Jordan highlights holiday

Planet

We are working with our local suppliers in Jordan to conserve water in the fragile desert environment. We advise customers to save natural resources and encourage them to have showers rather than baths and by not letting a tap run unnecessarily. In addition we encourage taking laundry home if possible rather than doing it locally.

As there is no recycling in this area our clients are encouraged to carry water purification filters and water bottles, details of how to obtain the former are provided before departure.

Although not necessarily known for its nature and wildlife, Jordan offers a surprisingly rich diversity of animal and plant species. There are also many conservation efforts in place to combat issues such as deforestation and over-hunting that pose threats to the natural landscapes as well as the animals of Jordan. When visiting sensitive areas like nature reserves we ask visitors to maintain appropriate distances from wildlife, stay on trails to avoid trampling plants or causing erosion. While snorkelling we encourage clients to protect themselves from the sun by wearing a t-shirt rather than sunscreen which can harm the fragile reefs.

The camp we use in Wadi Rum uses solar panels to provide all its electric needs.

We visit several UNESCO world heritage sites along the way including Jerash, Petra and Wadi Rum, Our tour leaders brief our groups to ensure we leave them exactly as they have been found, including not dropping litter or touching anything that must not be disturbed. We support the maintenance of these ancient sites with the financial support that entrance fees provide which we include in the tour package.

As a travel company we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key, and so all staff, Tour Leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage.

People

We have weaved in ample opportunity to meet the people on this tour, whether it is our local guides, cameleers or Bedouin during our stay in Wadi Rum and our leaders ensure the interactions are respectful and fun for both sides. As well as respecting local people, we also like to be an economic benefit to them. We do this by using locally owned hotels, spreading our business to a variety of local restaurants (which is a great way to sample delicious Jordanian food!) and employing local leaders, meaning that you'll get that in-depth information only a local can give.

To ensure our customers have the warmest welcome when travelling in Jordan the trip leader shares a few tips and advice at the start of the trips. The advice includes; dressing respectfully, Jordan is mainly an Islamic country, so especially women are required to cover shoulders and knees. Asking before taking pictures of people, be sensitive when you take photos or videos of local people, your picture will mean more, and the person will feel less like an object of curiosity.

In addition we include a night's camping and optional camel ride in the the protected area of Wadi Rum. Guests get to learn about the Bedouin way of life and plants which are both rare and endemic to its ecosystem. Our stay helps to generate funds for the local community and provide valuable employment opportunities.

As a company we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of the UK travel industry body AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.