Getting to Um Qais

Arriving by car:

For those who are driving to Beit Al Baraka we advise that they take Highway 35 initially following signs to Irbid. We advise travellers to then take the Petra road exit from Highway 35, as this avoids traffic in Irbid. The turning for Petra road is easy to spot, as the junction off the main highway is a large roundabout located at the entrance to the Jordan University of Science and Technology.

Follow the Petra road until you reach another roundabout and turn right onto the Amman Road. Continue straight on Amman Road until you reach a T junction and turn left. Amman Road is notable because it has a replica air force jet on a roundabout. Once at the T junction turn left and follow this road until you reach another roundabout and turn right.

This is the road to Um Qais. Remember to mind the speed bumps on this road! It is also important to stick to the left whilst on this road, as there is a right turning that may be mistaken as driving straight. This road will take approximately 30 minutes to drive. Once in Um Qais, drive through the village and past the ancient city ruins on your left. Before the checkpoint, there is a turning on the right. Take this turning and head up the hill. Near the top of the small hill there is a left turning. The entrance to Beit Al Baraka is down that left turning; however, we advise that you park your cars near the steal bins.

Arriving by bus/service taxi:

Buses to Irbid leave Amman throughout the day from Amman’s North bus station and arrive in Irbid at the New Amman station in the southern part of the city (1.4JD). Once you arrive at the South Irbid Bus Station you will need to take another bus or a taxi to the North Irbid Bus Station. A bus will then take you from the North Irbid Bus Station to Um Qais (.5JD).

Arriving to Jordan by plane:

Jordan’s main airport, Queen Alia International Airport is located 35km from Amman. Entrance visas cost 40JD (and are occasionally subject to change). Shuttle buses from the airport go to downtown Amman and depart every half hour between 6:00 and 16:30 (3JD, 06-4453200). Taxis cost 20JD to downtown Amman.

Arriving to Jordan by land or sea:

From Israel/Palestine:

Jordan shares three border crossing points with Israel/Palestine: Jordan River Crossing/Sheikh Hussein in the North, Allenby/King Hussein in the center, and Eilat/Aqaba in the South.

• Crossing at Jordan River/Sheikh Hussein (north): A direct bus run by Nazarene Tours connects Nazareth to Amman via Irbid (+972-4-601-0458). The Israel/Palestine side of the border can also be reached from Beit She’an by taxi (30 NIS). Taxis on the Jordan side can take you directly to Um Qais for a fixed price of 20-30JD.

For most nationalities no advanced visa is required when crossing into Jordan at the Sheikh Hussein crossing. The exit visa from Israel/Palestine costs 106NIS and a shuttle bus to the Jordan side costs 5 NIS, where an entrance visa costs 10JD.

The border is open from 7:00 to 20:30 Sunday-Thursday and 8:30-18:30 Friday-Saturday.

• Crossing at Allenby Bridge/King Hussein (central): Crossing at this border crossing requires an advance Jordanian entry visa (40JD). You are also required to pay an exit visa (176NIS) when leaving Israel/Palestine. Shared taxis to/from Jerusalem (Damascus Gate) leave regularly (38NIS). A shuttle (7JD) takes you to the Jordanian side of the border, and taxis from the border to Amman cost 25-30JD. A taxi directly to Um Qais would cost about 50JD.

The border is open 8:00 – 24:00 Sunday-Thursday and 8:00-15:00 Friday-Saturday.

• Crossing at Eilat/Aqaba Crossing: The border is accessible from Eilat by taxi (40NIS) and from the Jordanian side taxis take you to Aqaba (12JD). From Aqaba, JETT buses (http://www.jett.com.jo/) go daily to Amman and Irbid.

An exit visa from the Eilat side costs 106NIS. No advance Jordanian visa is required at this crossing, but an entry visa costs 60JD. The visa can be refunded fully or partially according to the following terms:

• No refund: If you leave Jordan via another border point.
• Full refund: if you leave Jordan via the same border after spending 3 days/2 nights in Jordan.
• Refund of 20JD: if you visit Petra and leave via the same bode point on the same day or spend 2 days/1 night in Jordan.

From Egypt: A fast ferry from Nuweiba runs once a day Sunday-Friday to Aqaba (http://www.abmaritime.com.jo/). The trip takes about one hour and costs $90 for non-Egyptian or 445 EGP for Egyptians. An entry visa into Jordan costs 40JD.

Getting to other regional sites from Um Qais:

• Irbid: Buses from Um Qais’s main street go to Irbid’s North bus station (.5JD).
• Jerash: From Irbid’s New Amman bus station (3km to the South of Irbid’s North bus station) buses go to Jerash (1JD), where local transport – small shared taxis called serveeces – take you to the city center.
• Ajloun: Buses to Ajloun leave from Irbid’s New Amman bus station. From the Ajloun bus station you can get a taxi to go to the Ajloun Castle and back for 6 JD; public transit also goes to the castle (infrequently during the week and more often on Friday or Saturday). To visit the Ajloun Reserve, you’ll need to get a taxi (6-8JD).
• Pella: From Irbid’s Valleys bus station (2km West of downtown), buses go to Mshare’a (1-2JD), where you can get a taxi to Pella.

The Weather in Um Qais

The winter months of December, January and February are quite cold, as temperature can range from 9-23 degrees Celsius in the day to around 1-10 degrees at night. The winter months are known for rain throughout the Middle East and this is true for Um Qais, too. Cold and dry sunny days, however, are the norm during winter.

Spring arrives to Umm Qais in the months of March,April and May and temperatures range from between 18-28 degrees celsius during the day and 9-15 degrees during the night. Spring brings a dramatic change in the scenery, as the surrounding land is coated in an amazing array of colours. This is the best season to be in Um Qais.

The hot summer months of June, July, August and September witness temperature soar to 35 degrees Celsius during the day. The nights, however, are somewhat cooler, as temperatures retreat to a comfortable 20 degrees Celsius. The summer months are also the driest months, and thus the terrain changes from luscious green to a sandy beige.

Autumn is brief but temperatures are pleasantly warm. Temperatures will range from 28-19 degrees Celsius during the day and between 8-15 degrees during the night. This is a great season for the outdoors.

What to Pack for Your Trip

There is not a great deal that visitors must bring; however, we advise that you bring clothing that are suitable for the activities that guests wish to do. For example, Hikers should bring proper hiking shoes, a hat for sun protection and a bag to carry water. For those that are cycling, we advise that you wear light and comfortable clothing.

Respecting the Local Culture

You may experience some language barriers if you don’t speak Arabic. Your guide can translate for you, of course; but feel free to try to learn some basic phrases and greetings, and have fun trying to stumble through some basic conversations – your efforts are likely to be warmly received. When that fails you may be able to have some interesting conversations with hand gestures and charades.

Gender roles in communities in the area may differ from your cultural background. Take cues from locals and your guide during interactions with the opposite gender. Refrain from hugging someone of the opposite gender; accept a handshake if offered, but do not be offended if it is not – simply offer a spoken greeting instead. If you visit a local home, do not be surprised if men and women sit in separate rooms.  Along the same lines, dress modestly. Wear long trousers and avoid wearing sleeveless shirts or anything low-cut out of respect for local communities.

Leave No Trace

Baraka believes that sustainable tourism can stimulate economic growth while conserving and protecting cultural heritage and natural resources. With this in mind we invite our guests to follow Leave No Trace policies with every experience.

Plan Ahead and Prepare

• Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’ll visit.
• Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
• Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
• Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
• Repackage food to minimize waste.
• Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

• Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
• Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
• Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.

In popular areas:

• Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
• Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
• Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.

In pristine areas:

• Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
• Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.

Dispose of Waste Properly

• Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
• Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
• Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
• To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

Leave What You Find

• Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
• Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
• Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
• Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.

Minimize Campfire Impacts

• Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
• Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
• Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
• Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.

Respect Wildlife

• Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
• Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
• Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
• Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
• Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

Be Considerate of Other Visitors

• Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
• Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
• Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
• Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
• Let nature’s sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.

For more information visit the Leave No Trace Website at: lnt.org