Bethany Beyond the Jordan UNESCO Heritage Site
Has anyone been to this site recently? Do you need a tour guide or is there a guide at the site? We can get a driver from the Kempinski, but not sure if we need a separate tour guide. Anyone been there? Thoughts? How was the experience?
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We just returned from this trip on Oct 30th. What an amazing trip that is packed full of so many archeological treasures. This is a very busy trip with many full days including 4 days during the trip when you will be flying. Everything is seamless with Tauck, but it does take its toll on you and by the end of the day you are glad for rest so you are ready for the next day's adventures.
We did not take the tour Bethany Beyond the Jordan, but I am sure it would be very interesting. You would need a driver and a guide to go that far away from the resort in my opinion. We originally had booked a driver and guide for a trip to Amman when we arrived 2 days early. But after we arrived I cancelled because we were so exhausted from the flights and we wanted to just relax and take advantage of the gorgeous surrounding and amenities at Kempinski. There is so much to do there and once the tour starts there will be limited time to do anything at the resort. It is truly a highlight of the trip to be at this gorgeous resort. And I am so glad I booked 2 days ahead because we had flight changes at last minute and so did other people on the trip. So I would definitely give yourself a couple days ahead to really relax and be ready for the trip. The spa is a must! Absolutely the best massage I have ever had, and the 2 women were so gracious and wonderful. The Dead Sea mud experience is also fun, and there are multiple swimming pools to check out.
If you decide to go I know Kempinski will do anything they can to help. They had set us up ahead of time with the driver and guide and then were very understanding when I cancelled. They are wonderful and want to make the experience memorable for you. We had the privilege of seeing a very elaborate wedding while we were there as well.
You don't say when you are going , but I would say we had the absolute most amazing weather on our trip which started Oct 17th. Even our tour director kept saying that the weather was perfect. Petra was so comfortable this time of year with bright blue skies and warm sun to bask in while we rode our camels back through the siq -. definitely a moment I will never forget! And Cairo was also very comfortable. Overall this is a trip of a lifetime. Enjoy!! I am happy to answer any other questions you have about the trip also.
I concur it is a fabulous trip, my #1. We didn't go but I've read about Bethany and it appears there is not much to see there or enroute, and what is there is to see is not well presented and a bit long in the tooth. You would be better booking extra local tours in Amman during pre-tour free time.
Alan, I want you to know I poured through all your posts before we went and it really helped me. We really had prepared ourselves to do the Monastery in Petra going so far as to climb stairs over and over this summer. But alas, the best laid plans did not materialize and we were highly discouraged by Tony , our very wonderful and experienced TD. He even discouraged the 20 somethings that were on our trip so they opted for the Royal Tombs instead. He didn't want anyone dealing with a sprained ankle. He was a great TD and I decided to take his advice to heart. We definitely enjoyed our Bedouin dinner that night also-what an experience!
Linda, I can see the TD's point if the climb would be beyond the ability of a majority of the group but who might be coaxed into it by those capable of the climb. But it really isn't as bad as some report. I knew I could make it after reading a blog by a self-described overweight women with asthma who made it. There is no rush and plenty of spots along the way to rest or get something to drink. and plenty of donkey herders willing to take you down. I sent a note to the TD at the beginning of the tour to let her know my (detailed) plans and preparation. I was the only one on our tour to do the climb (or the climb to the High Place of Sacrifice).
I was 73 and a bit overweight (see my Dead Sea mud bath photo) at the time, but I spent a few months beforehand walking on the flat to get in shape. Other than house stairs, the land here is flat, but I got up to 7 miles per walk at a moderate pace w/o resting, 5 to 6 days a week. Remember, after I finished the climb up to and down from the Monastery I also followed the trail behind Qasr al Bint to Wadi al Farasi then climbed the steep trail of mostly steps, up to the High Place of Sacrifice before coming back down on the other side of the mountain near the Treasury. The only problem I had was my legs cramped, likely from not drinking enough water, on the way back through the Siq.
Alan - I agree that the Monastery hike is doable if you are fit. Four of us in our group did the hike and enjoyed it. We were all in good shape, especially our companions, who were regular mountain hikers. It is important that it was not too hot and it was not crowded. I was careful about staying hydrated.