EXPLORE: Treasures of Jordan

Itinerary

A trip for those who want to see the sites and get off the beaten track but are also looking for a level of comfort en-route.

The Dead Sea & Jerash

We transfer from Petra to Wadi Rum to camp in the desert. Discovering Jordan's landscapes. We continue to the Dead Sea with time to discover this unique landscape and enjoy a float in its saline waters. The trip finishes after a tour of Amman by exploring Ajlun Castle and one of the most impressive surviving Roman cities, Jerash.

Traditional Local Accommodation

The accommodation on this tour has been chosen to try to have a cultural and local style in as many destinations as possible. The hotel in Petra is distinguished by its Bedouin-style rooms. These are tastefully furnished to complement the village style setting. We camp 'Lawrence of Arabia' style in Wadi Rum in a traditional Bedouin tent with segregated sleeping areas and sleeping mats, along with showers with and fully catered facilities. The journey then continues to the Dead Sea where we stay at a spa hotel.

• Day 1:Join tour Amman

  Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++) in Imperial Palace. Imperial Palace Hotel is a 4-star boutique hotel that offers us a blend of the hospitality of the Orient and the luxurious comforts of the modern age. Founded in 2001, it is ideally situated in the Fourth Circle, one of the most affluent districts of west Amman and 10 minutes from the hustle and bustle of downtown Amman.

• Day 2:

  This morning we take a guided tour of Jordan's Capital City. The origins of this remarkable city have been traced back some 9,000 years, but it was the arrival of the Ammonites in 1200BC that saw the city begin its rise to prominence as the great city of Rabbath Ammon. The intervening centuries saw it fall under the influences of the Israelites, Assyrians, Babylonians, Ptolomids, Seleucids and the Romans, under whose auspices it thrived as one of the 10 cities of the Decapolis. Our tour this morning will take in some of the highlights of ancient Amman (Philadelphia), including the Temple of Hercules, the 8th century Ummayad Palace and the Roman Theatre and Nymphaeum. We’ll also take in the sumptuous grandeur of the King Abdullah Mosque, one of the city’s major landmarks, before paying a visit to the gold and herb markets in the city’s downtown district. This afternoon we drive to the hilltop fortress at Ajlun, the only truly Islamic castle in the country. Built in 1184AD by a nephew of the great Saladin, to counter the Frankish threat of the invading Crusaders, its strategic location saw it commanding the trade routes between southern Jordan and Syria. Destroyed by the Mongols in 1260 the citadel was then rebuilt by the Mameluke Sultan Baibars, going on to serve as an Ottoman outpost. After our visit we continue to 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. From here we return to Amman for our overnight stay. Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++) in Imperial Palace Included meals: Breakfast

• Days 3: Drive to Petra, via Madaba, Mt Nebo and Kerak Castle

  This morning we head south to Madaba, a small Christian town with its collection of extraordinary mosaics, including the Great Map of Palestine (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. Then following the desert highway we reach 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. After visiting this magnificent castle we then continue down to Petra for a 3 night stay. Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++) in Beit Zaman Included meals: Breakfast

• Day 4: Half Day Guided Tour of Petra, free PM

  Abandoned centuries ago Petra was the rock cut stronghold of the Nabateans, a fortress city built to protect the lucrative levies its citizens imposed on the rich caravans heading north. Surrounded by imposing mountains and approached through a deep, narrow cleft in the rocks, known as the Siq, it is a unique and unforgettable place and, enhanced by the play of light and shadow, an altogether overwhelming experience. Approaching on horseback (optional) we then enter the Siq on foot, following its towering sandstone walls towards the site of the captivating and iconic splendour of the beautiful Khazneh (The famous Treasury). A guided orientation tour will take us to some of the key parts of this remarkable and ancient site, one of the most impressive and exciting anywhere in the world. We’ll take in the Colonnaded Street and the Royal Tombs, enjoy the site of its amazing theatre, with its 8,000 seats carved from the solid rock, before a free afternoon to continue exploring at your leisure. This evening there may be a possibility of enjoying an enchanting tour of the city by night (optional). Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++) in Beit Zaman Included meals: Breakfast Beit Zaman The unique setting of this Hotel is what truly delights. It is a renovated authentic XIXth century village, known as Khirbet Al Nawafleh, in Wadi Musa which has been transformed into a deluxe resort. The renovation of the houses was in keeping with the original housing design whilst providing the modern luxuries and comforts for you to enjoy. The village contains 2 old olive presses as well as an old roman aqueduct in a small half-private courtyard. It is a unique experience that will add greatly to your stay in the Red Rose City.

• Day 5: Free day in Petra

  Today you have a full free day at Petra (‘rock’ in Greek). Returning to the city you can climb steep paths to the sacrificial ‘High Places’ (altars) for stunning views over Wadi Araba and the Negev Desert. Or take the high road up to the Monastery, which is the largest of Petra’s monuments and certainly worth the climb up to it. Towering to a height of 40m its doorway alone measures 8m in height, dwarfing anyone framed within it. It is a place to lose oneself in the atmosphere of the past. We also recommend a trip to El Beidha (or ‘Little Petra’ as it is known) or to an excavated Stone Age village where you can see the remains of houses, fireplaces and workshops dating from around 6000BC. And after a full day’s sightseeing, what better way to relax than with a traditional Ottoman Bath (optional). Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++) in Beit Zaman Included meals: Breakfast

• Day 6: Drive to Wadi Rum; Optional Camel trek or 4x4 Drive in Wadi Rum

  Leaving Petra behind this morning we continue south, crossing more of the rolling desert landscapes towards the haunting vistas of Wadi Rum. Turning off the main road we come upon the remains of the Hejaz Railway, famously attacked by TE Lawrence and his Arab army during the turbulent days of WWI. From here we enter another world, one inhabited by the nomadic Bedouin for generations and steeped in the legend of Lawrence of Arabia, whose exploits have become the stuff of legend. Indeed scenes from the remarkable film of his life were shot here, deep in the fabulous purple-black mountains that rise from the sand of the desert. On arrival at the Visitors Centre you have the option to take either an optional and unforgettable Camel trek through the dramatic Siq al Barrah marvelling at the panoramas of what must surely be some of Jordan’s most dramatic wilderness or an optional 4x4 drive exploring the dramatic scenery of Wadi Rum. Words struggle to adequately convey the beauty of this special place. After these optional activites, we then continue onto Jordans Red Sea town of Aqaba. Here you will have further options of relaxing by your roof top pool, soaking up the sunshine and taking a break to recap on your weeks adventure or enjoy a snorkelling trip. Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++) in Days Inn Included meals: Breakfast.

• Day 7: Drive via the Desert Highway and the Dead Sea to Amman

  Leaving Aqaba behind and returning north we travel one of the oldest trade routes in the world, the King’s Highway,that once carried the richly laden caravans of Solomon. We journey through the stunning Mujib Canyon and continue to our final destination for today, the unique saline waters of the Dead Sea. At nearly 400m below sea level this is the lowest point on earth. Surrounded by barren hills, this unparalleled water body has an amazingly high salt content (33%) that means no animal life survives and that it is almost impossible to sink! We will have time here to enjoy the strange delights of floating on the Dead Sea and bathing in the skin soothing (and allegedly youth making) Dead Sea mud before heading back to Jordan's Capital, Amman. Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++) in Imperial Palace Included meals: Breakfast.

• Day 8: Tour ends in Amman.

  Included meals: Breakfast

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