Petra & Wadi Rum Trek

68 Reviews

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  Anonymous
  Written on May 3, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  Awesome scenery.  Real Lawrence of Arabia landscape and such colourful rock formations.  Petra was even more dramatic than I had anticipated.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Standing on top of the rock bridge, quite high up, and  overwhelmed by the vast desert landscape before me.What did you think of your group leader?He was friendly enough but didn't engage a great deal.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Take a camping mug as they just give you plastic cups to drink hot tea out of.  It wasn't particualrly cold at night so you don't need a really warm sleeping bag, especially as they provide super thick blanlets anyway.Remember a headtorch for the evenings.It's too hot to walk in the middle of the day so you get a couple of hours sitting in the shade so travel scrabble or something similar is a good idea.Is there anything else you would like to add?The desert and the visit to Petra were amazing.  The group were all so friendly and we had a good laugh, especially about the portaloo which was transported across the desert from camp to camp.  There was something surreal about following it.  As long as we had it in our sights we knew we couln't get lost!  Altogether an amazing experience and quite different from other treks and travels.
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  Anonymous
  Written on May 2, 2013

  4.0 - Good

  A brilliant week out, exploring a different world.  The trek gets better each day, and the desert scenery gave context to our viewing of Petra.  The camping was comfortable and the travelling Portaloo was appreciated.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Apart from the mountain ascent, the hike is all quite manageable as long as you have the stamina to walk for several hours.  When we went at Easter the weather was great, nice and warm during the day, but not too hot (or cold at night).  I didn't like the mountain ascent (I did rip my trousers on the way down!) and might have opted to stay back at base, but everyone else seemed to enjoy it.Probably a good idea to take some luxuries - we had fresh coffee, others had snacks or sweets -  the food provided on the trek was fine and filling, but a bit spartan.Is there anything else you would like to add?This trip is a great week out, with a combination of good (but not overstrenuous) exercise, sightseeing and relaxation.  A fascinating history is never far away and it's great to get a glimpse into how Bedouin people live. Lots of fun along the way too.  Hiking means you get a chance to get a bit beneath the surface of Jordan - so why not take a crash course in a country that you probably don't know very much about?!
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  Anonymous
  Written on May 1, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  This is a wonderful trip.  Almost like two holidays in one, with the peace of the desert contrasting with the fascinating culture of Petra.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Crossing the Jebel Burdah bridge, drinking sage tea round the campfire and sleeping under the stars every night of the trek.What did you think of your group leader?Salah was fantastic - knowledgeable and with a great sense of humour and fun.  I could not have done the Jebel Burdah climb without him - he was so encouraging and I felt I was in very safe hands as I negotiated the trickier sections with his help.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?A pair of cotton gloves was very useful on the climb - there is a lot of scrambling using handholds and the rock is quite rough.  The camel ride on the last day in Wadi Rum is definitely worth doing - great photo opportunites and gives the feet a rest!Is there anything else you would like to add?Choose this trip!  Wonderful mix of physical challenge, serenity and culture.
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  Anonymous
  Written on April 17, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  A fasinating Jordan experience, covering a visit to Mount Musa where Moses had brought the seven tribes of Israel, seeing 3000year old Mosaces, walking in the rocky desert of Waddi Rum, climbing up and over two natural rock bridges, while camping in the desert and being fed Bedouin food reliving the area where Laurance of Arabia assisted the Arabs with their Gurilla war on the railway line.Then it was time to move down to Waddi Musa, first time to clean up from the desert with a Turkish Bath, Scrub Down and Massage, refreshed we experienced Petra by night, followed next day with plenty of time to explore in daylight.All this in our six days in this friendly country, by the way I am 66 and looking forward to my next trip to walk the great walls of China this September aged 67. I am having the time of my life, I recommend making the most of these experiences.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Petra by day.What did you think of your group leader?Our leader Salah a Jordanian was friendly, helpfull and extremly knowlegable and happy to share it with me.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?For extra comfort when sleeping in the desert take a camping mat to spread the weight over the open cell foam matras for a better nights sleep.Is there anything else you would like to add?Go out and enjoy lifes experiences whilst you still can.My late father told me, Young men live off their dreams and Old men live off their memories, I am still DREAMING and may it last for many years. Go out there and live your dreams.
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  Anonymous
  Written on April 15, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  The combination of the desert, Wadi Rum and the historical remains of Petra made  this an excellent trip.  The food and organisation during the trip was really good.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The desert trekking and camping were brilliant.  The clear sky at night was fantastic.What did you think of your group leader?An excellent group leader, who had very good knowledge and was very helpful.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Choose the right time of year, depending on how hot or cold you like it!
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  Anonymous
  Written on April 9, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  A sensational, well balanced and well thought-out trip!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?For me, the starry skies in the desert. I know that will sound odd on a trip that took it the magnificent sights of Petra but, most of all, I enjoyed the quiet peacefulness of the desert.What did you think of your group leader?Our group leader was Zuhair and he was very good. He kept everything running smoothly and possesses a wealth of knowledge about his country and the region.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?(1) Because a lot of other reviewers had pointed out that sand gets in your boots I took and wore gaiters every day and that was very effective in preventing that particular problem. (2) Even if you're somewhat afraid of heights (as I am), make the effort to steel yourself to walk across the the natural rock bridge at Jebel Burdah ("the arch of Burdah"). (3) Learn some short stories! If you are fortunate enough to have Zuhair as your group leader he will regale you with stories and folk tales over the camp fire. It would have been nice if we could have returned the favour but we couldn't come up with anything remotely as in-depth or entertaining.Is there anything else you would like to add?I thoroughly enjoyed this trip and there were no siginificant negatives at all (well, apart from the chaotic arrival at Amman airport which is beyond Exodus's control). I would recommend this trip to anyone with reasonably good levels of health and fitness (you don't need to be an athlete or endurance hiker). The Jordanian people are lovely - very friendly and welcoming. I was especially fortunate to be with a very nice, good-natured group of fellow travellers and that made an already great holiday even better.
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  Anonymous
  Written on April 9, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  Jordan's desert is more beautiful than I could ever imagined. A highlight was visiting Petra on Good Friday and being escorted on our own away from the crowds around this amzing site for almost 3 hours!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Climbing 800 steps, rounding the corner and glimpsing The Monastery in Petra for the first time in the late afternoon sun.What did you think of your group leader?Brilliant, passionate, proud and perfect. Zuhair was outstanding.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Drink enough water. Take a decent hat. The scrambling is great fun but both of knees need to work properly. You can still do virtually all the climbing and opt out of the stone bridge traverse (NOT recommended if you do  not have a head for heights). If you are over 6 foot, you wont fit into a tent. The 3/4 season sleeping bag they said I could borrow on site was more like a one-season. Take thermals and a hat to sleep out of the tent.Is there anything else you would like to add?This was a wonderful trip. I am so glad I went and feel blessed with the group we had and the leader we were fortunate to get. Many thanks
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  Anonymous
  Written on March 26, 2013

  4.0 - Good

  I would thoroughly recommend this trip to anyone with a sense of adventure. Jordan is an ideal introduction to the Middle East, it feels perfectly safe and the people are extremely helpful. The Wadi Rum itself has much more variety than I had imagined. This trip covers around 60km on foot, but feels relaxed and easy paced, which is ideal for people of all abilities. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Climbing up to the Jebel Burdah rock bridgeSleeping outside under the starsThe evening camp firesThe feeling of open spaceEverything about Petra (except the donkeys!)The hospitality of ordinary JordaniansWhat did you think of your group leader?Saalah was an excellent leader, who was constantly helpful and informative.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Take several pairs of trousers, as you'll ruin a pair on the descent from Jebel BurdahDon't worry about the lack of facilities when camping in the Wadi Rum, it all makes the Turkish Bath in Petra more enjoyableTake plenty of  warm clothing as it gets cold in the Wadi Rum at night, and don't forgot a head torchTake an astronomy guide, as the night sky is amazingIs there anything else you would like to add?Go to Jordan for a holiday you won't forget.
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  Anonymous
  Written on March 25, 2013

  4.0 - Good

  A very good trip to a fine (and safe) country. Give Jordan a try. The surrounding countries may be volatile but it is very different. Great walking.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Getting up early on the last morning in Wadi Rum. Sitting on a huge boulder just outside the camp. Watching the rising sun ligfht up the rocky hills on the other side of the valley. A hot air balloon rising into the cloudless sky farther down the valley.What did you think of your group leader?Salah did a very professional job. Always helpful with a good sense of humour.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?The descent from the Burdah rock arch involved interesting scrambling which was extremely destructive of several pairs of trousers!!A good hat is also vital to ward off the ever present sun. Is there anything else you would like to add?Wadi Rum is a huge area, with a great sense of space. Wide sandy valleys interspersed by hundreds of impressive rocky peaks (jebels). When scrambling on the rock the friction is superb.
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  Anonymous
  Written on March 25, 2013

  4.0 - Good

  A thoroughly enjoyable trip. Great desert and rock scenery on the Wadi Rum trek. Ruins of Petra were a lot bigger and more spectacular than I was expecting. Jordan felt a lot safer than I had been expecting, given the troubles in surrounding countries.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Seeing the desert in bloom. (the recently ended rainy season meant that there were carpets of flowers across the desert sands).Climbing to the rock arch on Jebel Burdah. Best views of the trip and a bit of an adrenalin kick if like me you haven't got the best head for heights!The first candle lit views  of the Treasury at Petra on the (optional) night visit.Seeing President Obama, though I expect Exodus won't be able to repeat this experience on future trips! What did you think of your group leader?The group leader (Salah) and support staff were all very friendly and efficient at their jobs, and ensured the trip ran like clockwork.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Don't wear a new pair of trousers on the climb up Jebel Burdah - over a third of our group ended up with rips in their trousers from the rock.The scramble up Jebel Burdah is  probably at the upper end of the challenging grade, but is only a few hours duration, and is well worth the effort.The wild camping described in the trip notes isn't as wild as we thought - a Portaloo followed us around for the week, and there were always comfy cushions to sit on for breakfast and dinner. Is there anything else you would like to add?A good trip that I would definitely recommend.