ARRIVAL IN AMMAN, JORDAN

Today is set aside as an arrival day for all guests. Flights from North America will generally arrive in the evening so no activities or meals are planned for today.

For those who would prefer to arrive prior to the first day of the tour, we can arrange an extra night at the starting hotel according to your wishes. We would be pleased to discuss details of the various options available.

Upon arrival at Amman's Queen Alia International airport, meet our representative and transfer about 70 km to the Dead Sea where you check in to the Movenpick Resort for a two-night stay. The tour leader will be at the hotel to assist with your check-in and ensure that you get settled as quickly as possible.

A number of rivers, including the River Jordan, flow into the Dead Sea. Once the water reaches the sea it is land-locked and has nowhere to go, so it evaporates, leaving behind a dense cocktail of salts and minerals that supply industry, agriculture and medicine with some of its finest products. The water is warm, soothing and super salty, some ten times saltier than sea water, and rich in chloride salts of magnesium, sodium, potassium and bromine. Visitors can float effortlessly on the water and can even enjoy treatments of the Dead Sea’s rich, black mud.

Our starting hotel is located directly on the shore of the sea at the lowest point on Earth, more than 400 metres below sea level. The resort offers a soothing, therapeutic atmosphere with an oriental flair. Designed around a traditional stone village and decorated throughout with an impressive collection of antiques and artworks, the resort benefits from a superb range of facilities and amenities.

Guests will be arriving at various times today and therefore we have not included any meals or activities. Please enjoy the resort and its restaurants and bars as you wish.

Overnight at the Movenpick Dead Sea Resort.

DEAD SEA - BAPTISM SITE - MADABA - MOUNT NEBO - DEAD SEA (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today we will visit a few famous sites located in the area.

For Christians, the area just north of the Dead Sea is one of the most important holy sites on Earth. This is the place where God supposedly first spoke to Man. It is the Holy Land where Moses received the Ten Commandments, where Job suffered and was rewarded for his faith and where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. We visit this famous Baptism Site, located only a few hundred meters from the Jordan River at a place called Bethany Beyond the Jordan.

Archaeological discoveries in this area since 1996 reveal pottery, coins and architectural remains from a 5th century Byzantine monastery as well as an earlier 3rd century building with fine mosaics and what is known as a Christian ‘prayer hall’. If this is correct, it might be one of the earliest Christian prayer facilities anywhere in the world. Also identified is the cave where John the Baptist lived, according to numerous Byzantine pilgrims’ texts. A freshwater channel running from the cave can still be seen today.

Next we will drive to Mount Nebo, the place where Moses was buried and the most revered holy site in all of Jordan. Standing on top of this mountain, you can see, as Moses supposedly did, the vast panorama that encompasses the Jordan River Valley, the Dead Sea, Jericho, Bethlehem and Jerusalem.

According to legend, this is also the place where Jeremiah hid the Ark of the Covenant. It was a place of pilgrimage for early Christians and Mount Nebo’s first church was built in the fourth century to commemorate the site of Moses’ death.

From here we continue on to Madaba, the famous City of Mosaics. Madaba's chief attraction, the contemporary Greek Orthodox church of St. George contains a wonderfully vivid, 6th century Byzantine mosaic map showing Jerusalem and other holy sites.

From here we walk a short distance to a local restaurant for lunch before returning to our hotel.

The remainder of the afternoon is free for enjoying the sun, sand, mud and salt of the Dead Sea.

This evening, join the tour leader at the hotel for casual happy hour and welcome dinner together.

Overnight at the Movenpick Dead Sea Resort.

DEAD SEA - DANA NATURE RESERVE (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning is free to enjoy the resort and prepare for check out around noon.

We'll drive southbound along the shore of the sea and up a winding mountain road to the Panorama museum and restaurant. After a short look around the museum, we'll enjoy a tasty lunch with a great view across the Dead Sea to the West Bank.

We then continue southbound, arriving at the Dana Nature Reserve later in the afternoon. Here we check in to the Feynan Ecolodge for our overnight stay.

The Dana Nature Reserve is Jordan's largest reserve, comprising 308 square km. The varied geology includes limestone, sandstone and granite, and Wadi Dana features wind-cut sandstone cliffs. The reserve is home to hundreds of species of plants, birds and mammals. While we are not here long enough to make lengthy hikes into the reserve to see wildlife, there will be a chance to at least enjoy the wonderful desert atmosphere at the lodge and to go for a walk in the surrounding area tomorrow morning.

Our lodge is set in Wadi Feynan among some of the best desert landscapes in Jordan. Guests can often be found adventuring through the untouched outdoors, exploring local archaeological sites or simply unwinding in the serene courtyards and terraces of the candle-lit complex, safe in the knowledge that they are vacationing in a socially and environmentally-responsible way.

Happy hour tonight will feature the magnificent desert atmosphere.

Dinner and overnight at Feynan Eco Lodge.

DANA – PETRA (B)

Breakfast at the guesthouse.

This morning we will have an opportunity to take a walk in the spectacular surroundings and explore at our own pace.

Later in the morning, we set off toward Petra. Along the way we'll have an opportunity to visit another Crusader castle at the village of Shobak.

Petra is Jordan's most famous archaeological site lying in a basin among the mountains forming the eastern flank of Wadi Araba, the large valley running from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. The site is renowned for its rock-cut architecture. It remained unknown to the Western world until 1812, when it was re-discovered by a Swiss explorer. In 1985, Petra was designated a World Heritage Site.

Upon arrival in Petra, we check into our hotel.

The remainder of the afternoon is free for a late lunch or early dinner at the hotel or at one of the local restaurants in town.

Tonight at about 8:30 pm, we'll attend a performance of the famous Petra by Night. We'll walk into the site through the dark Siq, beautifully transformed by the light of 1,800 candles. The show itself is held directly in front of the Treasury and includes haunting music of the Bedouin and a reading by one of the local guides. The performance is simple but magical.

Overnight at the Movenpick Resort.

PETRA (B, L)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today we spend the entire day sightseeing in the ancient city of Petra. While the guide is available to provide as much information and assistance as we need, you are certainly free to explore the site on your own if you would prefer.

Around noon we'll have lunch inside the site at one of the local restaurants.

You can stay in the site until sundown or return to the hotel whenever you wish this afternoon.

Free for dinner.

Overnight at the Movenpick Resort.

PETRA - WADI RUM (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today we continue our drive southward from Petra to Wadi Rum, about a 90 minute drive.

Wadi Rum, the largest wadi in Jordan, is a valley cut into sandstone and granite rock which has become an important destination for international visitors. Popular activities in the desert environment include camel riding, walking, biking, jeep excursions and rock-climbing.

After arrival, we'll climb into our own jeeps and head out for a few hours to explore some of the beautiful sites of the surrounding desert landscape. Afterwards we'll stop at the local cultural centre for a look at the museum and for a simple lunch in the adjoining cafe.

Then we'll check in to our camp for an overnight stay.

While the camp is the best accommodation available in the entire area, the rooms are very basic and are limited in number. Overflow is accommodated in comfortable, but simple tents very near to the lodge. We have reserved rooms with ensuite facilities for our group, however in Jordan there is always a possibility of a last minute change, so some of us may end up in the tents and may have to use shared washrooms. In any case, the beauty of the desert after dark will make up for any minor inconveniences.

There will be time for a swim in the camp's pool or for a short walk before happy hour and a wonderful "zarb" dinner at the camp.

Overnight at Bait Ali Camp.

WADI RUM - AQABA (B, L)

Breakfast at the camp.

Today, in the late morning we leave Wadi Rum and drive for about one hour to the town of Aqaba on the extreme southern tip of Jordan.

Aqaba is Jordan’s only seaport, located at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba, the northeast arm of the Red Sea. The city is well-known for its beach resorts offering fun and relaxation to those who come for the sand and sea. Welcome back to civilization!

Since we will likely arrive too early to check into the hotel, we'll enjoy a leisurely lunch together before proceeding to the hotel.

After check in, enjoy the remainder of the day in any way you wish. The hotel has beautiful swimming pools and its own beach directly on the gulf.

Overnight at the Movenpick Tala Bay Resort.

AQABA (B)

Breakfast at the hotel.

The waters and coral reefs of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba are well-known as some of the best snorkeling places on Earth and this morning we will have an opportunity to find out what all the fuss is about. We'll head out together for a morning of swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing at one of the many beaches to the south of the town.

Afterwards we return to the hotel.

The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the resort.

Overnight at the Movenpick Tala Bay Resort.

AQABA - AMMAN (B, L)

After breakfast at the hotel we drive to Amman.

Amman (population, more than 2 million) is the capital city of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the administrative and commercial capital. It is located in a hilly area in north-western Jordan and was originally built on seven hills but now spans over an area of nineteen hills. The main areas of Amman gain their names from the hills on which they lie.

The city has both a modern and a historic touch. Old Amman is filled with souks, small shops and single-family dwellings, all crowded together. The newer parts of the city are relatively modern in comparison. Rapid growth is reshaping the city and transforming it into a major commercial hub.

Upon arrival we'll enjoy a leisurely walking tour of the area near our hotel to familiarize ourselves with the neighbourhood and to take a look at the numerous restaurants available to us during our stay in Amman. We'll stop for a simple lunch before checking in to the hotel for a four-night stay.

Later this afternoon we'll spend some time driving through the diplomatic quarter and the newer parts of the city to get an overall impression of the more modern neighbourhoods.

Complimentary drinks and snacks in the hotel lounge. Free for dinner.

Overnight at the Intercontinental Hotel.

AMMAN (B, L)

Breakfast at the hotel.

The most interesting part of Amman is the downtown area which is centered around the old souk and the King Hussein Mosque. Here's where we'll spend much of today.

Downtown (Al Balad), has been completely dwarfed by the sprawling urban areas that surround it, but despite the changes, much remains of its old character. Those seeking the atmosphere of the Old City will certainly find it here complete with the bustle of daily life, the capital's greatest souks, fine museums, ancient sites and monuments.

Citadel hill, known as Jabal al Qal’a, has been inhabited for centuries and was an important military and religious site. It dates back to Roman and Byzantine times. Remains unearthed at the northern and eastern ends of the Citadel possibly date back to the Bronze Age. The Citadel also is home to the Temple of Hercules which is said to have been constructed under the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius who reigned from 161-180 AD, is similar to the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus.

Behind the Roman Forum stands a Roman Amphitheatre—the largest in Jordan—with room for 6,000 spectators. Thought to have been built between 138 and 161 AD by the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius, it is constructed into the side of the mountain and is still used for sports displays and cultural events.

After visiting the more important sites on foot, we’ll have lunch together at a local restaurant, after which you are free to stay in the old part of the city to explore further on your own or to return to the hotel.

Complimentary drinks and snacks in the hotel lounge. Free for dinner.

Overnight at the Intercontinental Hotel.

AMMAN – JERASH – AJLOUN – AMMAN (B, L)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today we drive about 50 km north of Amman to the city of Jerash, one of the best-preserved, most dramatic and easily explorable Roman cities in the Middle East.

Second only to Petra in popularity, Jerash is known for the ruins of the Greco-Roman city of Gerasa. It became an urban center during the 3rd century BC and a member of the federation of Greek cities known as the Decapolis ("ten cities" in Greek). Jerash prospered during the 1st century BC as a result of its position on the incense and spice trade route from the Arabian Peninsula to Syria and the Mediterranean region.

We spend some time this morning touring the ruins of the city including the Temple of Artemis, Hadrian's Arch, the Temple of Zeus, a few of the numerous churches and the spectacular Oval Plaza.

At an appropriate time, we'll assemble in the Roman hippodrome for a display of the ancient sport of chariot racing and a demonstration of Roman military capability.

We'll have lunch at a local restaurant before driving to nearby Ajloun where we visit the ruins of the 12th century Ayyubid Saladin Castle (Qal'at Ar-Rabad) located on the site of an old monastery. The castle was built by Izz al-Din Usama, a general of Saladin army, in 1184 to protect the communication routes between south Jordan and Syria.

From here, we return to Amman.

Complimentary drinks and snacks in the hotel lounge. Free for dinner.

Overnight at the Intercontinental Hotel.

AMMAN  – UMM QAIS – AMMAN (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today we drive to the very Northwestern tip of Jordan to the village of Umm Qais, tucked into the angle of borders formed by Jordan, Israel and the Golan Heights. This area produces some of the choicest olives in the Middle East.

Umm Qais is best known as the site of the Decapolis city of Gadara and the famous miracle of the Gadarene swine, but it is also serves as a base for the spectacular views of the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights.

We spend time this morning exploring the remote and widespread ruins of the ancient city including Roman tombs, the West Theatre, the Basilica Terrace and the paved Decumanus Maximus. If time permits, we'll also visit the local museum.

Lunch will be served on the hilltop restaurant where we can enjoy great views of the lands below.

As the heat of the day becomes apparent, we begin our drive back to Amman.

Complimentary drinks in the hotel lounge at happy hour then we'll enjoy a farewell dinner together.

Overnight at the Intercontinental Hotel.

DEPART AMMAN (B)

Breakfast at the hotel.

At an appropriate time today we transfer to the airport to board the flight home.

For those continuing on to Egypt, you have the option of staying in Amman for one more night tonight or proceeding to Cairo today, one day prior to the start of the Egypt tour. We would be pleased to discuss details of the various options available.