I've just booked a week in Jordan in November! It's a pity that the 4x4 jeep trip at Wadi Rum has been cancelled, but I understand why if there were health and safety issues. Can you give me some info regarding the substitute excursion at Wadi Rum and reassure me that we will still see the best of it? Also, I see on various websites that you can get a Jordan visa on arrival - do JY strongly advise against this? I'm just asking because as an Irish citizen, I'll have to organise my own visa and I'm going to China in Sept, which just gives me six weeks to get a visa for Jordan on my return. What do you think?

Best wishes,

Bob

Wow - that's great news, I hope you have a fantastic time.

It is a shame about the 4x4 but customer safety does come first and we do have very strict H&S requirements that must be met by all of the companies we work with. A coach can't navigate the sand dunes to take you deep into WadiRum, and although you will be seeing it on a smaller scale you still feel in the heart of it with the incredible scenery and lovely atmosphere.

In terms of the visa - My colleague in our visa team has mentioned that we should be able to add you on to the group visa for Jordan. I can arrange for someone to call you and discuss this option with you if you would like?

Kindest regards,

Julia

Hopefully the alternative Wadi Rum tour will be a good experience; I wonder have JY looked into any other companies operating there to see if another option might be possible?

Best wishes,

Bob

Not a problem, sorry it wasn't an immediate response.

There are a few scenarios where we are able to arrange visas for customers that are not British Citizens, sadly not for all but there are one or two.

as for the Wadi Rum, the team are always on the look out for suppliers who are able to meet our strict H&S requirements but customer safety does come first.

Kindest regards,

Julia

Cheers,

Bob

I did the Jordan trip 10 years and it was excellent - you'll have a good time

Anna

I did the Jordan trip in April of this year so you may like to read my review if you haven't already done so.

Regarding the Wadi Rum visit, because you're going through by coach (which basically sticks to the main road), you only see a very small part of the area and consequently don't see or get to appreciate the greatness of Wadi Rum.

Having said that, what you do see is spectacular and the lunch at the Bedouin tent is very pleasant but it only makes you wonder at what you would have seen with the advantage of a 4x4 vehicle.

I really hope that JY can find a supplier that meets their H&S requirements soon, so that future travellers can enjoy the best of Wadi Rum and it's unique atmosphere.

If you have any questions regarding the holiday I'll be happy to answer them.

Cheers

Mike

Best wishes,

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

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.

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

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

Kindest regards,

Julia

All the best,

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

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

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

Best wishes,

Bob