The Spirit of Jordan Expedition
The Spirit of Jordan expedition is a 10 day trip designed to give you an insight into the local Bedouin culture. You’ll be trekking in the Wadi Rum desert, following in the footsteps of the controversial and flamboyant Lawrence of Arabia. Having trailed through the desert and camped under the stars, you’ll visit the world heritage site of Petra. You’ll round off your trip with an unforgettable ‘float’ in the salt-rich Dead Sea.
The eccentric British army officer and writer, T.E. Lawrence made Wadi Rum famous among Westerners. In 1916 and 1917, he travelled there on several occasions. In 1962 Wadi Rum provided the setting for David Lean’s film, starring Peter O’Toole – Lawrence of Arabia.
Jordan is situated on the East Bank of the River Jordan. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the South and East, Iraq to the North-East, Syria to the North, and Israel and Palestine to the West.
The Wadi Rum Desert
Wadi Rum is of the world’s most attractive and peaceful deserts in the world. Located to the south of Jordan, it is also known as The Valley of the Moon (Arial picture of desert).
Wadi Rum is a protected area covering 720 square kilometers of dramatic desert wilderness. Huge mountains of sandstone and granite emerge, sheer-sided, from wide sandy valleys to reach heights of 1700 meters and more. Narrow canyons and fissures cut deep into the mountains. They conceal ancient rock drawings etched by the peoples of the desert over thousands of years.
The Bedouin
For centuries, The Bedouin have inhabited the Wadi Rum region. Successive generations have maintained a lifestyle of breeding camels, goats and sheep while living in tents or in caves. They weave their tents from goat, sheep or camel wool. The Bedouin move their livestock seasonally in search of grazing areas and water. In recent years, most of the Bedouin have settled into a less mobile way of life. However, they retain their traditions of oral expression and still maintain connections to their original nomadic lifestyle.
Trekking Phase – four days in Wadi Rum
The expedition begins with a day of professional expedition training, focussed on understanding the desert environment.
Topics covered include.
For the next 4 days, you and your team will set off on foot, heading for successive check points. Working as a team, you will use your training and navigate by compass, GPS and the lie of the land to decide on the best route. Each day you will visit fascinating new sites –
Lawrence’s Spring
Where Lawrence of Arabia reputedly paused to refresh himself at the height of the Arab Revolt.
The Khazali Canyon
This deep, narrow fissure cut into the side of the mountain contains numerous rock inscriptions.
Rock Bridge
A spectacular natural arch carved from rock, with amazing views
The Seven Pillars of Wisdom
The famous landmark, named after T.E. Lawrence’s famous autobiography.
Sand Dunes
large area of sand piled up against the mountains. They’re fun to climb … and even more fun to come down. A little-known fact – sand dunes harbour a surprising collection of hardy and plant species.
At the end of each day, local Bedouins will welcome you to their encampments. You will eat their delicious tagine-style food, cooked in traditional underground ovens. You’ll relax around a desert camp fire, whilst learning about the rich Bedouin history and culture. Nights will be spent under tents , before heading off the following day to continue your desert expedition. This is exploring in its purest form – following in the intrepid footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia.
Throughout the trekking phase, a professional U.K. expedition leader will be on hand to deal with any group or individual needs , along with local guides.
A Visit to Petra
Petra is truly the jewel in Jordan’s rich cultural crown. One of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, Petra’s has 2000 years of history and 800 surviving monuments.
There is evidence of habitation in Petra since prehistoric times. This Nabataean caravan-city, situated between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea was an important crossroads between Arabia, Egypt and Syria-Phoenicia. Half-built, half-carved into the rock, Petra is surrounded by mountains, riddled with passages and gorges. It is one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites, where ancient Eastern traditions blend with Hellenistic architecture
You will pick a path through the steep rocky slopes and craggy mountain tops. You will admire the temples, tombs, theatres and stairways, carved into the rock. Only then will you truly understand why Petra is known as the 8th Wonder of the World.
That evening you will relax in a nearby hotel.
Dead Sea
Within the folds of the Jordan Valley lies the Dead Sea. It is more than 400 metres below sea level and the lowest point on earth. Rich in minerals that have seeped from adjacent wadis, the Dead Sea is well known for having exceptionally buoyant water. Many also believe that its waters possess curative powers.
The sensation of weightlessness while swimming in the Dead Sea is a novel experience – one never to be forgotten.
Ballooning Tours
Optional extras
Enjoy a unique and unforgettable perspective on the desert with a hot air balloon ride over the Wadi Rum Desert. Lasting a full hour, this fantastic experience can be yours for just £140 extra per person (price may change). This price includes transport to and from the balloon site. Balloon flights are dependent on the weather – unfortunately, a guaranteed confirmation is not possible. Of course, if the balloon ride has to be cancelled, there will be no charge. Booking and payment for this will be direct to Bait Ali hotel.
Expedition Itinerary
| Day number | Location and activity | Accommodation and food. |
|---|---|---|
| Days | Activities For The Day(s) | Food & Accomadation |
| Day 1 | Arrival in Amman airport Jordan. You will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel in Amman. Here you will meet the rest of the group and given a more detailed brief of the trip ahead. | Amman Hotel. |
| Day 2 | Travel to Wadi Rum Desert. After breakfast you will travel by coach to Wadi Rum desert , with a journey time of around four to five hours. Tonight you will be sleeping in Wadi Rum desert This Bedouin camp has beds , toilets and showers. Our local guides and will cook a traditional Bedouin meal using an underground oven. | Wadi Rum desert. |
| Day 3, 4, 5, 6 | Trekking phase – Wadi Rum Desert. Your U.K expedition leader will take you through detailed instruction, ensuring you are prepared for the adventure ahead. Topics covered are Navigation, First Aid, ‘lost’ Procedures, Survival Shelter Building and Fire Making. For the next four days you will be living life as local Bedouin. Navigating by compass and GPS, you will cover large open ground stopping off at Bedouin sites along route for refreshments. The desert will vary from day to day – from large dried-up lakes to towering rock features. One thing is for certain – you will relish the sense of solitude in this vast expanse of desert. Each night you will be wild camping well away from the beaten track to feel the vastness of this beautiful desert. We will trek to set locations carrying only light kit in which our main baggage will be carried forward by jeeps. Improvised camps will be set up by our local Bedouins and food will cooked over an open fire. During our time in Wadi Rum no desert experience wouldn’t be complete without riding a camel through the desert. On the fourth day of trekking we will arrive at Bait Ali Camp. This hotel is based on the edge of the Wadi Rum desert. You can rest and relax by the edge of the pool or go for a sunset quad bike experience through the desert. Booking and payment for the quad bikes is through the hotel as its not part of this package price. | Wadi Rum desert. 4×4 Jeep assistance / safety vehicle with English Speaking Bedouin Guide/driver. Group will have one UK professional guide with them. Wild camping enjoying the traditional tribal hospitality. |
| Day 7 | Petra Today you will visit Petra. An early morning rise will be followed by a two hour coach journey to the site. Words cannot describe this stunning ancient city. We’ll say no more for now. Just make sure you have your camera at the ready! Tonight we will staying in a hotel in Petra. | There is the option of a morning Balloon Ride subject to availability and weather.Booking of balloon ride is through the hotel and is an additional cost of around £140 per person. Petra entry cost covered. Evening stay locally in a hotel near Petra. Evening meal will be at your own cost. |
| Day 8 | Dead Sea visit / swim. An early rise for a coach journey to the Dead Sea. Round off your trip by floating weightlessly in this wonderful sea. Take a mud bath and relax. After the Dead Sea experience, there will be a one-hour coach journey to the hotel in Amman. | Dead Sea entry fee covered. Amman Hotel. Evening meal will be at your own cost. |
| Day 9 | Amman TFree time in Amman to take in the local sites. | Amman Hotel. Evening meal will be at your own cost. |
| Day 10 | Group to depart from AMMAN. |
Expedition aim
Our aim is to allow everyone the space to challenge themselves whilst enjoying a personal learning journey. All safety back-up plans, risk assessments and in-country support will be explained in detail.
Elite Survival Training has been responsible for a number of high profile expeditions for Television Companies including the BBC and National Geographic Channel. Recommendation from these companies emphasised the safety and emergency planning aspects covered by Elite Survival Training.
Safety
Elite Survival Training will ensure that complete and in depth safety arrangement have been made. Staff will have GPS and Satellite phones on hand at all times in case of emergency, along with comprehensive medical equipment
Duration
10 Days
Dates
October 12th October – 21st October October 2018
Price
Price for: The Spirit of Jordan expedition £1,795.00 per person.
Group size
Only 10 places are available for this trip which will be accompanied by two expedition leaders.
Deposit
A £300 deposit will be required to secure your place. Hotels will be arranged by us, This will be none refundable. Full payment will be needed by 31st August 2018.
Flights
International flights are not included. Flights from London to Queen Alia Amman airport start at £450.00 return.
Whats included?
All Internal flights, guides, permits , 4×4 jeeps, meals within the desert. Hotel evening meals and drinks are not included.
Price Includes:
Kit and equipment
A full kit list will be sent you on securing your deposit. You will need items such as desert boots, sleeping bag and suitable outdoor clothing.
Insurance
You will need to provide your own travel insurance for this trip. We will require a copy of your certificate of insurance.
Visa
You’ll need a visa to enter Jordan. You can get a single entry visa valid for 1 month on arrival at the airport. This cost 40JD / £40.00.
What not included
Evening meals in Petra and Amman. Lunch is not included on day nine when site seeing in Amman.
Group size
Only 10 places are available for this trip which will be accompanied by John Sullivan – U.K expedition leader and local guides.
Who is this Expedition for?
The Expedition is open to all abilities. Some activities will be easy to handle. Others will be more of a challenge. By the end of the trip, you’ll enjoy a feeling like no other – the sense of achievement, personal gain and adrenaline will be second to none.
An Experience Like No Other
The Jordan Expedition is also incredibly diverse. Some days you will feel the intense pangs of adrenaline run through your veins as you experience an activity for the very first time. Other days the sense of achievement will be almost overwhelming as you complete an activity as a team: you simply won’t be able to stop smiling!
This expedition is an amazing opportunity. The great thing is that it is open to ANYONE. All that’s required is that you have a reasonable level of fitness (i.e. regularly walk in the hills), enjoy adventurous and sporting activities and are up for a personal challenge.
Safety, Leadership & Back-up
Safety and sound leadership with activities run and managed by professionals are paramount. They are the key to every Elite Survival Expedition. Each activity will be run by fully certified local specialist operators. Our leaders are experts in their field and have been handpicked by Elite Survival’s technical team. All the guides and drivers have intimate knowledge of the region.
There will be a back-up team of Elite Leaders, guides and cooks behind the scenes. They’ll meet you at the end of every day, help set up your camp, provide expertise and above all cook a hearty meal!
The Elite Survival team will not force anyone to do every activity. Although unusual, there may be times when, on grounds of safety, we have to skip an activity.
Who Should Sign Up?
We understand the pleasure and sense of fulfilment that our expeditions can provide. We also appreciate the benefits to our busy lives of a complete change of scene. We acknowledge that our expeditions must
The typical Elite Survival client likes to relax by being active. Of course there will be times in the evening for watching sunsets with a beer in hand and feet up, but you also be looking forward to cracking on, full of energy, anticipating what the next day has in store.
Elite Survival believes in team work and will do all it can to ensure this is one of the most memorable experiences you will ever enjoy. Our aim is for you leave our expedition wanting more.