Description

Mesmerizing Desert Experiences (10D9N)

Highlights

• Jerash
  Jerash, a city north of the capital Amman, has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. It’s known for the ruins of the walled Greco-Roman settlement of Gerasa.
• Petra
  Dating back to around 300 BC, Jordan’s most famous archaeological site was the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom and is also known as the “Rose City.”
• Wadi Rum
  The protected area covers 74,000 hectares and is situated in southern Jordan, near the border with Saudi Arabia. It features a varied desert landscape consisting of a range of narrow gorges, natural arches, towering cliffs, ramps, massive landslides and caverns.
• Dead Sea
  The lake’s surface is 430.5 metres below sea level, making its shores the lowest land-based elevation on Earth.

Tour Overview:

Day 1 . Arrival in Amman

Welcome to Jordan, a place which once captivated ancient travellers and continues to enthrall a new generation of visitors with its diverse mix of modernity and tradition.
From the enchanting starkness of Wadi Rum to the restless city centre of urban Amman, Jordan is a unique destination offering breathtaking sights, charming accommodation and exquisite cuisine.

Our representative will meet and assist you upon arrival at Amman International Airport. After that, you will be transferred to your hotel in Amman for check-in.

The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight in Amman.
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 . Amman – Desert Castles – City Tour of Amman

After breakfast we will drive to the eastern desert of Jordan to visit the Desert Castles. These castles were built between the 7th and 8th century AD, under the caliphs of the Umayyad dynasty. Visit Qasr Amra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as Qasr Al Kharrana and Qasr Al Azraq.

Back in Amman we will visit the Citadel, which is situated on one of the highest hills in Amman offering a splendid view of the old city. Near the citadel we will pay a visit to the Archaeological Museum which houses an excellent collection of Jordan’s antiquities.
Proceed downhill to the old city to visit the Roman Theatre, which dates back to the 2nd century AD. It is also the home of Jordan’s Folklore Museum, which displays various artifacts of traditional Jordanian life including costumes, furnishings, musical instruments and handicrafts dating back to the 19th century.

Overnight in Amman.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3 . Amman – Jerash – Ajloun – Tell Mar Elias – Amman

In the morning, we drive to Jerash, one of the most beautiful and best-preserved Greco-Roman cities outside of Italy. Excavations have made it possible for us to marvel at two theatres, several temples, a market, thermal baths and the famous Cardo Maximus Alley of 600 metres of bordered columns.

We will proceed to Ajlun, situated in the northern region of Jordan, to visit Ajlun’s Castle – a fine example of medieval Arab military and Islamic architecture.

The remote ruins of the church of Mar Elias hold sacred significance to followers of the Abrahamic faiths as the traditional birthplace of the Prophet Elijah. While the church lies in ruins, the luminous mosaic floors remain with the outline of the two Byzantine churches.
The vantage point provides an expansive view into the fertile Jordan River Valley. Yet rather than the impressive mosaic details or the giant cornerstones of the church ruins, an oak tree grows in the central place of worship at Mar Elias. Located at the eastern end of the upper church, the tree is adorned by hundreds of ribbons and pieces of cloth – testimony to a living tradition among Christians and Muslims to pray at the tree for health and healing.

Overnight in Amman.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 . Dar Al Saraya Museum – Umm Qais – Jordan Valley – Pella

The museum was originally built by the Ottomans on the southern side of Irbid’s archaeological hill in the middle of the 19th century. An inscription above the southern gateway dates back to the year 1886 AD implying that the castle became the new governor’s house after that date.
After the acquisition of the building by the Department of Antiquities in 1994, conservation work transformed the building into an archaeological museum by 2007. The museum consists of seven halls, six of which feature the original Ottoman building style. The museum showcases exhibits of Jordan’s civilisation with special focus on topics such as mining, sculptures, mosaics, seals, jewelry and inscriptions.

We’ll then drive northwards to Umm Qays, the ancient Greco-Roman City of Gadara, which offers panoramic views of the Lake of Tiberias, the Jordan Valley and the Golan Heights.

We continue our journey via the Jordan Valley to Pella, a favourite site of archaeologists as it is exceptionally rich in antiquities. Besides the excavated ruins from the Greco-Roman period, including an Odeon (theatre), Pella offers visitors the opportunity to see the remains of a Chalcolithic settlement from the 4th millennium BC; the remains of Bronze and Iron Age walled cities; Byzantine churches and houses; and a small medieval mosque.

Overnight in Amman.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 . Amman – Madaba – Mt. Nebo – Kings Way – Kerak – Petra

Drive 30km southwards from Amman to visit Madaba, the City of Mosaics. Visit the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George where the famous 6th century Byzantine mosaic map of the holy sites in the biblical world is found.
Proceed to Mount Nebo, the place where Moses is believed to be buried.

We will continue our tour driving via the Kings Way to Karak. The ancient road is mentioned in the bible and links prehistoric villages from the Stone Age and biblical towns from the kingdoms of Ammon, Moab and Edom. In Karak we will visit the Crusaders Castle, which was built in the 12th century AD and is situated on a hilltop, about 1,000 metres above sea level, surrounded by a valley on three sides.

Proceed to the greatest city of the Arab nation which dates back over 2,000 years: Petra.

Overnight in Petra.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 . Petra

From the visitor centre, we’ll start walking taking in sights such as the Djinn Blocks, Obelisk Tomb, ancient dam, Siq, Treasury, Roman Theatre, Colonnaded Street, Great Temple and finally the Girl`s Palace (Qasr Al Bint Temple).

Petra, the Rose City, is an extraordinary and unique place, which was built by the Arab Nabateans more than 2,000 years ago. The Nabateans carved their monumental tombs, palaces, temples and treasury from the desert’s natural rose-coloured rocks and sandstones.

Overnight in Petra.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 . Petra – Little Petra – Wadi Rum

Only 10 minutes north of Petra is Beidha, which is normally referred to as “Little Petra”. The entrance to this village is the narrow Siq Al Barid (“Cold Canyon”) which is 325m in length. When you get there you will realise that the sun cannot heat this place. There is always something to see in every corner of the Siq, such as temples, triclinics, fountains or painted houses.
Walk up the stairs and take a minute to admire the splendid view.

Depart Petra and proceed to the protected area of Wadi Rum, which is also known as the Valley of the Moon – a unique place unlike anywhere else you have ever been. Upon arrival at the village of Rum you will be picked up by local Bedouins to explore this splendid desert.

Enjoy a 4-hour-excursion in Wadi Rum with a Bedouin 4×4 pick-up truck.

Overnight in Wadi Rum.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 . Wadi Rum – Dead Sea

Transfer from Wadi Rum to the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on earth – about 400 metres below sea level. Spend the rest of the day bathing and relaxing in the gently lapping waters of the Dead Sea and be amazed that you can`t sink!

Overnight at the Dead Sea.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 . Dead Sea (leisure)

The Dead Sea has a historical and spiritual legacy of its own. It is believed to be the site of five biblical cities: Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboim and Zoar. Spend a full day of leisure at the Dead Sea. Treat yourself to a soothing massage or try the well-known healing powers of minerals from the sea’s muddy floor.

Overnight at the Dead Sea.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10 . Dead Sea – Departure from Amman

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel followed by your transfer to the Amman International Airport for your departure from Jordan.
Meals: Breakfast