Jordan, Amman

The Jewels of Jordan 4^*

On arrival, welcome and assistance by our representative at Amman airport. They will be waiting for you with a sign bearing the name of the local agency and will assist you before you pass through the border police and customs to obtain your visa. You will then head downstairs to pick up your luggage. Once your luggage has been collected, they will accompany you to your driver who will take you to your hotel in Amman for the night. Depending on the time of arrival and the traffic in Amman, the journey will usually take between 45 minutes and 1 hour. On arrival, check in at the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

No meals are included.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Amman.

After breakfast at the hotel, departure for a tour of the capital of the Hashemite kingdom. Nestling between the eastern desert and the Jordan Valley, Amman is home to a million inhabitants. Built entirely of beige-white limestone, the city is an aggregate of cream-coloured cubes, gilded by the sun. From the top of the citadel, don't miss the incredible view over the old town. But before descending, you'll want to visit the archaeological museum, the Temple of Hercules and the Umayyad Palace. Then a short tour of the old town, which has preserved a beautiful Greco-Roman theatre with a capacity of around six thousand spectators.

Then it's on to the castles of the desert. The first castle to visit is Qasr Al-Kharaneh, 55 km from Amman. It is probably the only one to have had a primarily military function, as its architecture suggests. The second castle is Qasr Amra, 26 km south-west of Azraq, on the main road. Qasr Amra stands on an island that has formed in the bed of a Wadi that is almost always dry. This small, well-preserved castle boasts clear lines and rounded contours, its blond stone blending into the warmth of the desert. The last castle is Qasr Al Azraq, which was badly hit by an earthquake in 1927, but is still magnificent. Return to the hotel in Amman.

Lunch en route.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Amman.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for the ancient city of Jerash or Gerasa, around 45 km from Amman. It is Jordan's second largest archaeological site after Petra. Today it is considered one of the best preserved Roman provincial towns in the Near East. It was hidden under the sand for several centuries before being discovered and restored during a period of 70 years. The city was entirely built in orange-pink limestone. Gerasa enjoyed its heyday in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Jerash is the epitome of Roman municipal planning in the Middle East.

After lunch, continue on to Ajloun to visit the impressive Qal'at al Rabad, a fortress built in the 12th century during the tome of Saladin, to defend the region and control the local iron mines. From the summit, there is a superb view of the Jordan Valley. Return to the hotel in Amman.

Lunch en route.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Amman.

Breakfast at the hotel. The first visit is to the city of mosaics, Madaba. You will visit the Church of St George in Madaba, where you will contemplate the oldest known map of the Holy Land. This barely altered mosaic, dating from the middle of the 6th century, traces the geography of the Byzantine Near East. After this first visit, head for Mount Nebo, 10 km north-west of Madaba, the known burial place of Moses, which offers a spectacular view of the Holy Land.

You will then continue southwards to the fortress of Kerak, known as the castle of Renaud de Châtillon, former lord of Antioch, who received it following his second marriage. In 1187, Jerusalem was conquered by the Muslims and Kerak fell into the hands of Saladin. Lunch in Kerak. Continuation to Petra via the desert road.

Optional extra (payable on site): Petra by night.

Lunch en route.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Petra.

After breakfast at the hotel, departure for the most eagerly awaited day of the trip.

Today we explore the renowned Nabataean site of Petra, capital of the ancient Nabataean trading empire until the Romans took over in 106 AD. Petra lies on the edge of Wadi Araba and one of the best ways to get there is via the Siq, a narrow, winding gorge cut by the imposing canyon walls and surrounding hills. Once in Petra, you'll notice that there are very few free-standing buildings, as the Nabataeans preferred to carve their houses into the pink sandstone cliffs.

On this guided tour, you will walk through the Siq before reaching the Khazneh, one of Petra's most elaborate temples. You will discover how the Nabataeans carved their houses into the rock faces and learn about the site's spiritual significance. We will also visit the ancient Roman amphitheatre and the Colonnaded Street, both of which are in ruins. Afterwards, you will have free time to explore the city at your own pace. If you have the energy, you can also visit the High Place of Sacrifice and the Lion Fountain.

Lunch en route.

Dinner & overnight at the hotel in Petra.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for the desert of Wadi Rum. Although Petra is the result of the combined efforts of man and nature, the cliffs, peaks and valleys of Wadi Rum owe their ‘serene beauty’ and ‘overwhelming grandeur’ to no one but themselves. You'll start the day exploring the magnificent desert and mountain landscapes of Wadi Rum. Keep an eye out for the rocky, copper-coloured “jebels” that fascinated Lawrence of Arabia.

We'll go on a 2.5-hour jeep safari through the magnificent desert landscape, where we'll discover more sheer cliffs and peculiar rock formations.

Soak up the authentic Bedouin atmosphere. The programme includes a campfire, stargazing and a traditional Jordanian meal. Experience a night in the desert in a simple, minimalist camp.

Lunch in a Bedouin camp.
Dinner and overnight stay in a camp in Wadi Rum.

After a gentle wake-up call and a breakfast in the camp, head for the beaches of the Red Sea.

The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the beach and the magnificent seabed of Aqaba.

Lunch included
Dinner and overnight stay in Aqaba.

Breakfast at the hotel and day at leisure by the Red Sea to take in the sights.

Lunch included.
Dinner and overnight stay in Aqaba.

Have breakfast at the hotel, then head off to the lowest point on Earth via the magnificent Wadi Araba road. At 400 metres below sea level, not only is it the lowest point on the planet, it is also considered one of the world's most spiritual landscapes, packed with spectacular natural wonders. The extremely salty waters provide a unique swimming experience. In fact, it's impossible to swim normally and it's easier (and more photogenic!) to float while sitting or lying in the water. Just be careful not to get any in your eyes, as it could sting!

Make your own lunch and dining arrangements.
Overnight stay at the Dead Sea.

Breakfast at the hotel and day at leisure near the Dead Sea to enjoy the sights

Lunch included.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Dead Sea

After breakfast at the hotel and depending on your flight schedule, transfer to Amman airport to catch your return flight and assistance with departure formalities.

Day of arrival and welcome: Welcome and assistance by a local English-speaking representative at Queen Alia airport; they will wait for you with a sign bearing the name of the local agency and will assist you before you pass through border control and customs to obtain your visa. Please note that this procedure can be lengthy, taking between 45 minutes and 1 hour depending on the number of passengers. You will then head downstairs to pick up your luggage. The local representative may have to wait at customs to collect other travellers, but once you have collected your luggage, they will accompany you to your driver, who will take you to your hotel in Amman for the night. The transfer will be in a group with other passengers. Depending on the time of arrival and the traffic in Amman, the journey will usually take between 45 minutes and 1 hour. Your tour will start the next morning where you will meet your group of 18 people (maximum).

The order of the tours may change for logistical reasons.

As stated, the hotel has a 4-star rating, based on local standards. The services provided may not be equivalent to European 4-star standards.

Tipping: Tipping is an entirely personal gesture, the decision whether or not to tip or and how much is your own choice based on your satisfaction with the services received and your personal budget. That said, tips for the services provided are part of the local culture, are often expected and will be highly appreciated. Suggested amounts:
Tourist guides: US$3–8 per person per day
Driver: US$3–5 per person per day
Restaurants: 10% or leave the change
Petra Horseback Riding: US$2–5 (We recommend against riding horses for animal welfare and safety reasons, but handlers may still expect a tip.)

The currency used is the Jordanian dinar: Currency exchange offices and cash machines are available almost everywhere. Your driver and/or guide can assist you with transactions.

Optional tours: some additional options are available during the tours and will be proposed by your guide. Prices are often in Jordanian dinar. These excursions are optional, so it is up to you to decide whether or not to go on them.

PLEASE NOTE: for those booking the “hotel only” package (without international flights), please inform us of your flight details as soon as possible via the contact form located in the “Help and Contact” section at the bottom of the page, so that we can organise your transfers.

UK nationals require a passport valid for six months after arrival in the country and a visa.

A free visa is issued on arrival at Amman airport. This cannot be obtained in advance; all visa procedures will be completed on arrival at Amman Airport. In order for our local agency in Jordan to obtain this free visa for you, please send us the following information as soon as you confirm your booking: your flight details and a copy of your passport (to be sent no later than 10 days before your arrival).

If you do not provide this information before the deadline, you will have to pay for the visa on arrival at the airport in Jordan. The fee is 40 JOD (to be paid in Jordanian dinar).

To do this, please use the form on the 'Contact us' page of our website. For more information, see 'Useful information' below.