Feb 22, 2026
Amazing and Knowledgeable Guide! The best in Petra! - Ismail is an amazing guide that tailors your experience to your comfort level and needs. We did an all day Petra tour, and, based on a conversation about what I wanted to see, he took me to amazing spots at the right times. He provided a comprehensive background on each spot whether it was related to history or geology and made sure I had the experience I wanted from trip. I can’t recommend enough for a trip to Petra!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Feb 22, 2026
Outstanding experience - highly recommended - Based on all the positive reviews on Tripadvisor we had booked a private 2-day tour of Petra with Ismail. As described by others before, email interactions with Ismail ahead of the trip were excellent, super quick turnaround, helpful guidance etc. We had planned to do the Treasury on day 1 and the Monastery on day 2, but then I sprained an ankle and had to adjust the program shortly before arrival. Ismail's area expertise, adaptability and good judgement were critical in turning a potentially disappointing situation into a great experience - upon arrival in Petra we had a pre-meeting and then ended up doing the Treasury on day 1, as originally planned, but skipped the more challenging hike to the Monastery on day 2 and instead went to Aqaba and Wadi Rum - in hindsight, this was an even better choice. I have been on numerous private tours in various locations, but this may have been the best of them all. What makes Ismail's tour special is that he combines in one person everything one could ask for - good English language skills, profound content expertise and passion about his subject, customer focus and willingness to adapt to interests and capabilities, a winning personality and just pleasant to be around. I feel that he really transformed our visit to Petra and would highly recommend a tour with him.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Feb 16, 2026
Best Tour Guide in Petra/Jordan - We were in Egypt and Jordan for 1 week and took many tours with multiple guides. Ismail was by far the best tour guide that we had! He was very knowledgeable of Petra’s history, the best sights for photos, and he even assisted in taking group photos. We were eager to explore all of Petra and Ismail accommodated us by not only showing us the best spots but also accompanying us and explaining the rich history. I highly recommend Ismail as a tour guide and would definitely rebook him!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Feb 16, 2026
The best Petra guide - Ismail is one of the best guides I've hired in my travels around the world. He's knowledgeable, charming, engaging, and puts in the effort to make the experience worthwhile. He hiked for 7 hours with our high-paced hiking group and provided so much insight. The fact he grew up around the city makes his knowledge more authentic. He also has good recommendations for transportation and other activities. I would 100% recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Feb 15, 2026
Unforgettable Experience Thanks To An Amazing Guide!!! - Ismail is an incredible guide that knows the ins and outs of Petra like the back of his hand. He tailored my tour based on my interests and ability and made it something truly special that I will remember for the rest of my life!
Review provided by Viator
Feb 13, 2026
Will Never forget Petra !! - Our experience in Petra was truly unforgettable — and that was entirely thanks to our incredible guide.
From the very beginning, he brought the ancient city to life with depth, passion, and storytelling that went far beyond facts and dates. Walking through the Siq and seeing the Treasury for the first time was breathtaking, but understanding the Nabataean history, trade routes, engineering brilliance, and cultural significance made it extraordinary.
What stood out most was his ability to balance knowledge with warmth. He was patient, attentive, and paced the tour perfectly, ensuring we experienced the highlights — from the Monastery to the Royal Tombs — without ever feeling rushed. He also shared insightful local perspectives, hidden viewpoints, and thoughtful recommendations that made the day seamless.
Petra is a wonder of the world, but the right guide transforms it from a beautiful site into a powerful story. If you’re visiting, I highly recommend touring with him — it will elevate your entire journey.
A true professional and an outstanding ambassador for Jordan.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Feb 8, 2026
High Quality Guide - Ismail is one of the best guides I've had in all my travels around the world (20 countries). He's knowledgeable, engaging, and kept up with our fast paced hiking group for 7 hours. His historical knowledge of the Petra site, from even childhood, is impressive. I would highly recommend him to all my friends.
Review provided by Viator
Jan 6, 2026
Amazing tour of Petra - Ismail is an amazing and kind guide. We did a full day tour of Petra. He showed us all the sites and we walked from the entrance all the way to the back. Ismail was knowledgeable and so much fun!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jan 5, 2026
Ismail makes you Smile - We were a group of 11 visiting from the U.S. and did a 3-hour Petra tour with Ismail. He was truly one of the best guides we’ve ever had. Ismail made the tour engaging, informative, and fun—especially for the kids, who absolutely loved him. He was incredibly patient with our large group and ensured everyone had a great experience while still immersing us in the rich history and mystery of Petra. He also went above and beyond by taking wonderful photos and videos for us. Most importantly, he came across as a genuinely kind and trustworthy person, guiding us honestly and helping us make the right choices without pushing vendors or upsells. 2 People in our group wanted to do Monastery and he helped us find the donkey guide at right time and price.
We couldn’t have asked for a better guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dec 28, 2025
Above-and-Beyond Care and Flexibility : Ismail Made Our Jordan Trip Special - Ismail was a truly wonderful guide in Jordan and made a huge difference in our experience.
Our flight was unexpectedly delayed, and without any hesitation he immediately arranged for a separate driver to pick us up so we could meet the rest of our group who had already arrived two days earlier. That level of responsiveness and problem-solving says everything about how much he genuinely cares about his guests.
I personally spent one day with him in Petra, while the other part of our group had him for three full days, and everyone had the same feedback, he is knowledgeable, funny, kind, and deeply passionate about sharing his country. He takes the time to explain history and culture in a way that is engaging and easy to understand, and he truly looks out for the wellbeing of the group.
Our driver was absolutely outstanding as well. He was calm, skilled, and with us for five full days. He made long drives feel easy and safe, and we were so grateful to have him.
Ismail is more expensive than many other guides, but after seeing how much personal care and flexibility he provides, we all agreed he is worth it.
The only small concern raised by part of our group was the amount of smoking. This was not so much about losing tour time, but more about concern for his own health because by the end of the trip, he felt like part of the family.
We would absolutely recommend Ismail to anyone visiting Jordan and would not hesitate to book him again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor