Hi Roger and Hazel, many thanks for your comments. I'm now a lot less enthusiastic about trying to do a jeep trip in Wadi Rum by myself! The jeeps do not sound very safe, nor do the drivers. Ah well, here's hoping we get some decent views from the road or maybe JY will come up trumps and find a good and safe alternative!

Best wishes,

Bob

I can fully understand why JY no longer venture into the Wadi Rum. I did this several years ago with Thomsons. I,ve seen better vehicles in a scrap yard. They were not even proper jeeps but open pick up trucks with home made seats in the rear, no roll bar and a canvas sheet to keep the sun off. Also some of the driver's could have not been over 13 or 14, one nearly rolled a vehicle with 8 people in coming down a sand dune. However do not let me put you off the trip if you can find decent operators it is well worthwhile.

Hi Bob

I went on this tour in May with Travelsphere and one of our group looked into doing wadi rum in a 4x4 independently. The replacement buffet lunch in wadi rum is actually where you can take a 4x4 from. Our tour manager & guide could have helped arrange for any of the group to go but noone went in the end as it meant missing out on the lunch as it's a 1-2 hour ride. Also the cost was per jeap not per person so it was relatively expensive if only one person went. If I remember correctly it was £50-£70? I believe you would have had to sign a disclaimer to actually go too. In terms of the condition of the vehicles used I didn't closely inspect them but they didn't have seat belts or provide any shade from the heat or sun. They looked fairly old in comparison to the one I went in a couple of years ago when I did the national parks in the USA.

Hope this helps a little. I'm sure you will have a fabulous time.

Regards

Hazel

Hi Mike,

Many thanks for your suggestion, it is a very good idea! I'll see what JY come up with and also what the tour manager says and what our options are.

Best wishes,

Bob

Hi Bob,

If you want to do the 4x4 ride independently, the only chance you would have is to possibly arrange this from Aqaba. You have a free day in Aqaba at the end of the tour and excursions may run from there; about an hour and a half or so away if memory serves me well.

Hope this helps

Mike

Thanks Julia, here's hoping they get something great sorted by November!! Perhaps we could have the option of doing the jeep ride or something similar independently??

All the best,

Bob

Hi Bob,

Yes, the team are looking for an alternative but so far nothing suitable has come up.

Kindest regards,

Julia

Many thanks for your replies!

Julia, are the team actively looking at alternative means of seeing Wadi Rum for the upcoming departures? Viewing it from the road sounds very disappointing!

Best wishes,

Bob

Hello Bob,

I was part of the Jordan, Sinai and Cairo trip October 2010, 3 months before the uprising. Loved Wadi Rum and the history behind The Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T E Lawrence. We transfered to 4x4s to get us to the Beduoin tent for tea and then up to the rock formation where there were drawings on the walls. One lady did fall and hit her head against the rocks.

Loved Jordan, Petra had been on my bucket list for so long, also had my first camel ride there too.

Our visas were completed on arrival at the airport if I remember rightly.

Jan.

Hi Bob

You will love Jordan. When I went, we did not go to Aquaba. We were lucky to do the Wadi Rum by Jeeps, but believe me the Jeeps were very old indeed. In fact, one kept on stopping all the time! I am sure you will have a great time.

Jaya