Where Petra and Wadi Rum Only Scratch the Surface…
Building on his successful Un-Tour To Myanmar, adventurer and photographer Dustin Main leads unique small group tours to Jordan for those interested in the evolving stories and culture of this fascinating country.
Over thousands of years of history, countless empires have risen and fallen here. Not only that, some of the world’s most famous stories feature these lands, from the bible to Lawrence of Arabia.
For the past 9 years, I've come back again and again to Jordan. The food, the sights, and the stories of the people keep calling me back. A place with cool nights and warm people, amazing views, and a million little surprises. It's a place with some of the world’s most complicated neighbors, and one that holds a unique balance between traditions of the past and the future of the region.
...and now is the time to see it for yourself.
Un-Tour To Jordan
13 Days, 12 Nights
Ancient Ruins, Community Impact, & Photography
Donning your own Indian Jones hat (not included) and discovering the ruins of the city of Petra. Watching the sun set over a martian landscape before enjoying a meal cooked 6 feet underground. Picking olives with a local family, and seeing how olive oil is made in the village. Hearing stories from passionate community members and local organizers about how they’re both preserving the past and shifting the future of both their families and their country.
That's a small taste of what you're in for.
This isn't your typical tour. We won't be crowding onto a bus after being provided 18 1/2 minutes to peruse an ancient Roman ruin, just to take a photo for proof you were there. Instead, we'll be bringing together the best of a small group tour (we have a maximum of 10 guests), with the spirit and excitement of independent travel.
We'll be wrapping ourselves in the culture, with hand-picked guides and contacts who will take us to those secret places unknown to most tourists and groups. If an amazing opportunity comes up, we'll have the freedom to take it. We won't be rushed because we're not following a checklist, because you can't plan when serendipity will shine your way. Instead you'll be able to really get a feel for the country both with our guidance, and with the time and freedom to go exploring on your own.
We'll still be hitting a few of the "main attractions" that this country is known for, and don't get me wrong, they are spectacular. But it's the hidden photography spots, unique experiences, and the people that we meet along the way that will make this trip one to remember.
So, join my local team of guides and I as we take you on an unforgettable journey to experience the majesty of Jordan.
Meet Your Photographic Guides
Dustin Main
Dustin Main
Dustin is a documentary photographer based in Saskatchewan, Canada.
Dustin has been photographing around the globe for 15 years, living in 6 countries along the way.
He has led photography workshops in a host of unique locations since 2014, from ancient temples in the Bagan plains of Myanmar, to abandoned buildings in Chernobyl, and many more. Driven by a curiosity for life and the people who make it up, it’s no wonder he veers toward the road less travelled.
Dustin’s long-term documentary project, “This Myanmar Life” has had several gallery showings, with a book currently in development.
Kathryn Cooper
Kathryn Cooper
Kathryn Cooper is a freelance event, non-profit, and travel photojournalist based in New York, USA.
Her photography has led to working across 55 countries and living on several different continents. From documenting chefs for the Food Network, to documenting refugees in Nepal, to photographing the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball Drop, she takes each opportunity as a unique story to tell.
She loves adventure - the more odd the situation, the better the story.
Kathryn and Dustin have traveled and photographed in 4 countries together, hunting the light with a camera in one hand, and street food in the other. (Note that if you have a camera strap, you can have street food in one hand, and ice cream in the other).
Kathryn Cooper is a special guest photographic guide on the November 8th - 20th, 2022 departure of the Un-Tour to Jordan.
Here are some words from previous guests about their experience on my tours:
“I felt like I was really getting to know a country, not just passing by.”
“Do it! You’ll have an amazing experience! A trip for the ages!”
“Do not hesitate, this will change your life.”
Why take a tour with me?
Always on the lookout for an adventure…
Traveling independently in Jordan can be great if you have the time and the patience to research and plan, but decoding the beautiful puzzle of this country takes time... time that most just don't have to unlock the secrets.
I've spent the time to get under the skin of this place to find out just how it ticks. It's my passion.
I want you to experience the Jordan that I know and love. The one where we don't just watch from afar, but we learn and participate (if you like) to deepen your understanding of this land. We'll do that by picking up a bit of the local language, devouring the local delicacies, and hearing the stories of the country from the Jordanian people themselves.
The tour is purposefully small, with a maximum of 10 people. In addition to myself, we'll have my team of Jordanian guides, researchers and contacts at our disposal. This means that questions get answered, different perspectives shared, and the opportunity to split off into even smaller groups instead of crowding around like most tours.
Totally photogenic. I've been photographing around the world for the past 13 years, including five trips to Jordan in the past eight. My work has been displayed in print and in galleries, and licensed commercially around the world. I know plenty of great spots, so don't forget your camera. This isn't a typical "photo tour," but photographer or not, I'm confident that you'll come home with some of the best photos from a trip you have ever had.
Local, local, local. We have a strong focus on community and social projects for our adventure together. We'll be staying in a host of hand-picked locations, including family-run B&B’s, homestays, and even goat-hair tents while camping in the desert. We'll be eating in local spots that make fresh, delicious food that has my mouth watering as I type this. We’ll be learning about and supporting social enterprises to help leave a lasting impact beyond our time here. And we'll be meeting the local people, community organizers, and even some home cooked meals. So when you leave the country, you won't have just "seen" but you will understand what makes this place so amazing.
I LOVE food. Any follower of mine knows how important food is in my life. I absolutely love Jordanian food, and I'm sure you will too... and we'll dive deep into traditional cuisine including some home-cooked and cooked-in-the-ground camp dinners. We’ll cover it all, so make sure you have an extra notch available in your belt.
We know how to plan Jordan right. While most visitors to this land only experience Petra, we'll be extending our time allowing us to go deeper into some extra special locations.
Join the Un-Tour to Jordan
October 2022
Oct 24th - Nov 5th, 2022
The Un-Tour to Jordan Original
Led by Dustin Main
and our Jordan team
13 days, 12 nights
Max group size: 10
SOLD OUT
$3375 USD
$500 Deposit saves your space now
↓
November 2022
Nov 8th - Nov 20th, 2022
Special Double Photographer Tour
Led by Dustin Main & Kathryn Cooper
and our Jordan team
13 days, 12 nights
Max group size: 6
SOLD OUT
$3975 USD
$500 Deposit saves your space now
↓
Secure and easy payment via all major credit cards (Stripe).
(Canadians wishing to pay in CAD by Interac e-transfer, contact me)
It's time to tell your boss you'll be off this autumn on a journey to magnificent Jordan..
Our Itinerary
Day 1 Amman
We’ll gather our crew together for a dinner to start off our time together right with our first taste of the local cuisine.
Day 2 Amman
We’ll spend the day with a local storyteller and community organizer, giving us and on-the-ground update on what street art means to the city, and the Palestinian connection to Jordan. Along the way, we’ll sample delicious eats before photographing the city from the Citadel at sundown. In the evening, we’ll have a chance to sample delicious Syrian ice cream.
Day 3 Umm Qais
Umm Qais, the ancient city of Gadara, was one of the cities of the Roman decapolis. The black basalt ruins are perched atop a hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee. After exploring the ruins with our guide who literally grew up playing on them as a child, we’ll relax and take in the views of three countries from our vantage point- Israel, Syria & the Jordan Valley. Tonight we will be hosted for dinner by a Syrian family who came here to escape the fighting in their country, and overnight at a charming B&B set in the hills.
Day 4 Orjan
This morning we’ll join a passionate local beekeeper to learn about his trade, and try our hand at harvesting honey, protective gear is included!
Heading North, we’ll visit the impressive ruins of Jerash, once one of the largest Roman cities in the Middle East. There, we’ll visit the hippodrome which hosted ancient chariot races before heading to the cooler hills and our homestay.
We will feel like one of the family as we prepare dinner alongside a local Jordanian family and enjoy a home cooked meal before spending the night at their homestay.
Day 5 Orjan
We’ll spend the day with our host family in Orjan, experiencing Jordanian village life and hospitality up close and personal. Our host Abu Mahmoud will take us to the nature reserve for a walk along a section of the Jordan Trail, a recent community project creating hiking trails along the entire length of the country. It’s olive harvest season, and we’ll dive right in, from picking the olives, to taking them to the local olive oil factory to see how it turns into that delicious liquid we love.
Day 6 Dana Biosphere Reserve
After a beautiful drive this morning we’ll reach the Dana Biosphere Reserve. After dinner, we’ll watch the stars from the roof.
Day 7 Petra
We’ll take the winding back road through the valley to head to Petra, getting our first taste of this UNESCO World Heritage Site by watching the golden sunset in nearby Little Petra before packing in early for a big day tomorrow.
Day 8 Petra
No doubt, Petra is incredible. After breakfast, we’ll find our way to a quiet back entrance to the site, before continuing down a goat-herders path through a canyon to Petra's Monastery. Once you reach the summit, you will have the rest of the day to explore Petra on your own.
Day 9 Petra
This morning we’ll enter the early in the morning via the Siq, the famous canyon that opens up to the iconic Treasury before exploring the site from high atop the cliffs for a different side of the site. We’ll be joined by a researcher who studies are showing Petra’s past in an entirely different light.
Day 10 Wadi Rum
We’re heading south to the stark landscape of Wadi Rum. We’ll hop aboard jeeps piloted by our local Bedouin guides through the vast sands of the nature reserve. We'll scramble up sandstone boulders and take in a silent, otherworldly sunset. We’ll stay overnight at a Bedouin camp in the desert within the nature reserve and under a sea of stars.
Day 11 Wadi Rum
Another chance to fully take in the awe-inspiring scenery. We’ll tackle a hikes that will reward us with a gorgeous birds-eye view of the desert before capturing the shades of the desert as the light changes through the day.
Day 12 Dead Sea
Afterwards we transfer North to the Dead Sea to spend the afternoon floating in the remarkable waters, and photographing the odd landscape and salt here. We’ll wrap things up with a final dinner and reminisce about our adventures together.
Day 13 Depart
Spend the morning saying goodbye and relaxing at the hotel before heading off to the airport.
More Details
+ So, really, what’s included?
-> All accommodation in Jordan for the duration of the tour (12 nights).
-> Most meals are included – every breakfast, and either lunch or dinner every day.
-> All entrance fees to sites, museums, parks, and more.
-> All forms of transport necessary to complete our itinerary.
-> Personal assistance and travel guidance from myself and my team of Jordanian guides.
-> All tips for all of our drivers, guides, guesthouses, etc. We believe in paying a fair wage to our team, rather than having them rely on tips from guests to make ends meet.
-> And of course, all of the unplanned magic you can expect visiting this fascinating country with an expert team & photographer with a host of trips to the country in the past 8 years.
+ And what’s not included?
-> Airfares to and from Amman are not included, but we will assist you with booking your flight if you require assistance. You will need to arrive on (or before) 4pm of the starting date.
-> Travel insurance is not included, and is mandatory. We require proof of insurance.
-> Some meals – Generally you'll be on the hook for one a day.
-> Transport to/from the Amman airport.
-> Extra activities – Fancy a hot air balloon flight over the Wadi Rum desert? We'll help you make it happen.
-> Drinks. Be it freshly squeezed juice.
-> Any fees or charges that you incur as a result of you canceling this trip once you have made a booking with us, we are not responsible for – including any charges your airline or transport provider charges you.
-> If you arrive early or depart late, you will be liable for all expenses not included in our itinerary. We'll be happy to book reserve accommodation with our guesthouses/hotel for any extra days you need on either end.
+ Anything else?
-> You will need to sign a waiver releasing us from any self-imposed craziness that you get up to.
-> You are responsible for obtaining any additional travel visas you may require.
-> For those who wish to arrive early or stay longer in Jordan, we would be more than happy to assist with some ideas and plans.
-> Travel can be unpredictable. I like to freestyle it a bit. So, some of the itinerary may be subject to change. In the unlikely event that any major changes are required, we will discuss and keep you in the loop at all times. Our goal is to make any changes for the best. In the unlikely event that the tour is cancelled by us, you will always receive a full 100% refund – unless the trip cancellation is due to a “force majeure” event – something beyond our control (such as a natural disaster). However – we will always strive to provide you a full refund in these cases – we will go to all lengths to protect my stellar reputation.
+ How do I get a Visa for Jordan?
We'll handle the visa process for you. Easy!
+ I'm travelling solo. Do I need to pay extra?
I travel solo much of the time so I know what you mean. We'll match you up with another solo traveler and you can share a room with twin beds. You had better believe that there is no extra charge for solo travelers on the trip, unless...
+ What if I’m travelling solo and I would like my own room?
No problem! If you're solo and you'd prefer your own private space to wind down at the end of the day, don't sweat it. For $599USD we'll get you your own room for our entire journey together. Just let me know and we'll make it happen.
With the B&B and the homestay we have limited bed options, but we'll do our best to get you a single room on these dates as well, though you may need to share a twin room with one other person on these nights.
+ Speaking of rooms, where are we staying?
We'll be staying in a host of interesting and unique accomodations during our time in Jordan. From guesthouses, camps in the desert, a B&B, homestays, and unique hotels. The desert camp nights have us in raised beds inside canvas tents. Where we lie our head down at night will be a highlight in itself!
Particularly during our time camping and at the eco-lodge, many modern luxuries simply won’t be available. We're well off the grid, so we may only have electricity for an hour or two a day and access to warm showers will be limited. These days are split up in our itinerary so we'll have plenty of time to charge up our gear along the way.
+ How does COVID-19 affect my trip and the policies around it?
Due to the uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic, we want you to feel safe and secure in planning your adventure. So deposits will be fully refundable up to three months before our departure date. No questions asked.
A full refund will be offered if we must cancel the entire trip due to logistical, safety, and/or travel complications related to COVID-19. Rest assured, we’ll only run our trips if we deem that it’s safe to do so for both our guests and our communities on the ground in Jordan.
+ What if I have paid, and then I change my mind. Can I get a refund?
Note that our COVID-19 policies (above) superseed our regular cancellation policies below
Sometimes the best-made plans need to be put on hold, or cancelled. Unfortunately, we will incur costs from the moment your seat is reserved. However, we don’t want to act all big and corporate, so this our promise to you:
-> If you cancel, $500 USD of any ticket price is non-refundable.
-> If you cancel within 60 days of the tour start date, you will lose 100% of your ticket price (this is due to the difficulties in finding a replacement for you at such short notice).
-> If you cancel between 60 and 90 days before the tour start date you will lose 50% of your ticket price.
BUT – we will always do the right thing, so, if we fill your seat after you cancel, we will refund at least 80% of your full ticket price.
+ Is Jordan Safe?
The citizens of Jordan are wonderful people who you'll find are keen to share an afternoon tea and chat with you on the streets. Tourists are treated with respect by the citizens and the authorities.
When it comes to the local customs, we'll assist you all the way. Essentially, it means that we have covered shoulders and knees as a sign of respecting the local way of life. No biggie.
The areas in which we will be traveling together are safe and stable.
+ Is this an adventure tour, or a photography tour?
I am all about adventure, and this trip will be one to remember. Everyday will be exciting, but there won't be skydiving adventures of cliffs to jump off of. This is adventure that everyone can take part in. Folks on my tours have ranged in age from the 20's, to mid-70's. Everyday we'll do a good amount of walking, riding the odd camel, and wandering around ancient ruins. It's adventure for everyone.
That said, you should be able to walk for a 4-6 hours and up/down stairs and through sand without much problem. And of course, everything is optional, so if you need a break or don't feel up for something, no big deal at all.
Also while I am a professional photographer, this isn't a typical photo tour where all we do is go and take photos. There is a focus on it though and I'm here to assist and level up your photography game, whatever level it may be, be it with a smartphone or a full set of gear. There will be plenty of opportunities to capture the magic of this country in photos, and it just so happens that I know the best spots to help you along.
+ What kind of people come on the trip?
I love the age and general diversity of our groups, and the different perspective everyone brings to the experience.
People from all walks of life, from those who are on their first big trip, to those with 90+ countries under their belt come along with us. A common thread is that they share an interest in going deeper into a culture... those who are curious about life are always welcome. Many also share a interest (or love!) for photography, be it enthusiasts and pros packing a bunch of gear, or those taking snaps in the street with their mobile phone.
+ Can I go off on my own? Will there be free time?
Yes! While we'll have activities planned for many of the days, I've baked plenty of "free time" right into our itinerary so you can explore on your own after you've gotten your feet wet. Go off on your own adventure, or ask for some ideas and we'll make sure to send you on the right path.
What if I still have some unanswered questions?
Get in touch! Contact me via email. Alternatively we can hop on the phone and chat (in fact, I encourage it).
Drop me a line for my phone number or my skype and we’ll chat over some virtual tea.
Like any good meeting, in front of a fire on the side of the street in Wadi Musa.
“We really got to know people, and get different perspectives on where (the country) has been and where it’s going. It gives context for so many of the places we went. This trip has been full of surprises and far exceeded anything I could have imagined!”
