A Week in Jordan

From Amman to the Dead Sea via Petra and the Wadi Rum desert, visit the essential stops in this extraordinary kingdom

Experience Jordan’s star attractions in just one week, each illuminated with the expert insight of our local tour leader. Spend two full days exploring the ancient rock-carved city of Petra, rightly named one of the New Wonders of the World, and take a guided tour of Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the Middle East. Float in the salty waters of the Dead Sea and unwind by the Red Sea. Experience fabulous desert scenery at Wadi Rum, where we spend an unforgettable night at our private Bedouin camp.

Join us to celebrate Exodus’ 50^th anniversary! Select departures of this trip feature extra inclusions to mark the occasion: a star-gazing experience in Wadi Rum, a local birthday celebration and a special edition Exodus kitbag. The selected departures on this trip start in Amman on 25 September 2024 and 4 December 2024.

People, Places & Planet

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.

• The use of a local guide means our customers are well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
• This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels and restaurants, the emphasis on eating locally produced food, and by supporting other local enterprises.
• The hotels we stay in are dedicated to hiring local staff, this benefits the surrounding community by providing employment opportunities and income alternatives where they may be otherwise hard to come by.
• This trip stays one night in Wadi Rum desert at the Exodus Private camp, which is owned and managed by a local Bedouin family. This not only provides a source of income for the family but is a wonderful opportunity for our guests to interact with local people and share aspects of their traditions.
• In Wadi Rum, we also do a jeep safari which provides another source of income for local people.
• This tour encourages guests to visit local cafes and restaurants and use markets to purchase traditional crafts.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

• Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels.
• By travelling in a small group, led by a local guide, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
• On this trip, we visit eight national heritage sites and the entrance fees included generates income which is used to upkeep and develop these important sites.
• Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices with regard to working animals and wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
• In Petra, we do not recommend that guests ride horses or mules as we are not convinced their treatment is in line with industry-leading animal welfare guidelines.
• We work with our partners on the ground to proactively eliminate or reduce waste, for example eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles and instead providing refills for reusable bottles.
• It is standard practice in Jordan to distribute leftover restaurant food to people in need.
• Where possible on this trip paper bags are used as an alternative to single-use plastics.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

• Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.
• Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
• The Exodus Private camp in Wadi Rum uses solar power.

 Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

• Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish behind in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, we’d ask you to consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
• Plastic waste reduction: Please bring your own reusable water bottle on this trip; filtered water will be provided where tap water is not drinkable.

Cultural respect

• Some Jordanians especially women and the elderly object to being photographed so please ask first.
• Jordanians are very proud of their country and can be offended if you take pictures of anything ‘negative’ or suggestive of poverty. Photography in military zones and strategic areas like public buildings is prohibited.
• Handshaking is only between members of the same sex.
• It’s polite to use only your right hand when eating something without cutlery and when handing money and small objects to someone else.
• It is common practice to remove one’s shoes before entering a mosque or someone’s home and you should tuck them under if sitting on the floor. It is respectful for women to cover their heads with a scarf when entering a mosque. Please note many mosques are not open for tourist visits.
• Generally, clothing should cover shoulders and be on or below the knee.
• During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking during daylight hours. Even chewing gum is considered haram (forbidden). Although foreigners are not expected to follow these practices, it is respectful to be discrete and not eat, drink or smoke in general public.
• Making the effort to fit in is invariably appreciated so being aware of these aspects of cultural respect will assist you during your travels in Jordan.

Is this trip for you?

This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.  

Although this is a cultural trip, some days (such as those in Petra) can be long and tiring. To do the optional 800 or so steps up to the Monastery or the climb to the High Place of Sacrifice, you should have a reasonable level of fitness. Your leader can provide further advice about these hikes. It is not advisable to visit the High Place of Sacrifice if you suffer from vertigo, as there are some very steep, narrow steps and cliffs. The leader will show where the route to the High Place of Sacrifice starts but does not accompany people wishing to take this route.

Wadi Rum camping: Although the campsite has plumbed toilets and showers, they are basic and hot water may be limited. Our private Exodus camp is, however, often a highlight for guests.

Petra accommodation: Demand for rooms near Petra is extremely high. Over the years, we have built relationships with several accommodations, which allows us to secure spots even during peak season. The limited amount of accommodation and high demand can result in varying quality in both the accommodation and service. However, we stay at these hotels as they are well-located for our trip to Petra.

Ramadan is expected to run from 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.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Vaccinations and Health

Jordan

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.

Visa

Jordan

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.

Food & Drink

All breakfasts and two dinners are included on this trip.

When not half board, we usually eat in local restaurants and the leader arranges bookings for those in the group who would like to join. We suggest you budget around 20 Jordanian dinars (US$28) per person per non-included meals. If you are vegetarian, please note that main meals are limited in choice; however, meze is almost always available in restaurants and is a good, filling vegetarian choice. There is a good choice of seafood available when at the Red Sea. At the Wadi Rum camp, we enjoy a traditional dinner called zarb, which is cooked underground. This consists of rice with a selection including chicken, lamb and vegetables. Vegetables are cooked separately from the meat.

Alcoholic drinks: Alcohol is available in Jordan, but not widely. Many hotels do not sell alcohol but often allow it to be brought in from elsewhere. It is best to plan if you’ll 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.

Weather

October to November and March to April are very popular in Jordan as it is cooler, around 24C (75F) in the day and down to 8C (46F) at night. Rain is more likely, but protracted bad weather is unlikely. It is hot and dry, but not unpleasant, throughout Jordan in the summer. Daytime maximum temperatures are around 32C (89F) in Amman. Jerash temperatures are the same.

Wadi Rum is around 30C (86F) on average in summer, though it can get as high as 40C (104F). It is usually cooler (30C/86F) at night. In winter, it is much cooler and can get as low as 10C (50C) during the day. In the evening, it can hit freezing point. There are occasions when there is rain or even snow in the desert. If weather conditions require, we may need to modify the itinerary or the camp location for your comfort and safety.

Aqaba is very hot when the air is still, but there is usually a breeze. Rain is unusual but possible.

The Dead Sea air temperatures vary from around 14C (57F) in winter up to 37C (98F) in summer. The water temperature doesn’t drop below 20C (68F).

As with many countries in the world, seasons can go on longer than usual so it is advisable to always check the weather of the country you are travelling to a week or two before your trip so you can pack appropriately.