3-Day Petra and Wadi Rum Tour from Tel Aviv

While our tour guide and bus driver were extremely pleasant and professional...we had no idea that the border-crossing experience back in would be so traumatic. We (my mom and I) were told that in 5-years no travellers have been held up at the border crossing. Well, it happened. It was already late, after hours of being on the bus, we were held at the border for questioning...Abraham tour bus left. No one called, no one checked on us, and no one at Abraham tours was available to help when we called. Instead, my mom and I had to wait an additional hour at the border for what they call a "shared taxi" since Abraham tour will NOT refund a regular taxi...then, after 1-hour wait for a 10-passenger bus to fill...we were dropped off in Jerusalem...had to walk 6 blocks with all our luggage an 10:45pm to catch a tram, then from the tram in Jerusalem to a bus station....we were extremely lucky to catch the LAST bus back to Tel Aviv..didn't get to Tel Aviv until past midnight...so NO busses or trains were available...Abraham Hostels never picked up the phone and when they did...there were no rooms except a suite to reserve and they would NOT discount or provide for free due to all of the hassel. So, we had to take a 300NIS taxi home....when I emailed and explained this to Abraham Tours, they said they will not do anything and on top of this--did not even refund the total of what we had to pay to back to Tel Aviv from the boarder.So...my advice to anyone booking is BE AWARE...they are all good until you encounter a problem and then YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN.....so just be prepared.

The trip itself was ok if you do not feel like organising it yourself. Next time, however, I would choose to do it myself and would give the same suggestion to any friends that want to visit Jordan. I think it was overpriced comparing to the quality of the accommodation and the meals. The stay in the camp was an "experience" that I would not repeat. The food was bad (especially breakfast), it was very hot inside the tents, and the bathrooms/toilets were dirty and full of flies (also at times there was no water, including in toilet flushes). The highlight of the trip were the sights (Petra, Wadi Rum, and Jerash - there was no time to see Amman) and also that we learnt quite a lot from our guide Abdullah. He was very friendly, well-organised, helpful, and answered all our questions. The driver was also very nice and drove well and safely. On the last evening, when we were picked up at the Israeli boarder, the driver did not even had a list to check who should be on the bus and we waited long time until he realised there is no one else coming. If you travel solo and don't mind very basic conditions, I guess it is ok. But if you travel in a couple or in a group, you can organise it much better for the same price.

I am not a fan of tours. I booked a tour because I wanted to go to Petra and it was a long weekend away from work. I have to say, one of the best trips I have ever done. Lots of like minded people, met wonderful people which whom I will likely stay in contact. Your was very well organized, accommodations were great, transportation was great, the foods was fantastic, the sites were magnificent and tour guide and drivers were very knowledgeable and ready to answer all questions. Couldn't be happier. Loved the tour. Will definitely use Abraham Tours again. Thank you guys for such wonderful experience!!