Jordan Group Discovery 9D/8N

Upon your arrival at Queen Alia International Airport near Amman, you'll be warmly welcomed by a member of our staff. They will assist you with your transfer to your hotel in Amman. Once settled in, you are free for the remainder of the day to either unwind in your hotel room or begin your adventure by exploring the vibrant city of Amman.

Today we begin our journey with a visit to the picturesque hilltop town of As-Salt, just a short drive from Amman. Known historically as a critical trading hub, As-Salt features remarkable examples of old Islamic architecture, crafted from yellow limestone. The town's narrow streets are full of shops and stalls, and it showcases the harmonious blend of Muslim and Christian communities. On the town's 'Harmony Trail,' we immerse ourselves in the local culture to gain a deeper understanding of life in Jordan.Our afternoon is filled with exploration as we embark on a tour of Amman, a city with a rich historical tapestry. From the Citadel with its ancient Temple of Hercules, Umayyad Palace, and Byzantine Church, to the remarkable 6000-seater Roman theatre still vibrant with cultural events, history abounds at every corner. To cap off the day, we indulge in Amman's culinary delights with a food tasting tour. Sampling a variety of traditional dishes, each visit may offer different treats, ranging from Manakish, a tasty falafel sandwich, to the national dish of Mansaf with its delicious lamb, rice, and yoghurt sauce. To end on a sweet note, we enjoy the city's renowned Knafeh from a beloved local sweet shop.

Today, we will journey along the Desert Highway to the Dana Biosphere Reserve, where we'll enjoy a gentle hike amid stunning landscapes and rolling hills. As Jordan's largest nature reserve, it features remarkable views of valleys and hillsides through various trails around the rejuvenated Dana village. The springtime visit promises lush greenery and vibrant blossoms across the terrain. We'll pause for a picnic lunch and a stroll before moving on to the Red Sea city of Aqaba, where you'll enjoy a free evening and morning the next day. 

This morning, you have some leisure time to unwind by the Red Sea, explore the city of Aqaba, or partake in a variety of water sports that Aqaba offers. The crystal-clear waters and vibrant reefs provide some of the best diving experiences in the Red Sea, and there are morning boat trips available for snorkeling at nearby reefs.In the afternoon, after welcoming arrivals from Egypt, we depart from Aqaba and journey into the mesmerizing desert landscapes of Wadi Rum. Here, we are welcomed by gracious Bedouin hosts at a comfortable camp nestled among towering rocks and cliffs. The evening is spent relaxing in the camp, savoring a tasty traditional Jordanian meal, which often includes the option of 'Zarb'—a delightful dish of lamb and chicken cooked underground in the Bedouin tradition. Evening activities include choosing between a serene camel ride at sunset or engaging in stargazing with telescopes.

After having breakfast in camp, our adventure begins with a jeep safari through the dramatic landscapes of Wadi Rum, navigating its sandy trails and wandering beneath towering 'jebels'. Along the way, we pause to climb the sand dunes and marvel at the unique rock formations, including a breathtaking natural rock bridge. Embracing the Bedouin way of life, we engage in local activities such as walking alongside a shepherd and his flock to a traditional Bedouin tent. Here, we learn time-honored skills like shearing sheep and goats, milking, grinding grains, bread making, and roasting coffee before our lunch is prepared. After immersing ourselves in the nomadic Bedouin lifestyle, we make our way back to camp by jeep and travel onwards to Petra. For those interested, there's the enchanting Petra by Night tour option, where we wander the Siq to the Treasury, illuminated by the soft glow of hundreds of candles.

The day is focused on exploring the captivating Nabatean site of Petra, the former capital of the Nabataean commercial empire, which was rediscovered in 1812 after being forgotten for centuries. Situated at the edge of the Wadi Aruba desert, Petra is accessible only through a narrow cleft in the rock called the Siq. The Nabateans carved their dwellings into the vibrant sandstone cliffs rather than constructing free-standing buildings. Today, Petra stands as one of Jordan's premier tourist attractions, with burgeoning tourism infrastructure in nearby Wadi Musa. Fortunately, the site itself remains protected from over-commercialization.Today’s adventure includes exploring Petra via the scenic back-route that begins at Little Petra, or Siq al-Barid. We first visit this smaller yet fascinating site before a short jeep ride takes us to the trailhead connecting Little Petra to the Monastery and the main site of Petra. This less-trodden path provides stunning mountain vistas towards the Holy Land and allows visitors to encounter the same monuments as the standard route, along with Little Petra and the Monastery.The journey starts with ascending rock-hewn steps along the mountain's edge. After a rest stop with photo opportunities on a plateau, the trail continues, eventually offering a view of 'Ad-Deir' (the Monastery) where a break is well-deserved. Descending into the main Petra site, the valley reveals rock-carved tombs, a ruined Roman amphitheater, and the familiar Khazneh (Treasury) monument.While the back-route isn't overly challenging, it does involve several ascents and descents, a significant number of steps, and requires a minimum 2-3 hour hike to the Monastery. The main Petra site requires additional walking on sandy terrain. For those with limited mobility who wish to avoid the hiking segment, horse carriages are available for a fee within the main Petra site. However, horseback riding is not recommended.

After enjoying breakfast in Petra, we'll travel north along the Dead Sea road to reach Wadi Mujib, where we'll embark on the thrilling Siq Trail hike. As we travel, we'll enjoy stunning views of the Salt Flats at the southern end of the Dead Sea. Continuing along its shores, we'll arrive at the Wadi Mujib visitor centre, where you'll have time for lunch (not included) before starting the hike. Descending into the gorge, we'll enter the Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve, where an adventurous hike through the shallow waters of the gorge is possible between April and October. You'll climb up small waterfalls with installed steps, and eventually reach a large waterfall at the end of the gorge to relax beneath. The hike generally takes 2 to 3 hours roundtrip.Bringing a dry-bag is highly recommended to keep your camera or mobile phone safe from water, and water shoes are advised. You can hire a dry bag at the visitors centre for around US$7.00, and purchase water shoes for US$7.00 there as well.Note: From November to March, when the Siq Trail hike isn't possible, we'll visit the Baptism site in Bethany instead. This is a relatively new archaeological site believed to be the biblical 'Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan' where John baptized Jesus Christ. The site contains several churches, caves, and pools from Roman and Byzantine periods. Both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI have visited. An electric minibus takes you from the visitor centre to Tell Mar Elias, the Baptism Pools, and John the Baptist's Church.After a day filled with activities, we'll head to our resort on the Dead Sea's banks, giving you free time to swim—actually, float—in its incredibly salty waters and relax by the hotel pool. Don't forget to bring a newspaper or magazine for your iconic Dead Sea photo!

After a restful night, we venture to nearby Madaba to admire the exquisite Byzantine mosaics and the renowned 'Madaba Map,' the oldest known map of the Holy Land. From there, we journey to Mount Nebo, where the prophet Moses gazed upon the Promised Land and was laid to rest. On most days, the views stretch clearly towards Jericho and beyond. Our adventure continues as we head to the ancient city of Jerash, celebrated for being one of the largest and best-preserved Greco-Roman cities outside Europe. In Jerash, we explore the Forum, wander its Roman colonnaded streets, and visit the Nymphaeum along with the Temple of Artemis - perched atop one of the city's highest points. We conclude our exciting day with a drive back to Amman for our final night in Jordan.

Today in Amman, you have leisure time until we arrange for your hotel pickup and transfer to the airport for your departure. If you have a flight scheduled for later in the day, you have the option to embark on more sightseeing adventures. Consider visiting the Baptism Site at Bethany on the Jordan River, an experience that is part of the broader network of tours we offer. This excursion complements many of our trips to Egypt and Israel, and we're here to assist with suggestions and connectivity to these destinations.