman, where ancient and modern worlds seamlessly blend. From the lively pulse of the city, we’ll move to the historic ambiance of Jerash, stepping back in time among its ancient ruins. Next, we’ll discover Madaba, where ancient mosaics tell stories from centuries past. The serene Wadi Rum desert is our following retreat, offering a few days of tranquil beauty. After soaking in the desert’s peace, we’ll head to the breezy coastal town of Aqaba. Then, it’s finally off to the breathtaking Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where we’ll partake in an array of unique activities and wonders. Our adventure will then finish at the Dead Sea, where its mineral-rich waters promise a soothing and buoyant experience.
What truly sets this journey apart, though, are the personal connections we’ll forge with the local communities. Through our local contacts, we’ll dive deep into Jordanian culture and traditions. Whether we’re sharing meals, participating in everyday activities, or having heartfelt conversations, these moments will offer a genuine glimpse into Jordanian life. This trip is more than just a visit, it’s an opportunity to live and breathe the true spirit of Jordan.
On this tour, we will stay in different types of accommodation, including 3* and 4* hotels, as well as a 3* desert camp. All accommodations will be comfortable and include a private bathroom.
During the trip, we’ll travel in comfort in a private minibus in order to ensure flexibility, plenty of space for each guest and access to areas that larger vehicles simply can’t go.
Tap water in Jordan is not ideal for drinking and you should always drink bottled water. Brushing your teeth with tap water is okay.
All of the food provided during the tour will be completely safe to consume. Fruits and vegetables are always washed in filtered water. Street food at popular markets and food stalls is also safe to eat. We would only suggest avoiding street food from vendors where the food appears to have been sitting out for a long time. Most street food is cooked fresh though, so this should rarely be an issue.
The local currency in Jordan is the Jordanian Dinar (JOD). The current exchange rate is $1 USD = 0.71 JOD.
In terms of spending money, you should estimate an average of $25 – $30 USD per day for all of your needs. This would be for meals that are not included in the tour, basic purchases (laundry service, snacks, etc) as well as any activities you choose to do on your own.
As for exchanging money, the best method is via ATM machines which are located throughout urban areas around the country. However, check with your bank at home as many banks charge high foreign transaction fees every time you withdraw money overseas.
If using an ATM is not an option, or the fees are too high, simply bring USD, Euros or GBP to exchange at money exchange offices in the cities.
Credit cards are accepted by some businesses in Amman and Wadi Musa but cash is much more common.
**There’s no need to exchange money at home before you come to Jordan. Simply arrive in Amman and we’ll get you to an ATM or a trusted money exchange booth where you’ll get a much better rate. There are also several ATMs right in the Amman airport.
In Jordan, tipping is a part of the culture. Anyone who performs some kind of task or service for you will most likely follow up by asking for tips. Here’s a general guide of what to tip:
➜ Restaurants – 10% only if a service charge is not already added to the bill.
➜ Hotel staff – 1 JOD if someone helps you with luggage or anything else.
➜ Random person – 1-2 JOD (maybe someone helps you find your way if you get lost or helps you find a shop that sells what you’re looking for – any random assistance will usually end up with the person asking for tips)
➜ Our drivers – At the end of the trip, we recommend that everyone gives a $50 USD tip for our drivers. We will collect this on the last day and give it to our driver before we say goodbye.
➜ Tour leader – If you wish to tip your tour leader, they will always be greatly appreciative.
*Tips for local guides and waitstaff at included meals are already included.
Jordan is generally a safe destination, with low crime rates and few scams targeted at tourists. The chances of anything happening are very slim as long as you use the same common sense you would use at home.
➜ Watch your stuff – Always keep an eye on your stuff and avoid putting a wallet or phone in your back pocket. Keep your purse or shoulder bag on your front hip and make sure the zippers are zipped on your backpack. Simple as that! You can also leave valuables in your room while out and about each day as the hotels we use are all very safe.
➜ Scams – Scams are rare in Jordan. As with any travel though, it’s always good to be aware and if something doesn’t seem right, politely refuse and walk away.
May is an ideal time to visit Jordan, with mostly pleasant temperatures and no extreme heat. Here are the average temperatures of each destination we will visit:
➜ Amman: 80F/27C high – 57F/14C low
➜ Madaba: 84F/29C high – 50F/10C low
➜ Wadi Rum: 84F/29C high – 59F/15C low
➜ Aqaba: 97F/36C high – 72F/22C low
➜ Wadi Musa: 84F/29C high – 55F/13C low
➜ Dead Sea: 91F/33C high – 73F/23C low
➜ Population: 11.15 million people
➜ Religion: The predominant religion is Islam, practiced by 97% of the population, predominantly Sunni. There are also small communities of Christians, mainly Eastern Orthodox, and a smaller number of other religious groups.
➜ Languages: Arabic is the official language of Jordan. English is widely understood and spoken, particularly in urban areas and among those involved in the tourism industry. Minority languages like Chechen, Armenian, and Circassian are also spoken by small communities
➜ History: Jordan has a rich history that spans several civilizations. It has been part of the Byzantine Empire, Islamic caliphates, the Ottoman Empire, and was under British mandate until gaining its independence in 1946.
➜ Politics: Jordan is a constitutional monarchy led by King Abdullah II, with Bisher Al-Khasawneh as the Prime Minister. The king holds significant powers, while the government combines parliamentary democracy with Islamic law and tribal traditions
As with most Muslim countries, wearing shorts is not common for men or women and it is more normal to wear pants/long skirts that go below the knees and shirts that have at least short sleeves. Apart from that, you’ll find the country to be quite relaxed in terms of clothes.
➜ Laundry – Laundry service will be available in most major urban areas. When available, it costs approximately $15 USD per load.
We recommend packing the following items:
The most important thing is that you don’t overpack as moving around country with your luggage can be tiresome and the less stuff you have, the more thankful you’ll be once the tour begins.
If you have any questions about other items you were thinking about bringing or not bringing, just send us an email and we’ll be happy to let you know if such an item is necessary for this trip.
You may bring your camera bodies and lenses into Jordan as a tourist.
Although highly regulated, you may also bring your drone into Jordan. However, to do so, you must first obtain a special permit with the Jordanian Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission (CARC) using this form, alongside a copy of your passport, proof of drone insurance and a copy of your drone license.
Jordan uses a variety of plug outlets (Types “C”, “D”, “F”, “G” and “J”). We highly recommend getting both a Type C and Type G plug adapter as this will ensure you are able to plug in your devices everywhere on the trip. You can also purchase a universal adapter that includes Type C and Type G plugs.
As for electricity, check your chargers to see if they say 110 – 230V If they do, you will not have any problems charging your device while on the tour.
Jordan generally has decent internet availability so you’ll be able to connect with WiFi from each of our hotels, apart from the camp in the Wadi Rum desert.
If you wish to have a data connection on your phone throughout the trip, you can get a local SIM card in the luggage area of the airport when you arrive. You will see the booths offering the SIM cards and they will assist with getting you set up. If you want a stronger connection throughout the trip, we recommend that you either activate the international plan from your network at home or buy an online E-Sim for Jordan. These two options will ensure you have a good 4G connection throughout the tour.
Yes! Most days will include time together as well as free time for you to enjoy a destination at your own pace. With that said, your tour leader will always be available to offer personal recommendations and suggestions as to things you might want to do or see, places to eat and other interesting activities that you might want to check out when there is free time.
We will set up a WhatsApp chat 2 weeks prior to the start of the tour that will include all of the participants as well as your tour leader. This will allow everyone to get to know each other in advance, ask questions and communicate with your tour leader both before and during the tour. It will be very useful for you to have WhatsApp available to you during the tour as this will be the main method of communication.
That’s it for now and we hope you are continuing to get more and more excited about this incredible adventure, just as we are!
If you have any questions about anything, please reach out to team@wanderingearl.com
