4 independent reviews for Jordan highlights & camel safari
Reviews for Jordan highlights & camel safari
Constance Dassen review 12 Apr 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Please note that our trip was a custom trip. Most exciting were: Camel ride in Wadi rum (1.5 days) Petra and the dead sea.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
The snorkeling in Aqaba through Sinbad was not good and not worth the US$50. You are supposed to have a 2-2.5 hour snorkel tour, but in our case the captain moved his glass bottom boat over the same coral strip a couple of times. Then when we were finally allowed into the water, we were called back out again approx. 20 min later, and that was it. We asked the captain why we could not snorkel more, but the answer was that the trip was over. In Petra you can do a Petra by night tour for US$25. It's kind of cool, because you're walking along the Siq just with candle light. And you can go until the treasury. There everyone just sits down and waits, and tries to take pics of the treasury which doesn't work since there are only candles :) There is a guy playing the flute or other local instrument. That is quite nice. Then after about 20 min or so some other guy comes to do a quick talk. It's hard to hear if you're not right up front. Message is a little garbled and talks about peace. But I thought that could have been done better. Then finally at the end they put on some spot lights onto the treasury (different colours rotating) which allows you to take some pics, but then a couple 100 people are trying to do the same thing, and you get tourists doing shadow puppets, so you might get that with your pics also as a bonus :)3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Benefit local people - sure if you end up buying something at a market, and just by virtue of going to the sights which employ locals. Environment - there is too much use of plastic water bottles still. Although I did think it was nice that we did get that with our trip. Conservation - double edged sword. Revenues of the sites go to employees and help preserve, but there is damage just by virtue of people visiting. Generally I'm happy that we're still allowed to go see these sites.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Areej, who helped us set up the vacation was very helpful. Mohammed Helalat was our guide and he was very personable, spoke decent English so you could carry on a conversation (since my Arabic is very limited). He made stops and recommendations, had something to say about the country, and we could talk about how things work in his religion/culture. He was on time. I would recommend the tour operator to other travelers.Aykut Konak review 24 Nov 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Petra and Wadi Rum2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
You can do Amman Citadel, Roman Theatre, Jerash, Madaba and Mount Nebo all in one day. Go off the trails in Petra, and do the alternative routes with the guide3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Partially yes4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
The vacation provider was exceptional in their help and support. All the staff were very friendly. They had exceptional guides both in Petra and Jerash. We had one dedicated driver throughout our journey, which made things even much easier. Their sole purpose was to show Jordan in its own form, just exactly what we asked for. Were there any hiccups? Not really, unless you are one of those who complain about 5-10 minutes delay here and there, we certainly were not!!! Thanks again for all!!!!Jeff Powis review 6 Oct 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Twofold really: 1. Two full days in Petra, there is so much to see in this ancient city that even two full days (and a night tour) did not do it justice. An amazing place. 2. Three days Wadi Rum camel safari with guide, cook and very basic camping as you go. This was a truly spiritual experience, the night sky, the silence, the unflappability of the camels truly amazing and so authentic.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
If you can make the time then do a camel safari rather than the tourist style camping and four wheel drive version. Bedouin food, cooked on a camp fire of sticks by a real Bedouin, stories of the Bedouin way and of tales handed down through the generations.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely: The Wadi Rum Bedouin people depend upon tourism to exist while maintaining their families and lifestyle in the traditional manner. Without tourism the young people would leave and head to the city to earn a living and thus lose their cultural ties. The various guides used in Petra, Jerash, Mt Nebo and the Our tour guide all depend upon tourism for a living which of course extends through their families and communities.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
The best ever. It is difficult to rate something that has been so profoundly stirring. The sights were spectacular, the colours simply amazing, the people so friendly and helpful and with little or no drama moving around what is potentially a difficult part of the world I would have to say 10/10.Pam Hoult review 22 Apr 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
This is such a difficult question to answer. The whole vacation from beginning to the end was fantastic. Jordan is so safe: the people are so friendly and welcoming. We visited Petra and Petra by night, Jerash, Karak, the Jordan River, Bethany beyond the Jordan, Dana, the Dead Sea, Amman and we also spent 3 days on a camel safari in the desert, living as Bedouins. It was a vacation with a difference and one we will not forget.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
I can only speak from our experience and I would say that our tour operator made this a vacation of a lifetime. Nothing was too much trouble for them. We travelled extensively and their support was with us every step of the way. Don't be deterred from going to Jordan, because you don't think its safe - Jordan IS safe. It's welcoming, friendly and the people are lovely. I cannot praise our tour operator enough, they absolutely made this vacation for us. Thank you.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes we did feel that we were giving something back to the local people. They were such friendly, helpful people and genuinely pleased to see you and to welcome you to their country. It was good to be able to give a little back to them.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
This was one of the best vacations we have ever had and we have traveled to many different parts of the world. The vacation was good, but the staff made it great and it was a vacation we will always remember. We are very grateful to them all.Holiday Reviews
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