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TGL Jordan 2018

Not all travel photography workshops to Jordan are equal, but both of our previous trips to Jordan have been a wild success. Imagine: sleeping under the stars in Wadi Rum, crossing the desert by camel, pulling into the ruins of Petra by candlelight, and taking a dip in the Dead Sea all in one trip – AND you get to document and support a phenomenal NGO. It’s a dream come true! We are proud to be partnering with Project Amal Au Salam, which seeks to empower Syrian refugee children through education, day camps, events, and workshops that seek to open dialogue, provide a safe space to deal with emotions and promote creative exploration. This gives Syrian children access to music, sports, heath and hygiene classes, art, and – you guessed it – photography!

We will begin and end our trip in Amman, and from Amman we head to Jaresh, where the NGO is based. Jaresh is also home to some unbelievable ruins! From there head out to the wilds of Jordan on a private bus, to tour the countryside, get lost in the desert, camp under the stars, stand in awe at Petra, and float along in the Dead Sea. We will be moving every two nights, so pack light – we will be covering a lot of ground! But we promise, it’s worth it!

Trip Dates

November 15-23

Cost

$3800 USD

Group Size

8-10

Difficulty

Moderate

Physical Difficulty

This trip is physically easy to moderate. There is lots of walking but mostly it’s flat. The heat can be cumbersome but we try to take afternoons easy, and offer lots of chances for shade and hydration. There will be several hikes to reach viewpoints, but they are fairly novice hikes. Stairs at ruins can be steep, but are not required.

Emotional Difficulty

The emotional demands of this trip are moderate to difficult. The war in Syria may not feel real to those of us unaffected by it, but it will become uncomfortably real as we meet and work with Syrian children. Uncomfortable is good – discomfort moves us to care, to action, to say something, to stand up. But it will be bittersweet: you may struggle to reconcile these beautiful children with the their war-torn backgrounds. We will be there – as will the NGO – every step of the way. This particular ngo work will require photographers with huge – but strong – hearts, compassion, patience, and a very delicate approach when it comes to documenting the children (we will assist and lead the way, of course).

Accom, Meals, and Amenities

The standards of accommodation, quality of meals, and access to amenities of this trip are good to very good.Accommodation is very nice, clean, comfortable, and safe. You can expect a simple room with two twin beds, an ensuite bathroom, and clean sheets, towels, and blankets. Hot water can be hit and miss, especially if we’re all trying to shower at once.

Meals are of good quality, taken mostly at restaurants. Some days it will be simple lunches on the go.

Amenities such as bathrooms and convenience stores are available in most places. Toilets will be mostly western style.

Safety

Level of safety in Granada is very good to excellent.The most common issue for tourist is pickpocketing, but statistics are en par with almost anywhere well touristed in the world. TGL will offer tips and advice for your belongings and cash in team newsletters.

Jordan, while surrounded by countries with issues, is resilient and takes great pride in setting itself apart as a peaceful Kingdom in the Middle Easter. It sees many tourists, from all walks of life. You will feel safe in this country.

What is Included?

All Ground Transportation

From the moment you arrive to when you depart, we have you covered. Taxis, buses, tours, you name it.

All Accommodation and Meals

Rooms are double rooms with twin beds, paired by gender, and accommodation is always clean, comfortable, and safe. From dinner the arrival day, to breakfast the departure day, we will keep you well fed and hydrated.

All Entry Fees and Guides

Entry fees, shooting permits, guides, passes, etc. If the team is going to shoot there, we’ll get you in. We’ll even be sure to tip any guides on behalf of the whole team.

All Photo Instruction

You’ll have 2 leaders available all day long to field as many questions as you can muster, provide one-on-one help, and offer group topics and instruction as required by the scene at hand.

A Donation to the NGO

While there are a lot of factors involved that determine the exact amount – which we’re happy to be completely transparent about – you can rest assured we make a substantial donation to our NGO partner post-trip.

What is Not?

Flights

We’re open to people from every corner of the world. This means we cannot possibly offer a flight that would suit everyone. If you can get yourself here, we’ll take care of the rest!

Insurance

We require every participant to have adequate travel insurance, and to carry copies of this insurance at all times.

Passport and Visa

Each participant is required to ensure their passport is valid for the time of travel, and to research, learn, and meet all the requirements of an entry visa specific to their country. If there are fees associated with the entry visa, they’re not included.

Alcohol and Souvenirs

We do not provide alcohol for our participants, so that’s up to you. As well, as much as we really really like you, we can’t buy your gifts for you. Souvenirs are on you!

Internet

Some hotels have wifi, others do not, or sometimes it simply doesn’t work. When wifi is available for purchase, it’s up to you if it’s worthwhile. Some participant opt to purchase a local SIM card and data plan – a great option that we don’t cover.

Behind the Scenes of TGL Jordan

The NGO: Amal Ou Salam

Project Amal ou Salam, meaning Project Hope and Peace, is a grassroots organization dedicated to empowering Syria’s children to rebuild their country and work for peace. This is done through day camps with Syrian children, material donations (such as coloring books, games, and sports equipment), holiday events, and monetary support of schools both inside and out of Syria.

Project Amal ou Salam’s workshops provide open dialogue, giving the kids a safe space to tackle the issues that they face and develop their own ideas and visions for the future of Syria. These workshops include the following: Art, Sports, Health + Hygiene, Music, and Photography.

Project Amal ou Salam has supported over 6,000 children in four different countries, aided by more than 100 volunteers from around the world.

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