Trip to Jordan

Jordan | Mar 22 - Mar 27, 2019

Tamara and WhyJordan? gave us a magnificent vacation in Jordan. It's hard to know where to start because everything from planning to our trip was so seamless, and beyond our expectations.

As the 6 of us requested, this was a truly 5* trip from airport pick-up, to hotels, to excursions & experiences. Tamara chose 3 top hotels and we loved them all. Mohamed our driver throughout the trip listened and reacted to us, and made sure we had fun and learned. When my husband fell ill, Mohamed's care and actions felt like family and one night's adjustments went smoothly - he then got us back on track by morning and we didn't miss anything. The next day, Mohamed from WhyJordan? headquarters made a special visit, meeting us at the hotel, spending 1/2 an hour checking up on us and making sure our journey would be perfect, and it was.

By the way, not only is Tamara's choice of the Movinpick Petra a lovely hotel, but it's literally at the entrance to Petra- like just across the street!!

With just 6 days to spend in Jordan, we got to do everything we hoped we would. A day relaxing in the Intercontinental Amman was followed by an amazing private tour of Jerash, followed by a trip along the King's Highway. WhyJordan's guide in Jerash was excellent - such an important element.

It's hard to pick a highlight, but it would likely be the day that WhyJordan's hand picked guide, Moa'th took us on a journey in Petra. I'm not exaggerating when I say that Moa'th will always have a place in my husband & my hearts. We off-roaded to the back entrance of Petra. A freak spring hale and thunder storm made conditions rough. Their driver loaned me his own coat (3rd layer for me), and with Moa'th's quiet confidence, we took off. Dave and I learned so much about Bedouins and the long history of Petra. Moa'th helped us climb and climb to heights we never would have imagined, but his demeanor and fascinating anecdotes gave us confidence. We met lovely people along the way, and learned a lot. The weather challenges became fun- a 2nd thunder & hale storm actually caused Petra to close (nobody could enter), so, Moa'th helped us secure a camel caravan, he jumped on the front camel, and we rode through the flood, through the gorgeous rock formations and had yet another unique experience.

We are not roughing-it people, and when Tamara 1st suggested camping in Wade Rum, I thought she was crazy, until she gently suggested I check out Memories Aicha Luxury Camp . Wow-oh-wow. Do it! We all stayed in "Martian" tents (full in-tent bathrooms, view of stars and mountains, etc). As soon as we checked in, the 6 of us were in the "cave bar" sipping tea and enjoying a fire. Dinner was delicious in the pleasant dining room (note, go to JR The Wine Experience wine bar when you're in Amman and pick up Jordanian wine to enjoy with your dinner at Aicha).

The next day's 1/2 day across Wade Rum was a lot of fun. Our driver was not the best communicator, so we had to guess what many stops were, but that didn't stop us from climbing and scrambling and joyfully enjoying a place we'd never imagined before.

Once again, driver Mohamed was at the ready, responding to our early call to get going. He made a special stop for us on the way to the Dead Sea, and we're still talking about standing in Acaba where we viewed the Red Sea, Egypt and Israel, while standing in Jordan.

The Dead Sea, ahhhhh. The Movinpick Dead Sea is a lovely resort with multiple pools and a private beach where staff helps you get in and out of the Dead Sea. Rooms are large and well equipped. If you're able to do 2 nights here, we certainly wish we could have, as it would have been a restful end to a lovely vacation.

I can't recommend WhyJordan (through KimKim) and a Jordan vacation enough. We are grateful to Tamara, Moath, and the 2 Mohamed's for a vacation we'll always remember fondly.