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Hi Frida.Happy New Year to You and all the readers
I guess the answer is too late to assist but I am glad I have the opportunity to give answer to this common question.I like to shed liight on this fact.It is no longer a myth.
There are a number of hotels and hostels in Amman that organise tours for their guests.By staying at these establishments you have the chance to join those tours or you can take a private tour by yourself if you want to.
These estalishments use SAME LICENSED DRIVERS THAT tour operators/Agents use but minus the commission and fees they make.It is cheaper to deal direct and get your tour organised by these hostels and hotels.
Rememeber tour Agents make money/fees/cut(middle man) from the drivers,the hotels they book for you and the restaurants you eat at and even the Souveniers store they recommend for you.
That is how they make money.You can save money now that you have the facts in black and whilte.
Enjoy your holiday.

2

Hi Frida
First A Happy New Year to You and all the readers.
I gues the answer is too late to assist but I am glad I have the opportunity to give answer to this common question.I like to shed liight on this fact.It is no longer a myth.
There are a number of hotels and hostels in Amman that organise tours for their guests.By staying at these establishments you have the chance to join those tours or you can take a private tour by yourself if you want to.
These estalishments use SAME LICENSED DRIVERS THAT tour operators/Agents use but minus the commission and fees they make.It is cheaper to deal direct and get your tour organised by these hostels and hotels.
Rememeber tour Agents make money/fees/cut(middle man) from the drivers,the hotels they book for you and the restaurants you eat at and even the Souveniers store they recommend for you.
That is how they make money.You can save money now that you have the facts in black and whilte.
Enjoy your holiday.

3

Just wondering if hotels in Madaba would be as helpful for setting up tours, as we thought to stay there rather than Amman. By the way is that a sensible idea?
I have had pricing from operators I found on-line and they are very expensive (I am always cautious when pricing is in $US!).
We have 6 or 7 days, do you have suggestions for a tour? Or would the hotels have that?
My thoughts were south to Dead Sea, Karak, Petra, Aqaba (with a side trip to Wadi Rum), then north to Jerash and Ajlun. Is that planning too much for our time?
Is renting a car and traveling independently a better option?
Would appreciate your comments, marcopolo, as you seem to be close to the ground.

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getawayj. welcome to Jordan ,Ahlanwasahlan ela Urdun
Here is the full story facts about Amman Madaba and the transpport logistics in Jordan.

Yes there are few good hotels in Madaba who arrange tours for their guests..If you want to stay in Madaba you find one night is enough as it is a sleepy little town and can be boring at night with no where to go,nothing to see or do.
.To be fair to Madaba hotels in that town are generaly more modern than those in downtown Amman.

Amman is a large metropoilis with 4 million people.There is so much to do after dark..
A)- West Amman (the new Amman) with hundreds of modern hotels including a dozen of 4/5 stars.You need to take taxi to go to downtown ( 5 to 10 kms drive)
B)-Old Amman( where tourist attractions are) , the downtown and Jabel Amman Where the city started over a hundred years ago and still look same with very little change.Here are some of what you can see and do
Visiting Rainbow street in Jabel Amman restaurants and the Cafes/Nagilas strip stays opened till early hours of the morning .
The hustle and bustle of the downtown endless Markets/Souqs full of life till late every night.Real taste, sight and sound of Middle Eastern city, Traders,cafes,street stalls,vendors pirated videos,perfume,clothing and cds,local food souvenir stores,and a hundred money changer .Not to forget the Roman Theatre,Roman Bath in downtown , the Citadel Mountain with views of the city down below that sparkles like jewls at night.

Amman is idealy located to base yourself for travelling in Jordan to visit all sites.
a-East direction to visit the Deser castles Loop.and back to Amman(day trip)
b-North direction to visit Jerash,Umm Qais and Ajloun .and back to Amman(day trip)
c.West direction to visit Madaba,Mt.Nebo,Wadi Mujib,Dead Sea,and Bethany and of course Maan Hot Springs.and back to Amman
d-South direction to visit of course the biggest attractions in the country Petra.
there are two main roads to it
1-Desert High way quick short and ordinary (2..30) hour drive
2-The Kings High Way the Old mountainous ,twisty scenic route that passes many historic sites on the way,the driver usually stop and give you time to take photos and look out this is if you are not stopoping at these places.Some of these places like Dana Reserve ideal for hicking and Eco tourism.Kerak and the Castle.Tafeeli ,s Shobak and more.This route can take all day driving.Breathtaking views of the landscape.full of history.drive through small little villages along the route.
Most visitors travel to Petra one way and return the other.Most people do stay overnight at Wadi Mousa the town where Bedwins who run Petra site (they used to live in the caves of Petra less the 50 years ago before they were moved ot to town) They live and run many hotels exists.
From Petra Wadi Rum Reseve is just over an hour drive.It is well worth visit if you have time.and spending a night camping is a special experience.
Yes peak season May you must book in advance to get a good descent hotel.
From Amman you can take public transport to all cities and all directions in the country except to the Dead Sea.
Rent a Car and self drive is very popular with visitors and can save money.It is easy to drive around JOrdan especially with a GPS.a must in Amman
Hiring a car and driver can save you time and provide more comfort and often the driver is your good tour guide along the route.
Booking your tour via a tour agent is convenience and luxury if you can afford. You let them do the work for which you pay extra money The minus is that you are locked in set itinerary you can not change or might pay a penalty to do so.
Independant travel is superior to using a Travel Agent in many ways.
I got carried away a bit I hope you can bear with me.
You study this info.this will help you decide what to visit in 6/7 days trip then I can help you better
here is a taste of amman

http://www.youtube.com/user/visitjordan