Passport

As a general rule, most countries expect that your passport has a minimum of 6 months validity remaining. Please ensure the name on your passport matches the name on your booking and airline tickets. Your passport details are required to complete your booking. The GGArmy will contact you when this is required. Take a copy of the main passport pages and other important documents with you, and leave another copy at home with family or friends.

Visas

Visas are required by all visitors entering Jordan. For Australians, Brits, New Zealanders, Eurozone countries and almost every other western nation, single entry visas valid for 30 days and can be obtained by most nationalities on arrival at the airport in Amman or at the Jordanian border for approximately JOD 40 (75 AUD). Please note that there are ATM’s available in Amman airport and also currency exchanges.

Credit Card, ATMs and Money Exchange

ATMs are widely available in major towns and cities throughout Jordan. Credit and debit cards are the best way to access money throughout most trips (note though that charges are made for each transaction). Credit cards are generally available in tourist shops and restaurants. Visa and MasterCard are generally preferred over American Express, Diners, etc… Smaller venues take cash only. 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 USD100 per day.

Budgeting

When it comes to money matters on the trip, every traveller is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget a sensible amount for things like meals not included, drinks, shopping, optional activities, tipping and laundry. It’s always better to bring a little more than you think you’ll need. Also make sure you’ve read your trip details thoroughly so you know what’s included in the trip price and what isn’t. This should make budgeting a little easier.

Meals not included

Lunch at a tourist restaurant should cost around USD10 to USD20. However, local street food can be substantially cheaper.
Dinner. Your leader will normally recommend restaurants where you can safely try the local specialties of the region. Expect meals to cost between USD15 to USD25 for a main.

Tipping

Known as ‘baksheesh’ in the Middle East, tipping is a part of everyday life and is more than just a reward for services rendered. In countries where wages are extremely low it is an essential means of supplementing income. This practice is not merely reserved for foreigners and locals have to constantly hand out ‘Baksheesh’ as well – to park their cars, ensure fresh produce and pick up their mail. If you are satisfied with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appropriate and always appreciated. While it may not be customary to you, it’s of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. Usually the equivalent of around USD2 to USD3 per person in local Jordanian money, per day to cover tips is fine. Over the years we have found that many of our travellers find the need for tipping to be both tiresome and embarrassing, especially if they don’t have the correct small change. To overcome this, your leader might raise the idea of a group tipping kitty. At your group meeting, your tour leader may discuss the idea of running this kitty, whereby everybody contributes an equal amount and then your tour leader pays the tips as you go. The leader will keep a running record of all monies spent (except restaurant tips). The record can be checked at any time and any money remaining at the end of the tour returned to group members. This kitty does not include tips for your leader and crew.

Medical and Health Information

All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations.

Safety

Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check the Australian Government’s advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas your itinerary covers. 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 jewellery 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.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory for this trip. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.

Your Group Leader

GGArmy group trips are accompanied by one of our 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. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling 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. We aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities. However, during your trip you’ll have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. Your leader will assist you with the available options in a given location.

Drinking Water

As a rule, we recommend you don’t drink tap water, even in hotels, as it may contain much higher levels of different minerals than the water you are used to at home. For local people, this is not a problem as their bodies are used to this and can cope, but for visitors drinking the tap water can result in illness. Generally, this isn’t serious, an upset stomach being the only symptom, but it’s enough to spoil a day or two of your holiday. Bottled water is widely available and your leader can recommend safe alternatives when available. Water consumption should be about three litres a day. Rehydration salts, motion sickness tablets, and diarrhoea blockers are available from many pharmacies.

Food and Dietary Requirements

Your group leader or representative will endeavour to cater for specific dietary requirements where possible, and vegetarianism and gluten intolerance will be catered for in most instances. There are, however some meals and activities that are fixed in advance and therefore cannot be modified to suit dietary requirements. Please notify your booking consultant of any dietary requirements at the time of booking. For those suffering from particular food allergies, your group leader or representative will endeavour to disclose to their fullest knowledge the main ingredients in dishes being consumed. However, it is your personal responsibility to ensure that you do not ingest any foods to which you are allergic.

Traffic

Depending on where you come from please note that drivers in this part of the world may drive on the opposite side of the road from what you are used to. Look both ways before crossing any road. Traffic can be a little more chaotic than you might be used to at home. Be aware!