Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Amman
On arrival at Queen Alia Airport, a representative will meet you showing a sign with your details on and will then assist you through the visa procedures. You will meet your driver in the arrival hall and will be transferred to Amman to check in at the hotel. Overnight at the Le Meridien (5*) or the Imperial Palace (4*).
Day 2: Jerash and Ajlun Castle
We begin our first day after a leisurely breakfast with a tour of Amman. Built on seven hills (or Jebels) it has a long and fascinating history. Originally known as the Biblical Rabbath-Amrnon during Ammonite rule, in Hellenistic times it was rebuilt and renamed Philadelphia and was a city of the Decapolis. We drive to the top of Citadel Hill for a magnificent panoramic view of the old city, with its beautiful Roman amphitheater nestling among the urban sprawl in the valley below. Citadel Hill is crowned by Byzantine and Islamic ruins alongside the remains of the Roman Temple of Hercules.
We then proceed down the hill to visit the well preserved 6000 seat Roman amphitheater. In the late morning we drive north of Amman to visit the ancient city of Gerasa (Jerash). It attracted followers of Christ and was one of the ten cities of the Decapolis. Much of the present remains date from the first and second centuries AD. and include a Hippodrome, North and South Gates, Temples of Zeus and Artemis, North and South Theatres, Baths, Churches, Cathedral, Triumphal Arch, Forum (Oval Piazza), Cardo Maximus, City Walls, Nymphaeum and Bridges.
We then continue to the castle of Ajlun. Built by one of Salahadin’s generals around 1184 to counter the Crusader castle of Belvoir on the western hills overlooking the Jordan valley. This is probably one of best examples of early Islamic architecture in Jordan. We then visit Pella, another one of the ten cities of the Decapolis and the city where Jewish believers fled to in 66 A.D. It became a Christian city during the Roman and Byzantine Periods and there are the remains of four churches containing a mixture of Jewish and Christian symbols. Overnight at the Le Meridien (5*) or the Imperial Palace (4*).
Day 3: Umm Qais and Pella
After breakfast, drive to Umm Qais (Gadara), another great city of the Decapolis with stunning views north across to the Sea of Galilee. The city is still under excavation. A Christian community started around the 1st century in Gadara and flourished. We then drive to Pella to visit one of the Roman provincial cities and a strategic trading centre during the late Hellenistic period. Overnight at the Le Meridien (5*) or the Imperial Palace (4*).
Day 4: Bethany and the Dead Sea
We leave Amman and drive to the Jordan Valley to visit the original Baptismal site of Bethany Beyond the Jordan, the site recently authenticated as that where John the Baptist lived, preached and baptized. This area includes the place where Jesus was baptized, according to evidence of the available biblical, archaeological and historical resources, though the precise spot where John baptized Jesus probably will never be conclusively identified. We drive on to the Dead Sea for an opportunity to bath in its unique mineral laden waters. Overnight at the Le Meridien (5*) or the Imperial Palace (4*)
Day 5: Madaba, Mukawer and Petra
Today we depart Amman after an early breakfast heading for Petra, following the ancient King’s Highway, one of the most historic and scenic roads in the Middle East. We travel through the Biblical Lands of Moab, Ammon and Edom. En-route stop to visit Mount Nebo, the site where Moses stood and looked across to the Promised Land. We visit the Church and its sixth century mosaics which are still being excavated. The journey then continues on to the ancient city of Madaba, the city of Mosaics - a Moabite town, known as Medaba in the Bible, it has throughout history been a strong Christian influence in the area.
Of great historical importance is the fascinating sixth century mosaic map contained within the floor of the Greek Orthodox Church in the town. The map, illustrating Byzantine Palestine, is possibly the oldest map of the Holy Land in existence and assisted Israeli archaeologists excavate the Roman Cardho in Jerusalem. We visit Machearus, a Herodion Fortress situated on a hilltop overlooking the Dead Sea and across to Israel. It was here where Herod Antipas imprisoned and then beheaded John the Baptist. Access to the Palace is via a 20 minute walk up a paved path. We end our journey on arrival at Petra. Overnight at the Crowne Plaza (5*) or the Petra Panorama (4*).
Day 6: Petra
Petra is the highlight of any tour to Jordan. Whether you are a first time visitor or you have visited this lost Nabatean city before, it holds a fascination like no other place. It is carved entirely from the natural multi-coloured stone and was extensively occupied for the thousand years between 500 B.C. and AD. 500. Originally settled by the Edomites, it is now mostly Nabatean, with Roman and Byzantine influences. By the time of the Arab invasion only a few Bedouins lived there until the Crusaders arrived in 1101 AD. when the city underwent a short lived revival. With the Crusaders expulsion, Petra disappeared until the Anglo-Swiss explorer, John Louis L. Burckhardt rediscovered this lost city in the early 1800’s.
Today we spend a full-day discovering the city for ourselves. The main entrance into Petra is through the Siq, a narrow 1.2 km long gorge hemmed in by 100m high cliffs. The first glimpse of Al Khazneh (The Treasury) as you abruptly reach the end of the Siq is truly breathtaking and no amount of descriptive prose does it justice; it is best-experienced first-hand. For the more active there is the climb up to the Monastery and the views over Israel. Spend the day here walking and climbing around the many delicately carved structures. Visit the Temples, Royal tombs, burial chambers, paved streets and the 7000 seat Roman theatre. The beautiful Monastery (El-Deir) is reached after a climb of over 1000 steps, but this is well worth the effort. Overnight at the Crowne Plaza (5*) or the Petra Panorama (4*).
Day 7: Wadi rum
After a leisurely breakfast we leave Petra and drive south to Wadi Rum. This is a moon-scape like area of ancient wadis (valleys) and towering sandstone pillars that rise sheer from the pink and white desert sands. Wadi Rum was the haunt of Lawrence of Arabia and epitomizes the romance of the desert. It was described by Lawrence as “vast, echoing and God-like.” After time at Wadi Rum, our journey takes us back to Amman. Overnight at the Le Meridien (5*) or the Imperial Palace (4*).
Day 8: Today is a full day at leisure in the capital. (no guide today) The people of Amman are multi - cultural, multi - denominational, well educated and extremely hospitable. They welcome visitors and take pride in their fascinating and vibrant city. Visit the old-downtown, also known as the "Souq" and take in the traditional sights and smells of the spice market, where you can also shop for authentic souvenirs.
Day 9: After breakfast, you will take a transfer to the Queen Alia Airport in time for your flight home. You will be assisted by one of our representatives who will also help with the airport departure procedures.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Accommodation based on a twin room (two people) on half board basis for 8 nights
- Tours & transfers in a modern A/C tourists vehicles as mentioned above
- English speaking local guide in Jerash
- English speaking local guide in Petra
- Portage at Airport & hotels
- Two hour jeep tour in Wadi Rum – using old fashioned, open back Bedouin jeeps
- Meet & assist at arrival & departure days
- Entrance fees at all sites mentioned in the program.
Price Excludes:
- International flights
- Visa fees which are at present $ 15 per person
- Tips of any kind
- Meals or beverages not shown
- Personal expenses
- Travel Insurance
- Anything not mentioned above.
Also see tour packages in:
Middle East
Jordan
History Whiz
Archeology/History
Cultural Journey
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