Trip Review Jordan

[tres3]

Every year for Christmas break we take a family vacation somewhere so I can avoid decorating  .  This year we did 12 nights/11 days in Jordan and it may be one of my favorite trips we've done so far. 

We arrived pretty late in the evening in Jordan (almost midnight). Our driver met us at the airport and drove us to our hotel. We had the same driver for our entire time who was fabulous. I'm a big fan of drivers so I can focus on my surroundings instead of driving. That said self-driving in Jordan is completely do-able unlike some places we've visited (i would never attempt to drive in Sri Lanka or Argentina). 

One thing that I really enjoyed about Jordan was all the layers of history. 

We spent 3 nights/2 days in Amman. Our first day we drove up to Um Quai which has spectacular views of Sea of Galilee, Golan Heights, Syria and Lebanon. It has has Roman and Byzantine ruins.  From there we went on to Jerash. Jerash was simply amazing. It is a well preserved Roman city. Personally, I thought it was way better than the Roman Forum.   Our driver stopped a long the way and bought us fresh fruit from road side stands and also pointed out some remnants of past conflicts.  There are Palestinians in refugee camps that have been there for 4 generations now.  
Our 2d day we spent some time in Amman and headed out into the desert to see a few Desert Castles including one used by Lawrence of Arabia.  We drove past a massive Syrian refugee camp. 



Day 3 we drove down the Kings Highway to Petra. We made several stops along the way including Mt. Nebo where Moses saw the promise land and is supposedly buried, Kerak Castle-- super interesting as it was basically 7 or 8 castles all built on top of each other over different periods.  We had our kids so we couldn't hike Wadi Mujib but we did drive by and it get some views. OMG it is amazing.  It is a huge gorge and as stunning as the Grand Canyon.  

Days 4-5 we spent in Petra. Petra is a bucket list that if you can do it do it. It was simply amazing. We hired a guide at the visitors center our first day and then used him again our 2d day there as well.  The first day we got there right at opening so we could experience the Siq and Treasury uncrowded.  The first day we spent about 7-8 hours there before going back to our hotel for a nap. We then went back after dinner for Petra by night which was also very moving. The whole Siq and Treasury are candle lit.  The 2d day we hiked in from back entrance with our guide. We started early again and reached the Monastery very early (a little after 8am). We basically had the Monastery to ourselves which was amazing. The first day we did about 12 miles of hiking and the 2d day we did about 8 miles. My legs were spent but words can't explain just how amazing Petra was. 


Day 6 we headed to Wadi Rum pretty early in the day and spent the day 4x4 through desert, getting out to hike/climb at different points. So many movies are filmed there (Star Wars, Martian, Aladdin).  We spent the night in a Bedouin Camp and then the next morning rode camels back to the village. While I liked riding the camels to a destination, I think it was a bit too long as I was sore for days after. We were on the camels for about 2 hours. 


Days 7-10 we spent in Aqaba. Our resort was beautiful and it was great to relax after 4 days of killing my legs. The weather was mild but the pools heated and kids loved the pools. We did two snorkel trip. The first one was a basic snorkel trip. I actually got motion sick that day on the boat despite wearing a travel patch.  The 2d day the weather was a lot calmer. We chartered our own boat and went to Pharaoh's island in Egypt.  There is a very well preserved Crusades era castle there and great snorkeling reefs. The water was perfect even though it wasn't hot out (probably low 70s air temp) but the snorkeling was even better than day before. 


Our last day was spent at the Dead Sea at another resort. We stopped at the Baptism site of Jesus on our way to the Dead Sea. The Jordian side was more rustic than the Israeli side. Both sides had armed soldiers watching. There were changing rooms on the Jordanian side but we didn't see anyone doing baptisms. On the Israeli side there was what looked like a modern visitors center and a line of people getting baptised.

Sadly the Dead Sea is disappearing, partly climate change partly water management. Our driver said that the Jordanians and Israel are working to refill the dead sea by building a pipe from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea.  Floating in the Dead Sea was surreal. You are really super buoyant.  



Jordan was such a cool country and had everything I want in vacation, history/culture, relaxation and good food. The kids really got a lot out of it and the people were so friendly and really seemed excited about Americans.   We felt very safe the entire time we were there. 

[sandandsea]

That sounds amazing! We went to Israel a few years ago and loved it. How old are your kids and how did they do with flights/time difference/etc?

[flatlan]

Wow! What am interesting trip! Thank you for sharing!

[tres3]

Jan 11, 2020 10:53:04 GMT -5 sandandsea said:

That sounds amazing! We went to Israel a few years ago and loved it. How old are your kids and how did they do with flights/time difference/etc?

My kids are 11-14 and old pros at adjusting to time changes. The big thing is just getting enough sunlight the first day of travel.

[wise_rita]

Awesome; thanks for this!

There was a travel show on TV just yesterday about Jordan and within 30 seconds my H declared, "We need to go there!"

Tell me about the physical requirements. Man, 12 miles in one day sounds brutal! I feel like I'd need to train Machu Picchu-style to survive Petra!

Also talk to me about weather. Is now, the dead of "winter", about the only manageable time to go?

[tres3]

Jan 11, 2020 19:42:59 GMT -5 wise_rita said:

Awesome; thanks for this!

There was a travel show on TV just yesterday about Jordan and within 30 seconds my H declared, "We need to go there!"

Tell me about the physical requirements. Man, 12 miles in one day sounds brutal! I feel like I'd need to train Machu Picchu-style to survive Petra!

Also talk to me about weather. Is now, the dead of "winter", about the only manageable time to go?

We had great weather low 70s during the day while there.  This week there was snow.  Our guide said high seasons are basically fall and spring and a spike at christmas. Most people avoid the summer as it does get very hot. 

The first day in petra wasn't bad..not a lot of elevation change and basically paved and packed dirt trails. It was a bit like disney... you are just on the move so much you end up with tonne of steps at the end of the day.  The 2d day was harder because my legs were toast from the first day. The 2 day was harder as it was a true mountain hike for the first 3 miles (not very hard but more elevation changes and my calves were very sore from first day). We did stop a few times each day for rest, tea, water etc as there are plenty of places to stop and have a snack/drink. I didn't do much to prepare except make DH start taking Sunday walks around our neighborhood (3miles). I work out every day but I do HiiT. 

[sandandsea]

Jan 11, 2020 19:42:59 GMT -5 wise_rita said:

Also talk to me about weather. Is now, the dead of "winter", about the only manageable time to go?

We went to Israel in July and it was hot. The day we were at the Dead Sea it was 117 Fahrenheit. The Dead Sea itself was scalding hot. The other places we visited (Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Caesarea, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, etc) were not nearly as hot and most days were lovely in the mid-high 80s. We never walked 12+ miles but did walk 5+ miles most days and it was fine.

[Bad Dingo]

Thanks for the review, this is my dream trip.

[scout8]

Sounds like an amazing trip!!

I also thought the people were so friendly there. One of the friendliest countries I've visited.

[Saudade]

Jan 11, 2020 19:42:59 GMT -5 wise_rita said:

Awesome; thanks for this!

There was a travel show on TV just yesterday about Jordan and within 30 seconds my H declared, "We need to go there!"

Tell me about the physical requirements. Man, 12 miles in one day sounds brutal! I feel like I'd need to train Machu Picchu-style to survive Petra!

Also talk to me about weather. Is now, the dead of "winter", about the only manageable time to go?

Preface: I've been to Jordan 5 times.

Petra can be physically difficult but worth it. The hike to the Monastery is hard but you can take breaks and the reward at the end is seriously amazing. As an 80 year old that passed me said, "If I can do it, anyone can do it". You are also able to take donkeys but they're severely mistreated so I don't recommend it. 

I've been to Petra 3 times and each time I see something new. If you go to the High Point of Sacrifice there is the long way and the short way. The long way is seriously long but a great hike. 12 miles seems like a lot, but it's easily completed at Petra. We did 12 miles in 4 hours there once and it was hot but not awful. Just walking down the Siq to the Treasury takes 45 minutes. 

I don't recommend going to Jordan in the dead of winter. It snows, it rains, and it's cold. I went last January and it snowed several inches of wet, heavy snow. Petra was relatively warm, like 60s and the Dead Sea was warm enough to put feet in but not swim. But Amman was around 40s-50s.

I highly recommend spring/fall. I usually go in April and November and the weather is perfect. 

Jerash is my most favorite place in all of Jordan. It's amazing. 

Anyway, if you want more info, hit me up. It's an easy, fun place to go. 

[gardengal]

Jan 25, 2020 19:40:08 GMT -5 Saudade said:

Jan 11, 2020 19:42:59 GMT -5 wise_rita said:

Awesome; thanks for this!

There was a travel show on TV just yesterday about Jordan and within 30 seconds my H declared, "We need to go there!"

Tell me about the physical requirements. Man, 12 miles in one day sounds brutal! I feel like I'd need to train Machu Picchu-style to survive Petra!

Also talk to me about weather. Is now, the dead of "winter", about the only manageable time to go?

Preface: I've been to Jordan 5 times.

Petra can be physically difficult but worth it. The hike to the Monastery is hard but you can take breaks and the reward at the end is seriously amazing. As an 80 year old that passed me said, "If I can do it, anyone can do it". You are also able to take donkeys but they're severely mistreated so I don't recommend it. 

I've been to Petra 3 times and each time I see something new. If you go to the High Point of Sacrifice there is the long way and the short way. The long way is seriously long but a great hike. 12 miles seems like a lot, but it's easily completed at Petra. We did 12 miles in 4 hours there once and it was hot but not awful. Just walking down the Siq to the Treasury takes 45 minutes. 

I don't recommend going to Jordan in the dead of winter. It snows, it rains, and it's cold. I went last January and it snowed several inches of wet, heavy snow. Petra was relatively warm, like 60s and the Dead Sea was warm enough to put feet in but not swim. But Amman was around 40s-50s.

I highly recommend spring/fall. I usually go in April and November and the weather is perfect. 

Jerash is my most favorite place in all of Jordan. It's amazing. 

Anyway, if you want more info, hit me up. It's an easy, fun place to go. 

Is going around Easter in April totally nuts? I haven't done any research, but Jordan is on our list of "places to go" and we're limited to times the kids are out of school. Our spring break is always the week before Easter.

[Saudade]

Jan 26, 2020 15:02:18 GMT -5 gardengal said:

Jan 25, 2020 19:40:08 GMT -5 Saudade said:

Preface: I've been to Jordan 5 times.

Petra can be physically difficult but worth it. The hike to the Monastery is hard but you can take breaks and the reward at the end is seriously amazing. As an 80 year old that passed me said, "If I can do it, anyone can do it". You are also able to take donkeys but they're severely mistreated so I don't recommend it. 

I've been to Petra 3 times and each time I see something new. If you go to the High Point of Sacrifice there is the long way and the short way. The long way is seriously long but a great hike. 12 miles seems like a lot, but it's easily completed at Petra. We did 12 miles in 4 hours there once and it was hot but not awful. Just walking down the Siq to the Treasury takes 45 minutes. 

I don't recommend going to Jordan in the dead of winter. It snows, it rains, and it's cold. I went last January and it snowed several inches of wet, heavy snow. Petra was relatively warm, like 60s and the Dead Sea was warm enough to put feet in but not swim. But Amman was around 40s-50s.

I highly recommend spring/fall. I usually go in April and November and the weather is perfect. 

Jerash is my most favorite place in all of Jordan. It's amazing. 

Anyway, if you want more info, hit me up. It's an easy, fun place to go. 

Is going around Easter in April totally nuts? I haven't done any research, but Jordan is on our list of "places to go" and we're limited to times the kids are out of school. Our spring break is always the week before Easter.

Not nuts. That would be a lovely time to go. As long as you're not there during Ramadan you should have no problems. This year Easter and Ramadan are about 10 days apart, same for next year. Weather will be beautiful, not hot, warm enough to go in Dead Sea if you want.

I usually fly insanely cheaply, <$600, because Royal Jordanian hubs in Chicago. 

[tres3]

Jan 26, 2020 15:02:18 GMT -5 gardengal said:

Jan 25, 2020 19:40:08 GMT -5 Saudade said:

Preface: I've been to Jordan 5 times.

Petra can be physically difficult but worth it. The hike to the Monastery is hard but you can take breaks and the reward at the end is seriously amazing. As an 80 year old that passed me said, "If I can do it, anyone can do it". You are also able to take donkeys but they're severely mistreated so I don't recommend it. 

I've been to Petra 3 times and each time I see something new. If you go to the High Point of Sacrifice there is the long way and the short way. The long way is seriously long but a great hike. 12 miles seems like a lot, but it's easily completed at Petra. We did 12 miles in 4 hours there once and it was hot but not awful. Just walking down the Siq to the Treasury takes 45 minutes. 

I don't recommend going to Jordan in the dead of winter. It snows, it rains, and it's cold. I went last January and it snowed several inches of wet, heavy snow. Petra was relatively warm, like 60s and the Dead Sea was warm enough to put feet in but not swim. But Amman was around 40s-50s.

I highly recommend spring/fall. I usually go in April and November and the weather is perfect. 

Jerash is my most favorite place in all of Jordan. It's amazing. 

Anyway, if you want more info, hit me up. It's an easy, fun place to go. 

Is going around Easter in April totally nuts? I haven't done any research, but Jordan is on our list of "places to go" and we're limited to times the kids are out of school. Our spring break is always the week before Easter.

That's the high season and probably the perfect time to go. Guides said spring and fall are busiest and there is a spike at Christmas. 

We got really lucky with weather while we there. It was dry when we were in Amann/Jerash but the next day the rains came. It was dry with perfect weather while we were in Petra.  It was cold at night in Wadi Rum but we were able to snorkel in Aqaba and float in the dead sea.