Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Please click here to go to our general FAQ, which has essential information that applies to all of our programs.

Resources to Learn & Teach about Jordan

Visit our recommended reading page to see the list of books GEEO recommends reading before your program (this is not required reading). We also have lesson plans and Pinterest boards that may be useful for you as you learn about your destination and prepare to bring lessons back to your classroom.

Terms and Conditions

It is very important for you to visit our Terms and Conditions page before signing up for this program.

GEEO Program Confirmation Process

We require a minimum of 6 participants for most GEEO programs. We officially confirm that a program will run once at least 8 people have signed up, which provides a margin for individual cancellations. Nearly all GEEO programs ultimately meet this enrollment quota, and in the rare event that a program does not meet the minimum requirement and GEEO cancels the program, we will work with you to find a suitable alternative or provide a refund of your deposit if you prefer. We encourage you to sign up for any program that interests you, and we will notify the entire group once 6 people are booked and again once 8 people are booked. We always emphasize the importance of exercising caution when making non-refundable travel arrangements, especially given the unpredictable nature of travel. For example, we typically recommend booking flights with flexible change/cancellation policies.

Cancellation policy

All cancellations must be submitted to GEEO in written form by emailing your request for cancellation to travel@geeo.org. If you do not receive a confirmation that we have received your written cancellation request, please call us at 1-877-600-0105. Verbal cancellation requests will not be honored.

• If you cancel 60 days or more prior to departure, all your program fee payments will be refunded besides your $350 deposit which is kept on file for future use
• If you cancel between 30 and 59 days prior to departure, you will receive a 50% refund and your deposit is kept on file for future use
• If you cancel within 30 days of departure, you will receive no refund, but your deposit is kept on file for future use

Trip Notes

CLOTHING: To avoid unwanted attention in rural areas, dressing modestly is advised for parts of Jordan. A general rule of thumb for women in rural areas is to keep your shoulders and knees covered up.

Group Leader Description

All GEEO/G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of G Adventure’s group leaders, which they refer to as Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local friends. Our itineraries often have plenty of free time to explore on your own. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting – we think it’s the best of both worlds.

Fitness Level

Trip includes light walking and hiking that is suitable for most fitness levels. The hiking in Petra can be exhausting in the heat. Keep hydrated and know your limits! Your tour leader will set a meeting place and time so that you can hike as much as you want, from a little to a lot.

Single Travelers

Half of the people that travel with GEEO are traveling by themselves, so please don’t worry if you have no one who can join you on your trip. Our pricing is based on double occupancy or, in other words, two people to a room. You never have to pay for a single room unless you want one. GEEO can find you a roommate of the same gender. Most of our trips have a “My Own Room” option, also known as a “Single Supplement,” which is an extra fee that will allow you to have a room to yourself. If you want to room alone, please email travel@geeo.org. To see the price for the “My Own Room” option, please click here where you can look up your trip in the extra services spreadsheet. Please note that, if you have booked the “My Own Room” option for this tour, you will receive your own single accommodation for all night stops, with the following exceptions: Night 5 in the Bedouin camp.

Joining Instructions

Day 1 is an arrival day, and no activities have been planned. Upon arrival to the city on Day 1, or earlier if you have booked pre-accommodation with us, please make your way to the joining hotel. Check-in time will be in the afternoon. Once you arrive at the hotel, look for a note at reception from your tour leader. This note will give the details of your Welcome Meeting on Day 1, usually between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., where you will get a chance to meet your tour leader and other travelers, as well as learn more about how the tour will run. If you don’t see a note, please ask reception for details! If you miss the Welcome Meeting, your tour leader will leave a note at reception for you with any information you may need and with instructions for the next morning. Official airport taxis cost around 20 Jordanian Dinar (JOD). The drive can take between 20 minutes and 1 hour depending on the time of day and traffic conditions. You should fix a price with your driver before you get into the car and set off. If you have paid in advance for an arrival transfer, a G Adventures representative will be at the airport to meet you. Please note our Transfer driver will be outside the arrival hall, not in the immigration area where other drivers may be located. If for any reason you are not met at the airport, please call our local support line. If you are unable to make contact for whatever reason, please make your way to the joining point hotel via taxi.

Emergency Contacts

If you need to contact G Adventures in a situation of dire need, it is best to first call their local G Adventures office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible. G Adventures Local Representative (Amman, Jordan) During office hours (Sun-Thurs 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Local Time): +962 (6) 4642034 or 4636944 or 4656647/8 After hours Emergency number: +962 79 553 5879 Regional operations manager emergency phone number: +44 (1858) 378000 If you are unable for any reason to contact G Adventures’ local office, they have a toll-free line within North America which will connect you directly with their Toronto office: +1 888 800 4100 If you have purchased an arrival transfer, it has been arranged based on flight information provided to us. If you are advised of a flight schedule change within 48 hours of your scheduled arrival time, we will do our best to rearrange your arrival transfer but we cannot guarantee this. If your arrival transfer does not arrive within 30 minutes after you have exited the arrivals area please take a taxi to your start point hotel. If your call is specifically concerning Amman Airport Transfer complications please call our local G Adventures Transfer provider directly at +962 79 5535879.

Packing List

Please read this article on GEEO’s blog for our staff’s suggestions on the best gear to pack for your upcoming travels. You must be prepared to carry your own bags and be comfortable carrying them up and downstairs, on and off transportation, and to hotels. As a rule, we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 minutes with your bags, which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 22-30 lb. Most travelers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size. No XXL bags please! A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person plus a daypack per person. Health & Safety

• N95/KN95 Face masks (at least three per week)
• Hand sanitizer
• Pen (please bring your own pen for filling out documents)
• Quick Covid Test/Antigen Tests (at least 5, and 3 per week of travel)

Suggested Checklist

• Light windproof/waterproof jacket – chances are it won’t rain
• Sun hat
• Personal clothing for cool weather (jacket, long-sleeved shirts, etc.); for women, we recommend clothing that fully covers knees and shoulders.
• Daypack
• Sturdy walking shoes
• Sport sandals or flip-flops
• Sunblock
• Sunglasses
• Watch or alarm clock
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Clothes for religious sites – knees and shoulders must be covered
• Small flashlight
• Toiletries – your hotels will have soap and shampoo
• Camera
• First-aid kit, including: lip salve, Aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, Dramamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, electrolyte powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking

Optional Checklist

• A lightweight silk sleep sheet
• Travel pillow
• Money belt
• Water bottle
• Phone/Tablet for internet – most hotels have WiFi
• Chargers for electronics as well as converters/adapters, if needed
• AirTags or Tile trackers
• Packing cubes
• Earplugs
• Snacks – packing a few granola bars is a good idea; you can buy snacks when you get there too, so don’t go crazy here
• Ziplock bags for wet clothing
• Reading/writing material
• Hand sanitizer/Baby wipes

Document Checklist

• Passport (with photocopies)
• Travel insurance (with photocopies)
• Airline tickets (with photocopies)
• USD/EUR cash
• Credit or debit card – see personal spending money
• G Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information, and dossier
• Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
• GEEO Classroom action plans for your group – this is sent 10-30 days before departure

Laundry

Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge or ask your group leader where the nearest laundromat is. If you want to do your own laundry, we suggest you bring your own non-polluting/biodegradable soap.

Passports and Visas

All GEEO trips require that the participant have a valid passport. Please see our general FAQ for information on obtaining a passport. As with all of our trips, we try to provide the most accurate information we can, but governments sometimes change visa rules. It is your responsibility to double-check the information we provide below by searching here. For Americans, the Jordanian visa is issued upon arrival at the airport and major land borders. It currently costs 40 JOD (approximately $56 USD) for a single entry with one-month validity. They accept credit cards and JOD, but not USD cash. You can exchange money at the airport before getting in line to purchase your visa. Non-American participants should check with their government to find out if they need a visa.

Money Exchange

The local currency in Jordan is the Jordanian Dinar (JOD). ATMs are found within main cities in Jordan and will generally accept cards on the Visa and Mastercard networks. It is a great idea to travel with both a Visa and Mastercard, if possible, because, while there is no hard and fast rule, some banks seem to only work with one brand of card. Please note: Your bank will charge a fee for overseas withdrawals. Cash is recommended for times when ATMs are not accessible. Euros, British Pounds, and U.S. Dollars are all easy to exchange for the local currency. You should bring some cash with you for emergency situations, but carrying only cash is a high safety risk. ATM card/s and some cash is the ideal mix. If you are bringing U.S. Dollars, please make sure that the notes are new and in good condition. Notes older than 1996 or with tears or blemishes may not be accepted. Be fussy with your bank when buying cash! As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com.

Tipping

Tipping – also widely referred to by its Arabic term as “baksheesh” – is a way of life in the Middle East. Locals themselves will usually tip anyone who provides them with services. In many cases, people depend on the tips they receive to supplement the low salary and wages of the Middle East region. While on tour in the Middle East, it is customary and even expected to tip small service providers such as restaurant and bar waiters, hotel staff, reception, cleaning personnel, luggage porters, taxis, and van drivers. Tips are regarded as an essential means of supplementing income for those working in the tourism industry. To make things as easy as possible and avoid embarrassing situations, G Adventures has developed a tipping kitty system where your Tour Leader will collect a contribution from everybody at the start of your tour and use this kitty to tip anybody who has provided services to the group as a whole. A guideline for tipping is about $5-$10 USD per day, depending on the quality of the service – this does not include your G Adventures Tour Leader. On Day 1 of your tour, your Tour Leader will be able to advise on the amount required from everybody to form the tipping kitty for your trip. You can pay in USD or the equivalent local currency, preferably the latter. The Tour Leader will be able to advise you on the exchange rate and the total required in either currency If at any time you feel that any service provider failed in maintaining or delivering good service, please bring it immediately to the attention of your Tour Leader so a deduction of tips can take place. At the end of your trip, if you felt that your G Adventures Tour Leader did an outstanding job, tipping is also expected and appreciated. As a general guideline, $35-$40 USD per person per week can be used to budget. The precise amount, however, is entirely a personal preference.

Vaccinations

We legally cannot give you any medical advice. It is very important to consult your doctor or a travel clinic about which vaccinations you will need for your trip. Please take this seriously!

Flights

We find the best prices for flights are often available 60 days before departure, but of course this varies greatly from route to route and year to year. We advise that you wait until this trip is confirmed before booking non-refundable and non-changeable flights. GEEO and G Adventures bear no responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed. Please double-check our itinerary for the date by which you must arrive in Amman, which usually means departing the United States on the prior day. You can arrive at any time you choose. Your trip ends in Amman, and you can depart whenever you wish on the final day.

Plugs and Converters

There are two components to provide external power to your device: adapters and transformers. The adapter is the plug, adapting the prongs on a standard U.S. two- to three-pronged power cord to match the prongs required by the local outlets. The transformer changes the local voltage to that required by your device. Jordan takes a mix-and-match approach to electrical sockets. European round two- and three-pin plugs along with British square three-pin plugs are all used across the country, with frequency seemingly determined only by what the electrician had on hand during installation. Their voltage is 220-240 Volts. U.S. outlets are 120 Volts. Most new devices (phones and laptops) can handle the different voltage rates, but some devices only work on the U.S. standard of 120V. Check your device to see what voltage range it handles. Most transformer blocks will have an “Input” line that defines its voltage capacity. For example, “Input: 100-240V” means that it will work on voltages from 100V to 240V. If your transformer can’t handle the different voltage, you’ll need to purchase a voltage converter. You can find world regional voltage converters power packs at various vendors.

Advice From Past Participants

“Bring lightweight, light-colored, long sleeve shirts for the desert.” “Pack your Dramamine for the bus ride to Wadi Rum. I would also highly recommend packing rehydration tablets."

Expectations

Before you decide on traveling with GEEO, it is important that you read all of the information about the program you are considering. Remember, our programs are quite adventurous.

• The purpose of the accommodation is to provide a safe place for you to sleep. We upgraded the hotels on this trip, so you may be pleasantly surprised, but do not expect luxury.
• You must be able to easily carry or roll your luggage, so do not over-pack.
• We recommend always carrying snacks with you. Meals can sometimes be far apart.
• Please make sure you understand the role of your tour leader on this trip, as they are not the traditional guide you may be expecting. While our trips are educational, they aren’t study/lecture trips. We want you to learn through exploring, and much of your experience will be based on how active you choose to be in acquiring knowledge and interacting with locals.

Hopefully this is the kind of adventure you are interested in!

Itinerary Disclaimer

While it is our intention to adhere to the routes described on our website, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable, to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The information on our website is a general guide to the tour and region, and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Weather

The climate depends on which part of the country you are in, but it is cool in Jordan during the winter with highs often in the 50’s and lows around 40. Snow can sometimes occur in Amman and Petra. Aqaba is a bit warmer, with highs around 70ºF.