We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
The cost of every day items in Jordan, such as meals and drinks is somewhat higher than in some neighbouring countries, such as Egypt. Please refer to approximate costs given below when calculating spending money.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Jordan |
Lebanon |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
£1.00 |
£0.70 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
£1.00 |
£0.70 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
£1.50 |
£0.80 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
£4.00 |
£1.50 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
£10.00 |
£6.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
£15.00 |
£10.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
£20.00 |
£8.00 |
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
Lebanon:
The following information relates to EU passport holders travelling on this tour, regardless of whether ex-London or Land Only.
A visa can be obtained upon arival in Lebanon for 25000LP (approximately $18.00USD) or in advance via our visa service. For some nationalities the visa can be obtained free on arrival.
Please consult your relevant Embassy before departure.
Jordan:
The following information relates to EU passport holders and those who are travelling on group flights arranged by Explore:
Subject to a minimum group size of 5 persons, free visas can be arranged on arrival for all clients if Explore receive your passport details a minimum of 10 days before arrival. Unfortunately we will not know until the commencement of your tour whether the minimum number is attained, therefore we recommend that you allow JD20 (approx £20) in case an individual visa will need to be purchased on arrival. Please note those on the group flight will be met by a Representative to take you through the immigration process. Due to the new security procedures in the airport the representative may not be able to meet the group immediately, so please wait for the rep to come through and assist you with the group visa. This could take up to 30 minutes, perhaps longer depending on the number of tour groups coming through, so please be patient. If you proceed through without the representative, you may affect whether the group can still use their group visa and have to pay for your own individual visa, so please wait until the representative has been let through to assist you.
The following information relates to EU passport holders and those who are travelling on non-group flights or Land Only:
Clients extending their stay, or who for any other reason will not be departing on group flights, will be required to purchase an individual visa on arrival. Visas can be bought on arrival at Amman’s Queen Alia Airport or any border crossing point (current cost JD20, approx. £20).
The Jordanian government levies on all travellers a departure tax of JD8 per person. For travellers departing by air this is usually included in the taxes on the airline ticket and thus nothing will be collected from you at the point of departure. For those travellers departing by land, this will be collected by the immigration authorities at the port of departure from Jordan.
All nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Vaccinations & Protection
The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against malaria, typhoid, tetanus infectious hepatitis and polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Climate
In Lebanon and Jordan the temperatures are best in spring and autumn. Summer is hot. The climate is more temperate in the hills and can drop sub-zero Dec-Mar.
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Additional information and climate charts can be accessed at http://www.explore.co.uk/ weather. Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. Up-to-date information on the weather worldwide can be found by following the BBC weather link on this page.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
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Remember – hotel porters are not always available, so don't overload yourself. Please note you will only carry what you need to the camp in Wadi Rum and main luggage will be transported directly from Petra to Aqaba.
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One main piece of baggage and daypack. Total allowance: 44lb/20kg. Remember you are expected to carry your own luggage so don't overload yourself.
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Clothing
Lightweight clothing is essential in mid-summer (July-September) though a sweater or light jacket is advisable for cool evenings. A sun hat and neck protection are essential. Bring a waterproof jacket. Winters can be very cold, so you need warm clothing.
Women should not wear revealing shorts or dresses in the Middle East – loose fitting trousers are ideal. When entering a mosque women should cover their head and shoulders and men should wear long trousers.
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Footwear
Comfortable walking shoes/trainers and sandals.
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Equipment
In Wadi Rum sleeping bags, blankets and mattresses are provided, but we suggest you bring your own sleeping sheet. A personal water bottle and small torch are useful. Anti-bacterial hand wash, such as Travelproof’s ‘H20-No’ water-less hand scrub (available through Explore Trader catalogue); try to avoid anti-bacterial wipes as these can pose a disposal problem.
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Personal First Aid Kit
For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
Trip Summary
Lebanon & Jordan present a deeply rich cultural and archaeological milieu for investigation and contemplation. All are lands of passage via trade routes, pilgrim ways, crusader channels and military marches. They also tempted successive peaceful and aggressive settlement by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Mamelukes, Ottomans and French. Imposing hilltop fortresses, peaceful pilgrim cities, ancient garrison towns and desert cities have lingered as tantalising reminders of great dynastic histories.
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Please note:
Ramadan 2013 - 9 July to 8 August - Ramadan is a month of fasting observed by Muslims throughout the world, during which time the followers of Islam should not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. There may be some restrictions to services and minor amendments to the itinerary. Restaurants may have limited supplies of fresh food available during this period. Your tour leader will make adequate arrangements to find restaurants or food for lunch but a degree of flexibility will be helpful.
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Electric Supply & Plugs
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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