Others

All accommodation, activities and meals that are shown in the itinerary are included in the total cost of your trip You will also receive a complimentary transfer to and from the airport if you arrive on day 1 of the trip and depart on the last day and have provided your international flight information. An ability to swim is essential for your safe enjoyment of the water based activities on this trip. If you wish to participate in these activities then we insist that you are able to swim.

Accommodation

7 nights in hand-picked hotels. 1 night at a campsite. Triple Rooms: This trip allows the option for triple rooms to be included within the booking on all nights except the camping in Wadi Rum. If you would like this option, please ask our Sales team for further information.

Meals

A key facet of our responsible approach to tourism is that we encourage our groups to eat in local restaurants that prepare locally grown food. We give customers choice as to their meals and do not use rather bland and impersonal hotel restaurants or all- inclusive options 8 Breakfasts 1 Lunches 3 Dinners

Transport

Bus, 4WD Booking a land only package with Explore Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. Joining Tour Abroad Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both. The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station. Free transfers are not available for Self-Guided, Polar, Tailormade or Tours for Churches customers. If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.

Guide

Tour Leaders are quite simply the glue that holds our tours together. They are chosen for their travel experience and people skills and are thoroughly trained by Explore, widely acknowledged as some of the best training in the industry. A Tour Leader’s ultimate aim is to ensure everyone is well looked after and have a fantastic trip. They are there to ensure that the tour logistics run smoothly, that health and safety is adhered to and provide comprehensive briefings at the beginning and throughout the tour. Explore leader Tipping isn’t compulsory, and we work hard to ensure that our leaders all receive a fair wage. However, you might want to recognise a leader that’s done a great job or really added to your trip by giving them a tip. We’re often asked about the recommended amount. It’s a tricky one, and down to personal preference, but we’d recommend between £15 to £20 per person per week as a guideline. Local crew Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, your leader may organise a group’s tips kitty for included activities and meals and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour. Accordingly, you should allow JD20.00 (Jordanian Dinar) per family member for group tipping.

Not included:

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.

Flights

International flights not included in the tour cost You are able to book this tour on a ’land only’ basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme. Booking a flight inclusive package with Explore We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport. On our website we display a UK flight inclusive package guide price which is generally based on a London departure. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.

Others

Any visa costs, spending money and tips are not included in the trip price. You can also book extra nights’ accommodation at the beginning and end of the trip and the cost of this accommodation along with any transfers would be quoted separately. Visa and Passport Information Jordan: The Jordanian government have announced that from 01 June 2015, all visa fees will be waivered for tourists of British, American, Australian, New Zealand and Canadian nationalities on arrival at an international Jordanian airport. There are however, certain conditions that each tourist of these nationalities must meet in order to gain the free visa. Most of these are already met by Explore trips; however flight information, passport details and arrival date into Jordan all have an effect on qualifying for the free visa. Please see below for the category that is applicable to your flight arrangements: The following information relates to the above nationalities travelling on flights to Jordan arranged by Explore arriving on the first day of the tour: In order to qualify for the free visa, the above nationalities must advise their passport details at least 16 days prior to your departure date to Explore and must be met by a representative who will assist with the visa process, this is already arranged by Explore as part of the transfer arrangements from the airport to the start of the tour. The following information relates to the above nationalities with Land Only arrangements arriving on the first day of the tour: In order to qualify for the free visa, these tourists must advise their passport details at least 16 days prior to your departure date to Explore and must be met by a representative who will assist with the visa process. Land Only customers of the above nationalities arranging their own flights to arrive in Jordan on the first day of the tour must advise their full flight details to Explore at least 16 days prior to your departure date. We will then arrange for the representative to meet you as part of the transfer arrangements from the airport to the start of the tour. The following information relates to the above nationalities arriving in Jordan prior or after the first day of the tour: In order to qualify for the free visa, tourists of the above nationalities must advise their passport details at least 16 days prior to your departure date to Explore and must be met by a representative who will assist with the visa process. To qualify for the free visa, you must contact Explore at least 16 days prior to your departure date to arrange and purchase a private transfer. We will then arrange for the representative to meet you as part of the transfer arrangements. Please Note: For all tourists of the above nationalities that do not advise their passport details and for all above nationalities that arrange their own travel arrangements and do not advise their flight details to Explore within the above specified timelines, the Jordanian visa fee of JD40.00 (approximately £45) will be applicable. This must be paid on arrival at an international Jordanian airport in order for individuals to gain a visa to enter the country. All other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate to determine if they are applicable for the above free visa on arrival or must gain a visa prior to departure. If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore’s recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination. Vaccinations Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus infectious hepatitis and polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.

Optional

Optional experiences are available on this tour for an additional cost. The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for direct with the supplier and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract. A selection of optional activities are listed below to help you budget for your Family adventure. Whilst the basic tour price you pay before you travel includes a great selection of highlights, we have also built in free time to allow you the flexibility to choose from a carefully selected range of additional excursions and activities or take time to relax, the choice is yours. At certain destinations along the way there may be several options to choose from and it may not be possible to fit all the activities in; your Explore Leader will be able to give advice on which are the most suitable for your family. Petra: Day 3: Live cooking course at the Red Cave restaurant followed by dinner JD25 per person Day 4: Cave BBQ supper in Little Petra including transfers JD30 per person Day 5: Return visit to Petra - no charge Day 5: Visit to El Beidha and Siq al-Barid (known as Little Petra) 9km north of Petra, JD17 per person for transport and a local guide, minimum group size of 4 applies. Day 5: Petra ’by night’ (candlelit walk to The Treasury) JD17 per person, children under 10 free Wadi Rum: Day 6: Desert camel trek JD20 per person Aqaba: Day 7 or 8: Snorkelling on coral reef plus transport JD35 per person Day 8: Snorkelling boat trip with lunch, tea and coffee. 4 to 5 hours in total with two snorkelling stops JD35 per person; Berenice Private Beach club - entrance fee JD10.00 per person.

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Day 1 Day 1: Join Trip In Amman
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Join Trip In Amman

Our tour of Jordan starts in Amman, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Home to almost half of Jordan’s entire population, Amman is a fascinating city of contrasts, where the ancient and the modern collide. Get lost in the bustling souks of downtown, where you’ll be tempted by falafel and baklawa stalls, or visit the hillside Roman Theatre for a taster of the city’s varied history. There are no activities planned for today, so you’re free to arrive in Amman at any time. If you’d like an airport transfer, you’ll need to arrive at Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), a 30-minute drive from our hotel. Due to most flights arriving late in the evening, our Explore Leader will meet you for a welcome meeting the next morning. You’ll find the meeting information on the notice board in the hotel reception.
Day 2 Day 2: Visit Jerash And A Mosaic Workshop In Madaba
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Visit Jerash And A Mosaic Workshop In Madaba

After breakfast, we’ll gather for an introductory meeting before heading north of Amman to ancient Jerash. Inhabited for 6,500 years, the city’s golden age was in Roman times when it became part of the Decapolis League - a confederation of important Middle Eastern cities. One of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the world, only 10% of the city has been uncovered since excavation began more than 100 years ago but you can still get a feel for how life in the city once was. Walk the colonnaded streets, visit the hilltop temples, explore the chariot-racing stadium, and hear your voice amplified in the ancient theatre. Next, we’ll stop in Madaba - a town with a strong Christian heritage. Aptly dubbed the ’City of Mosaics’, Madaba is home to hundreds of Byzantine-era mosaics, the most famous of these is a 6th-century map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land, created with two million pieces of stone. We’ll visit a workshop to learn how mosaics are made today before returning to Amman. Back in Amman, there’ll be time to explore the city further. Uncover the Temple of Hercules in the heart of the city and explore the art galleries, boutiques, and coffee shops in the downtown neighbourhood.
Day 3 Day 3: Float In The Dead Sea, Explore Kerak Castle And Continue To Little Petra
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Float In The Dead Sea, Explore Kerak Castle And Continue To Little Petra

This morning, we’ll drive to the Dead Sea - the lowest point on earth. This unique body of water is the lowest point on the earth’s surface. With a salt content of 33%, it’s almost impossible to sink and we’ll take a dip to experience the mysterious floating sensation. While we’re there, you can cover yourself in the water’s rejuvenating mud, famous for its healing properties. After your dip, feel free to unwind by the pool or at the bar - there are shower facilities to freshen up in, too. Afterwards, we’ll continue along the King’s Highway - one of the oldest trading routes in the world, which once carried the treasure-laden caravan of Solomon. Our next stop is Kerak. This ancient Crusader stronghold is the most famous in a chain of fortresses built for the Holy War against Islam. We’ll take time to learn about its history and explore the maze of stone-vaulted halls and passageways. From Kerak, we’ll continue south to Siq al-Barid, also known as Little Petra. Our base for tonight is a traditional Bedouin camp located a ten-minute walk from the entrance to Little Petra. Feel free to take a stroll from the camp to the site and walk in the footsteps of the Nabateans as you explore the temples and tombs carved into the rocks. We’ll gather at our camp to watch the sun sink into the dunes and share a traditional dinner before a spot of stargazing.
Day 4 Day 4: Guided Tour Of Petra
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Guided Tour Of Petra

Today we begin two full days exploring Petra. This ancient city, carved into pink sandstone cliffs, has to be seen to be believed, but poet John Burgon beautifully described it as ’A rose-red city half as old as time’. Our Explore Leader will guide us on a tour through Petra’s highlights before a free afternoon to wander at our own pace. As you enter the site, you’re led down a kilometre-long chasm (known as the Siq) where the towering canyon walls reach up to 200 metres high. At the end of the Siq sits the beating heart of the city, the Treasury - miraculously well-preserved, the façade stands at 43-metres-high. Beyond the Treasury, the ancient city becomes a sprawl of tombs and temples waiting to be explored. The Bedouin community who still live within Petra sell their wares and offer refreshments along the colonnaded streets. As the day goes on, you’ll notice the façades change colour with the light as the early morning and late afternoon sun brings out red, pink, and orange highlights in the rocks. Tonight, we’ll stay in a hotel just a short walk from the entrance to Petra.
Day 5 Day 5: Full Free Day In Petra And Dinner In Wadi Mousa
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Full Free Day In Petra And Dinner In Wadi Mousa

Today is free for you to uncover more of Petra. Climb the steep path to the High Place of Sacrifice for a panorama over Wadi Araba and the Negev Desert or trek up to the Monastery - Petra’s largest monument. This evening, we’ll gather as a group to visit a family in Wadi Musa to learn about local life and traditions over dinner. Our Explore Leader will talk us through some local dishes while we sip Bedouin tea.
Day 6 Day 6: Explore Wadi Rum And Camp In The Desert
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Explore Wadi Rum And Camp In The Desert

Leaving Petra behind, today we’ll embrace the nomadic lifestyle of the Bedouin and head into the dunes of Wadi Rum. We’ll stop for lunch before continuing across the sands either on foot or camelback. Described by T.E. Lawrence as ’vast, echoing and God-like…’, Wadi Rum occupies 74,000 acres with its monolithic outcrops of granite rock and sandstone rising out of the blankets of sand. The Bedouins learned to live within this hostile environment 3000 years ago, adapting to the elements to perfect their nomadic way of life. To learn more about their history and culture, we’ll visit a local family to share tea and stories. Our base for tonight is Space Village Luxury Camp in the heart of the desert. Surrounded by dramatic sandstone mountains and huge sand dunes, we’re transported far away from traffic, noise, and light pollution. We’ll sleep in comfortable Bedouin-style tents that are comfortably furnished and have ensuite bathrooms. There’s also a large communal dining tent where you can relax and stargaze after dinner.
Day 7 Day 7: Travel To Aqaba
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Travel To Aqaba

After a full-on few days exploring the highlights of Jordan, we’ll head to Aqaba for downtime by the Red Sea. A resort town, Aqaba is where local Jordanians come to holiday, lounge on the beach and have a go at water sports. As Jordan’s only seaport, the town is steeped in history and was used by King Solomon’s ships as well as by the Nabateans as part of the trade route from Damascus to Egypt. Our hotel for tonight is centrally located and has a rooftop bar to cool off in. There are plenty of restaurants and bars to get a flavour for local life, too.
Day 8 Day 8: Free Day In Aqaba Before Returning To Amman
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Free Day In Aqaba Before Returning To Amman

Today is a free day for exploring Aqaba or relaxing at the beach. The port city is famous for its preserved coral reefs and sea life and our Explore Leader will be on hand to organise an optional sailing and snorkelling trip before we head back to Amman later in the afternoon.
Day 9 Day 9: Trip Ends In Amman
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Trip Ends In Amman

Our tour of Jordan ends at our hotel in Amman. There are no activities planned today, so you’re free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you’d like an airport transfer, you need to depart from Queen Alia International Airport (AMM).

9 days tour

Family Jordan, Petra And Desert Adventure

This tour includes:

Not included:

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Itinerary of your trip Family Jordan, Petra And Desert Adventure

Day 1: Join Trip In Amman

Day 2: Visit Jerash And A Mosaic Workshop In Madaba

Day 3: Float In The Dead Sea, Explore Kerak Castle And Continue To Little Petra

Day 4: Guided Tour Of Petra

Day 5: Full Free Day In Petra And Dinner In Wadi Mousa

Day 6: Explore Wadi Rum And Camp In The Desert

Day 7: Travel To Aqaba

Day 8: Free Day In Aqaba Before Returning To Amman

Day 9: Trip Ends In Amman

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