alan mcleod review 13 Apr 2013
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Petra
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Go a day early as due to flight times you do not arrive till after midnight on DAY 1 and you will miss out on looking around Amman.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Just what I needed - warm climate, good bunch of fellow travellers, excellent guide and wonderful country.
Mary Fry review 7 Apr 2013
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
This is a very difficult question as it was all just so fabulous. If I had to pick one highlight it would be the 2 days in Petra, followed closely by the camel trek in the Wadi Rum.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure you have good footwear as there is a lot of walking and climbing.
Outside Amman it can be expensive to eat and alcohol is expensive so be sure to allow for that.
The itinerary was slightly unclear in that it said the first day of the holiday was in Amman. In fact, on day one we met the travel guide butnot until 1900hrs that night so it is slightly misleading.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Our group eat in all the local restaurants and drank in local cafes so yes it did benefit the local people. Any souvenirs were bought from local traders rather than international shops.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The holiday was absolutely excellent. The guide, Mohammed was a font of knowledge and such a friendly guy with great inter personal skills. There was never a question he couldn't answer.
The administration of the holiday was excellent. Everything was on time and the organisation was superb. I would definitely choose Responsible Travel and this operator again.
Sarah Wheatly review 7 Nov 2012
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Difficult to choose between 1) the first view of the Treasury at Petra 2) Camel ride at sundown in Wadi Rum 3) Sleeping under the stars (sadly not many as it was cloudy!) in Wadi Rum 4) the lovely people of Jordan 5) seeing genuine affection between a Bedouin and his camel.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Drink plenty of water (we invested in a water bottle with integral filter so could fill up anywhere - was v useful and saved on plastic waste), take good lightweight supportive walking shoes or boots, and a torch (especially a head torch) is very useful in the desert.
Be aware that your ticket at Petra entitles you to a horse ride back from the siq to the entrance - and beware of the "compulsory" JD5 tip that you might get persuaded into. Please avoid the horse carriage rides in Petra - we were quite upset at the treatment of the horses.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not sure about this.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Wonderful but tiring!
Stephanie Eckersley review 17 Oct 2010
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
There were several memorable parts. Seeing Petra, climbing up to the Crusader's castle with just my son and feeling as if we owned the world: seeing the Milky way for the first time as we lay on a sand dune in the desert blackness while at Wadi Rum: the oddest feeling ever as we waded into the Dead Sea and then popped up like corks, unable to put our feet down: getting up at 5 am at Wadi Rum to see the sunrise: riding camels for 2 hours in the desert: meeting all the wonderfully friendly people who all, without exception, told us how welcome we were in their country. I could go on for ever enumerating all the fantastic experiences we had.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Go with the flow and enjoy every experience and every minute.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, I do. We patronised lots of local shops and restaurants, as well as small street cafe. My son and I made a point of going off the tourist streets and buying from the local shops further back.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I would rate it as the best holiday I have ever had. There was plenty of time to enjoy with the group, but also plenty of time to go off on one's own and explore. Everything was well organised but not intrusive: we didn't feel pushed along from place to place without time for thought and reflection. All in all an exciting but refreshing holiday.
Lisa Phillips review 16 May 2010
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Riding a camel in the desert - staying overnight in a bedouin tent and seeing the sunrise over the wadi rum.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take plenty of local currency - it is difficult to change travellers cheques and there are not many ATM's. Take good walking shoes and just enjoy - you won't regret booking this holiday
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
10/10 - Was made more enjoyable by and excellent guide/representative - was so enthusiastic and helpful.
Maxine Fay review 13 Apr 2010
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
3 things:
1. The first view of the Treasury as we walked through the Siq at Petra
2. The visit to Jerash
3. The camel ride to Wadi Rum and the night in the Bedouin camp - including sleeping under the stars
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you book for more than yourself and partner, don't book as one booking. The operator didn't explain this to me at the beginning and the whole administrative process before the holiday was chaotic. It ended up with them completely losing my address, sending our final details to another member of the group and everyone having this person's address on the details form. I had to call them several times - an 0844 number - and hang on for up to 15minutes, each time they messed something up. My tip would be also to ignore any administrative in competencies as the organisation of the tour on the ground was excellent, thanks to our tour leader, Fran Maillol.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
We ate in local restaurants, used local guides and drivers and hotels owned by Jordanians (I think). Not sure about minimizing impacts on the environment
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Holiday - excellent. Operator administration - poor.
Sarah Harvey review 15 Aug 2010
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The opportunity to wander around the Petra site and a taxi out to its sister site little Petra exceeded expectations, But equally memorable was a boat trip in Aquaba - in air as hot as hairdryer this was a welcome respite. The snorkel site they call the Japanese Garden was as tidy and intricate as its name
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don’t take too much notice of the dress advice in most guide books, Jordan is far more tolerant of western women's dress than the books imply. And don’t miss shoe shopping in Amman - great designs and bargains
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Unclear - this was not really mentioned or stressed that much, There was a rural women's cooperative I think that ran the place where we did the cookery course in Petra. The desert camp at Wadi Rum was run by bedouins
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Pretty good - it was billed as a holiday for teenagers and it was disappointing little was really done to engage them or help them to overcome initial shyness at the start of the trip.
Kumi Coulthard review 14 May 2009
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Petra, especially the second day when we were off the tourist route and did optional walk from Monastery to Little Petra.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
A reasonable level of fitness is required for Petra. Be prepared for early mornings and dodgy plumbing!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes. However increased tourism at Petra is spoiling it because of over supply of donkeys, horses, carts, camels etc which seem unregulated.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Good, but tiring.
Helen Bray review 14 May 2009
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The first view of the Treasury in Petra. Our local guide, Abdul, arranged us so that we all turned round and got that classic view through the siq at the same time. It was incredible and brought a tear to my eye.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Eat where the locals do at least once. The food is superb and very reasonable and you get to people-watch at the same time. Also take the time to talk to the people you meet, even in the hotels. They're friendly without being pushy and have a great sense of humour!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
We stayed in hotels which were individual, not a chain, and used a local guide (although not for the whole trip). The Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum was locally owned and run and was good on conserving water etc. However, 23 of us were transported in a 46-seater coach which is not environmentally sound.
Eric Lowry review 17 Mar 2009
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Our holiday to Jordan was full of such a variety of activity that it is hard to choose just one memorable part. Petra was even more spectacular than we had imagined, Jerash is the most fantastic Roman historical city we have seen, beating even Palmyra. The night in Wadi Rum with the camel ride during the afternoon was fabulous. Flopping (one cannot really swim) in the Dead Sea with its 30% salt content was great fun.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Book up quickly but not if you like beach holidays. The snorkelling at Aqaba was disappointing, the Madaba stop for the mosaic not worthwhile, but everything else was what we wanted. March is good for temperature and we only had rain on the last day in Amman. Even the desert walk was in a comfortable temperature. Be quite forthright with drivers if they start using mobile phones while driving and if they start racing each other (our group was in 4x4's in the desert).
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Certainly, we spent 25% of the total cost while in Jordan and unlike the Bedouins took no material from any site or desert to minimise impact. We also were sparing with the amount of water we used and took sufficient clothes not to have to use laundry.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Marvellous. We went to Jordan because of Petra (and Petra is staggering in its scale) but came back with so many other wonderful memories.
Read the operator's response here:
Thank you for your correspondence regarding the tour. We were delighted to read that you enjoyed your trip. It is always good to know our efforts are appreciated and therefore we are pleased to pass on your kind comments to all those involved with your tour arrangements. We were concerned to hear that the drivers were using their mobile phones whilst driving. We have standard operating procedures in place which we expect all drivers to follow. These state that they are not permitted to use mobile phones when driving. We would like to assure you that we have taken this up with our local agent as a matter or urgency and we will ensure that the drivers receive further training on our operating procedures. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Thank you for taking the time to write. We hope to have the pleasure of your company on another trip in the not too distant future.
Ken Sharp review 10 Sep 2008
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Petra was undoubtedly the most spectacular part of the holiday - It is a truly amazing place. However waking up just before dawn in Wadi Rum and watching the sun rise was the most moving experience.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Drink plenty water! I took a 2 litre bladder which I carried in my rucksack which allowed me to sip small amounts constantly. Make sure you have head protection - red and white Shemah headgear is worn by many locals. They are cheap to buy and give great protection. Don't expect too much luxury. Hotels vary, some are basic but all were reasonably clean. Food again is adequate rather than exceptional. Lots of buffets and it helps if you like houmus and pitta bread. Do expect to have a great time. You will be in a smallish group and will soon all be on first name terms.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Jordan is not really geared up for mass tourism and the small group using existing facilities does minimise impact. The virtual absence of the likes of McDonalds and Starbucks mean you are relying on locally owned and run establishments. However there is a lack of recycling facilities and also evidence of some litter in Wadi Rum. thankfully I was not aware of any of our group contributing to it.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Best ever! The tour operator provided a busy but balanced itinerary and we crammed in far more quality experiences than I thought possible.
Michele Bowers review 24 Nov 2008
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The Dead Sea, and the hike up to the Monastery and the Turkish bath.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Warm clothes for the nights in the desert.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, it involved the local Bedouin and the campsites were well run.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A good holiday, a mixture of walking and historic sites.
Caroline Jones review 13 Oct 2008
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Sleeping under the stars at Wadi Rum.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Tell them the sanitation is really bad at the second camp. The one portaloo for the 20 people at camp over 2 days was really nasty.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good.
Read the operator's response here:
We were delighted to read that you enjoyed your trip. It is always good to know our efforts are appreciated and therefore we are pleased to pass on your kind comments to all those involved with your tour arrangements. We are glad that you found sleeping under the stars in Wadi Rum to be your most memorable and exciting part of the holiday.
We note your comments on the portaloo during your two day camp and have investigated this issue with the Operations Manager for your tour. It is usually the case that we only provide one portaloo and this is usually sufficient. A lot depends on whether it is used properly as there are cases when paper is put in them and this ends up blocking everything. This will be something that we will monitor closely for future tours and if this issue continues to arise we will take the appropriate steps to rectify this. Thank you for taking the time to write. We hope to have the pleasure of your company on another trip in the not too distant future.
Mavis Mackinnon review 17 Jan 2008
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Being in Petra and in the Wadi Rum. Wonderful wonderful time. Also hiring horses to go to little Petra instead of the bus. We saw desert and incredible sunset. All thanks to our guide for arranging this unforgettable memory.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Cheaper than doing it on the internet. I saved app. £550 by going with Responsible and had the best time with everything included and lots of the freedom I so enjoy when doing it by myself.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
In the evenings we went to local restraunts and then on to little local shops. There was no pushing us into a shop of the guides choice but he offered us advice. We didn't really mingle with the bedouin at Petra unless we had a camel ride or donkey ride. At the Wadi Rum we had tea in different places in the desert made by the Bedouin and at camp we were able to get a feel of their lives by sitting and sharing a fire and conversation. Lovely people.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I rate this holiday as one of my best and I have been on numerous world wide. The amount of places, activities and history we encountered was amazing. FULL MARKS..
Sian Martin review 18 Sep 2007
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
It's hard to choose from camel rides in the desert, sleeping under the stars, exploring the crusader castles and floating in the dead sea but I think it would have to be sunset over Petra.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared to do a bit of walking and always carry a water bottle and hat.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes we bought from local people and our guide was amazing - Cheers Ibrahim - kept us laughing and got everyone involved - we made a great team and I'd happily holiday with all again!
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Amazing - selection of places and activities, our amazing guide Ibrahim, excellent value - just excellent.
Gaynor Kirby review 11 Nov 2007
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The walk from the campsite through the mountains to the Monastery in Petra.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, very impressed with the tour leader who was born in Petra and had a wealth of local and archaeological knowledge.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Generally extremely good, with one or two provisos to do with "optional" extras which really were not optional at all, and we could, we feel, have spent the time (and money!) more fruitfully.
Luke Scollan review 7 Nov 2007
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The walk through the Sik to Petra and also the desert experience in Wadi Rum.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared to go with the suggestions of the local guides/tour leaders as they know so much about their country.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I felt it benefited local people minimally but not sure if it minimized impact on the environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent holiday.
Chris Nicholson review 1 Aug 2007
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The silence at Petra by candlelight, in front of the Treasury, after the walk down through the siq. Beautiful and moving, a chance to reflect on all those who had passed through this area over thousands of years.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you make a late booking as I did, don't bother with arranging an expensive transfer. Just take a taxi. The rate seems to be fixed at about 20JD, and even at 1.30 in the morning there were plenty of taxis. Also, don't be afraid of going in July-August: the heat is great, but tolerable (41C when I was there). And at that time of year you don't need to take a fleece for the night in the desert.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
It was low season and relatively quiet at the end of July, so yes, there were some money making opportunities for local people when we came. We kept things tidy as we went along but it is a bit disheartening to see all those plastic bags blowing around at the roadside. We couldn't avoid buying mineral water in plastic bottles and cans of soft drinks: wonder if any of them get recycled?
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I loved it. So much history yet to be excavated, and so interesting to see how the heritage is being preserved. The buffet meals are a good way for both veggies and carnivores to eat together without worrying about what to order. But each meal there seemed to be so much left over!
Jane Phillips review 2 Dec 2006
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Petra - none of the photos I had seen give it justice, really magnificent, the monuments but also the sheer natural beauty of the place. Equally the trip to Wadi Rum, amazing.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Beware of the Amman taxi drivers. It can be a white knuckle ride and they'll charge you way over the real price if they think they can get away with it.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, the only questionable part might be the 4x4 trip in the desert, to me the vehicles seemed out of place.
4. Any other comments?
WOW, definitely a five star rating, I wasn't sure as it was the first 'package tour' I'd done but it was really great. I am so glad I went.
Helen Heyman review 9 Nov 2006
We had the most wonderful holiday and I can't quite believe we packed as much in as we did for me the most memorable moment had to be seeing the dawn over Wadi Rum and watching the desert change colour. For my husband it was the first sight of the Treasury as we walked through the gorge.
It is hard to describe the scale of the site at Petra and no photographs could do it justice. We would advise anyone going to Jordan to have local currency in small denominations, as tipping is the norm.
Our guide took us to local restaurants and businesses, and we were using the services of local people. A number of people in our group had been on many of these types of holidays and many with this operator. I would say that we will do this again very soon and will use the same company.
Anne O review 26 Mar 2005
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Walking through the Siq at Petra and getting the first glimpse of the Treasury, floating in the Dead Sea.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Travel light, and talk to the locals.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Mainly we used local guides, ate in local restaurants and used local facilities, e.g. the Turkish Baths near Petra (not another tourist in sight!!).
4. Any other comments?
Fabulous time in Jordan: definitely would recommend the trip.
Heidi Pegrum review 12 Nov 2005
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Most remarkable bit of the holiday was exploring Wadi Rum, and also Petra on our own(sorry two bits)
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
No specific tips, but dress warm as even though it is cold, hotels don't put on heating in November and a few showers were cold in the mornings. No concept of vegetarian food, just got vegetables and rice and no protein - not a problem for a short visit.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Saving on hotel water and room heating probably minimised impact on environment, lack of sink plugs in some hotels didn't. Bathroom drains emptying onto floors not too good for very local environment. Disappointing that the national flower of Jordan appears to be the shreds of black plastic bags the shops give out, which are stuck to every thistle and bush in the countryside. The holiday did not seem any more environmentally responsible than any other holiday I had been on to be honest. Not sure it benefited locally people specifically, other than by providing employment. the national guides were both good.
4. Any other comments?
The holiday was between ** and ***. It was enjoyable. Beautiful country, but not brilliant organisation. Petra was all I expected it to be, Wadi Rum was better. The holiday was classed as Lawrence's Jordan, but other than visit to Seven Pillars visitor centre, had nothing much to do with or reference to Lawrence. It was just Jordan (and that is fine really). Ramadam did have more of a influence on the holiday than we were led to believe by the Tour Sheet as sites closed at 4.30pm and last entry was therefore 3.30pm. The coach arrived at one site at 3.35 but we were let in.
Read the operator's response here:
Hotels used by us are central heated as well as provide air-conditioning. Hot water should be available at all times. If on rare occasions this does not happen staff should be made aware so that it can be looked into.
We cater as best we can for all special food requests. Consideration should be taken into account for the area a trip is being taken and the availability of foods especially in third world countries which still have very traditional dishes . We are aware that some restaurants may not offer a large selection of vegetarian main dishes as meals predominantly contain meat dishes. Breads, dips and salads are however widely available. In Wadi Rum for example we provide 2-3 hot vegetarian dishes & a minimum of 6-7 different salads.
Drains emptying onto bathroom floors as shower units can be an open part of the bathroom, is very common in Middle Eastern countries. We maintain high standards when using its hotels - and as we use small family run hotels characteristics of these can vary from the larger international chain hotels.
We agree about this issue! Our local operator works closely with us as a tour company to ensure that our camping sites are always totally free of rubbish. Our operator also tries to educate the locals to keep the countryside in general clean.
