Choosing a group tour operator for Jordan is one of the most consequential planning decisions you will make. The tour operator determines your accommodation quality, your guide quality, your group size and composition, your schedule flexibility, and ultimately the nature of your experience. This guide compares seven operators honestly, using publicly available information, traveller reviews, and price data — without the promotional language that tour operators themselves use.
How to read this comparison
The operators below differ in several dimensions that matter for Jordan specifically:
Group size — how many people travel with you. Smaller is more intimate and more flexible; larger is often cheaper.
Guide type — is your guide a local Jordanian or an international tour leader? Local guides have deeper knowledge of the country; international leaders have broader facilitation skills.
Accommodation tier — budget (hostels, simple guesthouses), mid-range (3-star hotels), or upscale (4–5-star hotels). This affects the daily experience more than any single decision.
Included vs excluded — what entry fees, meals, and activities are in the base price.
Single supplement — the extra charge for a single room if you are travelling alone. Single supplements in Jordan can be significant (USD 200–600 extra for an 8-day tour).
Departure frequency — how often the tour departs. Tours with weekly departures are easier to schedule around; monthly departures limit flexibility.
The operators
G Adventures
G Adventures is a Canadian small-group adventure travel company operating in 100+ countries. In Jordan, they run several tour formats:
Group size: Typically 10–16 people. G Adventures caps their standard tours at a published maximum that varies by itinerary; most Jordan tours are 12 max.
Accommodation: Mid-range. Expect 3-star hotels in Amman and Wadi Musa, a traditional guesthouse or mid-range camp in Wadi Rum. G Adventures does not use luxury properties on their standard tours.
Guide: Local Jordanian CEOs (their term for guide/group leader). G Adventures requires local guides who are nationals of the destination country — this is a genuine policy, not marketing. The quality varies by individual but the policy is real.
Itinerary (typical 8-day Jordan tour): Amman → Jerash → Madaba → Mt Nebo → Dead Sea → Petra → Wadi Rum → return. Covers the main circuit with good depth.
Price: Approximately USD 1,400–2,000 for 8 days, land only (international flights excluded). Budget around USD 1,700 as a representative mid-range figure.
Single supplement: USD 250–400 extra for the 8-day tour.
Sustainability: G Adventures has a formal sustainability programme (Ripple Score) that measures the percentage of tour spend that benefits local communities directly. Jordan tours typically score well on this metric because of the local guide policy and use of local accommodation and food suppliers.
Who it suits: Independent-minded travellers who want structure but not luxury. People travelling solo (G Adventures attracts a high proportion of solo travellers and is good for meeting people). Those who want a politically conscious operator.
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid is an Australian small-group adventure travel company and one of G Adventures’ direct competitors. Very similar positioning.
Group size: Smaller than G Adventures — typically 8–12 people. Intrepid caps their standard Jordan tours at 10–12 and some speciality tours at fewer.
Accommodation: Similar to G Adventures — mid-range 3-star, local guesthouses in some areas. Intrepid has a “Basix” budget range and “Premium” upscale range; their standard Jordan tours are in the mid-range.
Guide: Local Jordanian leaders. Same policy as G Adventures — local guides required. Intrepid has a strong reputation for guide quality in Jordan; their local leaders are well-reviewed.
Itinerary: Very similar to G Adventures. Some Intrepid Jordan tours add Aqaba; some include an extra day at Petra.
Price: Approximately USD 1,500–2,200 for 8 days. Intrepid Premium Jordan tours run USD 3,000–4,000+ for the same itinerary with better accommodation.
Single supplement: Similar to G Adventures — USD 200–400 extra.
Sustainability: Intrepid is B Corp certified and publishes detailed sustainability reporting. They are generally considered one of the more credible operators on sustainability claims.
Who it suits: Similar demographic to G Adventures. Intrepid attracts slightly older average travellers (30s–50s versus G Adventures’ broader 20s–50s range). People who want small groups and local experience without backpacker intensity.
Kandoo Adventures
Kandoo is a UK-based specialist trekking and adventure tour operator with a focus on hiking and outdoors activities. Less known than G Adventures or Intrepid but highly regarded by serious hikers.
Group size: Small — typically 6–12.
Accommodation: Reflects the hiking focus — guesthouses, RSCN reserve lodges, Bedouin camps. Not luxury, but chosen for access to the natural environment rather than convenience.
Guide: Local Jordanian guides with trekking expertise. Kandoo’s Jordan guides are typically RSCN-licensed or have specific trekking qualifications. This is a higher bar than a general city tour guide.
Itinerary: Kandoo’s Jordan tours centre on the Jordan Trail or specific trekking routes: Dana to Petra trekking, Wadi Rum hiking, Wadi Mujib. They also run cultural tours but the hiking tours are their strongest product.
Price: USD 1,800–3,000 for 7–10 day trekking tours.
Who it suits: Walkers, hikers, and anyone for whom the outdoor and natural elements of Jordan are primary. Not suited for visitors who want a primarily cultural or historical experience at a relaxed pace.
Explore
Explore is a UK-based adventure travel company with a large Jordan programme. More conservative and slightly more formal than G Adventures or Intrepid.
Group size: Up to 16 people; often 12–14 in practice.
Accommodation: Mid-range to slightly upscale compared to G Adventures; uses better-known hotel brands in Amman (4-star) while maintaining guesthouses and camps elsewhere.
Guide: Mix of local Jordanian guides and UK-based tour leaders who speak Arabic. Explore’s UK leaders are experienced but lack the local depth of a Jordanian national.
Price: USD 1,800–2,500 for 8 days.
Who it suits: Older British travellers (Explore’s core demographic), those who want reliable organisation and quality control from an established operator. Less suited for those who want genuine grassroots local experience.
Wild Frontiers
Wild Frontiers is a UK-based premium adventure operator that specialises in less-visited destinations. Their Jordan programme is smaller than the above operators but more specialised.
Group size: Very small — typically 6–10.
Accommodation: Higher quality than mid-range operators. Wild Frontiers uses characterful local properties — boutique hotels, well-run guesthouses, the better Wadi Rum camps — rather than chain hotels.
Guide: Local expert guides with deep knowledge of specific areas. Wild Frontiers invests in guide relationships and their local partners are consistently well-reviewed.
Price: USD 2,500–4,000 for 8–10 days. Significantly more expensive than G Adventures or Intrepid.
Who it suits: Travellers who want a small-group experience with higher-quality accommodation and deeper expertise, and are willing to pay for it. Those interested in the less-visited aspects of Jordan (desert castles, Dana, Wadi Faynan) rather than just the standard highlights.
Memphis Tours
Memphis Tours is a regional operator based in Egypt with significant Jordan operations. They offer competitive pricing for multi-country itineraries (Egypt + Jordan is their most popular combination).
Group size: Variable — both private and group tours. Group tours are typically 12–16.
Accommodation: Mid-range to slightly budget in Jordan; their Egypt operations are stronger on accommodation quality.
Guide: Local guides who are Jordanian nationals for the Jordan portions.
Price: USD 900–1,500 for 5–8 days in Jordan, or as part of a combined Egypt-Jordan package.
Who it suits: Those combining Jordan with Egypt who want to book both countries with a single operator. Budget-conscious travellers who are comfortable with larger groups.
Audley Travel
Audley is a UK-based tailor-made travel specialist. They do not run fixed group tours; all Audley travel is bespoke and private.
Group: Private travel only — just you (and your travelling companions).
Accommodation: High-end. Audley consistently uses 4–5-star hotels and the best characterful local options.
Guide: Private local guide throughout.
Price: USD 5,000–15,000+ per person for a tailor-made 8–10 day Jordan trip. This is the premium end of the market.
Who it suits: Couples, families with children, or small groups who want complete control over their itinerary and the highest quality accommodation and guiding. Suitable for those who have done group tours before and want a more personalised experience.
Private driver/guide: the underrated option
Before committing to any of the above, consider the private driver option through GYG. A private driver and car service for 1–8 days from Amman is available at a cost considerably below what a structured tour operator charges, and provides more flexibility than a fixed itinerary.
From Amman: private driver and car service for 1–8 days Jordan: 3-day highlights tour to Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead SeaThis option suits experienced travellers who are comfortable managing their own accommodation and entrance fee logistics but want a local driver-guide rather than navigating independently in a rental car.
Key criteria for choosing
What matters most for Jordan specifically
Local guide quality: Jordan’s history, culture, and physical landscape require a knowledgeable guide to properly interpret. An international tour leader reading from a script is measurably inferior to a Jordanian guide who has grown up in the country. Look for operators that guarantee local national guides.
Wadi Rum camp quality: This is where group tour quality varies most dramatically. A genuine Bedouin family camp with zarb cooking and real stars is a transformative experience. A commercial “luxury camp” with aircon tents, a buffet restaurant, and entertainment is pleasant but different. Ask specifically which camp your tour uses.
Petra duration: A group tour that gives you one day at Petra is giving you the minimum. Two days at Petra is the correct allocation. If the tour gives you one day, the itinerary is wrong.
Single travellers: G Adventures and Intrepid both attract large proportions of solo travellers and are the better social environment for meeting people. Wild Frontiers and Audley tend toward couples and families.
Language: All major operators run English-language tours. G Adventures, Intrepid, and Explore also run German and French-language tours on selected itineraries.
What questions to ask before booking
Before committing to any Jordan group tour, these specific questions will reveal the most about quality:
“Which camp do you use in Wadi Rum, and is it Bedouin family-operated?” — The answer reveals whether the Wadi Rum experience is genuine community-based hospitality or a commercial operation with no Bedouin family connection. A guide who cannot answer this question specifically is a guide who does not know their product.
“How many days are spent at Petra and does the schedule include the Monastery?” — One day at Petra that does not include the Monastery is an incomplete experience. If the itinerary shows “Petra full day” without specifying the Monastery, ask directly whether the schedule allows for it. It requires 3+ hours above the main basin.
“What is the maximum group size and what was the actual average size of recent departures?” — Published maximums and actual departures often differ. If a tour claims 12 max but regularly departs with 10, that is useful information. If it regularly fills to the maximum or beyond, that tells you something else.
“Is the guide a Jordanian national with experience in Jordan specifically?” — This matters because Jordan’s history and culture require local knowledge that international tour leaders often lack. A guide who specialises in multiple regions (Jordan + Israel + Egypt + Turkey) often knows each superficially. A Jordanian who guides Jordan specifically knows it deeply.
“What happens if I need to leave the tour due to illness or emergency?” — The answer reveals the operator’s backup systems and care capacity. Responsible operators have clear protocols; others simply say “we will refund the remaining days.”
Price comparison summary
| Operator | 8-day tour price per person | Group size | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| G Adventures | USD 1,400–2,000 | 10–16 | Local Jordanian |
| Intrepid | USD 1,500–2,200 | 8–12 | Local Jordanian |
| Kandoo | USD 1,800–3,000 | 6–12 | Local (hiking specialist) |
| Explore | USD 1,800–2,500 | 12–16 | Mixed |
| Wild Frontiers | USD 2,500–4,000 | 6–10 | Local expert |
| Memphis Tours | USD 900–1,500 | 12–16 | Local Jordanian |
| Audley | USD 5,000–15,000+ | Private | Local private |
FAQ
Which operator has the best reviews for Jordan specifically?
Intrepid and G Adventures both maintain high overall ratings (4.5–4.8/5 on major review platforms) for Jordan. Kandoo reviews for hiking tours are exceptional (consistently above 4.8). Wild Frontiers reviews are strong but the sample size is smaller. Check TripAdvisor, Trustpilot, and operator-specific review sections for the most current data.
Do these tours include international flights?
No — all prices above are land-only (in-country), not including international flights to/from Jordan. Add flights from your home country separately.
What is not typically included?
Most group tours exclude: international flights, travel insurance, alcoholic drinks, optional activities (some tours have an “optional” list — these are often excellent and worth the extra cost), tips for guides and drivers, single supplements.
How far in advance should I book?
For peak season (March–May and September–November), book 3–6 months in advance. Popular Jordan tours with weekly departures often sell out 8–12 weeks before departure.
Can I combine Jordan with Israel or Egypt on a group tour?
Some operators offer combined tours: Memphis Tours is the strongest for Egypt–Jordan; Intrepid and G Adventures both offer Israel–Jordan combinations (though check current availability given regional sensitivities). Audley can design any combination as a bespoke private trip.
Is it safe to travel Jordan on a group tour currently?
Yes. All major tour operators continue to operate in Jordan without restriction. Jordan is consistently rated safe by the US State Department (Level 2: Exercise Normal Precautions for most of the country), the UK FCDO, and other government travel advisories. The country has had no significant security incidents affecting tourists in recent years.
What should I read before booking?
Read recent (past 12 months) reviews specifically about Jordan, not just the operator’s overall ratings. Look for mentions of guide quality, Petra timing, Wadi Rum camp quality, and group size. Operator overall ratings can mask significant variation in specific destination quality.