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This 7-day tour is a great way to spend a short break in Jordan, covering all the country’s important and famous sites, while adding in some less visited places and experiences to really provide an in-depth taste of this fascinating country.
Our Jordan tour starts in the capital city of Amman, from where we’ll visit the Baptism Site at Bethany on the River Jordan and also take ‘Harmony Trail’ through the hillside town of As-Salt, learning how people of different religious live here, side by side. We’ll also explore Amman itself and tour the magnificent Roman site at Jerash before heading south on the picturesque King’s Highway, crossing deep wadis and travelling through small villages, olive groves and farmlands along the way. We’ll stop to see some well preserved mosaics in Madaba, enjoy views over Israel from Mt. Nebo and explore the huge crusader castle at Kerak before we arrive at Petra, undoubtedly the country’s main attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We have a full day to explore the site with a guided tour plus free time to walk up to the Monastery or High Place of Sacrifice.
Our next stop is the spectacular desert scenery of Wadi Rum, where we spend the night in a comfortable Bedouin camp amidst the rocky cliffs and sandy desert, beneath clear starry skies. The tour then finishes with a jeep safari in Wadi Rum and a scenic drive north back to Amman along the banks of the Dead Sea, where you’ll have the opportunity to float on the surface of its salty waters.
This Jordan tour is based on comfortable three star hotels in Amman and Petra. However, you have the option to upgrade these to the local four/five star hotel levels if you want a little more comfort. The tour also integrates with our Egypt and Israel tours which start/finish on Sundays, and a flight or overland transfer is available at your request. Extra extensions are also available for more relaxation time or snorkelling and scuba diving at the Red Sea in Aqaba.
Private tour option: If our scheduled departure dates don’t work for you, or you would prefer not to travel with a group, then we can also run this tour privately for you. Please contact us for more information and prices.
Included:
Excluded:
Accommodation
The hotels and accommodations listed below are the ones we most often use on this tour. From time to time we may exchange these for similar properties at the same level. In general, specific hotels cannot be guaranteed on our group tours, but you may select your preferred options if you are booking a tailor-made trip.
Options
Our tours are designed to include all that you need to enjoy a really special time in the destination you‘re visiting. However, we do also offer some extra options to complement the tour and add some additional sightseeing or activities, or some extra time at either end of the tour.
All accommodation based options (e.g. Single supplements, extra nights, cruise upgrades) should be booked and paid for in advance so that we can make the appropriate arrangements. Other options may either be booked and paid for in advance or while you are on the tour, though we recommend booking in advance to ensure there are no issues with availability.
Many options are priced the same throughout the year, but some may incur single or high season supplements – full details are given on the tour reservation form or on request.
Single room supplement – Standard Hotels
From $320*Single room supplement – Standard Hotels
Single room supplement – Superior Hotels
From $425*Single room supplement – Superior Hotels
From $65*Extra day in Amman – pre-tour – Standard level
From $65*Extra day in Amman – post-tour – Standard level
From $115*Extra day in Amman – pre-tour – Superior level
From $115*Extra day in Amman – post-tour – Superior level
From $155*Wadi Mujib Day Trip – Siq Trail
From $100*Final Night at Dead Sea (instead of Amman) (OPJODS)
Day 1: Welcome to Jordan! Hotel transfers included
Your Jordanian adventure starts in the busy capital city of Amman. We'll be there to meet and greet you at the airport before we transfer you to your hotel in the city. You have the rest of the day free to explore Amman on your own.
OVERNIGHT:
Amman hotel
MEALS:
None
EXTRAS:
Extra day in Amman - pre-tour - Standard level
Single room supplement - Standard Hotels (JOSHBJ)
Extra day in Amman - pre-tour - Superior level
Single room supplement - Superior Hotels (SSJOBJ)
Day 2: Exploring the Harmony Trail & the Baptism site at Bethany
We start the day with a visit to the hilltop town of As-Salt, which once served as a trading link between the Jordan Valley and the Eastern Desert. As-Salt is known for its impressive old Islamic architecture which was built using yellow limestone.
Today, the town serves as an example of the religious and cultural friendship between the local Muslim & Christian population. To learn more about As-Salt, we'll head out on a walking tour of its 'Harmony Trail', which will give you greater insight into the lives of the locals.
We'll have lunch with a local family today, giving you your first taste of Jordanian cuisine (this is group size dependent, if the group is too large, we will head to a local restaurant).
After lunch, we make our way to the Baptism site at Bethany, which is an excavated site believed to the place where John baptised Jesus Christ. Many churches, caves and pools dating back to Roman & Byzantine periods have been found here. We'll also visit three of its most important sites: Tell Mar Elias, the Baptism Pools and John the Baptist's Church.
We'll return to our hotel in Amman where we'll spend the night.
OVERNIGHT:
Amman hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast, Lunch
EXTRAS:
None
Day 3: Amman & Jerash
Today we head out on a city tour of Amman, taking in its rich history which dates back many millennia. We'll start with a visit to the Citadel - the former home of the ancient temple of Hercules, the Umayyad Palace, Byzantine Church and the ancient Roman theatre, which is still being used today to host various cultural events.
Next, we make our way to Jerash, one of the most well-preserved Roman architecture sites on the planet. Jerash was hidden underneath sand for centuries and over the past 70 years, archaeological work has uncovered that Jerash was once a fine example of Roam urbanism, boasting paved and colonnaded streets, hilltop temples, public squares and plazas.
OVERNIGHT:
Amman hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast
EXTRAS:
Day 4: Travel the King's Highway to Petra
We leave Amman today, driving along the scenic King's Highway to Petra. We'll drive slowly, giving you time to take in the beauty of your surroundings as we pass through deep wadis, olive groves and rural villages.
We'll stop at Madaba to see the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, which is famed for its 6th century-old Byzantine mosaic map of the Holy Land. We'll also visit Mount Nebo, which is known to be the burial place of Moses.
Next, we'll stop at the Kerak Castle, which is one of a few Crusader Fortresses spread across Jordan. The castle was built in the 12th century and provides breath-taking views of the surrounding hills and plains.
There is an option is available tonight to get a first taste of the rose-red city by booking the Petra by Candlelight tour. If this is something you would like to experience, please chat to your travel consultant.
OVERNIGHT:
Petra hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast
EXTRAS:
Day 5: Exploring Petra. Overnight camp in Wadi Rum
Today is all about exploring the Nabatean site of Petra. It was once the ancient capital of the Nabataean commercial empire until the Romans finally took over in 106AD. For a long period of time, Petra was forgotten - except by the local Bedouins - before it was rediscovered in 1812 by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. Petra can be found at the edge of the Wadi Aruba desert, where canyon walls and towering hills make it virtually impossible to reach, except via a narrow cleft in the rock, known as the Siq. There are very few free-standing buildings in Petra, as the Nabateans chose to carve their dwellings into the multi coloured sandstone cliffs. Petra has become one of Jordan's main tourist attractions and the Jordanian Government is well aware of this. The tourism infrastructure in the adjoining village of Wadi Musa is booming, though, thankfully, once you enter through the Siq, the site is protected, there aren't that many touts or souvenir sellers, and all the building feels miles away.
We have most of the day available today to explore this ancient city (2-3 hour guided tour, then free time to explore independently). We start by making our way through the Siq, which rises to 200 metres above us and narrows to just 2 metres wide in certain sections. Keep an eye out for the ancient Nabatean water channel which is still visible on one wall and there are remnants of the terracotta pipes that brought water into the city as well. We'll turn a corner and suddenly - one of the most familiar sights of Petra will be in front of you - The Khazneh (Treasury) comes into view. Our guide will explain how this, and the other buildings here, are mainly elaborate facades carved into the rock from the top down, and also discuss the spiritual significance of the building style.
From the Treasury, the valley opens out, and you'll see tombs carved into the rock on both sides. You'll get a glimpse of the ruined Roman amphitheatre and colonnaded streets and during your free time, you can walk up a steep and narrow winding gorge to the towering 'Monastery' - which is 50 metres high and 45 metres wide, giving you breath-taking views of the Wadi Aruba desert and the Jordan Valley. Another climb takes you to the High Place of Sacrifice, and Lion Fountain. All in all, this is a full and tiring exercise, but hugely rewarding day touring one of the world's most famous ancient sites.
Walking distances today are an absolute minimum of 3km through the Siq to the Treasury and back and to see a few tombs, 8km to take the trail on as far as the main basin, plus an additional few km to the Monastery and back (over 800 steps up and down). For those with less mobility or who are worried about the distance, horse carriages are available for around 20JD (USD 28) to take you on the 1.2km journey through the Siq to the Treasury and back again at an agreed time. They will also take you further in through the site for an extra fee. We do not recommend riding the horses that are available. Donkeys are available for the steps up to the Monastery - if you want to use them, we'd reommend doing this on the way up, not on the way down.
Later in the afternoon, we leave Petra and drive into the spectacular desert scenery of Wadi Rum where friendly Bedouin hosts are ready to greet us at a comfortable camp beneath the towering rocks and cliffs. We spend the evening and night relaxing at the camp, watching the stars and enjoying a delicious traditional Jordanian meal.
OVERNIGHT:
Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum
MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner
EXTRAS:
None
Day 6: Wadi Rum Jeep safari & visiting the Dead Sea
We start the day with a jeep safari, exploring the rugged desert scenery of Wadi Rum. Look out for the copper-coloured rocky jebels, which mesmerised TE Lawrence during his visit to the desert during the Arab Revolt and was later featured in the movie, Lawrence of Arabia.
We leave Wadi Rum later today and make our way towards the Dead Sea, which is the lowest point on earth coming in at 400 metres below sea level. The Dead Sea is also one of the world's most spiritual landscapes, filled with dramatic, natural wonders.
Numerous rivers run into the Dead Sea, including the River Jordan. Once the water reaches the Dead Sea, they become land-locked and eventually evaporates, leaving a dense, rich mixture of salt and minerals behind.
We'll stop to enjoy a 'swim' in the Dead Sea's salty waters, which will be a unique experience as the salinity makes it virtually impossible to swim but rather to float or sit in its waters. If you'd like some additional time at the Dead Sea for spa treatments and/or relaxation, we also offer the option of spending your final night in Jordan here instead of returning to Amman. We finish the day back at our hotel in Amman.
OVERNIGHT:
Amman hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast
EXTRAS:
Day 7: Free time in Amman, airport transfer included
You have the day free to explore Amman before being transferred to the airport.
If you would like to squeeze in some more sightseeing, we can assist with optional day trips such as a visit to Aljoun Castle.
If you wish to extend the tour, we can arrange a transfer to Tel Aviv either by by flight or overland for people wanting to connect this tour with our Biblical Israel tour departure which starts on Sunday.
Note: options and extensions are subject to flight departure times and may require extra days adding to your tour.
OVERNIGHT:
N/A
MEALS:
Breakfast
EXTRAS:
Pella and Umm Qais
Extra day in Amman - post-tour - Standard level
Wadi Mujib Day Trip - Siq Trail
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