Wonders of Jordan

Back To Top

Trip Style

Discovery Adventures: Bring to life the awe-inspiring destinations featured on the Discovery Channel. Engage colourful cultures, wildlife and landscapes through exhilarating, educational and immersive activities and arrive at a greater understanding of our incredible planet.

Back To Top

Service Level

Comfort:

• All the adventure with a softer landing
  
• Upgraded transportation (private vehicles, trains and planes)
  
• More inclusions (transfers, more meals and activities are generally included)
  
• Hand-picked accommodations with additional amenities and services
  

Back To Top

Physical Grading

3: May include moderate hiking, biking, rafting, kayaking and other activities that require only an average/moderate level of fitness to enjoy.

Back To Top

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Amman

Day 2 Jerash, Dead Sea (B, D)

Day 3 Mt Nebo, Madaba, Karak (B)

Days 4-5 Petra (2B, 1D)

Day 6 Wadi Rum (B,L,D)

Day 7 Amman (B,D)

Day 8 Amman (B)

Back To Top

Important Notes

1. Discovery Adventures is operated in conjunction with G Adventures, the world leader in sustainable adventure travel. An award winning company with over 800 employees and 17 operational offices worldwide, G Adventures has 20 years experience in creating culturally interactive travel experiences. G Adventures advocates a triple bottom line business philosophy where equal attention is given to the environmental, social and economic impact of tourism to achieve long-term environmentally responsible growth whilst protecting destinations & cultural heritage for future generations.

2.Ramadan 2012: Depending on the lunar cycles, around July 20th for a month. Please note that Ramadan is a month of fasting observed by Muslims throughout the world, during which time the followers of Islam should not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. There may be some limitations to services and disruptions to schedules during Ramadan, but generally our tours still operate effectively during this period and food is available to non-muslims throughout the day.

Back To Top

Accommodation

Comfort hotels (6 nts), Luxury tented camp 1 night

Back To Top

About Accommodation

The accommodation level for most Discovery Adventure tours are comfortable, in mid-range hotels, motels, lodges, guest houses, etc. You'll often enjoy air-conditioned rooms, complete with en suite bathrooms and some amenities. Accommodation and amenities can vary by Country and region and please remember that standards can be different from what you are used to in your home country, which is part of the appeal of adventure travel. Some trips may include camping, permanent tented camps or more rustic lodges, depending on the remoteness of where you are visiting. Please see your trip details for more information, specific to your tour. Porterage is not included, but can be arranged directly at most hotels.

Back To Top

My Own Room

Please note that if you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single room for all night stops.

Back To Top

Transport

Private van, 4x4, walking

Back To Top

Group Size Notes

Max 15, avg 10

Back To Top

About our Transportation

On this trip we will travel by air-conditioned private minivan for most of the journeys. En route to Wadi Rum and our desert camp we will travel in 4x4 vehicles.

Back To Top

Meals Included

7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners

Back To Top

Meals

Travelling with Discovery Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful foods and flavors that are available in the world. Some meals are included in the trip price in more remote regions or as a highlight where we can share a local specialty or cultural experience. In many places where there is a choice of eating options, we like to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each others company, but there is no obligation to do this. Your group leader will be able to suggest favorite restaurants during your trip. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.

Back To Top

Group Leader Description

All Discovery Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our expert group tour leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. Group leaders are experts in their region with a broad, general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local expert guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds. On this trip you will have the services of a professional Egyptologist for your visits to the pyramids - this may be your Tour Leader for the whole trip, or it may be a local guide for specific visits.

Back To Top

Joining Hotel

Regency Palace
Queen Alia Street
P.O. Box 927000
Amman 11110 Jordan
Tel: +962 6 5607000

Back To Top

Joining Instructions

An arrival transfer is included, please look for the Discovery Adventures representative, who will be holding a Discovery Adventures sign. They will meet you after you pass through customs in the arrival hall.
Unfortunately there have been cases of people mis representing themselves as Discovery Adventures representatives. For this reason we do not put individuals names on this sign. Please check that the person meeting you knows your name and the hotel you are going to.
If in doubt ask them to ring their manager to confirm your transfer.

If the Discovery Adventures representative is not there at first, please wait up to 30 minutes, and then proceed to take a taxi, or call our local staff at +962 (6) 4642034 (office hours) or +962 79 5535879 (24 hours) who will assist you in getting to the start hotel.

Back To Top

Arrival Complications

We don't expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled, as soon as possible please contact your starting point hotel, requesting that you speak to or leave a message for your group leader (if you are not on a group tour please refer to the emergency contact details provided in this dossier). If you are unable to get in touch with your leader, please refer to our emergency contact details. If you have pre-booked an airport transfer and have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Joining Hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please apply to your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs.

Back To Top

Finishing Point Instructions

We are able to organise extra accommodation post-trip should you require it. Please enquire at the time of booking.

Back To Top

What to Take

You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. We highly recommend using a backpack, soft compact suitcase or light sports bag, whichever you find easiest to carry, plus a small daypack. Luggage space on transport is limited. You must be prepared to carry your own bags as porters are not often available.

Back To Top

Emergency Contact

Should you need to contact G Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call our local office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.

Emergency Contact Details:

G Adventures Local Operator, Amman, Jordan
+962 (6) 4642034 - (9am-5pm, Sunday - Thursday)
+962 79 5535879 - after hours

If you are experiencing complications with your Amman AIRPORT TRANSFER that was booked through G Adventures please call: +962 79 5535879

G Adventure Local office
Emergency Cell Phone : +20 (0)12 2211699 - Mohammed El Fayed, Middle East Regional Manager, Cairo, Egypt

If you are unable for any reason to contact our local office, we have a toll-free line for North America, which will connect you directly with our Toronto office. In the event that you cannot get through, you can reach a member of our Operations department at the mobile number below.
Toll-free, North America only: 1 800 465 5600.
Calls from UK: 0844 410 1030
Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618
Outside North America, Australia and the UK: +1 416 260 0999

Back To Top

Checklist

Suggested Items:
•Light fleece top
•Light windproof/waterproof jacket
•Small towel and swimwear
•Sun hat
•Personal clothing for mild to hot weather (See also "What to Take" and "Local Dress" sections of this dossier)
•Hiking boots/sturdy walking shoes
•Flashlight/torch (with extra batteries and bulbs)
•Sport sandals
•Sunblock
•Sunglasses
•Toiletries (biodegradable)
•Watch or alarm clock
•Money belt
•First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine,
Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, insect
repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)

Optional Items:
•Camera
•Reading/writing material
•Binoculars


Documents:
•Passport (with photocopies)
•Travel insurance (with photocopies)
•Airline tickets (with photocopies)
•EUR/USD cash
•Credit or debit card (see personal spending money)
•G Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information and dossier
•Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required

Back To Top

Laundry

Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap.

Back To Top

Visas

All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy, or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. It is your own responsibility to have the correct travel documentation. Visa requirements for your trip will vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. We keep the following information up to date as far as possible, but rules do change and sometimes without warning. While we provide the following information in good faith, it is vital that you check yourself and understand that you are fully responsible for your own visa requirements.

JORDAN:
Jordan visa can be obtained on arrival at land and airport borders for most nationalities for a fee of 20 JOD. While most travellers are not required to obtain their visa in advance, there are exceptions and you must check the requirements of your particular passport. While we provide this information in good faith, your visa is your responsibility. If you are departing Jordan by Air, then no departure tax is required as it is already included on the air ticket. If you are departing Jordan by land then you will be required to pay an 8 JOD departure tax .

Back To Top

Money Exchange

ATMs are found widely in principal cities in Jordan and will generally accept cards on the Visa and Mastercard networks. A credit card is the safest way to carry money and most larger restaurants and stores accept them. While ATMs are widely available in major cities, there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work in the Middle East. Check with your bank before travelling. You should be aware that to purchase products or services on a credit card a fee of 5%-10% usually applies. Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money. Cash advances can also be made with some banks. Cash is recommended for times when ATMs are not accessible, but carrying only cash is a high safety risk. A combination of cash and cards is best. Euros, British Pounds and US Dollars are all easy to exchange to local currency. Travellers cheques can be tricky to exchange and we do not recommend that you bring them as your primary source of funds, although in large cities you can exchange them in some 5-star hotels and banks but this takes time and incurs a fee. Thomas Cook or American Express travellers cheques in US currency are the easiest to exchange. Always take more rather than less, as you don't want to spoil the trip by constantly feeling short of funds.

The currency in Jordan is the Jordanian Dinar (JOD).

As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com

Note that almost all local purchases (meals, souvenirs, most optional activities, etc) will be paid for in local currencies.

Back To Top

Emergency Fund

Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!

Back To Top

Tipping

Tipping ( Baksheesh )

Tipping (also widely refered to by its Arabic term as “baksheesh”) is a way of life in the Middle East. Locals themselves will usually tip anyone who provides them with services. In many cases, people depend on the tips they receive to supplement the incredibly low salary and wages of the Middle East region.

While on tour in the Middle East, it is customary and even expected to tip small service providers such as restaurant and bar waiters, hotel staff, reception, cleaning personnel, bell boys, taxis and van drivers. Tips are regarded as an essential means of supplementing income for those working in the tourism industry.

In order to make things as easy as possible, and avoid embarrassing situations, G Adventures has developed a tipping Kitty system where your tour leader will collect a contribution from everybody on tour and use this kitty to tip anybody who has provided services to the group as a whole. The tour Leader will keep an accurate account of what was spent and any money left over, will be handed back to the group.
If at any time, you felt that any service provider failed in maintaining or delivering good service, please bring it immediately to the attention of your tour leader, so a deduction of tips can take place.

A guideline for tipping is about 3-5 USD per day, depending on the quality of the service (this does not include your G Adventures Tour Leader).
On Day 1 of your tour, your tour leader will be able to advise on the amount required from everybody to form the tipping kitty for your trip.

This should be paid to the tour Leader in day 1 of the tour. You can pay in USD or the equivalent Jordanian Dinar (preferably Jordanian Dinar ). The tour leader will be able to advise you on the exchange rate and the total required in either currency.

Also at the end of your trip if you felt that your G Adventures Tour Leader did an outstanding job, tipping is also expected and appreciated. The precise amount is entirely a personal preference, however 20-25 USD per person per week can be used as a general guideline.

Back To Top

Optional Activities

Prices are quoted in Jordanian Dinar (JOD) & U.S. Dollar (USD).

Jerash
Gladiator Show - 12JOD/17USD

Dead Sea:
Buffet lunch at the Dead sea - 25JOD/35USD
Mud bath - 5JOD/6USD (may be free of charge at your hotel)
Therapeutic mud bath = 60JOD/85 USD
Jesus's Baptism Site - 18JOD/25USD(including entrance fee, transportation and local guide)

Petra:
Petra By Night Every Monday / Wednesday & Thursday - 12JOD/17USD
Turkish Bath - 20JOD/28USD per person

Wadi Rum:
Camel ride (approx. 1 hour) - 14JOD/20USD
Balloon Trip - 130JOD/185USD per person

Jerusalem Extension :

Day 1: Meet and assist at Allenby Bridge by our representative then transfer to Jericho, visit Sycamore Tree, view Mt. Temptation, then continue to Jerusalem, Mt. of Olives, panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem, visit Patter Noster Church, Ascension, walk the Palm Sunday Road, Gethsemane Garden then to the hotel for overnight
Day 2: after breakfast, check out from the hotel, enter to the old city of Jerusalem, walk the 14th Station of Via Dolorosa ending at the Holy Sepulcher Church, then transfer to Bethlehem, visit the Nativity Church, Shepherds Filed, then back to Allenby Bridge.

1 person : $750
2 people : $380 per person
3 people : $295 per person
4 people : $270 per person
5 people : $245 per person
6 people : $225 per person
Single supplement : $35

Price includes:
*All transfers by private air conditioned transport
*Hotel accommodation in Jerusalem in standard hotel on BB
* Transfers from Amman to border and border to Amman

Price does not include:
*Guide in Jerusalem , extra cost ($170 per day)
*Border taxes ($52 per person)

All prices are per person (unless stated otherwise), and are subject to change as services are provided by third party operators.

Back To Top

Health

Please note inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure.

DRINKING WATER: It is advisable to drink bottled water in Jordan.

There are no specific health requirements for this trip. However, we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, infectious hepatitis and polio. You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit, hand sanitizers / antibacterial wipes as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities for some time during this trip, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc.

Back To Top

Trip Specific Safety

Like anywhere in the world, major cities have areas safer than others, use common sense, be aware of your surroundings and mind your personal belongings.

Back To Top

Detailed Trip Notes

REGIONAL INFORMATION

Official Languages: Arabic, English (secondary to Arabic)

Religions: Muslim 94%, Christian 5%

Time Zone: GMT +2 | US EST +7

Electricity: 220 Volts, 50 AC

Currency: Jordanian Dinar (JOD)

International Dialing Code: 00962

Climate: The climate depends on which part of the country you are in, as altitude ranges from 400m (1312ft) below average sea level at the Dead Sea, to 1850m above sea level at the Al-Shirah mountains. June to September are the hottest months of the year where temperature rises to about 32C (89.6F). The period between December and March is the coolest. Snowfall often occurs and temperatures stay around 15C (59F) during the day.

Ramadan 2012: Depending on the lunar cycles, around July 20th for a month. Please note that Ramadan is a month of fasting observed by Muslims throughout the world, during which time the followers of Islam should not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. There may be some limitations to services and disruptions to schedules during Ramadan, but generally our tours still operate effectively during this period and food is available to non-muslims throughout the day.

Back To Top

Local Dress

While visiting mosques and other religious monuments you should dress modestly, cover your shoulders and you shouldn't wear short shorts or skirts. Outside of capital cities and the more touristic centres, local dress is often more conservative and as a matter of respect we ask that both men and women are aware of this and recommend loose-fitting clothes with your shoulders covered. Ask your Tour Leader for more specific advice.