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Overview:
Jerash & the King's Highway
Beginning at Jerash, one of the most impressive Roman cities surviving anywhere, we journey via biblical Mt Nebo to Madaba and then southwards along the legendary King's Highway towards Kerak. Here we explore the crusader castle of Kerak, imposingly sited on a crag overlooking the rocky desert.
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Exploring Petra
We finally reach Petra, one of the world's archaeological wonders. Tucked away like a long-lost Shangri-la, the 'Rose Red City' is carved from a mountain of multi-coloured sandstone and approached through a narrow but towering siq (gorge). Local legend has it that the rock-cut Treasury once stored the gifts of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon. We have two full days at Petra: ample time to discover some of the hidden corners of the site, including the vast and impressive Monastery and the High Place with its fine views of distant Wadi Araba.
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Wadi Rum & the Red Sea
Leaving Petra in 4WD vehicles, we push deep into the craggy desert and cliffs of Wadi Rum. This is 'Lawrence of Arabia' country, where we'll sleep in a bedouin-style encampment, under a star-filled desert sky. All around us stretch the solitary vertical cliffs of the wadi (dried-up river bed); we have the chance to explore this majestic landscape by camel. Then continue to the Red Sea coast, where we can unwind and snorkel over the coral reef. Finally we return to Amman, pausing en route to experience the sensation of floating in the Dead Sea.
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Day 1: Join tour Amman
Arrive Amman and check-in at hotel. Overnight hotel H+.
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Day 2: Jerash
This morning we travel northwards to ancient Jerash. Located in the Gilead Hills, it is considered to be the best preserved city of the Decapolis, a confederation of ten Roman cities. One of the highlights of the Middle East, a triple arch gateway gives way to colonnaded streets, theatres, temples and baths. Particularly striking is the elegant forum. This afternoon we head south to Madaba, a small Christian town with its collection of extraordinary mosaics, including the Great Map of the Holy Land (6th century). Discovered in 1896, and only fragmentary, it contains a good picture of Jerusalem. Moving on we investigate Jebel Neba (808m). Better known as Mount Nebo, it is a pilgrimage centre for Christians principally because Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land from this summit. From here we journey back to Amman for our overnight stop. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
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Day 3: To Petra via Kerak
This morning we head south to Kerak, imposingly sited on a hilltop. Kerak became famous in the time of the Crusades as one of a chain of fortresses in the Holy War against Islam. The castle was built in 1132 by Baldwin of Jerusalem, a Crusader king. We continue south to Petra. Abandoned centuries ago, Petra is unique and unforgettable: a strange otherworldly place, enhanced by the play of light and shadow, an altogether overwhelming experience. Here a guided orientation tour will take us to some of the key parts of this remarkable site before our free day tomorrow where we can explore in some more detail, its beautiful and awe inspiring buildings and scenery. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
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Day 4: In Petra
A full free day at Petra, or ‘rock’ in Greek. You can climb steep paths to the sacrificial ‘High Places’ (altars) for a stunning view over Wadi Araba and the Negev Desert, trek up to the impressive ‘Royal Tombs’ or choose from a number of spectacular walks and hikes around Petra, a place to lose oneself in the atmosphere of the past. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
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Day 5: By Four Wheel Drive to Wadi Rum
We spend today experiencing the beautiful area of Wadi Rum. We head off south for an exciting half day drive along a 4WD drive route to Wadi Rum. Via the old Roman road, we explore the lesser known northern areas of Wadi Rum, seeing natural rock bridges and viewing incredible rock sculptures on the way to our overnight camp. During the afternoon you may take an optional camel trek through the dramatic Siq al Barrah. We ride or walk for 3 hours through a landscape of sandstone mountains and white and pink coloured sands. The desert is another world, inhabited by the nomadic Bedouin peoples for generations. Before our night under the starry sky, we may be lucky enough to witness a spectacular desert sunset. We sleep in a single, large, traditional goat hair tent (the best protection against typical desert extremes of hot and cold) which is laid out with rugs, mattresses, pillows and sleeping bags. The evening is normally spent around a campfire, with spectacular desert stars overhead: Washing facilities and WC are available close by. Overnight in Bedouinstyle tent. Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 6: By Four Wheel Drive to Aqaba
Leaving Wadi Rum in four wheel drive vehicles we drive to Aqaba on the Red Sea. Here your tour leader will be on hand to arrange optional activities including the chance to swim or snorkel in the Red Sea or view coral and marine life from a special reef viewing boat. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
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Day 7:Drive via the Dead Sea to Amman
We drive on to the shimmering Dead Sea. Surrounded by barren hills, this unique water body has an amazingly high salt content (33%) that means no animal life survives and that it is almost impossible to sink! Finally we drive on to Amman and spend our last night in the bustling capital. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
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Day 8: Tour ends Amman
Included meals: Breakfast