8 Day Jordan Tour

• Day 1: 

  Arrive in Amman
  Welcome to Amman, Jordan's vibrant capital. As we begin our journey, take in the sights and sounds of this ancient city, where traditional and modern culture blend together. Over the coming days, we'll explore Jordan's iconic sites, meet its warm people, and experience the famous hospitality.
  
  Overnight in Amman.

   

  Included Meal(s): Dinner, if required
• Day 2: 

  Amman: Jerash & Amman City Tour
  We begin by exploring the heart of modern central Amman, starting with the Archaeological Museum where fascinating artefacts reveal the region's layered history from prehistoric times through Islamic periods. We then encounter the impressive Roman Amphitheatre, a magnificent 2nd-century structure carved into the hillside with capacity for 6,000 spectators. This remarkably preserved monument still hosts performances today. We also wander through ruins of the Temple of Hercules atop the Citadel, where massive stone columns frame panoramic views across the sprawling modern city below, offering perspective on how ancient Philadelphia has evolved into contemporary Amman.
  
  After our Amman exploration, we board our bus and journey north to extraordinary Jerash, considered one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in the world. During its heyday as part of the Decapolis - a league of ten great Roman cities - Jerash prospered through agriculture and trade. Remarkably, much remains visible today.
  
  We stroll through the unusual elliptical forum, a design rarely seen in Roman architecture, then explore the grand South Theatre where acoustics still astound visitors. Even a whisper from the stage carries clearly to the highest seats. We walk the Cardo, the columned main street, imagining chariot wheels on ancient paving stones. The Temple of Artemis showcases true Roman grandeur - its surviving columns tower overhead, giving genuine sense of this prosperous city's scale and ambition.
  
  We enjoy our evening meal en route back to Amman, making efficient use of travel time after this full day of Roman archaeological discoveries.
  
  Overnight in Amman.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 3: 

  Amman - Madaba - Mt Nebo - Shobak - Petra
  This morning we journey to Madaba, a town justly renowned for its mosaic floors. Our first stop is St. George's Church, home to an impressive 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land. This cartographic masterpiece depicts Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, and the River Jordan in remarkable detail - a historical atlas laid out beneath our feet.
  
  Next we travel to Mount Nebo, perched on the edge of the Jordan Valley. According to biblical tradition, this is where Moses and the Children of Israel first glimpsed the Promised Land. On clear days, the views stretch across the Dead Sea, the Jordan River, and even Jerusalem beyond. We also examine another large mosaic depicting hunting scenes, found in the remains of a Byzantine church.
  
  From Mount Nebo, we head south, following a route where castles and towns were once conveniently spaced a day's travel apart. Later in the day we explore Shobak Castle, a Crusader fortress built in 1115 and later captured by Saladin's forces. The weathered stone walls and strategic position remind us of turbulent times when this region witnessed constant conflicts between Crusaders and Muslim armies.
  
  Finally, after our full day of mosaics, biblical vistas, and medieval fortresses, we arrive at Petra, ready to rest before exploring that remarkable site.
  
  Overnight in Petra.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 4: 

  Petra: Site Tour
  Petra served as capital of the Nabataean Kingdom from the 4th century BCE to the 2nd century CE, controlling lucrative trade routes that brought frankincense from Arabia, spices from India, and silk from China through this hidden valley. After the kingdom's decline, Petra faded from Western knowledge for centuries, becoming a closely guarded secret of local Bedouin tribes. When Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt "rediscovered" it in 1812, he revealed to an astonished world this 'rose red city half as old as time' - a site rivalling Egypt's pyramids in grandeur.
  
  Our approach through the Siq creates unforgettable drama. This narrow gorge twists between towering rock walls that rise over 80 metres overhead, sometimes squeezing so close that only a sliver of sky remains visible. Ancient water channels carved into the walls once brought water from distant springs. After nearly a kilometre of anticipation, the gorge suddenly opens and there stands the Treasury (El Khazneh) - an impossibly graceful façade carved from living rose-pink rock. Morning light illuminates its Hellenistic columns and elaborate pediments, revealing artistry that seems too delicate for such colossal scale.
  
  Beyond, the valley widens into a vast necropolis. Elaborate tomb façades pierce multi-coloured cliff faces where sandstone swirls in shades of red, orange, yellow, pink and white - nature's abstract art. The Roman amphitheatre, carved directly from mountainside, seats 3,000 spectators. We continue to the Royal Tombs including the massive Palace Tomb and colour-streaked Silk Tomb. We visit the temple of Dushara, the Nabataeans' supreme deity, and explore the Temple of the Winged Lion before our formal tour concludes at the excellent Petra Nabataean Museum.
  
  You may now explore independently. The strenuous climb to El Deir (the Monastery) - involving 750 rock-cut steps and approximately one hour ascending - rewards the determined with Petra's largest façade and spectacular valley views.
  
  NOTE: Experiencing Petra requires considerable walking on uneven paths with limited shade. We include lunch on-site today instead of dinner, maximising exploration time while providing a proper sit-down meal. Your Tour Leader assists with evening meal arrangements in Wadi Musa village (not included).
  
  Overnight at Petra.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Day 5: 

  Petra: El Beidha & Leisure Time
  This morning we take a short journey by coach to 'el Beidha', affectionately known as 'Little Petra'. This charming Nabataean site served as a suburb and trading post for ancient Petra, where caravans arriving from Arabia would rest before entering the main city. The miniature siq (gorge) and rock-cut façades echo Petra's grander architecture in more intimate scale, making it feel like a secret annex to the main wonder.
  
  What makes el Beidha truly extraordinary lies beneath the Nabataean remains. Here archaeologists have uncovered evidence of a Neolithic settlement dating back a staggering 8,500 years - one of the oldest sites in the entire Middle East. These "Pre-Pottery" people were among humanity's first experiments in settled agriculture, transitioning from purely nomadic hunting and gathering to cultivating crops and domesticating animals. Stone foundations reveal round houses that gradually evolved into rectangular structures as architecture developed. Storage bins, grinding stones, and decorated walls show how these pioneers created permanent community life in this challenging environment. Standing here connects us to the very dawn of civilisation, long before pharaohs, long before written language existed.
  
  Returning to our hotel by late morning, the remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. You might relax by the pool, explore Wadi Musa's shops and cafés, or return independently to Petra's main site for further exploration. The site offers numerous scenic walks and optional hikes for those with energy remaining - the High Place of Sacrifice trail provides spectacular aerial views, while various tomb groups reward curious wanderers. Your Tour Leader happily provides suggestions, directions, and practical advice for independent exploration.
  
  Overnight at Petra.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 6: 

  Petra - Wadi Rum
  This morning we depart Petra and journey south toward Wadi Rum, descending into a landscape that seems from another world. As we approach, the desert reveals itself gradually - first as distant crimson smudges on the horizon, then as towering sandstone mountains rising like ancient sentinels from the desert floor. This is the legendary landscape where T.E. Lawrence rallied Bedouin tribes during the Arab Revolt, a place he described as "vast, echoing, and god-like."
  
  After lunch, we transfer to smaller 4x4 trucks driven by local Bedouin guides who know every canyon and dune. Wadi Rum's otherworldly beauty unfolds around us - sand glowing in shades of deep red and burnt orange, coloured by iron oxide oxidised over millions of years. Towering rock formations, some reaching 1,750 metres (5,740 feet), loom like giant sculptures, their stratified layers telling stories of ancient seas. Wind-carved arches pierce the massifs, while narrow canyons slice through like knife cuts.
  
  We may visit a traditional goat-hair Bedouin tent, ducking inside to share sweet tea with tribesmen whose ancestors formed Lawrence's irregular army. The Hejaz Railway line he famously sabotaged still runs along the valley floor. Our three-hour excursion follows the "Siq Al Barra and Om Eshreen" route through this geological masterpiece.
  
  As sunset approaches, we reach our luxury tented camp where traditional Bedouin hospitality meets modern comfort. Tonight we dine under a canopy of stars so brilliant the Milky Way stretches across the sky like a celestial river.
  
  Overnight in Wadi Rum.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Day 7: 

  Wadi Rum - Dead Sea
  Today we travel north along the Dead Sea Highway through historically rich territory deeply connected to biblical narratives. This region witnessed the footsteps of King David, King Herod, Jesus, and John the Baptist. Even the legendary Cleopatra recognised the Dead Sea's extraordinary properties. Historical accounts suggest she secured exclusive rights to build cosmetic and pharmaceutical factories along these shores during the Egyptian conquest, understanding what modern science confirms - these mineral-rich waters and muds possess remarkable therapeutic qualities.
  
  Later, the ingenious Nabataeans discovered the value of bitumen that naturally seeped from the Dead Sea's waters. The Egyptians prized this substance for mummification, creating a lucrative trade route that enriched the Nabataean kingdom.
  
  We aim to arrive at our Dead Sea resort in time for lunch, which you can enjoy at your leisure by the pool or in the restaurant overlooking the water. The hotel sits directly on the shore at approximately 430 metres (1,410 feet) below sea level - Earth's lowest land point. This extreme elevation creates a unique atmospheric pressure and oxygen-rich environment that some find therapeutic.
  
  This afternoon offers the perfect opportunity to experience the Dead Sea's remarkable buoyancy firsthand. The water contains roughly 34% salinity - nearly ten times saltier than oceans - making it impossible to sink. Floating effortlessly provides a peculiar, almost surreal sensation. The mineral-rich mud is famous for therapeutic properties; many guests enjoy applying it as a natural spa treatment before rinsing in the salty waters.
  
  Overnight at the Dead Sea.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 8: 

  Dead Sea - Departure
  Today we transfer back to Amman's Queen Alia International Airport to connect with homeward flights.
  
  Departure from Amman.
  
  LAND ONLY customers make their own way directly to the airport by taxi from the Dead Sea (your Tour Leader will assist).
  
  NOTE that many international flights from Amman depart late at night. Most passengers enjoy the extra downtime (all day today) at the Dead Sea; however, some prefer to depart earlier (last night). You might consider this situation and your preferences before finalising your air.
  
  MA'A SALAMA - Bon Voyage!

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast

*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.