Walking holiday in Jordan

Planet

The Wadi Rum Desert was named a protected area in 1998, this ensure the continued conservation and management of the unique cultural history and natural beauty of this area, protecting it from human development but also providing an important source of tourism to local economy.

We walk through the Wadi Rum Desert and experience traditional Bedouin living, sleeping in a large communal style goat hair tent, which provides the best protection against typical desert extremes of hot and cold weather. The tent is laid out with rugs, mattresses, pillows and sleeping bags and this is where each tribe would commune to eat, sleep and socialise.

Travelling on foot we follow an ancient route across the desert and into Petra. Exploring on foot not only reduces the number of vehicles around the historical sights but accompanied by our expert local Tour Leader you’ll also discover hidden treasures. Our Tour Leaders are recruited locally and are trained by us in the importance of responsible tourism with guidance given on how they can make a difference.

Conservation of water is actively promoted in Jordan. We work closely with our local suppliers to see how we can help them save water in the fragile desert environment. As there is no recycling in this area our clients are encouraged to carry water purification filters and water bottles.

As a company we support Cool Earth. Protecting rainforest is one of the most effective actions to tackle climate breakdown. CoolEarth work with indigenous communities empowering them to conserve their forest; keeping CO2 locked in.

People

All accommodation that we stay in is locally owned and this not only provides direct employment within the hotel, but also has the effect of distributing money beyond to small businesses that supply the hotel and in this way money is spread throughout the region we visit.

The money generated by tourism in this area goes to support the local Bedouin and reinforces amongst the local people the importance of protecting this unique area. The communities living in and around Wadi Rum are of Bedouin origin, welcoming and hospitable they reply on tourism and are responsible for helping to develop Wadi Run as a tourist destination in a sustainable way, ensure that the culture and traditions live on.

In addition to the above, we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key and so all staff, Tour leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage. As well as this, we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of UK travel industry bodies Tourism Concern and AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.