Highlights of Jordan

Day 1

Amman Airport – Amman

Arrive Amman Airport, meet & assist by our representative who will assist you in the Visas formalities. Then your vehicle will drive you to your hotel in Amman for dinner and overnight

Day 2

Amman – Madaba – Mt. Nebo – Kerak – Petra

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart to visit Saint George Church; The Madaba Mosaic Map covers the floor of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, which is located northwest of the city centre. The church was built in 1896 AD, over the remains of a much earlier 6th century Byzantine church. The mosaic panel enclosing the Map was originally around 15.6 X 6m, 94 square meters, only about a quarter of which is preserved. Continue to visit Mount Nebo, one of the most revered holy sites of Jordan and the place where Moses was buried. Early Christians built a small Byzantine church there, which has been expanded into a vast complex. During his visit to Jordan in 2001, the Late Pope John Paul II held a sermon here that was attended by some 20,000 faithful. Continue to visit Kerak was an important city, and for a time the capital, of the Biblical kingdom of Moab. For this reason, the castle is also sometimes known as Krak des Moabites. The Frankish lord of Oultrejourdain, Payen le Bouteiller, to whom the territory had been ceded by King Baldwin II of Jerusalem in 1126, built Kerak Castle in 1142. The castle was constructed over foundations of earlier citadels dating back to Nabatean times. Under Reynald de Chatillon, Kerak resisted assaults by Saladin’s troops in 1183 and 1184, but it finally fell after a siege in 1188. Arab repairs and additions in the white limestone contrast with the Crusader parts built in dark, volcanic tufa.

Proceed to Petra Hotel for dinner and overnight

Day 3

Petra – Visit of Petra – Petra

Breakfast at the hotel. Via desert highway to visit of Petra; Perhaps the words of Dean Burgon’s famous poem: ‘Match me such a marvel save in Eastern clime / A rose-red city half as old as time…’ reflect some truth about Petra. Yet words can hardly do justice to the true magnificence that is Petra. Some archaeologists have ranked ancient Petra as the eighth wonder of the ancient world – a truly justifiable claim. Petra is unique in every respect, having something to offer to the historian, anthropologist, archaeologist, geologist, architect and the naturalist, all of whom regularly come to Petra to conduct their studies and be in touch with the ancient past. You do not have to be a specialist in any field though to appreciate Petra because, once inside of it, you will be quickly awe-struck and you will want to know the how, why and where about it. This remote dead city is one of the great archaeological treasures in the world, undoubtedly; it is the most important famous attraction of Jordan. Much 0of Petra’s appeal comes from its awesome, multicolored sandstone high mountains; it is a secluded site of steep rocky slops , towering craggy mountain tops and high cliffs, into which most of the celebrated tombs, facades, theatres and stairways are carved… Nature and architecture concur into conferring a mythical aura to the site.

Dinner and overnight at Petra Hotel

Day 4

Petra – Wadi Rum – Dead Sea

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart to Wadi Rum; this is a stupendous, timeless place, virtually untouched by humanity and its destructive forces. Here, it is the weather and winds that have carved the imposing, towering skyscrapers, so elegantly described by T.E. Lawrence as “vast, echoing and god-like”.. A maze of monolithic rock-scapes rises up from the desert floor to heights of 1,750 metres creating a natural challenge for serious mountaineers. Hikers can enjoy the tranquility of the boundless empty spaces; explore the canyons and water holes to discover 4000 year old rock drawings and the many other spectacular treasures this vast wilderness holds in store. Enjoy 1.5 hour jeep touring with the local Bedouins. Lunch at Wadi Rum. Proceed to Dead Sea; at 410 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth. Jordan’s Dead Sea coast is one of the most spectacular natural and spiritual landscapes in the world and it remains as enticing to international visitors today as it was to kings, emperors, traders, and prophets in antiquity. The main attraction of the Dead Sea is of course the soothing, abnormally salty water itself. The salt content of the water is 31.5% making the water so buoyant that it is impossible for the visitor to sink. The water also contains 21 minerals including high levels of magnesium, sodium, potassium, and bromine and 12 of these minerals are found in no other body of water in the world. Leisurely afternoon.

Dinner and overnight at Dead Sea Hotel

Day 5

Dead Sea – Bethany – Dead Sea

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart to visit The site of John the Baptist’s settlement at Bethany beyond the Jordan, where Jesus was baptized, has long been known from the Bible (John 1:28 and 10:40) and from the Byzantine and medieval texts. The site has now been identified on the east bank of the Jordan River, in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and is being systematically surveyed, excavated, restored, and prepared to receive pilgrims and visitors. Bethany Beyond the Jordan is located half an hour by car from the Jordanian capital Amman. The Bethany area sites formed part of the early Christian pilgrimage route between Jerusalem, the Jordan River, and Mount Nebo. The area is also associated with the biblical account of how the Prophet Elijah (Mar Elias in Arabic) ascended to heaven in a whirlwind on a chariot of fire. Back to Dead Sea Hotel for a free afternoon.

Dinner and overnight at Dead Sea Hotel

Day 6

Dead Sea – Jerash – Panoramic Tour of Amman – Amman

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart to visit Jerash; a close second to Petra on the list of favorite destinations in Jordan, the ancient city of Jerash boasts an unbroken chain of human occupation dating back more than 6,500 years. Jerash lies on a plain surrounded by hilly wooded areas and fertile basins. Conquered by General Pompey in 63 BC, it came under Roman rule and was one of the ten great Roman cities, the Decapolis League. The city’s golden age came under Roman rule, during which time it was known as Gerasa, and the site is now generally acknowledged to be one of the best-preserved Roman provincial towns in the world. Hidden for centuries in sand before being excavated and restored over the past 70 years, Jerash reveals a fine example of the grand, formal provincial Roman urbanism that is found throughout the Middle East, comprising paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, handsome theatres, spacious public squares and plazas, baths, fountains and city walls pierced by towers and gates. Continue to Amman for a Panoramic Tour. Dinner at local restaurant in Amman.

Overnight at Amman Hotel

Day 7

Amman – Departure Amman Airport/ Allenby Bridge

Transfer from Amman Hotel to Amman Airport OR Allenby Bridge for departure.

Amman International Hotel

Petra Guesthouse

Holiday Inn Hotel

The Boulevard Arjan by Rotana

Movenpick Hotel

Movenpick Dead Sea Resort