Jewels of Jordan

Day 1 – Welcome to Jordan

A land of ancient cities, friendly people and landscapes that are out of this world! Evening arrival with check-in.

Day 2 – Amman & Al Salt City.

Once the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom, Amman is now a contemporary and busy energetic city. Recently known as the ‘White City’ due to the white stone used, today our guided tour explores the incredible 1900 year old Roman Amphitheatre, the Folklore & Archaeological Museum, Jordan Museum, and one of the world’s oldest inhabited areas standing on the highest hill in downtown Amman; the Citadel. We then move on to Al Salt City. Tightly built on a cluster of three hills, the splendid yellow sandstone buildings incorporate a variety of styles. The most beautiful is the Abu Jaber mansion with its painted fresco ceilings built between 1892 and 1906. 

Day 3 – Madaba & Mt. Nebo.

Today we take the King’s road travelling to the 'City of Mosaics'; Madaba. Famous for its beautiful mosaics in the public and private buildings, we view St. George's Orthodox Church which houses a two-million piece jigsaw of the oldest map of the Holyland depicting Jerusalem and other centres of pilgrimage. We continue on to Mt Nebo, the alleged final resting place of Moses overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. It’s then on to Kerak before stopping at Shobak Castle. Built in 1115 by King Baldwin I of Jerusalem it was used to guard the road from Egypt to Damascus.

Day 4 – Rose-Red Petra!

A full day at this exquisit city carved into the rose-red sandstone of the Sharah Mountains by the Nabateans. Once lost to civilisation, we can walk along the Siq, a narrow gorge that pierces through cliffs to the dramatic Treasury. Explore the Roman Theatre, the Courts, Qasr Bint Pharoaun as well the Temple of the Winged Lion. As the sun sets, it's easy to imagine caravans laden with incense, silk and spices kicking up the dust as they creep over the horizon. 

Day 5 – Wadi Rum

Today takes us to Little Petra & Beidah where we can walk through the 8000 year old excavated stone ages villages and the as well as the ruins of settlements of the biblical Edomites and the Roman legiondary fortress at Udruh. After this we continue on to the Wadi Rum Desert. It is here the dramatic ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ was filmed and with it’s breathtaking moon-like landscape, we take a tour in 4x4 vehicles. 

Day 6 – The Dead Sea.

Leaving the desert we head for the Sea; the Dead Sea. With its’ year-round sunny skies and dry air, the Dead Sea is is about 422 meters below sea level and one of the world's saltiest bodies of water. Well-known for its mineral-rich mud and waters, boasting health properties. we spend a leisurely afternoon swimming at Dead Sea Spa Hotel before continuing to Iraq Al Amir; the Hellenistic ruins of Qaser El-Abd. Consisting of an enormous palace, it is thought to been built by Hyrcanus of the powerful Tobiad family during the 2nd century AD.

Day 7 – Jerash – Ajloun.

On our final day we visit the Graeco-Roman city of Jerash, hidden under desert sands until its excavation 70 years ago. The result is one of the best preserved cities of its kind. Our tour features, churches, theatres, temples and colonnaded streets. We finish at the 12th Century Ajloun Castle; an exceptional example of Arab military architecture. It was built in 1184AD by Saladin in his campaign to drive the Crusades out of Jordan.

Day 8 – Depart for home.

Transfer early this morning to the airport for your flight home.