Travel Insurance
Many seasoned travelers are not aware that their
health insurance may not cover them outside of the country. If you
need to cancel your trip due to an unforeseen emergency or serious
illness, most of your trip may be non-refundable if you are not
insured. In the event you become ill during your travels, finding and
receiving medical care may be very frustrating without insurance.
Travel insurance also covers lost baggage and worldwide emergency
assistance. For a minimal amount of money, travel insurance is a
must. Speak with your Pilgrim Tours Representative or your Group
Leader for travel Insurance options.
Visa &
Passport Information
US citizens need a valid U.S. passport with at
least six months validity beyond intended stay, to enter Jordan. Make
three photocopies of your passport. Leave one copy at home with
family and carry the other separately from your original. Due to new
airline regulations, a copy of your passport must also be sent to
Pilgrim Tours.
Jordan: U.S. citizens need a visa
to enter Jordan. Visas can be handled by Pilgrim Tours at the border
crossing or port dock or by the traveler on location. Border taxes for
entry and departure from Jordan are collected on location at the
border crossing if not previously collected by Pilgrim Tours.
Review all your past and present documentation sent by Pilgrim Tours,
to verify if the visa for Jordan has already been secured. Non U.
S. Citizens are responsible to fulfill appropriate entry requirements
of destination. Contact your Consulate office for requirements.
Health
Certificate
None required, but contact health authorities for
latest information. Modern medical services are readily available in
Jordan’s larger cities. Most doctors speak English fluently.
Pharmacies can provide medication for minor aliments, but travelers
should carry their own prescription medication. Check with your doctor
about any necessary immunizations he may suggest. Try to avoid
drinking the tap water in all countries visited.
Languages
Spoken
The official language of Jordan is Arabic.
English is widely spoken, especially in the cities, and many
Jordanians have traveled or been educated abroad.
Currency
The currency is Jordan is the Jordanian Dinar
(JD); it is divided into 100 piasters or 1000 fils. Check the travel
section of your newspaper or the internet for the most recent exchange
rates. (www.xe.com)
Currency may be exchanged at any bank and most hotels. There are no
restrictions on the import and export of Jordanian or foreign
currency. ATM machines are available in the major cities throughout
Jordan. However, in smaller towns, ATM cards, travelers’ checks and
credits cards may not be accepted. Please be advised that the ATM
machines dispense money in Jordanian Dinar - NOT US DOLLARS.
Voltage
Electricity is 200 volts, 50 cycles. You will
need to bring along the necessary converters to operate any 120-volt
appliances such as hair dryers, electric razors, etc.
Water
Potable water is a precious resource in Jordan.
However, hotels rated three-star or better have their own water
filtering systems (their water is considered safe to drink) and
bottled water is cheap and readily available.
Medication
If you are required to take medications, you
should notify the leader of your group in the event of an emergency.
Ask your doctor to write an extra prescription to take with you if
your medication is lost. All medication must be kept in its original
container, including over-the-counter medications.
Baggage Allowance
Due to the size of baggage compartments in
touring coaches, each passenger is restricted to ONE Due to the size
of baggage compartments in touring coaches, each passenger is
restricted to ONE suitcase and ONE carry-on bag (in addition to your
purse, camera case or video camera). A total dimension of the bag to
be checked on the airplane is not to exceed 62 inches (length + width
+ height) and should not weigh more than 50 lbs.
Carry-on luggage is not to exceed a 45-inch dimension
(length + width +
height) and should not weigh more than 25 lbs, as it
must fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead
compartment.
Be sure your luggage is clearly marked on the
inside and outside. If you are traveling with a tour group, you
must use the luggage tags provided along with your own.
Time Zone
Jordan local time is seven hours ahead of
American Eastern Standard Time. From October through March, Jordan is
two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. The rest of the year, Jordan
is three hours ahead of GMT.
Climate
The weather in Jordan is pleasurable for travel
throughout the year. Amman is sunny and cloudless from May to October,
with temperatures averaging approximately 25C (75 F). During the
spring, the most beautiful season in Jordan, fields and mountains are
coated with rich greenery and exquisite wildflowers. In autumn, the
weather is mild and pleasant. July and August are hot and dry, but not
restrictive of tourist activities. The valleys and Aqaba are ideal
winter resorts, with temperatures averaging 16-22 C (66-72 F) between
November and April. Rainfall is a rare occurrence in Aqaba as well as
in the desert areas of Jordan.
Pre-Flight
Leave your travel information with a family
member or friend, including a copy of your passport, your flight
itinerary, travel itinerary, hotel names and phone numbers. In the
event of an emergency, family members may contact Pilgrim Tours at
800-322-0788.
Dress comfortably for the flight, wearing clothes
that allow freedom of movement and shoes that slip on and off easily.
When at the airport, never leave your luggage
unattended for any length of time…no matter how short. Do not accept
packages from strangers to carry on to the plane for them.
Check-in time for international flights is
normally three hours prior to departure. When checking in at the
airport, a valid passport is needed as proof of identification of
travelers flying to Jordan. If already secured, you will be given
your visa to enter Jordan upon arrival at the airport in Amman by our
Pilgrim Tours representative.
Bring along a moisturizer, as the air in the
plane cabin is extremely dry.
In order to avoid jet lag, avoid caffeine,
alcohol and carbonated beverages. Rather, opt for natural fruit
juices and water.
What to Pack
Comfortable, casual clothing that can be layered
to match the weather is a good suggestion. Planning your wardrobe
around one or two colors is also helpful. You may choose to bring
along one dressy outfit but it is not necessary. Be sure to include
comfortable walking shoes and a lightweight jacket for mornings and
evenings.
A raincoat and rain hat (or poncho) is easier to
use when sightseeing than an umbrella. The above climate listings will
allow you to plan accordingly for Jordan.
Women should always dress modestly in Muslim
countries. It is an affront to the Muslims for women to be showing
bare shoulders and legs. However, tee shirts and capri pants are
acceptable. Women should also pack a lightweight scarf
for covering their heads only if entering a mosque or other religious
locations which requires this. Both men and women will need to remove
their shoes before entering a mosque as well. Also, be sure to cover
shoulders.
Swimming attire should only be worn around
swimming pools or beaches and not in public places.
Be sure to keep important items such as
documents, money, medications, keys, etc. on your person or in your
carry-on luggage. Never pack these items in your checked luggage.
Do not make yourself a target by wearing
expensive jewelry. A good way to conceal your money and valuables is
by purchasing an inexpensive, lightweight pouch that attaches around
your waist and is worn under your clothes.
Do not over-pack. Leave room in your suitcase
for souvenirs.
If you are traveling with a companion,
cross-pack. Put half of your items in your companion’s luggage and
vice-versa. This will ease the frustration of lost luggage.
Take along a small backpack. When you are
touring, fill it with bottled water, tissues, notebook and pen. It
will also come in handy for carrying souvenirs.
Don’t forget these travel sized necessities:
sewing kit, first-aid kid, tissues, travel clock, toiletries, notebook
and pen, pre-printed address labels (for sending postcards), plastic
“zip-locking” bags (for storing open bottles and containers).
Purchase your film and batteries in the US.
Remember to bring extra for your video camera.
Tipping
It is customary to tip hotel personnel, guides
and drivers. When traveling on our tour program, you should give $1.00
per day hotel staff to the guide at the beginning of the tour. The
guide will then pay the appropriate tips to the baggage handlers and
restaurant staff. Please expect to tip your guide $4.00 per day and
your driver $2.00 per day (amounts are per person). A 15% tip is the
average in lunch restaurants that are not part of the tour package.
While tipping is not mandatory for taxi drivers, some visitors choose
to do so anyhow. Remember that a tip or gratuity is earned for
services rendered in a courteous and professional manner.
Meals
For meals that are not included, check with your
group leader or the front desk at the hotel for suggestions (be sure
to mention the price range you are interested in).
Eating well and heartily is part of the Jordanian
traditions, and there are many fine restaurants that offer a wide
selection of authentic Arabic food at reasonable prices.
Hotels offer a mixed menu of Arabic and
continental cuisine. Dishes to try are the national dish, Mansaf, a
whole stewed lamb with cooked yogurt sauce served on a bed of rice.
Another dish is Musakhan, which is made with chicken, onions, olive
oil, pine seeds and seasoning. Cooked in an oven on a thick loaf of
Arabic bread; Maglouba, a meat or fish and vegetable stew served with
rice; and of course, the basic Shish Kabab, pieces of lamb, marinated
chicken and patties of minced and spiced lamb meat all cooked over a
charcoal fire with onions and tomatoes.
Jordanian Arabic coffee is strong and served in
tiny cups; it is often flavored with cardamom. Don’t try to drink the
last mouthful, as it will be full of coffee grounds. Shake the cup to
indicate that you do not want a refill. Turkish coffee is also
common, and American coffee is available in the cities. Decaffeinated
coffee is offered in the larger hotels.
Tea is served in small glasses and is usually
very sweet. Tea with fresh mint makes a refreshing variation.
Shopping
Check with your group leader or the front desk
for the best shopping areas. Specify that you are interested in
purchasing items that are known for their local and cultural appeal.
In Jordan
Be sure to carry your passport with you at all
times.
Show respect for the religious observances
throughout the country - do not eat or drink in or around religious
shrines. Remove your shoes before entering a mosque.
Because of the large amount of religious sites
throughout the country, the Bible could well be the best guidebook for
the nation - bring one along.
Carry bottled water with you when touring.
Remember, you will be in the desert at times and dehydration can
become a serious problem.
Women should never travel alone outside the main
tourist areas at night. They should also ignore any rude remarks
directed at them and avoid eye contact with men.
Be sure to ask permission before taking pictures
of people and do not photograph anything with military significance or
remotely connected with the government in Jordan.
Do not pass food (even if it’s wrapped or in a
container) with your left hand.
If you plan on hiring a taxi, agree on the price
before getting in.
Pilgrim Tours would like to say thank you
for traveling with us; we appreciate your business!!!
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