Jordan

[kiwitripper64]

We are of to Europe, and I decided we neede to stop over in Jordan. Arrive at 5.30am, get rental car and will drive to Dead Sea. We are looking at stopping at the Movenpick resort for a swim, then drive down to Petra after lunch. We will spend 2 nights at Petra then drive to Wadi rum where I have booked a desert tour and overnight accommodation. From there back up to Amman to check into the airport hotel for flight the next morning. We will try to get into Amman, but depends on timing.
Any suggestions on routes, views, must sees and warnings greatfully recieved.

 

[drron]

I am in Amman right now.Will be driving Amman to Petra and Dead sea tomorrow.Putting all down in my current trip report.
Not going to Wadi Rum but the RJ inflight magazine did have an article on how you can take part in a reenactment of Lawrence of Arabia's attack on a train there.Also articles on cooking schools in Amman and Petra-probably details should be on their website under tours.

 

[kiwitripper64]

The forum never fails to help. Thanks, I will look up trip report. I am looking foward to trying RJ and the lounge.

 

[boylero]

I was in Israel few weeks back and drove through the west bank, didnt make it down to the Dead Sea but managed to see it from a distance. Our driver was explaining the minerals in the Dead Sea are worth billions to the economy.

 

[kiwitripper64]

My wife and daughter aim to help the Jordanian economy with this

 

[drron]

Well I am not sure that a day driving to the Dead Sea and then Petra is enough.Today we spent the morning in Madaba and Mt. Nebo.Lots to see and we merely scratched the surface.Madaba is only 25km from the airport and the road from there to Mt.Nebo continues on to the Dead Sea.More in my TR.
However the afternoon was spent in the Old Town of Amman and there is a lot there as well-the Roman Amphitheatre and the Citadel well worth visiting.However we learnt something about driving in Jordan-the First Rule of the road is-there is no road rule.Intersections can be a disaster.Went down several one way streets only to meet cars coming the other(wrong) way.
Also there are speed bumps on all roads-including the road in from the airport.They do have speed cameras-roadside and in cars.Some cars are unmarked.Probably not many but I doubt if I would like to interact with the local constabulary.
But a lot of fruit and veggies sold along the roads-had some great cherries today-and cheap.

 

[drron]

OK so having been to Petra and the Dead Sea my reccomendations for the Dead sea are to go to the cheapest place.Really didn't do anything for me other than being able to say I have swum in the Dead Sea.
Petra-if staying the Movenpick would be the pick-it is right at the entrance for the Petra site.Petra township is on a steep hill.Many of the hotels would have you facing a long walk uphill after your day at Petra-there wasn't much parking available nearby.
As this is a destination guide we used a guy that has been reccomended on TA,FT and Lonely Planet.We thought he was good value.Got us around without problems,good local knowledge-eg driving from Petra to the Dead Sea he took us on a back road running on the side of a mountain with spectacular views.The road also went through a village where a good number of the residences date back 500 years.
Details-Wael Salih.
[email protected]
He has done multi day tours going into Lebanon,Israel as well as Jordan though he no longer includes Syria!
Also can look at www.myspace.com/waelsalihtours

 

[Taezar]

Early morning colors in Petra are a must. The light is very hard in the afternoon,so morning photos are better. Do both sides of Petra. Everyone does the man track up, but if you go to the other side, the colors are better and the crowds less. Don't bother ping the horse ride. Wadi Rum is awesome. Make sure you are comfortable w your driver before you go doing slides etc. rolling down the hills is awesome, buy you will get sand where the sun don't shine.
Finally, don't insult the kids by bringing pencils.

 

[kiwitripper64]

Sounds awesome, can hardly wait. Which beach resort did you swim at. We are only going to be there for a few hours and will prob have lunch there before driving to Petra. Trip report looking good
thanks for all the advice

 

[trentusjuventus]

I can vouch for all that is said above. Petra is simply amazing. The cheaper places to stay tend to be up the top of the hill, which is a bit closer to things like cheap eats and grocery stores, but you will be faced with a big walk back up the hill when you are finished exploring petra! My recommendation for Petra itself is to try and make it up to the Cathedral if you can, its a long walk (i think somewhere near 2 hours) but well worth it for the view. I was there in August 2010 and the heat was definitely intense between about 10am and 3pm. We actually made a point of getting in there early (It opens somewhere around 6 or 7 IIRC) so as to avoid the heat (and some of the crowds).
As for Wadi Rum, the dessert is spectacular. I can't remember the group we did our trip with but we spent one day driving around visiting various camps/rocks/lookouts, and then had two nights in a bedouin (excuse spelling) camp. The food they made us was fantastic. All I can say is be prepared to stay in the shade and drink a lot of water during the day if you are staying at the camp, the temperatures were scorching and the wind dry.
Sounds like you are going to have a fantastic trip, please keep us updated!