Jordan – A Land of Ancient Treasures & Empires

Itineraries

• Day 1 UK – Amman
• Today we’ll fly to Amman, Jordan’s capital, and on arrival we’ll transfer you to your hotel. Get to know your fellow travellers over a welcome drink before dinner this evening.
• Day 2 Amman
• A good breakfast will set us up for a full day of discovery as we get to grips with the culture and traditions of Jordan. We’ll begin with a walking tour of Amman, heading downtown Amman where we’ll mingle with the locals as we step inside the King Abdullah Mosque and look around the busy vegetable market. We’ll see the well-preserved Roman amphitheatre, which in its heyday could accommodate 6,000 spectators, and the Nymphaeum, a Roman public fountain. In the Folklore Museum we’ll learn more about Jordanian traditions before we view the ruins of the Citadel.
  Our tour is not finished yet, as we now head to Jerash one of the largest and best-preserved Roman cities that still exists today. Your tour highlights are sure to be the Temples of Artemis and Zeus, Hadrian’s Triumphal Arch and a street of columns that stretches for a mile.
  We’re going to head to a restaurant this evening for dinner.
• Day 3 Petra
• A day of exploration lies ahead as we journey south to Petra today. The route we follow, along the King’s Highway, gives us the chance to visit some fascinating sites, starting with Mount Nebo. This elevated ridge rises 700 metres above sea level and, according to the Hebrew Bible, it’s from here that Moses saw the Promised Land. We’ll stand here today and take in panoramic views of the Holy Land and the valley of the River Jordan.
  Next, we’re going to Madaba, where St George’s Church is home to the famous Mosaic Map. Dating back to the 6th century, it is the oldest map of Palestine in existence. After you’ve admired this revered work of art, you’ve got the chance to make your own as we include a visit to a mosaic school to learn this intricate craft. After you’ve created a unique souvenir of your holiday, we’ll continue our journey to Petra.
  On arrival in Petra, we’ll check into our hotel, which is similar in design to a traditional Jordanian village. We’ll be heading to the famous ‘lost city’ of Petra tomorrow, but if you’d like to start your discoveries right away, come with us on an optional trip tonight. Following a path lit by candles, we’ll walk through the Siq to view the incredible Treasury building. This is also subtly illuminated by the glow of many candles spread out before it a truly awe-inspiring sight.
• Day 4 Petra
• We’re going to spend today exploring Petra a ‘rose-red’ city carved by the Nabateans out of vast cliffs, which we’ll reach via a journey along the Siq. The excitement builds as we walk through this long, narrow gorge, which is an experience in itself as the colours and formations of the rocks that tower above us are incredible. After walking 1km, we are rewarded with the sight of the Treasury building, which is almost perfectly preserved and features ornate carvings on its faade.
  One of many wonders here, we’ll tour the site with a Local Guide, who will tell us about the Nabatean culture and show us highlights including intricately carved tombs and a Roman-style theatre. There’s plenty of time to explore at your own pace before we return to the hotel.
  This evening, we’ll enjoy a dinner with a difference as we head to a restaurant, where with help from the chef we’ll try our hand at cooking local dishes. Then, we’ll sit down together and eat what we have prepared.
• Day 5 Wadi Rum
• The Bedouin people who live in the deserts of Jordan consider receiving guests a great honour, and we’ll experience their hospitality today. We begin our day at the Ammarin Camp, a Bedouin village where over herb tea and lunch we’ll get to know our hosts and learn about their semi-nomadic lifestyle and traditions.
  We’ll now head to Wadi Rum, a vast desert whose rocky landscape has been carved by the forces of nature. With sand dunes andsandstone rock formations of all shapes, sizes and colours, this magical landscape is sure to leave a lasting impression as we explore by 4×4 vehicles.
  Tonight, we are staying in the heart of Wadi Rum, where our hotel is in the guise of a Bedouin camp and you’ll stay in your own Bedouin-style tent. If you have chosen to upgrade, your‘Martian dome’ comes complete withspectacular views of the star-strewn sky, which you can take infrom your bed. Once you’ve settled in, enjoy an included dinner of traditional dishes and afterwards, maybe join an optional stargazing excursion. As you look up to the clear desert skies, an expert guide will tell you about the constellationsyou will see.
• Day 6 Dead Sea
• This morning we’ll depart the desert after breakfast and make our way to the Dead Sea, where our hotel sits on its shores. This is the lowest spot on earth, and its waters are renowned for their buoyancy and therapeutic qualities. Due to the high salt content as well as 21 other minerals, it’s impossible to sink in the Dead Sea, so enjoy relaxing and floating in this natural spa.Another highlight along the way will be a stop at the ancient fortress of Shobak. This is one of the largest and most impregnable of the chain of forts built by the Crusaders and is an impressive example of militaryarchitecture. Every stronghold was built to be a day’s journey from its neighbour, and at night, beacons were lit to signal to Jerusalem that each was safe.
• Day 7 Amman
• Enjoy a day at leisure at your hotel, or dipping in and out of the relaxing waters of the Dead Sea.
  We’ll transfer back to Amman later, where we’ll get together for a farewell dinner at Kan Zaman, a restaurant located on a site built in the style of an ancient Jordanian village. Enclosed by stone walls and sat on a hilltop, here we’ll feast on mezzes of local Arabic specialities as we listen to traditional music.
• Day 8 Amman – UK
• Today we’ll transfer you to the airport for the flight back to the UK.