Description
Day 1: Arrival at Queen Alia International Airport — Amman Hotel
Arrival at the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, our airport representative will wait for you before the immigration desk holding a sign with your name and will assist you with the visa procedures to get your free tourist visa (please don’t miss him and don’t proceed without him). Our airport representative will walk with you through customs and to the luggage hall, then you will be transferred to your hotel in Amman for overnight.
Day 2: Amman Hotel – Amman City Tour – Um al Jimal – Amman Hotel
After breakfast, enjoy your city tour in Amman the capital on Jordan, you will start from the downtown part of capital city Amman for 2 hours, visiting sites and museums including the Archeological Museum, the Folklore Museum, The citadel and the Amphitheatre. The city was part of the Roman Empire. The Roman general, Pompey, annexed Syria and made Philadelphia part of the Decapolis League – an alliance of ten free city states with overall allegiance to Rome. The Romans rebuilt the city with colonnaded streets, baths, a theatre and impressive public buildings. Philadelphia found itself at the Centre of the new Roman province of Arabia and of lucrative trade routes running between the Mediterranean and an interior that stretched to India and China as well as routes north and south. begin the tour with visiting the Citadel, where Roman remains have been found. The Citadel also gives a stunning view over the city. Continue to visit the Roman Theatre, located in the middle of Amman, which has been used as a venue for big events like national celebrations.
Then, drive to Um al Jimal, located in the North of Jordan, close to several ancient trade routes. Visit the tall barracks with their little chapel, several large churches, and numerous open and roofed water cisterns, the outlines of a Roman Fort and the remains of several town gates. Overnight at your hotel in Amman. (B)
Day 3: Amman Hotel – Desert Castles – Amman Hotel
After breakfast, visit the Desert Castles located in the Eastern desert of Jordan. Visit Qasr Al Hallabat and then continue to Qasr Al Azraq. Have lunch at the Azraq Eco Lodge before continuing to visit Qasr Kharanah and Qasr Amra. The Desert Castles are named castles because of their impressive sights. But they all have had different uses such a trade stations etc. They were inspired by the Persian and Graeco-Roman traditions. Transfer back to Amman for overnight. (B, L)
Day 4: Amman Hotel – Jerash – Um Qais – Pella – Bait Ras – Amman Hotel
After breakfast, drive to Jerash (known as Gerasa of the Roman Empire) to tour the world’s best preserved Roman provincial city. Drive on to Um Qais, the old Decapolis city of Gadara, with its spectacular panoramic views overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Gadara was once called the new Athens by a poet. Continue to Pella, where you will find ruins of the Graeco-Roman period including an Odeon (theatre). Continue to Bait Ras for a visit, only recently there have been 19 Roman ruins found. Transfer back to Amman for overnight at your hotel. (B)
Day 5: Amman Hotel – Um ar Rasas – Mt. Nebo – Madaba Hotel
After breakfast, drive to visit Um Ar Rasas, a town built during the Roman period, then continue to Mt. Nebo from where Moses viewed the Promised Land. Drive on to Madaba, where you will visit the St. George Church, with its famous mosaic map and the Archaeological Park. Overnight at a hotel in Madaba. (B)
Day 6: Madaba Hotel – Mukawir – Karak Castle – Little Petra – Petra Hotel
After breakfast, drive to Mukawir. The 1st century AD Roman-Jewish historian, Josephus, identifies the awe-inspiring site of Mukawir (Machaerus) as the palace/fort of Herod, who was the Roman-appointed ruler over the region during the life of Jesus Christ. It was here, at this hilltop fortified palace, overlooking the Dead Sea region and the distance hills of Palestine and Israel that Herod Antipas, the son of Herod, imprisoned and beheaded John the Baptist after Salome’s fateful dance. Follow the King’s Highway to Karak for a visit to the immense Crusaders Castle. Continue to Little Petra for a visit and end the day with an overnight stay in Petra.
Day 7: Petra Hotel – Petra Visit – Petra Hotel
For most visitors to Jordan this is the highlight of the trip, a full day to explore Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Entry is via the awe-inspiring Siq, the mile long narrow gorge that leads into the city of Petra and visit the Treasury, Street of Facades, Theater, Colonnaded Street etc.
You will still have time to visit the Monastery and/or the High Place of Sacrifice today. It is a lot of walking and gentle climbing but worth it for the views! Make sure that your phone or camera is fully charged because you will want to take hundreds of photos – guaranteed!
Overnight stay at a hotel in Petra. (B)
Day 8: Petra Hotel – 4 Hour Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum – Wadi Rum Camp
After breakfast, drive to Explore Wadi Rum on a 4-hour Jeep Ride into the Jordanian desert! Wadi Rum was best described by T.E. Lawrence as “Vast, echoing and god-like”, and by the locals as “Valley of the Moon.” along the way, enjoy lunch with a Bedouin.
Ending the day with a under the stars in the desert at a fixed campsite. (B, L, D)
Day 9: Wadi Rum Camp – Dead Sea Hotel
After breakfast, drive to the Dead Sea, lowest point on the earth’s surface. Float in the salty waters and try out a pampering spa treatment. Overnight at a hotel at the Dead Sea. (B)
Day 10: Dead Sea Hotel – Queen Alia International Airport
After breakfast, transfer to Queen Alia International Airport 3 hours prior to your departure time.
