Jordan Egypt March 2023

[Warragul]

Very Interesting. I'm doing a similar trip in September and have read on a few travel sites that is culturally dodgy for men to wear shorts in Jordan. Has anyone any experience with this? A friend who visited some years ago says he did it without issue, but they tend to do what they like in that sense and it's not their problem if others get offended.

TIA

 

[JohnM]

Very Interesting. I'm doing a similar trip in September and have read on a few travel sites that is culturally dodgy for men to wear shorts in Jordan. Has anyone any experience with this? A friend who visited some years ago says he didn't without issue, but they tend to do what they like in that sense and it's not their problem if others get offended.

TIA

I had no issues wearing shorts.

 

[Pushka]

@Flashback. Son and DIL in the UK are thinking of going to Jordan for a week. DIL is extremely keen to do so. What would you suggest as an itinerary. They are about your age.

 

[Flashback]

@Flashback. Son and DIL in the UK are thinking of going to Jordan for a week. DIL is extremely keen to do so. What would you suggest as an itinerary. They are about your age.

Flying in and out of Amman? Definitely recommend hiring a car and driving, it's so easy.

 

[Pushka]

Flying in and out of Amman? Definitely recommend hiring a car and driving, it's so easy.

Yes. Via Amman. I know DIL drives everywhere in Europe so she'd be up for it. So days in each area? Petra overnight I'm guessing. Dead Sea. Etc?

 

[Flashback]

Yes. Via Amman. I know DIL drives everywhere in Europe so she'd be up for it. So days in each area? Petra overnight I'm guessing. Dead Sea. Etc?

OK, shame they'll miss out on the fun of doing the land border crossings to/from Israel both north & south

I would recommend looking into the Jordan Pass, worthwhile to get and saved us a lot of money.

Jordan Pass

I would suggest something like:

1. Pickup car, go to Jerash (ancient ruins) and then head down to Madaba - spent the night there or if they're whizzing around quickly enough then goto Mount Nebo and continue on to stay at one of the resorts on the Dead Sea
2. Chill day if staying at a Dead Sea resort property, otherwise if staying in Mabada or similar then head out to the Day Sea and just do as a day trip (depends on how much of the experience they want to do; some like to do the whole hotel/resort thing.... Mrs FB and I didn't and instead opted for this fun way of doing it Dead sea free swimming · 65, Jordan - much more adventurous way!)
3. Head on to Karak and do the castle (optional, but was a good stop - if in a rush then bypass and just go straight to.......)
4. Petra - you'd want to spend a full day here, make sure the hike up to the Monastery is done. It's long, hot and all uphill but worth it once you get to the top. We spent about 6-7 hours there, unlike some tourists who simply came in, saw the Treasury and maybe had a little further wander then left....... waste. Entry is covered by the JP, too which just about pays for itself completely (ignoring that it also covers a Visa into Jordan, Jerash, Karak Castle, etc.)
5. Overnight in Wadi Musa or somewhere close, or push on down to Wadi Rum
6. If pushing on then spend 2 nights in Wadi Rum - spend the first just arriving/chilling then on the next day do a whole day jeep/hike tour; either that or opt for a half day jeep tour. We used Wadi Rum Fire Camp who were really good, cheaper than the rest and also included lunch when doing the half day tour. I can put them in touch with Ibrahim if they like.
7. From there either a big drive back up to Amman, or..... have a look at the Jordan Pass map and find some points midway and stop overnight and meander their way back up.

Happy to jump on the phone and have a chat with them also if they have any questions.

 

[Flashback]

We are soon going to be in Jordan - with friends who are older than us (not that we are 'spring chickens'). So am interested in this TR. It was nice that kpc +1 came over on the weekend to share their interesting trip experience. We are going to be in Petra for 2 full days. One day I want to walk to the monastery via the front entrance (the Visitor Centre) - like kps said it was a real challenge of climbing up 800 steps and down 800 steps from the treasury to the monastery. kpc made it but warned to be careful as it was hard. Another day I want to start the walk from little petra (taking the 4x4 truck to the starting steps) to the monastery - then down 800 steps to the treasury. While this route is quieter, it appears to be quite difficult with steep ascending and descending. I have fear of height, so not sure what to do. I have watched a few youtube videos of this 'back door' route. Both hubby and kpc said I should not attempt it if I don't feel comfortable doing it - for health and safety reasons!

Mrs FB isn't fond of heights, but she seemed to do OK with the hike up/down. More than anything the downhill can be a little hard on your knees! You can get a donkey too.......

While I didnt experience the route from little Petra, my advice would be not to attempt the Monastery if you have a fear of heights. There are many other structures to visit in Petra, well worth your attention.

My advice would definitely be to get up there. If you don't feel up to hiking, you can be taken up (and down if you want) on a donkey. You can also go in via the back way i.e., via Little Petra and I was told by some people we bumped into that it was a long walk (2 hours IIRC) but much, much flatter.

On the list for next shopping trip. Gastro stop. We will likely go vegetarian whenever there's a risk. Seems to reduce the issues. On another cruise someone had issues with undercooked chicken off the ship. Grabbing lunch from the ship was also recommended by the Israeli tour guide.

As someone who tends to ....... often fall ill with some kind of dodgy tummy, I had no issues at all in Israel, Palestine or Jordan but YMMV - always good to be prepared though and we always cover various meds to knock it at the onset!

Very Interesting. I'm doing a similar trip in September and have read on a few travel sites that is culturally dodgy for men to wear shorts in Jordan. Has anyone any experience with this? A friend who visited some years ago says he did it without issue, but they tend to do what they like in that sense and it's not their problem if others get offended.

TIA

Not a problem at all for me and never had any funny looks or comments, everywhere we went.

 

[Pushka]

OK, shame they'll miss out on the fun of doing the land border crossings to/from Israel both north & south

I would recommend looking into the Jordan Pass, worthwhile to get and saved us a lot of money.

Jordan Pass

I would suggest something like:

1. Pickup car, go to Jerash (ancient ruins) and then head down to Madaba - spent the night there or if they're whizzing around quickly enough then goto Mount Nebo and continue on to stay at one of the resorts on the Dead Sea
2. Chill day if staying at a Dead Sea resort property, otherwise if staying in Mabada or similar then head out to the Day Sea and just do as a day trip (depends on how much of the experience they want to do; some like to do the whole hotel/resort thing.... Mrs FB and I didn't and instead opted for this fun way of doing it Dead sea free swimming · 65, Jordan - much more adventurous way!)
3. Head on to Karak and do the castle (optional, but was a good stop - if in a rush then bypass and just go straight to.......)
4. Petra - you'd want to spend a full day here, make sure the hike up to the Monastery is done. It's long, hot and all uphill but worth it once you get to the top. We spent about 6-7 hours there, unlike some tourists who simply came in, saw the Treasury and maybe had a little further wander then left....... waste. Entry is covered by the JP, too which just about pays for itself completely (ignoring that it also covers a Visa into Jordan, Jerash, Karak Castle, etc.)
5. Overnight in Wadi Musa or somewhere close, or push on down to Wadi Rum
6. If pushing on then spend 2 nights in Wadi Rum - spend the first just arriving/chilling then on the next day do a whole day jeep/hike tour; either that or opt for a half day jeep tour. We used Wadi Rum Fire Camp who were really good, cheaper than the rest and also included lunch when doing the half day tour. I can put them in touch with Ibrahim if they like.
7. From there either a big drive back up to Amman, or..... have a look at the Jordan Pass map and find some points midway and stop overnight and meander their way back up.

Happy to jump on the phone and have a chat with them also if they have any questions.

I'll mention the phone chat to them. Thanks. And I'll send them the itinerary. DIL definitely does not want a land crossing.

 

[Daver6]

I had no issues wearing shorts.

Says the man who wears shorts to fine dining

 

[drross]

I had no issues wearing shorts.

Same here


and I think the procession of the pharaohs from the old to new museum was broadcasted live last year.

 

[waz22]

Thinking of Jordan or Egypt next easter.... the daughter will almost be 3 then, did you come across any children / families on your travels?

 

[Flashback]

Thinking of Jordan or Egypt next easter.... the daughter will almost be 3 then, did you come across any children / families on your travels?

Pretty much all over.

 

[Peanutbladder]

Petra is a site thats been on my bucket list for years and I recommend it without reservation. Four thousand people went thru the day we were there but the grandeur of the site just doesnt come through fully in pictures. The Treasury was amazing but the highlight was the climb to the monastery (which was damn hard work). I came down on a donkey to save my knees and that was an experience and a half.

View attachment 323468
The Monastary
View attachment 323475
The TreasuryView attachment 323468
View attachment 323476
View from our hotel, Petra Guesthouse. You couldnt get a location any closer to the entry to Petra. Much appreciated at the end of the day.
View attachment 323478
View attachment 323470View attachment 323472View attachment 323473
Our guide giving us advice on how to pace yourself.
View attachment 323467

Would you mind sharing the guesthouse name as we are travelling to Petra in September ?

 

[Askance]

Would you mind sharing the guesthouse name as we are travelling to Petra in September ?

Hotels in Petra | Petra Guest House Hotel | Wadi Musa

Petra, one of Seven Wonders of the World, Petra Guest House Hotel is ideally located at the majestic city of Petra with only few steps away from the main entrance .

www.petraguesthousehotel.com

 

[Pushka]

Petra is a site thats been on my bucket list for years and I recommend it without reservation. Four thousand people went thru the day we were there but the grandeur of the site just doesnt come through fully in pictures. The Treasury was amazing but the highlight was the climb to the monastery (which was damn hard work). I came down on a donkey to save my knees and that was an experience and a half.

View attachment 323468
The Monastary
View attachment 323475
The TreasuryView attachment 323468
View attachment 323476
View from our hotel, Petra Guesthouse. You couldnt get a location any closer to the entry to Petra. Much appreciated at the end of the day.
View attachment 323478
View attachment 323470View attachment 323472View attachment 323473
Our guide giving us advice on how to pace yourself.
View attachment 323467

Having just returned from Petra, and the rest, Petra was the highlight. Loved the glimpse of Treasury as the gap in the gully appears.

 

[drross]

Having just returned from Petra, and the rest, Petra was the highlight. Loved the glimpse of Treasury as the gap in the gully appears.

When we were there, there was talk of closing off tourist access and digging down to exposure more of the Treasury..apparently some French uni guys used a ground based radar to show there was at least 1 or 2 more stories below current ground Level. The constant floods over the years had covered the lower floors. May have been a local rumour as nothing seems to have happened

 

[Cossie]

When we were there, there was talk of closing off tourist access and digging down to exposure more of the Treasury..apparently some French uni guys used a ground based radar to show there was at least 1 or 2 more stories below current ground Level. The constant floods over the years had covered the lower floors. May have been a local rumour as nothing seems to have happened

We were told the same thing back in 2010.

 

[Pushka]

When we were there, there was talk of closing off tourist access and digging down to exposure more of the Treasury..apparently some French uni guys used a ground based radar to show there was at least 1 or 2 more stories below current ground Level. The constant floods over the years had covered the lower floors. May have been a local rumour as nothing seems to have happened

This does make sense I guess but loss of tourism would be immense. The bedouins 'own' Petra in perpetuity so maybe they just won't allow it.

 

[Myrna]

Mrs FB isn't fond of heights, but she seemed to do OK with the hike up/down. More than anything the downhill can be a little hard on your knees! You can get a donkey too.......

My advice would definitely be to get up there. If you don't feel up to hiking, you can be taken up (and down if you want) on a donkey. You can also go in via the back way i.e., via Little Petra and I was told by some people we bumped into that it was a long walk (2 hours IIRC) but much, much flatter.

Thanks Flashback. Got back from the trip a few weeks ago. We planned to visit Jordan while still living in London but pandemic hit so it was deferred till now.
We were in Petra for 2 full days. One day we did the Treasury to the Monastery and made it! The next day we explored the areas between the Treasury and the beginning of the trail to the Monastery - a lot of things to see.
kpc did warn that it was jolly hard work to walk from the Treasury to the Monastery. Glad that I would not have to do it again. Walking up the 800 steps was hard work, but like you and kpc said down the 800 steps was perilous in some parts, especially the loose sand on the smooth stone steps! There were about 10 young able tourist men who helped me down those steps at various points - a bit embarassing at times. I did not want to take the donkeys as I was weary about the ways the donkeys were treated.
I was thinking about the back way via Little Petra but it would be longer and parts of the path were a bit scary (after watching clips from youtube). The structure of the Treasury and the Monastery looked very similar. The Treasury was very crowded especially in the afternoons when there were a lot of people from cruise ships coming from Aqaba. The Monastery was much quieter as not many people went there due to the difficulty of walking there.