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Lesbian and Gay Travel to Jordan

Comfort Jordan

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Introduction

Welcome to the OUT Adventures Family!

Gay owned OUT Adventures provides a comfortable travel environment for not only for gay and lesbian travellers, but also their friends and family who want to experience the world at the grassroots level with like-minded people. Go on, Get OUT and experience the real world.

 

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A little bit about this trip

Join OUT Adventures as we we discover the highlights of Jordan on this whirlwind 5 day extension to our Comfort Lebanon trip. Enjoy dinner and drinks at famous Books Cafe in Amman, float in The Dead Sea and explore the archeology sites of Petra.

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Itinerary

Day 1 & 2 Amman

When continuing on from Comfort Lebanon, we board a mid-day flight from Beirut to Amman, where we are transferred to our comfortable hotel.
This evening we will visit the famous Books@Cafe where we will have drinks with Madian Al Jazera, a leader on the forefront of LGBT rights in the Middle East.
After breakfast on day 2 we will visit the main historical sites of Amman including the Amphitheatre and the older part of this wonderful city.
Amman is the capital of Jordan, and is the country's political, cultural and commercial centre and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The greater Amman area has a population of nearly 3 million people and is expected to jump to over 6 million by 2025 due to rapid immigration.

 

Day 3 The Dead Sea

After a morning check-out we transfer to The Dead Sea for a half day where you will have the opportunity to relax, cover yourself in mud and surely float in the salt waters of the Dead Sea.
Later in the afternoon we will transfer to Petra, one of the world's most ancient cities. We will check in to our comfortable hotel and the rest of the evening is free time, although an optional dinner will be available for those interested.

 

Day 4 Petra

Petra, the 'Rose-red city, half as old as time" is situated between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea and was hidden for centuries until 1812 when Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt discovered the historic site. Two features of Petra are unique, first it is a city made defensible by it's own construction being built down a series of chasms rather than on a hilltop and second that it is built directly into the red and yellow sandstone with facades that have a brilliant glow in the sunlight.
Our Petra experience will begin with an experienced local guide sharing the history and geography of the expansive site over coffee at our hotel. We will then transfer to Petra for a day of exploring and hiking. To enter this mystical city we must begin by walking down the narrow chasm, knows as Siq, surrounded by high cliffs on either side. Unveiled at the end of this hour long walk is El Khazneh, also known as The Treasury. Continuing to the centre of the city we pass the houses and tombs of the rich citizens and the remarkable scale of the site suddenly becomes apparent. A long walk beyond the centre is El Deir, also know as the Monastery with its brilliant facade topped by a huge urn.
There is so much to explore here, and if you wish you can pre-arrange a horse or camel ride. For those who make it to the top, you will be rewarded with wonderful views.

 

Day 5 Amman

After checkout we will hop onto our transport and head back to Amman where the tour will end at Queen Alia International Airport. We will schedule this based on the first flight departure. If you have arranged additional accommodation in Amman, transportation can be arranged, otherwise this is when the tour will end.

 

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Itinerary Disclaimer

The itinerary attached is correct at time of printing. Please note: occasionally our itineraries are updated during the year to incorporate improvements stemming from past travellers' comments and our own research. As such the information given in this itinerary may be slightly different to that in the brochure. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you print and review a final copy of your Trip Notes a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

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Culture Shock Rating - 2

Rated 2/5 

The trip includes a range of accommodation, such as basic hotels with western facilities or overnight trains. Days of being on the move are well interspersed, communication with the outside world is ever-present and a wide variety of food is commonly available.

 

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Physical Rating - 2

Rated 2/5 

You are required to carry your pack on and off trains and buses, up hotel steps, etc. Your itinerary may include easy paced walks or bike rides, but these are on mainly flat ground.

 

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Gay Rating - 2

This trip travels to a relatively conservative area. We encourage you to experience the destination and culture with the following in mind: 

Accommodation - We do not foresee any problems, however there may be occasions when a same sex couple may be asked to sleep in single beds rather than sharing a double. We appreciate your cooperation. 

Public Display of affection - These are frowned upon in this region among all travellers, not just those on an OUT Adventure. This includes holding hands in public. 

Gay Activities - This trip may not have specific gay hosted events, meals or day tours due to the cultural sensitivity of this region. We will do our best to provide a safe, comfortable environment for you and your fellow travellers to experience this culture.

 

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Included Activities

  • Airfare from Beirut to Amman
  • Transfer from Amman airport to hotel
  • Breakfast daily
  • Guided half day tour of Amman including entry fees to Amphitheatre and Citadel
  • Introduction to Petra by licensed guide
  • Entry to Petra Unesco world heritage site
  • Entrance fee to public beach at Dead Sea

 

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Optional Activities

  • Royal Car Museum Amman - 5JP
  • Hammam experience Amman - 20JP

 

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Spending Money

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping, participating in optional activities and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

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Tipping - Jordan

If you are happy with the services providing a tip is appropriate, although not compulsory. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many OUT Adventures destinations. Please note we recommend that any tips are given directly to the intended recipient by a member of your group as our group leaders are prohibited from collecting cash for tips.

The following amounts are based on local considerations and feedback from our past travellers:

Restaurants: Local markets and basic restaurants - leave the loose change. More up-market restaurants we suggest 5% to 10% of your bill.

Local guides: Throughout your trip you may at times have a local guide in addition to your leader. We suggest $3 per person per day for local guides.

Drivers: You may have a range of private drivers on your trip. Some may be with you for a short journey while others may be with you for several days. We would suggest a higher tip for those more involved with the group however $2 per person per day is generally appropriate.

Your Group Leader: You may also consider tipping your leader for outstanding service throughout your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline 5-10USD per person, per day can be used. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

 

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Important Notes

Jordan is a very conservative country. There may be times when alcohol is not available, and where we are not able to secure a room with one bed for two men. It is also appropriate to wear clothing that covers both your knees and shoulders out of respect for the local culture. Please have pants on hand for mosque visits.

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Group Size

We allow a maximum of 16 travellers per group.

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Accommodation

Mid-range hotels (4 nights)

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Meals

While travelling with us you will experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. On our camping trips we often cook the region's specialties so you don't miss out. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though.
Included Meals: 4 breakfasts, 1 dinner.
Allow USD $400-$600 for meals not included.

 

 

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Your OUT Adventures Group Leader

All OUT Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our gay or gay friendly group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. We endeavor to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders.

Your leader will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. OUT leaders aim to support local guides who have specialized knowledge of the regions we visit - and who better to hear it from than the locals themselves? If you were interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

If you are happy with the level of service provided by your group leader, we recommend that you reward them with a tip of $3-5 USD per person, per day.

 

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Joining/Finishing Point

Misk Hotel

Shmeisani, 118 Abdulhameed Sharaf St

Amman 11195 Jordan

Tel +962 6 5657744

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Emergency Contact - Jordan

In the case of a genuine crisis or emergency, OUT Adventures Lebanon Operations Office (Lebtour) can be reached on Tel: +961 3 004572 or +961 71713099. Alternately the OUT Adventures Head Office is open Monday through Friday, 10AM to 6PM Eastern time.

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Emergency Funds

Please also make sure you have access to an additional $400 USD, to be used when unforeseen incidents or circumstances outside our control (eg. a natural disaster, civil unrest or an outbreak of bird flu) necessitate a change to our planned route.

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Visas

Please note that visas are the responsibility of the individual traveler. The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. Please refer to your OUT Adventures Invoice/Receipt for further information.

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What to take/Checklist

Generally speaking you should pack as lightly as possible. On the vast majority of our trips you are expected to carry your own luggage and although you will not be required to walk long distances with your luggage we recommend keeping the weight under 20kg.

Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag have a carry handle. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for daytrips.

Temperatures in Jordan are generally hot and with little rain. This can become extreme towards and during the summer months of May to August. A hat is essential. Even in the hot months out in the desert it can get cold at night.

Local Dress: Lebanon can be considered a liberal Muslim country as many Lebanese women do not wear headscarves, comparatively however, Lebanon is very conservative by standards you may be accustomed to at home and you should dress accordingly. As a general guideline, shoulders, cleavage and knees should be covered at all times. Wearing shorts (men and women) and low-cut tops is not recommended outside of hotels or beach clubs as it will restrict your entry into buildings of a religious nature and family homes and is considered disrespectful to the local culture. Long, light-couloured, lightweight sleeved shirts, pants and skirts are respectful, cover your body, keep you cool in the heat and protect you from the harsh sun.
Checklist: The following checklist is to be used as a guide only and is not intended to be a complete packing list. Any other items that you wish to pack are at your own discretion however you should attempt to comply with the suggested luggage weight limit.

Travel documents: passport, visa, travel insurance, voucher, flight confirmations
Health requirements/medication
Money: cash/credit card, money pouch
First aid kit
Sunscreen (with high sun protection factor and lip balm)
Sunglasses
Hat or umbrella
Day pack to carry your personal needs during the day
Lock
Comfortable shoes
Comfortable pants for walking/activities
Alarm clock and flashlight
Lightweight travel towel
Ear plugs
Local language phrase book

IN SUMMER: May to October
Light fleece
Sandals
Swimwear

 

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Money Exchange

Currency exchange rates often fluctuate. For the most up to date rates please refer to the following website: www.oanda.com.

With ATMs being widely available in major towns and cities, credit and debit cards are the best way to access money - note though that charges are made for each transaction. Please check with your bank before departure that your card is accepted in the countries you are travelling to. Also ensure your bank is aware of your travel plans as - suspecting fraud - they may cancel your cards after the first few international transactions.
Be aware that your withdrawing limit may vary from country to country (regardless of your withdrawing limit in your home country) and it can be as low as the equivalent to US$100 per day.
It is also advisable to carry some cash in small denominations bills, for those times when ATMs may not be available. US dollars are the most readily changeable currency.

 

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Keeping In Touch

If you need to be contacted while travelling we recommend email. Email cafes are generally available throughout the regions we visit, although it is possible you may be without email contact for several days on some itineraries. If someone wishes to contact you in an emergency while you are on one of our trips we recommend that they contact your local booking agent, or refer to our emergency contact details. We don't recommend that family and friends try to contact you through hotels, as they are subject to change and the reception staff may not speak English.

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Issues on your trip

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or our local partner right away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader/local partner may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case please ask the leader if you may speak to their direct manager. 

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip but we do ask you to be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is complete.

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Health

All OUT Adventures travelers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully in the group travel experience. If, in the opinion of our group leader, any traveler is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, OUT Adventures reserves the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund. We therefore ask that you read the itinerary in these Trip Notes thoroughly and then realistically self-assess your physical ability to complete the trip as described. Please consult with your doctor if you have any doubts.

There are no specific health requirements for this trip. However, the World Health Organisation has countries in Latin America registered as zones affected by Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Cholera, Rabies and Malaria. You should consult your doctor with a complete list of countries you intend to visit to get up-to-date information regarding vaccinations, anti-malarial requirements or medications for any reasonably foreseeable illnesses whilst travelling in Latin America. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities for some time during this trip, and for legal reasons leaders/guides are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc.

If you have a pre existing medical condition, please make sure you discuss it with your doctor.

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Safety

Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. 

Please refer to our website's Safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips: www.out-adventures.com/safety. 

We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewelry at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. 

While your group leader will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your OUT Adventures itinerary, and OUT Adventures makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgment when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. For more details on the type of conditions and safety standards you can expect on your trip, please refer to OUT Adventures' operational safety policy at www.out-adventures.com/safety. 

We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how well it is being implemented in the field.

Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. When travelling on a group trip, please note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your group leader will assist you with options available in a given location please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time.

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Your Fellow Travellers

On an OUT trip you will be travelling with other gay or gay-friendly passengers. We encourage open minded friends and family to join our trips. As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and likely a range of age groups too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part. 

Please note that due to privacy reasons we are unable to provide you with contact details and any personal information about your fellow travelers booked on your trip prior to departure.

 

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Single Travellers

Our group trips are designed for shared accommodation although a single supplement is often available for an additional charge. For no additional cost, single travellers share with people of the same sex for the duration of the trip, in accommodation ranging from twin to multi-share. Please note some of our itineraries have accommodation booked on a mixed gender share basis - where applicable this will be specified in our Trip Notes.

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Responsible Travel

We believe strongly in low impact, or rather, positive impact tourism. Broadly speaking this means that we try to minimize the negative aspects of tourism on the local cultures and environments that we visit and highlight the positive aspects. Please refer to our website at www.out-adventures.com/responsibletravel for further details and suggestions on how you can be a responsible traveller.

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A couple of Rules

Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on our trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for OUT Adventures travellers. OUT Adventures' philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make our destinations such special places. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our group leader has the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they use prostitutes.

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Feedback

After your travels, we want to hear from you! This is so important to us that we'll give you 5% off the price of your next trip if your feedback is completed on-line within 4 weeks of finishing your trip. Go to: www.out-adventures.com/feedback

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