How hard is the scrambling?
There will be exposed grade 1 scrambling. You will need a head for heights.
There will be a UK Mountain Leader and a local Bedouin guide making sure everyone is kept safe. The group will help each other to overcome tricky sections. Scrambling is a really good team effort.
What is the weather like?
In October it will be around 25 C during the day and 10 C during the night. In February it will be cooler in the day at around 18 C and 5 C at night. The sun is strong so bring plenty of sun cream. Very soon after arrival you will be wearing the traditional Arabic head scarf it being the best thing to keep you cool.
How far will I be hiking each day?
You will be hiking and scrambling for between 6 and 8 hours a day.
Where will we be sleeping when in the desert?
You will be bivouacing. See below for details.
I have bever bivouaced before. What does this involve?
This means that we will be sleeping in the open with no tents. Our support crew will supply sleeping mats and transport your sleeping bag and extra clothing to the overnight location. A meal will be cooked and we will all help in making the camp comfortable and also collect firewood. There are no formal toilet facilities. This is a unique experience, looking up at the stars from your bed, the whole Milky Way on show, listening to the early morning birds and experiencing the true silence of the desert.
What will our accommodation in Aqaba and Petra be like?
In Aqaba we stay in the Maswada Plaza Hotel, a clean modern three star hotel and in Petra the Silk Road Hotel, a simple, friendly and conveniently located family run hotel.
Is Jordan safe?
Jordan feels a safe place to travel. This is because they have protected their borders very effectively. When travelling we will be passing through security checkpoints where our passports may be inspected so it is important to have your passport accessible at all times. We will also need our passport to enter into Petra. It is a good idea to have a photocopy of your passport stored away separately from your passport.
Are there any dangerous animals or insects in the desert?
There are very few insects around when we are bivouacing. We may get a visit from a desert fox or a camel in the night which all adds to the experience. Sightings of snakes are extremely rare. We will see various lizards during the day but these are harmless. Check your shoes before putting them on in the morning though!
How big is the group?
We like to keep the group quite small on this trip so no more than eleven plus the leader.
What do you advise I wear when hiking?
The Bedouins are a very traditional tribe. Avoid wearing clothes that show off too much skin. In the desert loose lightweight clothes are preferable as opposed to skintight Lycra.
Do I need a visa?
For UK nationals and many other nationalities the visa is included within the purchase of the Jordan Explorer Pass - https://jordanpass.jo/ Please check on your particular visa requirement on line at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/jordan/entry-requirements The foreign office section on Jordan has lots of interesting information on health, security, travel and customs.
