Jordan - Oct '16

I haven’t done any self-driving trips other than on holidays. When Byond travels came up with a self-drive trip in Jordan, I thought as to why not try this out. For a change my wife decided to join me.

From Mumbai we flew into Amman. I found Kuwait Airways a better connection. Added to that, the business class fare was very reasonable. Once inside the aircraft, I was stunned to see the business class. It was like a size of badminton court and very few seats. The seats were probably double the size of a normal economy class seat. Throughout it was a very comfortable flight.

The Middle East kingdom of Jordan is bordered on the west by Israel and the Dead Sea, on the north by Syria, on the east by Iraq, and on the south by Saudi Arabia. It is comparable in size to Indiana. Arid hills and mountains make up most of the country.

Travel Date : 8th Oct ’16 to 15th Oct ‘16

Company : Byond Travels

8th Oct :

On arrival at Queen Alia International Airport, we had the local representatives to receive us. The entire immigration / customs process was very smooth. We picked a local SIM card in the airport. Since credit card was not widely accepted, we changed sufficient currency. The SUV cars provided by the local agency was parked in the parking lot. I took the vehicle allotted to me and started driving to Aman city. Driving in Jordan is nothing different from driving in India. Our first drive was to Jerash using an expressway quality road. The roads are wide and clean, with plenty of fast corners as you wind your way through olive groves and low hills. Jerash is the biggest and most completely well-preserved city of the ancient Roman Empire. Explore its colonnaded streets dotted with half-fallen columns, majestic arches, temples, theatres, plazas and the 2000-year-old hippodrome; a well-preserved reminder of the grandeur of those times. We then, drove back to the hotel in Amman, just in time for dinner, before retiring after a long day.

Amman airport to Jerash was about 80 KM and took about 2 hours.

9th Oct :

After breakfast, we spent the day exploring Amman, from the comfort of our cars. Our route took us through city’s iconic sites, including the Roman Theater & the Citadel and the King Abdullah Mosque. The highlight of the day was a visit to the Royal Automobile Museum that showcases the life of King Hussein through a wide range of vintage and limited-edition cars, such as WW1-era armored cars, Aston Martins, Packards, Mercedes Benz and Cadillacs and a stunning 1946 Lincoln Continental Convertible that the late king used for his private drives.

Later on, in the day, we drove to Wadi Mujib which most spectacular river canyon. Accompanied by a local guide, we walked through ankle-deep water, following the gushing stream that leads deep into the canyon, and ends with a view of a large, rushing waterfall. Walking through the narrow stream between the 100 feet walls of the towering, red sandstone cliffs, clambering over small, fast-flowing waterfalls and fighting the feisty current with each step, we felt like a real explorer. It is important to have a proper shoe to protect from the pebbles and stones while to walk in the Wadi.

Wadi Mujib

Amman to Wadi Mujib: 90KM, about an hour and a half of driving.

10th Oct :

After breakfast, we drove to nearby Mount Nebo, where, according to the Bible, Moses stood and looked out at the Holy Land. From the peak we could see the sweeping vista of the Jordan River valley, the Dead Sea, Jericho and a glimpse of Jerusalem’s spires and rooftops in the far distance. Before heading back down the mountain, we visited the Byzantine Church.

Madaba to Mount Nebo: 15KM, about 20 min of driving.

To stretch the Pajero’s power a bit we headed further south using the beautiful desert highway, with its broad tarmac to the Dana Natural Reserve with beautiful landscape - rising dunes, ancient rocks and a feeling of expanse unmatched elsewhere. Dana Natural Reserve is Jordan’s largest nature park and like the rest of the country, is stunning. At the centre of the reserve is the village of Dana which offers unparalleled views of the valley. A moon like landscape but with green plants will greet us.

Mount Nebo to Dana Natural Reserve: 250KM, about two and half hours of driving.

After Dana, our next stay was at Petra, to see the most awaited historical monument, the Petra. We drove a through the ever-stunning desert highway. The sights continue to thrill until you hit the famous town. We retired for the day imagining Petra and Indiana Jones.

11th Oct :

Today was the day to explore Petra. The Victorian poet, Dean Burgon, described Petra as the “rose-red city half as old as time.”. Inside Petra it was unbelievable - tall red structures, caves, temples and tombs. The Treasury, a structure carved into the Petra sandstone is something that one can admire forever. Petra is huge and a day may not be enough. I walked through out and enjoyed every bit. I also climbed the 800 rock-cut steps to the Monastery Al Deir from where the views of Petra is stunning. Inside Petra there are many cafes and restaurants. In the evening candles are lit in front of the treasury and this is not to be missed.

Petra by Night

12th Oct :

After breakfast in Petra, we got into our Pajero and headed 120 km on the familiar desert highway to Wadi Rum. On the way, one can see the stunning entirety of Wadi Rum at the panorama point. This is the highest place en-route to the Wadi. We were then transferred to 4x4 jeeps and we were driven through the dramatic, primeval lunar landscape of the Wadi with its twist and turn, climb and dip among the granite, basalt and sandstone mountains and glittering red sands. We then reached the Sun City camp where stayed that night.

Total desert safari time: 6 hours.

13th Oct :

Today we drove to Aqaba Jordan’s only coastal city. It was a complete relaxing day with not many activities.

Wadi Rum to Aqaba: 100KM, about an hour and half of driving.

14th Oct :

After a little bit leisure in the morning we got back to our Pajero for a 4-hour drive to the Dead Sea another most awaited attraction. Instead of the desert highway, we drove through the stunning Arava Border Desert way which runs parallel to the Jordan - Israel border. With sharp hills to the right and the flat desert to the left, this long drive will cap off the driving adventure superbly. One can get into the dead sea from the hotel. Swimming in dead sea is a unique experience and many may not enjoy this. If you have cuts or bruises in your body, you must take extra precaution before entering the dead sea otherwise you will have a severe burning sensation in the wounds. And don't forget to try a mud pack. Our cars were dropped in the hotel.

Aqaba to the Dead Sea: 226KM, about 4 hours of driving.

15th Oct :

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. This morning, we were picked up from the hotel and driven to the airport to catch our flight home.

Overall this was a great and enjoyable trip. Vegetarian food was an issue. We ended up eating salad and hummus with pita bread most of the time. So, if you are a vegetarian you may want to carry some ready to eat food from India.

To view the album --> http://jordan--oct-16.gopsview.com

Source : Travel Document from Byond.