Jordan

PASSPORTS

Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your return to Australia and have at least two blank pages for every entry and country you intend to visit on your journey. If your passport does not meet these requirements you must obtain a new one. The Australian Passport Office website is www.passports.gov.au.   For more information on recommendations for carrying a copy of your passport, dual citizenship / which passport you should use, and the importance of the spelling of your name as it appears in your passport please click this link to our extensive Middle East Pre-departure Information.

VISAS & THE JORDAN PASS

Australian and New Zealand passport holders require a Visa to enter Jordan.

If you’re a tourist, the E-Visa program enables you to apply for a digital visa before arrival. Multiple visa options are available on the Ministry of Interior E-Visa & Jordan Pass webpage, depending on the purpose of your travel.

A popular option is to pre-purchase a JORDAN PASS, the ultimate sightseeing package that has been tailor-made to provide pass holders with prepaid entry to over 40 attractions in Jordan.  It includes free downloadable digital brochures covering all of Jordan’s tourist attractions and waives the cost of your tourist entry visa fee.  It must be purchased before arrival in Jordan and a minimum 3 night / 4 day stay in Jordan is required.  Please note: check the inclusions of your travel arrangements as often a Jordan Pass is included in a fully prepaid tour.

PASSPORT NAME

Your airline reservation must be made in your legal name as it appears on your passport (i.e. names on tickets and passports must match). If your passport name is different to your commonly used name, advise us of this and ensure your airline reservation name matches those on your passport.

SPECIAL REQUESTS

Do let us know your seat preferences and any special requests so we can advise the airlines accordingly, however airlines do not guarantee seat preferences and some airlines now charge extra for this service.

Be sure to mention any other special requests you may have such as dietary requirements, kids meals and wheelchair assistance.

FREQUENT FLYERS

Prior to your departure ensure you have provided your consultant with your frequent flyer details so they can be added to your flight booking.

If you intend to use frequent flyer miles for your air travel you must book your own flights directly with the airline. It is a good idea to hold onto all your boarding passes in the event you have a query regarding points on your return.

DIY FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS

If your flights are not booked by us ensure you provide your consultant with a copy of your flight itinerary so that we can share this with our ground operators who are responsible for booking corresponding ground transfers.

CLIMATE

Jordan has a hot, dry climate characterized by long, hot, dry summers and short, cool winters. There is never much rainfall in Jordan but what little rain there is tends to fall during the winter months from November to March. Make sure you are well aware of the conditions before you travel because winters can be surprisingly cold, whilst if you travel in mid summer day time temperatures can be very high.

LUGGAGE

Don’t take too much! You will regret bringing large unwieldy luggage.

Most importantly please note that the trunk/boot of Jordanian cars can be relatively small. So if you travel with a large, hard-shelled suitcase you may have a problem getting your luggage to fit OR when travelling in a group it is important to be conscious that everyone’s bags have to fit!

Wheelie bags with soft sides are ideal, along with a small back pack or shoulder bag for day to day items.

All luggage should also be capable of withstanding rugged treatment.

WHAT TO PACK

We recommend you pack casual, light, cotton clothing for summer as it can be very hot. The evenings can be quite cool, particularly in winter, so packing an extra couple of layers is a good idea.

It is best to travel in clothes that you feel most comfortable in, however you do need to be aware of some cultural sensitivities. Women should dress modestly. Jordanian women will never show their knees and rarely their shoulders. We recommend you do the same to avoid unwanted attention from men and women alike. Avoid short shorts and revealing dresses – or if you do choose to wear these styles we would suggest you have a scarf or pashmina with you in order to cover up should you wish, or need, to do so.

Laundry is offered in almost every hotel in Jordan, however please note that clothes are often hand washed so avoid handing over delicate or expensive items if you are at all worried about them. Most hotels offer overnight laundry so there is no need for excess clothing. You may be requested , or may prefer, to do your own under garments.

SHOPPING

For centuries, Jordan has been a hub of trade and had a tradition of trading exotic wares, which still thrives in its souqs and souvenir markets. Some of the better goods to look out for include: Frankincense, spices, rugs and natural crafts like handmade jewellery, shawls and aromatic soaps. You could spend ages wandering around the souqs, even if you are not normally an avid shopper.

SHOPPING TIPS

• If in doubt, ask your guide.
• Be prepared to bargain, but be sure you really want an item before you begin & start by offering what you believe is a fair price – usually 50% of the asking price, and then work your way up from there.
• Be assertive, but be kind – life’s too short to bargain over a further $2!
• If you see something you like, buy it. You may not find that colour, style, fabric or design again – let alone finding the same store!
• Boutiques may accept credit cards, but few souk vendors will, so be sure to carry cash, including small amounts for swift, inexpensive purchases.
• Leave your valuables such as your passport in the hotel safe.

ENSURE YOU’RE INSURED

Although we hope you’ll never need it, having a comprehensive travel insurance policy is always highly recommended. No international travel is ever entirely without risk, and even the best laid plans can go awry.

Whilst we cannot recommend the right policy for you (as only you know you and what you need), below we have provided links to sites and articles that may help you navigate your way through the choices available.

PLEASE NOTE: The  information provided here is subject to change at any time.  Please always read the travel insurers’ relevant Product Disclosure Statements and refer to the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade’s (DFAT) Smartraveller website for up to date travel advice and their advice on Travel Insurance.

Whichever insurer you choose please provide us with a copy of your chosen policy, insurance certificate and all emergency contact details for our records.

WHAT WE OFFER

The Classic Safari Company is currently associated with the following travel insurance providers :

• Cover-More Travel Insurance
• nib Travel Insurance

Each of the above insurers has varying strengths depending on the activities included in the trip you are undertaking.  Their websites are easy to navigate and once you have entered your personal details and selected your preferences – be that to reduce your excess, include cover for cruising, increase your cover for cancellation or obtain cover for a pre-existing medical condition – the website will generate a quote. If you are satisfied with what is presented, you simply need to follow the steps to purchase your insurance policy online.

At what point in the booking process should I purchase travel insurance?

It is advisable to obtain comprehensive travel insurance at the time of confirmation/paying a deposit to ensure you are covered from the moment you book.

What should I look for when selecting coverage?

Most insurance companies will cover the basics such lost luggage or flight cancellations, but levels of medical cover vary from policy to policy, and the cover for global issues, such as pandemics, has changed significantly over the past few years. This excellent article, Travel Insurance Simplified, published on 07 April 2022, details what you need to look for when selecting coverage for your next trip. Smartraveller also publishes helpful advice on Travel Insurance.

What is the impact of DFAT travel advice?

Some insurance will not cover travel to countries where the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) is warning Australians to “Reconsider your need to travel” (Level 3) and most don’t cover travel to places with a “Do not travel” warning (Level 4). Most international travel insurance covers visits to Level 2 countries.  DFAT travel advisories can change over time and this may affect your travel insurance coverage.  You should always check the advice levels on the Smartraveller website.

How much does travel insurance cost?

Costs will vary depending on your age, destination, duration of your journey, preferred excess, cancellation cover, and if you have any pre-existing medical conditions.  It is important to note that the inclusions with each policy are different so price is not the only factor you should consider when choosing travel insurance – cheaper policies often don’t provide the cover you might expect.  You should read the small print carefully before purchasing any travel insurance policy to ensure it is suitable for your needs.

Can I use my credit card travel insurance?

Many premium credit cards come with complimentary travel insurance. If you elect to only be covered by your credit card travel insurance it is paramount that you understand the terms and conditions, policy availability subject to your age, trip duration and destination, item limits, sub-limits and exclusions that may apply. It is also worth noting that many credit card travel insurance policies automatically exclude cover for epidemics and pandemics and may not cover charter flights.

What about reciprocal health care agreements?

If you’re travelling to one of the 11 countries for which Australia has reciprocal health care agreements, you may also be able to access free health care at your destination under these arrangements. The exact benefits available to Australians in each partner country vary. At a minimum, you can generally access emergency medical and hospital care in any of these 11 countries by simply showing your valid Australian Medicare card.

Even if you’re travelling to a country that has a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia, it’s still a very good idea to get travel insurance as these care agreements can be quite limited. Travel insurance will also cover you for everything else besides your health, such as delays or cancellations.

VACCINATIONS

It may be necessary to take medical precaution prior to, and whilst travelling. As we are not qualified to offer advice, we recommend you contact your GP or the Travel Doctor-TMVC  who have the most up‐to-date information available. Requirements are highly personal depending on your health profile and the activities in your itinerary. Some vaccinations must be given well in advance of travel, so we suggest seeking medical advice as soon as you start to plan your trip. Be sure to ask what vaccinations or medications may be required to enter Jordan and to re-enter Australia.

You can also refer to SmartTraveller for a guide as to what may be required, however you should always seek professional medical advice before travelling.

In Jordan hospitals & pharmacies have well provisioned dispensaries, however it is recommended that you carry any medicines you think you may need (eg. Antihistamine, motion sickness/car sickness tablets).

Please ensure you advise us of any allergies or medical conditions prior to travel.

We also recommend that you have a dental check up prior to leaving home.

STAY HEALTHY ON YOUR TRAVELS

There is no reason to get ill in this part of the world as long as you are sensible. Even if you are used to dining out on exotic cuisines at home, the food will still be vastly different to what you are accustomed to. Because of the different spices, herbs & the density and composition of water, you may find that there is initially an effect on your stomach. This normally passes within 48 hours as you adjust to the change in diet but if the condition persists you should consult a doctor.

To avoid health problems here are a few basic guidelines:

• Get all the vaccinations your doctor recommends.
• Drink bottled water.
• Do not eat uncooked vegetables or meat, peel all fruit before you eat it, avoid salads and only eat food which has been recently cooked.
• Avoid ice in your drinks (unless the hotel has a water purification system).
• Be very particular about personal hygiene, keeping your hands very clean.
• We do not recommend you eat from street vendors unless you are brave!
• Cover up – use insect repellent, mosquito nets and wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing
• Drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids, except in lodges and hotels where water quality is tested and assured
• Don’t swim in fresh water unless told it is safe to do so

FOOD & DRINK

Food and drink in Jordan is heavily influenced by Arabic and Mediterranean cuisines, but has many of its own delicacies too. Jordanian cuisine is steeped in tradition having developed over centuries of social and political change.

As one of the largest producers of olives in the world, olive oil is the main cooking oil in Jordan. Herbs, garlic, onion, tomato sauce and lemon are typical flavours found in Jordan. Yogurt is commonly served alongside food and is a common ingredient itself, in particular  jameed, a form of dried yogurt, is unique to Jordanian cuisine and a main ingredient in Mansaf, the national dish of Jordan. Mansaf is a traditional Arab dish made of lamb cooked in fermented, dried yogurt and served with rice. Internationally known foods which are common and popular everyday snacks in Jordan include hummus, falafel,  baba ghanoush, tabbouleh and olives .

Even though Jordan is largely a Muslim country, drinking alcohol is not a social taboo; it is readily available in restaurants and hotels. There are also bars in tourist areas and some of the major cities particularly those with a significant Christian community.  Jordan has one of the oldest wine making histories in the world. The climate and soils are well suited to grape production, yet until recently there were no vineyards of note. The Zumot Winery Saint George wines, however, are worth a try.

CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE

The unit of currency in Jordan is the Jordanian dinar (JOD), which is divided into 10 dirham, 100 qirsh or 1000 filis. There are 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 dinars notes and 1⁄2, 1, ​2 1⁄2, 5, 10 qirsh, ​1⁄4, ​1⁄2, 1 dinar coins. Australian dollars are not accepted in Jordan, however both US dollars and Euro can be exchanged for Jordanian Dinar. Money can be exchanged at banks, at a Bureau de Change and often in larger hotels.

It’s best to take a mixture of money – credit card, debit card or travel cash card, plus cash just in case.  Small denominations of USD or EURO are advisable – especially for tipping.  If all else fails, have someone you can depend on who will make an emergency transfer of funds.

ATM machines are available in most cities & towns, are NOT widely available beyond that so do rely on these as your sole source of funds.  Please be vigilant if you do withdraw cash.

Major international credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted.  AMEX is not so popular and in some instances is not accepted at all. Please note that you need to take your physical credit card, and you need to know your PIN number, as not all places will allow you to ‘tap’.  In some cases you may also be asked to sign.

It is recommended that you DO NOT change money on the black market as you are more likely to receive a lower rate of exchange or fake notes.

TELL YOUR BANK

We highly recommend you advise your bank of your destinations and travel dates. This should prevent any of your transactions being deemed as ‘out of the ordinary’ (and possibly stopped) due to their unexpected location.

TIPPING

Tipping in Jordan, like everywhere in the Middle East, is an ingrained part of tourism. Salaries are low and tipping is regarded as an essential way of supplementing income. In Jordan you will be expected to tip many people including your tour guides, drivers and ancillary staff such as waiters, & the hotel concierge. Please try to keep cool about this and don’t let it spoil your holiday. You will often feel like you are constantly tipping someone!

Here is a rough guide:

• Restaurants – it is customary to tip 10% of the bill amount
• Drivers – either tip daily or at the end of your trip if you have the same car & driver for a number of days. On a daily basis tip the equivalent of about US$10 per day
• Tour guides – US$20 for a full day
• Airport representatives – there is no need to tip local representatives who meet you at the airport
• Tour hosts that accompany you for the duration of your stay – US$200 per person
• Cleaning staff US$2 per room for the whole stay.
• All other service staff (guards in museums & tombs and shoe minders in mosques) US$2 for your family / travelling party.

Always carry extra money for those unexpected tips, for drivers, guides or staff that deserve that bit extra.

SPENDING MONEY

Your itinerary and invoice will indicate inclusions and exclusions throughout your itinerary booked by The Classic Safari Company.

It is difficult to calculate exactly how much each person will spend. However, as a rough guideline, we suggest you budget around US$50-70 per person per day for extras such as additional meals, tips, drinks and personal purchases.

Of course if you plan to shop ’til you drop – and there is a lot of great shopping in Jordan – then budget accordingly!

POWER

There are basically two main voltage systems used around the world: 110 Volt ‐ USA, Canada, Spain & Japan 220 Volt ‐ the rest of the world. In simple terms, the power supply available at the socket is roughly twice as powerful in 240V countries as in 110V countries.

The voltage in Jordan is 230 Volts, therefore if you wish to use any electronic devices from Canada, the US or Japan you’ll need a voltage converter AND a plug adapter. Australia operates a 220V currency and therefore you only require an adapter for Australian appliances.

Jordan takes a mix-and-match approach to electrical sockets. European round two and three-pin plugs along with British square three-pin plugs are all used across the country, with frequency seemingly determined only by what the electrician had to hand during installation! Types C, D, F, G and J are all used. If you do not already have any adaptor we recommend purchasing a multi-purpose travel adaptor, which will fit all of these.

Many adaptors also have a USB port so you can plug your smart phone, or I‐product directly into the adaptor.

For the latest & most up to date information about voltage and what adaptors to travel with refer to: www.korjo.com

SMART PHONES & DATA

Smart phones can be wonderful travel companions. Not only will they help you stay in touch with friends and family, they’ll guide you through unfamiliar cities, enlighten you on local attractions, translate foreign languages and produce great photographs.

Left unchecked they can also wreak havoc with your travel budget!

The reason is that some (but not all) of the fun and useful functions smart phones perform require the downloading of data via an internet connection. Unfortunately, if you’re paying for data roaming it can be an expensive exercise and you run the risk of returning home to an expensive shock.

If you want to make the most of your mobile device, while avoiding unexpected and unpleasant charges, keep in mind the following tips:

• Buy an International Roaming Pack ‐ think about buying a pack from your phone network before departure in order to access cheaper rates
• Remove your regular SIM and replace it with a pre‐paid SIM either purchased before departure or upon arrival. Not only will you benefit from better prices for data, voice calls and SMS, but there will be a pre‐set limit on how much you can spend giving you some piece of mind.
• Turn off global roaming ‐ the problem with data roaming is not simply the exorbitant costs travellers are charged for downloading megabytes, it’s the fact that this data is often being sucked down without you even being aware of it.

To be safe, the easiest thing to do is simply disable data roaming.

We do NOT recommend taking advantage of free-wifi in public places such as airports and malls. The connection is often insecure, and you could run the risk of data & information theft. If you do need to go online, whether to check your emails, use a handy app or make an online booking – your best option is to find SECURE free or affordable Wi‐Fi.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Photography plays an important role in any holiday. Zoom lenses are a great asset as are wide-angle lenses for landscape shots. The best over-all lens to take would be a zoom in the 70mm-300mm range. Only if you are a keen birder, would you need a lens greater than 300mm. For digital cameras it is suggested that you bring two rechargeable batteries and ensure that you have adequate memory space.

Please respect local customs and feelings when taking photos. You may need to tip locals in order to take photos. It is forbidden to photograph certain places such as airports, dams, bridges, government buildings & military installations in many countries. If in doubt, ask!