Napjunkie

Nalijo -- thanks for your report and your tips! I went to the Desert Horizon website and found this itinerary: http://www.deserthorizon.net/middle_east_syria.html .Was this the package you had? Just to verify -- this is a custom, private tour, right (it doesn't actually say that on the website)? I just want to check before I contact them. Thanks.

nalijo

Napjunkie

I looked at the package you are considering. It is similar but not the same. Yes,ours was a custom, private tour. We got in touch with the Agency, he offered a Draft itinerary, and we made changes according what cities and places we wanted to see and also picked the hotels we wanted to stay at. We did not go to the Dead Sea since we have visited it on the Israeli side before. This package offers 12 days, we stayed only 10, and regret that we did not stay another day in Petra.
I am happy that my report was helpful.
Good luck!!!

Napjunkie

Thanks! I received a reply back right away from Mohamed. The tours listed on the website are indeed private, which is what we want (we're very much like you in our travel preferences, I think). The base price for the 12 day seemed reasonable, too.

We will use the suggested itinerary as a start and modify it to include another day at Petra (as you suggested) and also some additional time in Amman and Damascus. Altogether we're aiming for 16 or 17 days in Jordan and Syria. We will also add on a few days in Cairo and a few days in London at the end. We were in Cairo 30+ years ago at the beginning of a group tour. The problem was that they immediately took us to all the good stuff and we don't remember it hardly at all because we were so jet-lagged. This time we hope to be awake! Also, we want to return to London at the end of the trip and go to the British Museum where a lot of the most amazing artifacts from this area are located. We did this following our trip to Egypt 30+ years ago and it was very interesting.

I will mention your post to Mohamed and send him your regards.

By the way, we are planning on going in May. Does that seem like a good time to you?

nalijo

Napjunkie

Hello...I am very happy that you decided to go with Mohammed, I am sure that you will not be disappointed. I would highly recommend Bashar to be your driver in Jordan, he is a wonderful person and he will take good care of you.
We were in Jordan in mid April and found it a little bit on the hot side already. May could be warmer, especilly for the climbing to the Monastery and other places in Petra. The ideal time to go there, I think, would be the end of March and the beginning of April.
One day in Amman was more than enough for us, however, Damascus is another story...You might want to consider spending more time in Syria.

Please say hello to Mohammed for us.

The British Museum a treat for us too.

Napjunkie

Thanks again. Based on your recommendation, we may move up the trip to April.

We've consulted with Mohamed, and the current itinerary we're considering looks like this:

1 night Amman (we will likely arrive late, very very tired -- we'll be coming from our home in Hawaii)

2 nights in Aqaba (to recover and to snorkel)

3 nights in Petra (includes Wadi Rum excursion, so really this is two full days in Petra)

1 night Dead Sea (from Petra, including Madaba, Mt. Nebo, and Kerak)

1 night Amman (stop at Bethany on the way from Dead Sea)

3 nights Damascus (see Jerash on the way, excursions to Basra, Cahaba)

2 nights Aleppo (visit Seydnaya, Maloula, Krak des Chevaliers on the way, full day at Aleppo)

2 nights Palmyra (see St. Simeon, Apamea, Hama on the way from Aleppo)

1 night Damascus (visit Mar Mousa Monastery on way from Palmyra)

We'd appreciate your opinion (or anyone else) of this in terms of what we might include or change. It seems pretty good compared to other tours I've looked at. The proposed cost is about 3k USD per person using 4-star hotels. I wonder if this is a bit high, given that it doesn't include meals other than the breakfasts supplied by the hotels?

nalijo

Napjunkie....
The price is very good for 16 nights at 4 star hotels, plus the transportation and personal guide.
You will have a chance to catch up on your sleep on the way to Aqaba. For us it was worth it to stay at Wadi Rum for one night. Your itinenary looks very complete. I wish you luck..enjoy it..

Napjunkie

Thanks again -- we've changed things to one night in Aqaba and then an overnight in Wadi Rum. This should work out ok because we won't have to leave until late in the afternoon from Aqaba, giving us time to snorkel again. Likewise, the transfer from Wadi Rum to Petra can be leisurely, giving us time to explore Wadi Rum more if we choose, because we have three nights in Petra, ensuring two full days there.

I do have a question -- we've never had a dedicated driver before. Will he be available all the time? For instance, in Petra we may want to eat in town (we will likely stay at the Panorama, like you did). Can we arrange for him to take us to town and then meet him somewhere to take us back? I almost feel like we're imposing on him. Likewise, if we have him drive us to the Petra entrance, can we have him meet us there at a designated time for the return? Do you have a suggestion on tipping him? Please advise.

nalijo

Napjunkie,
While drivers are at your disposal at any time, it would not be wise to use their services after 'normal working hours'. They need a decent rest after driving all day. Wadi Musa is the name of the town where you will be staying during your visits to Petra. We stayed in the Petra Palace hotel, which is very close (500 meters) to the entrance to Petra. The hotel is on the main street where most of the restaurants are located.
Our driver took us to the entrance, but we walked back to the hotel since it is impossible to ascertain how long one will stay.
At least $15/day should do for the tip.
If you happen to be there on a Monday, Wednesday or Thursday night, you can take in the tour of Petra by candle lite. You can ask te driver to get you the tickets.