The
Globetrotting
Project
Jordan, the land of Moab and the ancient city of Petra Visited October 2015
et
A safe and friendly country to visit for its natural and manmade monuments and its very old history. Never get intimidated by what is going on around at the neighbouring countries, Jordan is a very safe country which just happened to be situated in a bad neighbourhood. Its good and neutral relations with the neighbouring countries make it a safe place to visit at all times.
Suggested months are: October or April/May when temperatures are mild and there are more hours of daylight.
Citadel Amman
Amman a cultural city with Greek,Roman and Arabic influences.Enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city centre,the Al-Balad where the city centre is,or visit places of interest like the Citadel,the Jordan Museum,the Folklore Museum and the Roman Theatre.
Very few people speak English so it will be a good idea to have all sites you want to visit written down in Arabic.Most people can't understand latin caracters. I was really taken aback by the fact of actually showing the map of the town to a young woman and being asked if that was the map of Amman(!!!)
Walking around is safe and with the help of a map and the names of the places you want to visit in Arabic,will save you time. People are friendly and very helpful and will do their best to help you out.
The Jordan Museum (Ras al-Ayn area)
Ali Bin Abi Taleb street 10,Amman
A museum which presents the history and cultural heritage of Jordan. Really worth visiting the museum which takes 1 to 2hours to see all exhibits. Even though the museum has a fixed opening/closing times(at least displayed outside)...nothing is to be taken for granted.You better take your chance early in the morning.
Opening hours: Daily from 10am to 2pm except Tuesdays and Fridays.
Entrance fee: 5JD for non-Jordanians
The Royal Automobile Museum
King Hussein Park
Opening times: From 10am to 19pm except Tuesdays
Roman Theatre and The Jordan Folklore Museum
Opening hours: Open all days from 8am to 6pm
and 9am to 4pm on Fridays
There more museums in Amman. For more information about
these museums visit this page:
http://in.visitjordan.com/Wheretogo/amman/Museums.aspx
Jabal al Kalaa is their word for Citadel where you can find the Jordan Archeological Museum. Both are places of great interest. Go to Citadel in the afternoon where you can enjoy the lovely sunset.
Jabal Amman is the Mountain of Amman and where Rainbow street is.There you can find some terrace bars, restaurants and cafes.
There is not too much of nightlife in town and some places close relatively early(just after midnight).If you are searching for nightclubs, these are outside the city centre.
Hostel:Boutique Hostel in Amman(just opposite the Jafra restaurant)
Very simply furnished rooms and dorm.Very helpful and nice owner.
Madaba
Stay in Madaba and organize day tours in Bethany/Jordan river and next day one day tour in the Dead Sea(combined with Wadi Mujib).
There also plenty to see in the town of Madaba.Start by the archeological museum where you can see the oldest mosaics of Jordan.Visit the Mosque, the Catholic and the Orthodox church of St.Geroge and see the most famous mosaic of all times. It's the map which shows the route to Jerusalem.
When in Mount Nebo, you should also visit 'La Storia Museum' which is a few metres down the road from Mount Nebo. It's a small museum with nice representations of the Bible and the life of Jordan people.
The ceramic/mosaic/souvenir shop behide the museum is quite pricey.
Entrance 2JD
Hotel: Moab Land Hotel just opposite the Greek Orthodox church (recommended by Rough Guides)
From Amman:Go to Muhazirren Bus station for Madaba Bus
Bethany Jordan river
Bethany, the Jordan River and Mount Nebo.
We had a day tour with with a taxi driver and a guide for 75JD (divided by two).Thought it was a bit pricey but we reached Madaba quite late that day and we had no time to ask around. Honestly I don't know how you can get there unless by taxi and a guide so you can learn a bit of history.
No local buses go to these places.
Tips for fotographers:Visit Mount Nebo morning/noon since the position of the sun will help for better snaps of the valley.
Jerash
It's a must to visit Jerash, the best example of a Roman city in the East.The town had been buried under the sand and discoverd in 1806. Walking around one has the opportunity to see the ancient theatre,the Zeus temple, the Andrian's Arch, the temple of Artemis, the Hippodrome and much more.
Admission Fee: 8JD
There are local buses which go to Jerash and leave from the North Station but only go when they are full like all local buses.
Then you need another bus to Ibrid and then finally taxi to Uum Qais.
Probally there are no buses to the archeological site of Pella.
Distance from Amman to Jerash: 40km
Distance from Amman to Uum Qais 120km
We took a taxi from Amman to go to Jerash/Ajouln and its beautiful castle and then the archeological site of Uum Quais and back to Amman and it was 100JD divided by three people. All aranged by our hostel. I think it was a good deal and taxi saves you time.
It's also a good idea to hire a car and drive to all the places of interest.
It's quite safe to drive in Jordan and I've seen a quite good driver's conduct on the streets.You should be careful anyways.
Dead Sea
Dead Sea, the lowest point on the Earth. You find yourself at 394m below sea level and a salinity at 33,7% makes the Dead Sea a unique place on Earth. Enjoy floating on the water and better lay at your back and relax.Trying to normally swim will be difficult and make sure water doensn't get to your eyes or mouth. It's tastes awful!
Avoid the local free beach since is kind of isolated and badly maintained(full of rubbush). But it's the only one free.
If you want to enter to the 'Oh beach' or 'Amman beach' you need to pay 25 or 21JD respectively. 'Amman' beach has got sand whereas
'Oh beach' offers better services.
Big hotels like Kempinsi don't allow a daily visit for non-customers.
Petra
Petra Entrance Fee: 50JD and Petra by Night another 18JD only on Thursday/Saturday/Sunday.
We stayed two days in Wadi Musa (Valley of Moses) which is the village closest to small and big Petra.
We went from Madaba to Wadi Musa by taxi 70JD passing from El Karak town where we visited the castle and the beautiful quiet village of Dana.
It was quite a good deal after negotiating hard.
There are no local buses that go from Madaba to Petra unfortunately.
Bus connections are not the best in Jordan. One has to do most distances by taxis. I wouldn't recommend hitch-hikking for women.
From Wadi Musa to go to Petra there's a bus that sets off at 6:30am every day and passes from all hostels. Ask your hostel for bookings.
Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum Protected Area
Entrance Fee: 5JD (Amount you pay at the visitor's centre)
Your bus/taxi will stop at the interjuction on the Desert Highway and from there you'll be picked up by your camp for free to go to the Wadi Rum Village and the Visitor's Centre. Spend some time to walk round the village which is very beautiful.Talk to people and play with the children who are always excited to meet a tourist. Most people speak English.
From there you get transport to your camp in the desert.The only red desert in our planet and UNESCO's wolrd heritage site.
We stayed at Bedouin Meditatition Camp and the best spot in all Wadi Rum.
Price 30JD accommodation/breakfast/dinner.
Jeep and Camel rides are organized by all camps for visitors.
Wadi-Mujib
Wadi Mujib
On a day trip from Madaba you can combine the Wadi Mujib experience with the Dead Sea swim and spa.
We took a taxi from Madaba and we paid 45JD
In Wadi Mujib you pay 21JD and you get entrance and a lifejacket.
Make sure you have a waterproof case for your camera!
Our experience there was unique!lWe found a group of people from a hotel and their guides so we joined them along the 2km way until the end of the canyon and 2km back. We also had our taxi driver Ahmed with us. He entered for free I guess and he had a lifetime experience!
Food:
Mansaf: traditional dish with lamb(or chicken),spices,rice and yogurt sauce.Ask how they make the jameed yogurt sauce(salty and yellowish sauce which contains curcuma) as it's interesting to find out!
Kubbeh: Crashed wheat stuffed with meat and pine nuts
Sajeyet Meat: Lamb or chicken fillet cubes seasoned with onion and pine seeds over fire
Fatoush: Syrian salad which we can find in many restaurants in Jordan.
Did you know?
The Zaatari refugee camp on the northeast part of the country is the 4th largest city in Amman with 1.000.000 Syrian refugees.
Aqaba Red Sea
Aqaba is the only port and seaside town in Jordan.Worth a visit just for a day or two and enjoy snorkelling at the Red Sea.You have a choice of staying at Aqaba South where big hotels are(and bit more expensive) or downtown. I would definately suggest staying downtown and be close to everything. Make sure you are covered when you go swimming at the town beach. A long loose T-shirt over your swimming costume both for men and women is advisable. Local people,esp. women literally swim with their clothes on. So be respectful and cover your body.
You can also hire a boat and go a bit further away and do snorkelling.
We paid 30JD for two people and the man took us around on a glass boat to see the amazing sea life very close to the coast.
From Aqaba to Amman:
There are several buses every day.The Jett Company with air-conditioned buses goes non-stop to Amman and it takes 4hrs.
The bus station is situated next to Movenpick Hotel in King Hussein Street.Make sure you ask which station the bus goes to since different time buses go to different stations in Amman.Price 7-8JD
Local buses are a bit cheaper but only run when are full.The only useful thing is that they can drop you off on the way,or stop for you on the motorway to get on.The bus station is situated in King Talal street at the centre of Aqaba.You have more chances to get a bus in the morning/noon and the price is slightly cheaper than the Jett Company.
Aqaba is tax free zone.
Tips:
Buy your souvenirs in Amman esp. at King Talal street close to the Jordan museum for better prices.You will find everything you can find all over Jordan. The 'Treasury' souvernir usually costs 4-6JD one item and I bought two and a nice scarf all at the price of 5JD.
They usually overcharge tourists for everything even food. Insist on local prices and let them know...you know!
Jordan is an expensive destination. It used to be a much cheaper one around 10 years ago but not any more. The people's economic situation used to be much better and as many people live out of tourism, they try to take advantage of travellers.