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Jordan early March (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Himalaya
- Start date
If six days, I'd be sure to head to Petra and Wadi Rum - if you're without transport, both very doable. Look on my website for a report from one year ago, and on BF for Andrew Whitehouse's report from this year, both should give you a good idea of everything you need to know.
The following trip report should also be very helpful:
http://www.osme.org/tripreports/Jordan_March_2011_Petterson.pdf
http://www.osme.org/tripreports/Jordan_March_2011_Petterson.pdf
How many hours is Petra from Amman by bus and how long would I need to sped there minimum?
Is Wadi Rum close to Petra, there must be hotels there?
I may not necessarily stay in Amman for all my 6 days. I do want to do some local sight seeing so not just a birding holiday. Any species which are endemic are look out for in Jordan?
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By public transport, Petra (Wadi Musa) is about 3 hours from Amman, buses leaving from Wihdat station in the capital, mostly in morning. Two days should be enough, though one day could be okay if you short of time.
Wadi Rum is hard to get to on public transport, but absolutely worth the effort. I hear a bus leaves early morning from Wadi Musa to Petra, but otherwise any bus going to Aqaba can drp you at the junction, local taxi always wait there, so you can take one of them or hitch the last (?) 20 km.
No hotels at Wadi Rum, but there are very cheap tents set just behind the old visitor centre, or more expensive commercial camps up nearer the main entrance. I recommend the first variant, excellent birding is all within walking distance and the setting is exquisite. Two days needed, getting in and out by public transport in one day would be pushing it.
PS this last trip I had rented car, but on two previous visits, I hitch-hiked throughout, or used occasional buses. All sites equally accessible albeit with slightly more work.
Driving is very easy, most roads near deserted, no real need to go into the centre of Amman, etc.
Cost not excessive if you shop around, plug your dates into agents such as Car3000 and Tiger Rental to get an idea.
Almost certainly yes.
I rented from these guys - they were perfect, cars under 40 USD per day.
http://www.montecar.com/Fleet.htm
From their FAQ page:
26. Do I require an International Driving Licence or I can use my home licence?
An International Drivers Permit License is not required in Jordan; you could drive our cars using your home licence.
It was fine for me. I booked through Alamo, who were quite cheap. As Jos says, driving is generally fine in Jordan as the roads are good and there's little traffic in most areas.
Probably the best thing would be to head down to Aqaba via Petra and Wadi Rum and then back up through Wadi Araba and the Dead Sea. The distances aren't that great, so you should be able to fit plenty of birding in.
BirdingRob
Brit abroad
I know everyone recommends Petra and Wadi Rum for culture but I prefer Wadi Dana for birds and wildlife! Its Jordan's biggest nature reserve by far. Apart from not being able to see Sinai rosefinch, I pretty confident the birding is better there than anywhere else in Jordan. It has good accommodation choices too and can be visited en route to Petra. http://www.jordanjubilee.com/outdoors/dana.htm
Rob www.birdingforalark.blogspot.com
Rob www.birdingforalark.blogspot.com
Pretty much agree, but Wadi rum is certainly better for wheatears too and species such as Trumpeter Finch. As it can effectively be done en route to Petra (if with a car), then I agree this is would another option.
Pretty much agree, but Wadi Rum is certainly better for wheatears too and species such as Trumpeter Finch. As it can effectively be done en route to Petra (if with a car), then I agree this is would another option.
Thanks all for your very valuable input! I have made a brief travel plan.....what do you think?
So If I set off from Amman on Friday morning to Petra and stop there for a few hour and then on to Aqba...for the night. Saturday I spend around Aqaba. Sunday i can head north. Then Sunday morning head up to Dana and the Dead Sea. Monday around the Dead Sea. Then Tuesday to Shaumaari and azraq.....How easy is it to see Onagers, Gazelles, Ostritches and Oryx at Shaumari?
So If I set off from Amman on Friday morning to Petra and stop there for a few hour and then on to Aqba...for the night. Saturday I spend around Aqaba. Sunday i can head north. Then Sunday morning head up to Dana and the Dead Sea. Monday around the Dead Sea. Then Tuesday to Shaumaari and azraq.....How easy is it to see Onagers, Gazelles, Ostritches and Oryx at Shaumari?
I have made a plan. Here it is. I have read your reports - Jos and Andrew - both excellent! Both a big help. I cant even digest the information yet though so much to learn and read.
This is my schedule
Thursday 1st March
Pick up car and arrive at Amman for night
Friday 2nd March
Drive to Petra - Night in Aqaba
Saturday 3rd March
Day at Wadi Rum and night at aqaba
Sunday 4th march
Day around Aqaba – beach,Dissi
Then head to Dana area for night
Monday March 5th
Dana area then head to somewhere along the Dead Sea for the night
Tuesday 6th March
Dead Sea Tourism . Night maybe here somewhere
Wednesday 7th March
Head into Amman, night will have to be here…….
Thursday 8th March
- depart
No Shaumari and Azrak....I would love to have seen Oryx, onager. I do not want to stretch myself too much. Is one day at Petra enough?
This is my schedule
Thursday 1st March
Pick up car and arrive at Amman for night
Friday 2nd March
Drive to Petra - Night in Aqaba
Saturday 3rd March
Day at Wadi Rum and night at aqaba
Sunday 4th march
Day around Aqaba – beach,Dissi
Then head to Dana area for night
Monday March 5th
Dana area then head to somewhere along the Dead Sea for the night
Tuesday 6th March
Dead Sea Tourism . Night maybe here somewhere
Wednesday 7th March
Head into Amman, night will have to be here…….
Thursday 8th March
- depart
No Shaumari and Azrak....I would love to have seen Oryx, onager. I do not want to stretch myself too much. Is one day at Petra enough?
One day at Petra should be enough for the birds. I wonder if you would be better to go to Wadi Dana on the way to Petra, rather than on the return. If you want to do the upper parts of Wadi Dana for species like Syrian Serin then that would be easier.
I'd recommend looking at my report or Jos's for areas along the Dead Sea. It's a good area generally though, and random stops could easily productive, particularly when migration is going on.
If time is limited then I think you're better doing this area of Jordan rather than heading out to the east. You should still pick up most things though.
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