JORDAN
- WADI RUM EXPEDITION (Moderate)
Please contact us for details of prices and dates for 2010
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Why Jordan? Because though I love mountains, I
cannot help being captivated by wild places, especially those
that seem to hold an aura of mystic that one can sense, yet
not quite grasp. Was I inspired all those years ago by David
Lean's epic film of that enigmatic character "Lawrence
of Arabia" ? Yes, to some extent but if you simply love
wilderness, if history interests you - if you have an interest
in the greater world about us then you will understand.
"Rum the magnificent.... Vast, echoing and godlike....
a processional way greater than imagination.... the crimson
sunset burned on its stupendous cliffs and slanted ladders
of hazy fire down its walled avenue
T. E. Lawrence
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| Sadly the Middle East has something of an unflattering
media profile so it may come as something of a surprise to discover
that Jordan is a favourite destination for those in the know.
Trying to describe the wonders of Jordan in just a few lines
is a task akin to counting the grains of sand in the awesome
desert wilderness that has inspired so many of its visitors
but you will encounter the lowest point on earth, hot springs
that seem to bubble from the rocky wastes, orange rock walls
that tower above the Arabian desert, coral reefs and some of
the friendliest people you will encounter anywhere. The people
are truly an asset and Islamic extremism is unknown here - religious
tolerance is the norm. Jordan is a land of history and romance
- Moses, Saladin and Lawrence these are names that spring from
the bible and history books to excite and arouse curiosity -
Jordan was their land. |
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I first passed through the Middle
East as a child in the 1950's and have had a life long interest
in the Middle East ever since. Five years ago I put our Jordanian
trip together and it has been running successfully ever since.
2002 presents us with the chance to return to Jordan to lead
both our spring and autumn trips. When I first visited Jordan
I was fortunate enough to meet Saleem Sabah, a Beduoin of the
Howeitat tribe of Wadi Rum. At that time I had the good fortune
to briefly enjoy living with the Sabah family in the Rum desert.
These days Saleem is our guide in that beautiful desert wilderness
where T.E. Lawrence raised the Arab army in defiance of the
Ottoman Empire. I could add that these days, when in Aqaba,
I have been trying to teach Saleem to swim but am so far having
as much success as he does teaching some of our clients how
to ride camels!
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| In order for you to envisage how the trip works
think of Amman, Jordan's capitol, lying to the north of a country
that essentially runs north/south. Our objective is to travel
south to Wadi Rum to join Saleem for a 5 day comfortable safari
in the wilderness during which we will scale Jordans highest
peak, however as we travel south we cannot ignore the wonders
before us. We will float in the Dead Sea, visit one of the greatest
of the Crusader castles, spend a day exploring both Petra and
little known Al Beidha (It's no wonder Harrison Ford came here
to film 'The Temple of Doom", enjoy fine Arab food and
discover the corals and amazing fish of the Red Sea as we complete
our adventure in Aqaba. |
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Amman airport for collection and transfer to our 3 star
hotel. All flights arrive around midnight, so you will wish
to get straight to bed after our 25 minute drive. |
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Day 2
Following a leisurely breakfast, there will be a briefing before
departure for Jerash. The hour's drive will take us into the
green hills of north Jordan which serve as an interesting contrast
to the south. With its circus, theatre and columned streets,
exploring Jerash is to be taken back in time. Quite simply,
this will be a day of discovering one of the world's best preserved
roman cities which will give a fascinating insight to the ancient
empire. A buffet lunch will be served and, of course, we shall
return to our hotel in time to relax before dinner. |
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Day 3
An early breakfast will allow us time to make for the Dead Sea,
the lowest point on earth, where we will experience a 'float'.
After we refresh ourselves in outdoor showers, we will pass
the hot springs on our way an an ancient Arab hill top town
where we will enjoy a delicious lunch and visit one of the great
crusader castles. Late afternoon will see us make our way south
on the King's Highway to Wadi Musa to settle into our comfortable
hotel and perhaps enjoy a swim before dinner. |
Day 4
Before breakfast we shall rise early to visit Al Beidha or little
Petra, a little known gem hidden amongst the mountains and canyons
6 miles from Petra itself. After a return to our hotel for breakfast
we spend the day exploring the ancient Nabataean city itself.
Perhaps the greatest treasure of the Middle East Petra, a city
carved from the rocks themselves once boasted a population of
50,000 prosperous souls. We will return to the comfort of our
hotel in time to swim and relax before dinner.
Day 5 - 8
Leaving Wadi Musa early we cross the hills and return to the
Desert Highway To make our way south to drop steeply from
the high plateau down to the Arabian desert. We leave the
highway to strike east for Wadi Rum. Pausing to admire the
famous Seven Pillars of Wisdom we shall arrive in the village
with it's Beau Geste fort, home to the Desert Patrol, to be
met by Saleem. You will then enjoy a very fine Bedouin lunch
in the home of the Sabah family while Dig and Saleem ensure
all baggage and kit for the safari is loaded onto our jeeps.
In the afternoon we drive into the desert to meet our camels
and it is from here that we walk/ride to our camp set under
towering walls and a canopy of desert stars.
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THE SAFARI
We are in the desert for nights 4/5/6 and 7 and you will doubtless
wonder just how our expedition operates. Typically the morning
starts as you become aware of the flickering flames of the camp
fire and the scent of fresh bread being baked by Suliman . You
should have had a comfortable night as you will have slept on
a bed mattress in your tent and the temperature at night is
very pleasant - indeed some of you will have decided to abandon
the tent and sleep under the stars.
Following breakfast we pack up and help the team to load kit
onto the jeeps. Each day, as we trek and ride, we simply carry
day packs as the jeeps go ahead to establish camps. By mid day
we will be nearing another favourite spot such as the beautiful
canyon Agum Nora. Here carpets will have been laid out and fresh
mint tea will be waiting for us as a lunch of rice and chicken
is prepared. After lunch we enjoy a siesta or write up our journals.
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| The afternoon trek through the wilderness will
bring us to a new camp where - you guessed it - carpets, camp
fire and tea await before dinner (The Bedouin may not touch
alcohol but they certainly love tea). Nights are usually spent
lying around the fire, drinking tea as conversation flows and
ebbs before we drift away to our tents or simply curl up beneath
a star filled sky. In the course of our trek we will scale the
Burrah rock bridge and Jordan's highest peak - Jebel Am Adaami |
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Day 9
We will explore Kazali Canyon to discover Thalmudic inscriptions
before our final trek brings us "home" to Wadi Rum
for lunch. Our journey by mini bus now continues south through
the mountains as we descend to the Red Sea and Aqaba. Here you
will find yourself relishing the contrast of desert life with
the luxury of our 4 star hotel. Before dinner there will be
time to enjoy a rooftop swim and watch the craggy mountain tops
change colours as the sun casts it's last rays over the Red
Sea. |
Day 10
The morning is free to explore and shop in Aqaba. The town is
not large but big enough to interest and of course we will drive
you to Aqaba fort situated next to the Jordanian Design &
Trade centre. We recommend a visit to the Centre which was created
by Queen Noor to revive traditional crafts and create employment
for women in rural areas. Following lunch we invite you to discover
a real contrast to the desert by joining us at the Royal Jordanian
Diving school where we will swim and snorkel amongst some of
the worlds finest coral reefs and an absolute profusion of tropical
fish that will delight and amaze. Evening will see us gather
for our final dinner together and perhaps enjoy a quiet stroll
by the Red Sea. |
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Day 11
From the hotel it is only a 10 minute drive by our mini bus
to Aqaba airport from where you will fly to connect with your
flight home from Amman. This will allow you to enjoy a relaxing
start to the day.
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GUIDES
Dig Bulmer BAEML;
Saleem Almoktar (Wadi Rum)
TRANSPORT
We are supported throughout by mini bus with the addition of jeeps
and camels on trek.
ACCOMMODATION
Five nights in 4 star hotels (Amman/Petra/Aqaba). all the hotels
have been carefully selected in order to meet exactly our particular
needs. You will be sharing large comfortable twin rooms with private
facilities. During the safari/expedition you will need only bring
a three season sleeping bag, everything else is supplied.
MEALS
In hotels there is always an excellent buffet of both European and
Arabic foods, however do not feel disappointed by the lack of burgers
and chips. On expedition the food is Arab and excellent, consisting
of rice dishes with chicken or lamb with hummus, yoghurt and freshly
baked bread. Wine and beer are available when not on expedition,
however amongst the Bedouin it is always considered polite to take
tea or coffee. As on all our trips, vegetarians can be catered for.
All meals are provided except one lunch and one picnic.
KIT REQUIRED
A full kit list is provided on booking, however no specialist items
are required
save a sleeping bag (3 seasons)
GROUP
Numbers are restricted to no more than 10. The majority of your
group will be British though we do enjoy the company of Americans
and Europeans from time to time. On this trip more than any other
ages range considerably - typically from about thirty to early seventies,
however you will all have a love of wild places and a sense of humour.
FLIGHTS
WE recommend you fly Royal Jordanian Airways who fly daily from
London to Amman. You may contact Royal Jordanian Airways on 0207
8786300.
INSURANCE
Mandatory that all members have full Medevac cover - we suggest
you consider trekking insurance from the British Mountaineering
Council.
LUGGAGE
To be kept to a minimum please - one carry bag and a large rucksack
should suffice.
EXTRA COSTS
Flight which will be approximately £459.00 . Entry to Petra is £19.00, and
two lunches and one picnic which will total approximately £13.00.
Entry to Jerash is £4
Francetrek Holidays, Barnier, 26110, Vinsobres,
France.
Tel/Fax + 33 (0)4 75 27 68 29
email: Patrick@francetrek.com
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