Ever wondered what it is like to travel from Israel to Jordan for 36 hours with your fiancé and brother? If you’re planning a trip from Israel to Jordan, let me share our amazing experience and provide some helpful tips. In this blog post, I’ll be discussing our journey with Tourist Israel, a trusted travel agency, and the incredible sights we visited, including Petra and Wadi Rum. So, let’s dive into our adventure!
Why did we book a group tour?
To make things simple, we decided to book a group tour with Tourist Israel, an expert in organizing trips to Jordan. We joined their remarkable two-day journey from Jerusalem to Jordan, allowing us to explore the country hassle-free. Their attention to detail, from reserving our campsite to arranging visas and transportation, ensured a stress-free experience from start to finish.
Speaking of visas, if you hold an Israeli passport like us, you only need to pay $60, while those from abroad pay around $130 in total visa fees. So, don’t forget to bring your Israeli passport with you to save on visa costs!
For your Petra adventure, don’t forget to bring your own 1.5L water bottle and a hat. Although small bottles of water are provided during the trip, it’s better to be safe and well-prepared. Also, make sure to wear sturdy hiking boots, as you’ll be doing a fair amount of walking and climbing.
Traveling to Jordan with Celiac Disease
As a celiac traveler, I was particularly concerned about finding gluten-free options in Jordan. Although I didn’t have high expectations for the food aspect, I came prepared. I packed a variety of gluten-free snacks from @scharloglutenfree_il, including bread, on-the-go snack packs, and protein bars. These snacks proved to be a lifesaver, especially after all the hiking we did in Jordan. However, I must note that as a non-meat eater, I found the gluten-free options lacking. If you do eat meat, you will likely have more options available. It’s worth mentioning that most places we visited in Jordan had meat in their rice dishes, and fresh veggies were not as abundant due to Jordan’s landlocked nature. Nonetheless, I discovered some delightful snacks and thoroughly enjoyed trying out their different soda flavors.
See my full “What I Ate in a Day in Jordan” travel vlog on Instagram.
What did the tour include?
If you plan to visit during the winter months, from November to January, I highly recommend packing a beanie and a decent jacket. The weather can get quite chilly throughout the day, especially in the evenings when you’re in Wadi Rum jeeping.
In Wadi Rum, we embarked on an exhilarating jeep tour through the vast desert valley. We climbed numerous sand hills and explored the wadi, all while enjoying the company of camels roaming freely. Witnessing the breathtaking sunset was a truly magical experience. When we arrived at our campsite for the night, we were pleasantly surprised. Unlike previous “bedouin tent” experiences, where we slept on the floor in a massive tent with other people, each person/couple was given their own private cabin. There were two options available, and we opted for the more affordable one. Our cozy glamping tent/cabin was equipped with electricity, AC/heat, a spacious bed, and a bathroom. Some people on our tour chose the upgraded globe tent, which featured a roof that opens up, allowing for stargazing.
The next morning, we made our way to Wadi Musa, a small city where Petra is located. On the way, we made a pit stop at a charming souvenir store called the “second-best viewpoint in Jordan,” conveniently situated across the street from the “best viewpoint.” It was a great place to rest, grab snacks, and break up the long ride from Wadi Rum to Petra. We even ordered coffee there before getting back on the bus. Once we arrived in Petra, our guide provided us with our tickets and advised us to explore independently if we wanted to reach the monastery, considering the group’s slower pace, as many of the people on our tour were a bit older. We appreciated his advice and decided to venture on our own with another member of our tour, determined to reach the top of the mountain in time for the return bus. Conquering the 853 stairs (equivalent to 61 stories) leading to the top, where the monastery awaited us, was a remarkable achievement. At the summit, we took a well-deserved break at a small café, savoring snacks and coffee while admiring the stunning view. As a fun fact, the iconic Indiana Jones movie was filmed in this very location!
Overall, our time in Jordan was unforgettable. We had the opportunity to try a variety of fun drinks and sample gas station snacks that aren’t readily available in Israel. The hiking left us exhausted, and we ended up dozing off for most of the bus ride back. The entire experience was truly remarkable, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who wants to explore Jordan in a stress-free manner. Our guide went above and beyond to ensure our comfort, answer all our questions, and make the trip memorable. They even greeted us back in Israel with sufganiyot (jelly donuts) as it was Hanukkah!
If Petra has always been on your travel bucket list, hold on a second and immediately book your trip with @touristisrael. They offer daily trips from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and I cannot recommend them enough! Trust me, they’ll take care of all the details, ensuring you have an unforgettable experience exploring Petra.
