JEWELS OF JORDANHiking the spectacular landscapes of anancient kingdom...

Tour Code: 29350Grade 5/SS

Holiday Duration: 12 nights

HOLIDAY DATES18th Oct 2019 - 30th Oct 2019

Hiking the spectacular landscapes of an ancient kingdom in Jordan.

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

Walk the Ibn Hammad gorge.

Take ample time to fully explore the carved pink city ofPetra.

Gaze at the clear night sky at Wadi Rum.

Explore the Dana Nature Reserve with its array of flora,fauna and extensive wildlife.

Float in the Dead Sea.

Experience Bedouin culture.

See the mighty crusader castles at Shobak and Kerak.

Jewels of Jordan

Guided Walking Holidays - Jewels of Jordan

Picture a vast desert as far as the eye can see under a sky as blue as the deepest ocean. A land where Bedouins roam and beauty is found in the most unexpected places. Cross the wild sands and desert canyons only to stumble across the lost city of Petra, carefully carved into pink sandstone cliffs. Float without a care in the Dead Sea and from your desert camp at Wadi Rum, gaze up into the night sky at the map of stars above your head. Experience this journey with Ramblers Walking Holidays.

Jordan is a hospitable, majestic and captivating country. We'll explore the capital Amman, with its colourful bazaars, ancient citadel and museums, and visit the best preserved Roman city in the Near East at Jerash, with its spectacular temples and forum.

We will take a dramatic walk from the hot springs at Ibn Hammad, en route to our campsite at Dana, and walk to a spectacular Eco lodge at Feynan. We'll explore the spectacular canyon and sand dunes of Wadi Rum, enjoying the quiet and colour of the desert, and fully explore the Red Rose city of Petra, set deep inside the narrow gorge with its walls rising two hundred metres from the desert floor. Petra is truly a special place, with a history that dates back over 2,000 years and was once the crossroads of the trade routes between east and west.

En route to Madeba, we'll see the mighty crusader castles at Shobak and Kerak and swim (or float!) in the Dead Sea, and visit Mount Nebo, from where Moses viewed the Promised Land. At Madeba, we'll see the ancient mosaic map of the Holyland. This is a journey through history, seeing and experiencing a fascinating country at its best.

WHAT'S INCLUDED Return flights Heathrow to Amman (Royal Jordanian) Airport transfers. Half board en suite accommodation. Local English speaking guides. All entrance fees & transport costs.

HOLIDAY GRADEThis is a Grade 5/SS/P holiday and features some full and half day walks with generally moderate amounts of ascent and descent. The paths are mostly good, but there will be some steep, uneven and rough ground as we explore archaeological sites and follow Bedouin paths. Some days will be dedicated solely to sightseeing or include an element of sightseeing, and our transfers between centres will include walks where possible. Generally we'll walk between 2.5 hours- 5 hours a day, up to 12kms (8 miles) and an ascent/descent up to 400m. One of our days at Petra is top of the grade and ascends up to 750m, taking up to seven hours. While some walks appear shorter than others, it is the weather and terrain that determines the grade. Also designated a Pioneer holiday, this programme offers a more adventurous itinerary, off the beaten track, exploring lesser known corners. Local events may require amendments to the programme, sometime at short notice. See the itinerary section for more information

Proposed ItineraryOur bottom line is happy travellers, and to that end we trust our tour leaders to use the itinerary below as a basis for providing you with a great holiday. We expect our leaders to make adjustments to the itinerary if the weather, group ability or other local conditions make that necessary. There are normally more options available to our leaders than those listed below and one or more of these options may well be chosen. All distances, heights & timings are approximate.

Key to Meals:B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner.In flight meals, if appropriate, will be advised in your final travel documents

Day: 1 - Amman (No Meals) Fly from London Heathrow to Amman, arriving at approx. midnight. After clearing immigration, we transfer by road to our Amman hotel for 3 nights’ accommodation.

Day: 2 - Amman (B,D) Start the day at a relaxed pace with an itinerary briefing, followed by a tour of Amman including the Citadel, Roman Amphitheatre and downtown Amman. The sights and sounds of a Middle Eastern capital city is a feast for your senses!

Day: 3 - Amman (B,D) Travel by road to the Roman city of Jerash where we visit the Forum, the street of Columns and the Temple of Artemis. This well preserved city is considered one of the best in the world. We will also make a visit to Ajloun to see the castle and perhaps enjoy a local walk. We return to Amman for dinner.

Day: 4 - Wadi Rum (B,D) Leaving Amman today, we travel south to the desert landscape of Wadi Rum. En route, we'll take a walk starting at the hot springs of Ibn Hammad and enter a sandstone gorge of abundant vegetation and hanging gardens. You should expect to get your shoes wet as much of the walking is in a perennial stream, perhaps higher depending on recent rains. We overnight at Wadi Rum for one night in campsite accommodation. Distance: 3kms / 2+ hours / Ascent and Descent 50m. We change from the coach to jeeps for the journey across the sand dunes to our Bedouin camp for our night under the stars. The colours of the desert change as the sun sets and the stars come out. Dinner, which has been cooked underground, over hot charcoals, is eaten around the camp fire. An extraordinary experience!

Day: 5 - Dana (B,D) We'll explore the lunar landscape of Wadi Rum, walking through a canyon and climbing the sand dunes. Later we transfer to the Dana Nature Reserve, where we stay in campsite accommodation.

Day: 6 - Feynan (B,D) We'll take a hike from the Nature Reserve to Feynan and stay at the Feynan Eco Lodge for 1 night's accommodation. The nature reserve encompasses some of Jordan's most breathtaking scenery, and became the Kingdom's sixth wildlife reserve in 1990, thereby protecting all animals — including endangered species such as the ibex. The first hour of the walk is the the steepest and walking poles maybe useful. 14kms (9 miles); ascent 100m, descent 1000m; 5 hours. Our accommodation at Dana is a fine example of an eco experience using solar power, sourcing local ingredients for meals where possible and employing local villagers to work in the Lodge. Watching the sunset and evening star gazing are perfect ways to end the day.

Day: 7 - Petra (B,D) We explore the area around Feynan lodge, which was a big copper mining and smelting area during the Roman era. We explore the remains as well as hike in the dramatic desert, Jordan Valleys and nearby wadi Ghweir. We walk for about 2-4 hours, depending on group fitness and ability. Up to 200 m ascent/ descent. We visit the crusader castle of Shobak before we continue to Petra, where we stay for four nights' accommodation. Our hotel is located in the town of Petra, Wadi Musa, which is next door to the ancient site allowing easy access.

Day: 8 - Petra (B,D) A full day exploring the magnificent Red Rose city of Petra. Entering thorugh the Siq, we'll see the magnificent Treasury carved in pink stone, the Roman Theatre, Corinthian and Palace Tombs. This afternoon we'll walk via the dramatic slot canyon of Wadi Muthlim (the dark wadi) or, if the canyon is full of water, via the High Place of Sacrifice and Wadi Farasah with excellent views from the summit.

Day: 9 - Petra (B,D) Starting at Little Petra today, we pass the site of a Neolithic village and loop around the mountain edge with views towards Wadi Araba, before arriving at Al Deir monastery – We descend approx. 800 steps back to the heart of the old city and visit the area of the Royal Tombs. t. Distance: 6kms / 2+ hours / Ascent 50m Descent 200m

Day: 10 - Petra (B,D) Today's walk is at the very top of grade. Our walk takes us from Petra to Jebel Haroun (Aaron's Mountain) and the round trip is approx. 23kms, will take approximately seven hours with an ascent of about 750m. At the top of Jebel Haroun, at 1350m the highest peak on the mountain surrounding the bowl of Petra, there is the very modest shrine commemorating the death of Aaron, Moses' brother. We can enjoy the panoramic views before heading back to our hotel.

Day: 11 - Madaba (B,D) We leave Petra today and make our way northwards along the Desert Highway. We'll make a stop at the crusader castle of Kerak en route to Madaba. Here we see the famous mosaics of the Holyland. We stay in Madaba for 2 nights' accommodation.

Day: 12 - Madaba (B,D) This morning we take our vehicle and drive to the Herodium fortress of Machereus, where we can take a short walk and admire the views. Continue on to the Dead Sea, where we stop for a swim (or float!) , and then finish our day viewing the Holy Land from Mount Nebo. We return to Madeba and enjoy a farewell dinner in local restaurant. Note: Our visit to the Dead Sea Resort gives us approx 1.5 hours to enjoy our time there. There are lockers and towels for hire locally.

Day: 13 - - (B) Transfer to Amman Airport for check-in and our return flight to London Heathrow.

Walks & ExcursionsAs the terrain in Jordan can be variable, be prepared for some rough, uneven sections on our walks. There will be days when our walking will be easier (sightseeing days) and some days when it will be at the top of the grade. Please note the information given in the itinerary regarding Day 10. There may be, on some days, a large element of sightseeing included in the walks which will mean stopping in various places before continuing with the programme.

All walks transport, entrances, site passes etc mentioned in the itinerary are included in the holiday cost. If you wish to take any optional excursions, such as a hammam (JOD20pp), or Petra by Night (JOD17pp) or visit any sites not mentioned in the itinerary, these will be at your own expense.

The current ROE (as of Summer 2018) is GBP1 = JOD0.98

Optional ExcursionsA range of local excursions and activities may be available to book at your destination through a local operator. We have no involvement in such activities or excursions which are not run, supervised or controlled in any way by us. Your contract will be with the local activity supplier and we accept no responsibility for their actions or omissions.

Leaders Evening BriefingEach evening, your tour leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. If you do not wish to join the organised group programme, please let the leader know.

Local Transport CostsAll local transport costs in conjunction with the advertised activity programme are included in the holiday cost.

Personal ExpenditureBudgeting for ExtrasWhen budgeting for your holiday, you will need to consider drinks, any meals not included in the holiday price, non-included entrance fees, optional excursions you may choose to participate in locally and any souvenirs or additional services such as laundry. A general guideline for lunches and drinks is £10-£20 per person per day.

As you are probably already aware, tipping or "backsheesh" is a way of life in the Middle East. In order to take the hassle out of tipping, we strongly recommend that you allow your leader to take care of making sure tips are given to hotel and restaurant staff & to local guides and drivers. This will be done using some funds provided by Ramblers Walking Holidays plus a contribution from you, which your leader will collect during the holiday. We

suggest an amount of £25-£30 per person for this. A small tip is usually required for the use of toilets and any drinks and meals you purchase yourself.

TippingAlthough entirely at your own discretion, tipping is an important aspect of tourism and hospitality life and expectations are fairly high. In order to simplify tipping, we strongly recommend that you allow your leader to take care of making sure tips are given to hotel and restaurant staff & to local guides and drivers. This will be done using some funds provided by us together with, if you wish, a contribution from you, which he/she will collect during the holiday.

Small GroupsGroup SizeComing from all walks of life your fellow travelling companions will share your desire to discover great things and have a wonderful holiday. Enjoy their infectious enthusiasm, camaraderie and great dinner conversation.

Our maximum group size for guided walks between grade 5 and grade 8 is 18 persons.

Tour LeadersYour tour leader makes the world of difference to your holiday and ours are as passionate about discovering the world on foot as you are. They're resourceful, organised and widely travelled. They will handle all the local administration and other needs that might arise to ensure that you don't have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday. Although leading group holidays, they won't forget that every group is made up of individuals. Each tour leader has their own individual style, talents and professional backgrounds and all are trained, qualified, experienced and dedicated to making your holiday as enjoyable, interesting and inspiring as possible.

On some holidays of 7 nights and over, the tour leader may have one day's break a week, enabling you to have a 'free' day too!

Travel DetailsWe fly from London Heathrow (LHR) to Amman (AMN) and return with Royal Jordanian

On arrival the transfer from the airport to our hotel in Amman takes approximately 45 minutes by road, depending on traffic conditions.

Transfers between centres will be by road and on foot.

If you intend joining and leaving in Jordan, it is assumed, unless you have advised us otherwise, that you will meet the party at the hotel in Amman and leave the party at the airport in Amman. If this is not your intention, please let us know in writing at least 5 weeks before departure.

For all those booking a flight or rail inclusive holiday, details of your travel arrangements and baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent to you approximately 10 days prior to departure.

Land OnlyIf you are joining and leaving at your holiday overseas we assume, unless you advise us otherwise, that you will join and leave the holiday from your hotel.

Although airport transfers are not included for those making their own independent travel arrangements, if you wish to join the group at the overseas airport, depending on your flight arrival time, you may be able to be included on the group's transfer. Please contact us at least 5 weeks before departure for more details.

Please note that your flight must arrive within 30 minutes of the group flight to be able to join the group transfer. We also need your flight number, arrival time and departure point so that the group leader is able to meet up with you.

If you wish to organise your own flights from a non-UK or provincial airport or travel by rail or car to your holiday destination, 'no-travel' reductions are often available. Please contact us for details.

Before finalising any independent travel arrangements, please check with us first - especially if doing so 12 weeks or more before your intended date of travel.

If you do intend to join your holiday locally please do tell us at least 14 weeks in advance.

Passports and VisasYou will need a passport to visit Jordan, and it must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended return to the UK. A visa is also required and is included in your tour cost if you are travelling on the group flight. If you are travelling independently, you will need to arrange your own visa.

Please note that we can only include you on the ‘group' visa if you intend to arrive and depart with our party. If you intend to visit Jordan ahead of the party, remain in Jordan after the group has returned, or arrive/depart on a different flight, you will need to obtain your own visa at your own expense. If you hold a British passport, you can obtain an individual visa on arrival at Amman airport (approximate cost at time of writing is JOD40) or you can contact the Jordanian embassy to obtain your visa prior to travel.

All other passport holders should consult with the Jordanian Consulate The FCO website advises that evidence of a previous visit to Israel such as an Israeli entry/exit stamp in your passport does not normally cause any difficulties when entering Jordan. It is, however, for the Jordanian authorities to determine the right of entry into the country. If you have any concerns, you should contact the Consulate of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in London.

General Passport & Visa AdviceIt is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport. Should you

Their website is www.jordan.embassyhomepage.com

lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to your home country.

Passport and visa requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements.

General travel and destination advice for UK nationals is available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at www.fco.gov.uk/travel and at www.gov.uk/travelaware.

AccommodationHotel LarsaHotel Larsa48 Um Mutaweh St.AmmanJordan

Phone: 00962 6 585 0955Web: www.larsahotel.net

The Hotel Larsa is a city hotel, ideally located to discover the sites of Amman plus a good base to explore the north of the country. The hotel offers multi cuisine dining and an outdoor terrace. Bedrooms are all ensuite with climate control, hairdryer, TV, in room safe, tea and coffee making facilities and complimentary wifi.

Milky Way CampsiteMilky Way CampsiteWadi RumJordan

Phone: 00 962 777 543 901Web:

The Milky Way Campsite offers a true back to nature experience in the Jordanian desert. The traditional Bedouin tents have raised bedding and there are simple, yet adequate shower and toilet facilities (separated between male and female). You will need to pack a towel and a torch for your stay here. Meals are prepared and served on site.

Rummana Camp SiteRummana Camp SiteDana Nature ReserveDanaJordan

Phone: 00 962 3 227 0497Web: www.wildjordan.com/eco-tourism-section/camping

Our tented accommodated at Dana is in the heart of the Nature Reserve. Facilities are simple but adequate. You will find washing and toilet facilities (split between male and female), a large Bedouin tent used as a gathering area and a main building that houses the kitchen and dining room. You will need a towel and torch for your stay here.

Feynan Eco LodgeFeynan Eco LodgeDana Nature ReserveDanaJordan

Phone: 00 962 790 79 748 7900Web: https://ecohotels.me/Feynan

Set in the heart of the Dana Nature Reserve, the solar powered Feynan Eco Lodge offers the most developed eco experience in Jordan made possible, in part, by the Jordanian Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature. The hotel, while simple in style and facilities, offers where possible locally sourced excellent vegetarian food, with many traditional Jordanian specialities.

Hotel La MaisonHotel La MaisonTourism StreetWadi Musa, PetraJordan

Phone: 00 962 3 215 6401Web: www.lamaisonhotel.com.jo

Located in Wadi Museum, the town for Petra, the La Maison hotel offers very easy access to the World Heritage site. Just a 5 minute walk brings you to the entrance of the site, allowing for visits when you wish. The hotel has numerous dining locations, including a rooftop cafe. Rooms offer complimentary wifi, Air conditioning, TV / Cable, Satellite channels, Mini Bar, and safety deposit box.

Mosaic HotelMosaic HotelAl YamukMadabaJordan

Phone: 00962 5 325 1313Web: www.mosaiccityhotel.com

Located in the heart of Madaba, just steps away from St George's Church, which houses the famous mosaic of the Holyland, the Mosaic Hotel offers a comfortable stay in the city. Each of the bedrooms offer climate control, TV, and minibar. Hairdyers are available on request at reception. Safety deposit boxes can be found at the reception.

The majority of our accommodation nights on this holiday are at hotels, where rooms are en suite and have the usual facilities including a/c, telephones and televisions.

One accommodation that deserves a special mention is the Feynan Eco Lodge. Set in the heart of the Dana Nature Reserve, the solar powered lodge offers the most developed eco experience in Jordan made possible, in part, by the Jordanian Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature. The hotel, while simple in style and facilities, offers where possible locally sourced excellent vegetarian food, with many traditional Jordanian specialities. See their website at www.feynan.com for full details.

Rummana Camp – Dana Nature Reserve Situated on a small plateau, overlooking the dramatic escarpment of the Jordan Rift Valley, the campsite offers an outdoor dining area, and shared, shower & toilet facilities (separated for men and women). There is also a communal tent where you can sit and savour fresh mint tea after dinner. Each sleeping tent comes equipped with mattresses, pillows, and blankets. You will need your torch here.

Wadi Rum – Bedouin desert camp To truly experience Wadi Rum, a visit should include a stay in an overnight camp. Eating dinner, baked in the ground, is a truly wonderful experience. We will stay in tented accommodation with simple, yet adequate, shared, shower and toilet facilities (separated for men and women). Meals will be taken at the camp in a Bedouin style tent. There is no electricity at the camp after a certain time at night, so you will definitely need a torch here.

As Jordan is a Muslim country, alcohol is not always available to purchase at hotels and restaurants. In many cases though, hotels may allow you to purchase alcohol outside the hotel to consume on their premises, either in the restaurant area or in your rooms. Your leader will be able to offer guidance on this during the holiday. Please note that alcohol is expensive in Jordan, with local beers costing up to JOD5 per bottle and spirits up to JOD10 per drink. There is a local speciality spirit of Arak (an aniseed based drink), plus a very refreshing lemon and mint drink, which you may wish to try.

Breakfasts and dinners are included in the holiday charge. Dinners will generally be taken at our accommodation, with the exception of the last night in Madeba, when we eat at a local restaurant. Lunches are not included. Picnic supplies can be bought at local supermarkets and your leader will give ample notice for you to shop if you will have a picnic, or at a local restaurant. Your leader will give you information in your daily briefings. Specialities of Jordan include lamb and chicken dishes with vegetables, rice, salads, and fresh made bread. The local Hummus, Tahini and dips are delicious. Vegetarians are easily catered for.

Facilities in Amman, Petra, and Madeba include: Local shops, banks and ATMs, Restaurants, Supermarkets, & Medical facilities

FootwearLightweight waterproof walking boots with a good moulded rubber sole (such as Vibram or similar) and a deep tread which provide ankle support are strongly recommended and may be essential for some walks.For purely sightseeing elements of the holiday, you should wear whatever is comfortable for a day out on your feet.We recommend that you either wear your walking boots or shoes or pack them and some waterproofs in your hand luggage as in the unlikely event that your hold luggage is delayed, you will still be able to participate in the holiday programme.

Kit ListOutdoor activities are always more enjoyable if you are prepared. The following list is a basic guideline that will enhance your experience. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have.

A basic kit list is likely to include:- Waterproof jacket (Goretex or similar) and trousers- Lightweight, quick drying trousers- Several polo shirts, T-shirts or specialist walking shirts- Fleece jacket- Comfortable walking socks- Warm hat and gloves (if appropriate)- Sun hat, sunglasses, lip salve and high SPF sun block- Swimwear (if appropriate)- Day sack (25 litre capacity) to comfortably carry the kit you'll take out for the day- Strong polythene bags to keep the contents of your daypack dry- Water bottle(s) - at least 1 litre capacity- Basic first aid kit (plasters, blister treatment, antiseptic etc)- Insect repellent- Plastic container and reusable cutlery for your picnic lunches- Walking/trekking poles (if applicable)

In addition to the basic kit list noted above, you will benefit on bringing extra footwear for our Ibn Hammad walk. Depending on the rainfall, you may

find yourself walking in an ankle deep (or possible higher) water. If you have walking sandals, trainers or quick drying sneakers, these will do well. Don't forget your torch and towel for stays at the camps, and women should bring a scarf that covers their head and shoulders to cover when visiting religious sites and as good protection from the sun. You will find the black and white check scarves, worn by the local population, sold almost everywhere in Amman and at Jerash and these will be perfect for protecting your head and shoulders.

Jordan is a conservative society and foreigners are received more respectfully when they dress modestly. In general, and especially at religious sites, men should wear long trousers, with shoulders and upper arms covered, while ladies should wear trousers or below the knee skirts. Lightweight cotton clothes will be suitable. Long sleeves and loose clothing is also good protection against the sun. When staying in Petra, and while on walks in the wadis, the attitude to dress is more relaxed, and here shorts may be acceptable. Your leader will give you further advice.

For overnight stays at the camps and at the Feynan Eco-lodge you will need to have an overnight bag, as you will not be able to take your suitcases with you. Your main luggage will be safely stored and you will have access to your main luggage each morning. The overnight bag is in addition to your day pack.

Trekking PolesMany of our clients find walking poles hugely beneficial when walking. They can both reduce stress on the knees and aid confidence.

Water-to-GoAn alternative to bottled water from single-use sealed water bottles is filtered water from a refillable bottle containing its own water filter such as a Water-to-go bottle available from www.watertogo.eu. Just fill up from any water source and save the environment from disposable plastic bottles.

We have negotiated an exclusive 15% discount with our partners Water-to-Go for you as a thank you for helping the environment. Please go to their website at www.watertogo.eu and enter the code RWH17 when ordering. In addition, Water-to-Go will match the discount with a donation to our charity, Heart & Sole, which will allow us to continue to make a difference in the countries you visit on our holidays.

Travel Document ChecklistDocuments and Information to take with you:

- Your passport (make sure it's valid and it's yours)- Your travel tickets or e-ticket itinerary- Any visa or electronic travel authorisation (if required)- Holiday money- Credit or debit cards (and separate details of who to call if lost)- Car parking ticket and car park directions (if prebooked)- Coach or rail travel tickets (if prebooked)- Your holiday Booking Confirmation document- Your travel insurance details- Alternative form of identification (such as a driving licence)- Photocopy of the personal details pages of your passport- A valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if relevant- Details of any medical condition or allergy your holiday leader should know about

Maps, Guidebooks & AdviceMaps and guidebooks relating to your holiday may be obtained before departure from:

The Map Shop (www.themapshop.co.uk)

Maps:

Books about Jordan and maps may be obtained before departure from specialist map sellers such as The Map Shop

Books:

Walking in Jordan – Walks, Treks, Caves, Climbs & Canyons – Tony Howard and Di Taylor

Rough Guide to Jordan – Matthew Teller

Trekking & Canyoning in the Jordanian Dead Sea – Ita Haviv

Petra and the Lost Kingdom of the Nabataeans – J Taylor

Married to a Bedouin - Marguerite van Geldermalsen

You may also find the website of the Jordan Tourism Board useful in your planning at www.jordan.com

Weather and ClimateVisit the following websites for an idea of the climate in your destination:

Weather2 www.myweather2.com

BBC Weather www.bbc.co.uk/weather

Despite the relatively small size of Jordan you will find wide variations in climate and terrain as you travel from the north to the south of the country. While the north has areas of open woodlands and lush, colourful hills and valleys in the spring, the south has barren, desert conditions. Temperatures in the Jordan Valley can be 10-15C warmer than Amman, but as with desert conditions, can be much cooler at night.

CurrencyJordanian Dinar (JOD)

The Dinar is divided into 100 piastres or 1000 fils. It is possible to obtain Jordanian Dinar before you leave the UK. Please check with your bank or nearest Foreign Exchange. ATM machines are available in Amman, Madeba & Petra. Please check with your bank prior to travelling that you will be able to use your card overseas. Cash can be withdrawn from inside the banks, but they are only open from 08.30 – 13.00 when you will usually be out with the group. They are closed on Fridays.

The simplest way to exchange cash is to take Sterling currency or U.S. Dollars, and change at the hotels or Exchange Centres. Travellers' cheques can be difficult to cash due to the bank opening hours and none of the hotels on the tour will cash travellers' cheques. We suggest taking a small amount of cash to exchange and to use this in conjunction with your debit and credit cards (which are accepted in the major centres, although few of our accommodations will accept credit cards).

ElectricityElectricity is supplied at 220 Volts. There are a variety of wall socket and plug types in use so if you wish to use electrical equipment you will need a European two pin adaptor with round pins, a US two pin adapter with flat pins and a UK three pin adapter with flat pins. More information can be found at www.powerplugadapter.uk.

HealthHygiene Advice for TravellersDon't forget to exercise caution with what you eat to avoid upset stomachs and stay away from unpeeled fruit and vegetables, salad and do not have ice in your drinks. Hot, fresh cooked food, where possible, is best. Hand washing facilities may be poor or unavailable when travelling, we therefore strongly advise you to carry antibacterial sanitizing gel and / or hand wipes at all times and use to them regularly.

Drinking or cleaning teeth in unboiled water is not recommended. Bottled pure water is inexpensive and widely available in shops, at hotels, and on the coach. Make sure you only buy sealed bottles.

Health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure. Advice on vaccinations is available from your GP.

Further Travel Health AdviceFor further advice please visit:

- The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) travel health website at www.travelhealthpro.org.uk- The NHS 'Fit for travel' website at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk- The Foreign Office Office Travel Advice Website at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.- Or a local travel health clinic.

You might wish to take a small bottle of antibacterial hand gel with you for times when you're unable to wash your hands.

LanguageArabic. English is also widely spoken.

InsuranceTravel InsuranceYou must be adequately insured to join our holidays. We do not insist that you insure with us but we require that you are adequately insured for the nature of your holiday. You will be unable to participate in our local walking and other activity programmes without being able to demonstrate that you have valid travel insurance.

Please ensure that as a minimum your travel insurance policy covers you for travel to your holiday destinations (country and geographical region) and for medical expenses, mountain rescue (including helicopter rescue) and emergency repatriation to your home country in the event of illness or injury. Your policy should also provide

adequate cover for the activities, included and optional, you are likely to participate in during your holiday.

See our brochure or website for further advice regarding holiday insurance.

Whoever you insure with, please ensure that you take full details, and ideally the policy itself, with you on holiday and provide our tour leader with your insurer's name, the policy number and emergency assistance contact numbers.

Please note that it is very difficult to obtain travel insurance once your holiday arrangements have started.

Personal SafetyThe UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office provides up to date information on security and local laws for travellers, together with current passport and visa information, at www.gov.uk/travelaware. Please take a few minutes to look at the current advice on your planned destination.

Please be aware of what's going on around you, take sensible precautions with your credit cards and passport and avoid displays of wealth such as wearing expensive jewellery or watches. Do not carry more cash on you than you will need for each day, and we recommend that a money belt is used.

Cultural AwarenessResponsible TravelWe're committed to ethical tourism in all our destinations. Our holidays are designed for you to discover the essence of the country you are visiting. Travelling in small groups not only gives you an up close and personal experience of your destination, but minimises your impact on the immediate environment. We feel that the most important starting point to protect the environment is to be out in it. For more details visit our website.

Heart & SoleWe appreciate that we are in a fortunate position to be able to use our profits to help make a difference to people's lives. Heart & Sole is a venture managed by our office staff, whose aim is to reach the heart of the communities in the countries we visit. Through Heart & Sole, we hope to make more of a long term, direct impact to these communities, particularly in less developed countries where even a small amount goes a long way. See our website for more information and details of some of the projects we support.

CommunicationMobile PhonesPlease do provide us with a mobile phone contact number. We will only use this to contact you with

important information relating to your holiday arrangements.

Please do keep your mobile phones switched on and readily available when travelling to the airport or if delayed in transit so that we can contact you with any last minute information relating to your travel arrangements.

As a matter of courtesy, please switch off your mobile phone during walks, or endeavour to minimise its use. Please also try to minimise the use of mobile devices during group meals.

FeedbackWe welcome all comments about our holidays and value ideas for the future. If you have provided us with an email address we will invite you to complete an online questionnaire or to add feedback to our page on independent review site 'Feefo'.

Important InformationPlease note that this Holiday Information sheet may be periodically updated and reissued.

In most cases the revisions will be minor and the overall nature of the holiday will remain unchanged. Should we make a major change to your holiday arrangements between you booking your holiday and your date of travel we will notify you to specifically draw your attention to any significant change.

You may wish to review the latest version of this Holiday Information Sheet online prior to travel.

Please note that any advertised offers, benefits or initiatives may be discontinued at any time.

Contact UsRamblers Walking Holidays

- Tel: UK +44 (0)1707 331133- Email: info@ramblersholidays.co.uk- Web: www.ramblersholidays.co.uk

Our office is open and our Sales & Reservations team available to speak to you from:

- 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday- 9.15am to Midday on Saturdays- 9.15am to 3pm on Saturdays in January & February only

Please quote your Booking Reference number and Tour Code whenever contacting us.

We wish you an enjoyable holiday!