Jordan, From Amman to the Dead Sea

Les Splendeurs de Jordanie 5^*

On arrival, you will be greeted and assisted 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 go downstairs to collect your luggage. Once your luggage has been collected, you will be directed to your driver who will take you to your hotel in Amman for the night. Depending on the time of arrival and traffic in Amman, the journey will normally take between 45 minutes and 1 hour. On arrival you will check into your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Make your own dining arrangements.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Amman.

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for a tour of the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom. Nestled between the eastern desert and the Jordan Valley, Amman is home to over a million people. Built entirely of beige-white limestone, the city is a collection of cream-coloured cubes, given a golden hue by the sun. Don't miss the incredible view of the old city from the top of the citadel. But before you head back down, visit the Archaeological Museum, the Temple of Hercules and the Umayyad Palace. Then take a short stroll through the old town, where there's a beautifully preserved Greco-Roman theatre with a capacity of around six thousand.

Then head for the Desert castles. The first castle to visit is Qasr Al-Kharaneh, located 55 km from Amman. It is probably the only one to have had a primarily military function, as its architecture suggests. The second castle on the itinerary is Qasr Amra, 26 km south-west of Azraq, on the main road. Qasr Amra sits on an island formed in the bed of a wadi that is almost always dry. This small, well-preserved castle boasts clean lines and rounded contours, its blonde stone blending into the desert heat. The final castle on the list is Qasr Al Azraq, which was badly hit by an earthquake in 1927, but remains magnificent nonetheless. Return to the hotel in Amman.

Lunch along the way.
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 days 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 along the way.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Amman.

Breakfast at the hotel. The first visit is to the city of mosaics, "Madaba". There, you will visit the Church of St George in Madaba, where you will have the chance to see the oldest known map of the Holy Land. This mosaic from the mid 6th century, which has barely been altered, shows the geography of the Byzantine Near East. After this first tour, we will head for Mount Nebo, 10 km to the north-west of Madaba and the famous burial place of Moses, offering a spectacular view of the Holy Land.

Then you will head down south through the fortress of Kerak, known as the castle of Renaud de Châtillon, the former prince of Antioch, who received it as a gift after his second marriage. In 1187, Jerusalem was conquered by the Muslims and Kerak fell into the hands of Saladin. Lunch in Kerak. Continue by desert road to Petra.

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

Lunch along the way.
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 will explore the renowned Nabataean site of Petra, capital of the former Nabataean trading empire until the Romans took power in 106 AD. Petra is located on the edge of Wadi Araba, and one of the best ways to get there is to go through the Siq, a narrow and winding gorge crossed by the imposing walls of the canyon and the surrounding hills. Once in Petra, you will notice that there are very few independent buildings, as the Nabataeans preferred to carve their houses into the pink sandstone cliffs.

The guided tour will take you through the Siq before arriving at Khazneh, one of Petra's most elaborate temples. Discover how the Nabataeans carved their houses into the rocks and learn more about its spiritual significance. We will also visit the old Roman ruins of the amphitheatre and the colonnaded street. We will be guided through the city and then you'll have free time to explore at your own pace. If you still have enough energy, you can also go to Jebel al-Madhbah and the Lion Fountain.

Lunch along the way.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Petra.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for the Wadi Rum desert. Stop en route at Little Petra to visit the small canyon of Siq Al Barid. While Petra was sculpted by both people and nature, the cliffs, peaks and valleys of Wadi Rum owe their "serene beauty" and "overwhelming grandeur" to themselves alone. You will start the day by exploring the beautiful desert and mountainous landscapes of Wadi Rum. Keep an eye out for the copper-coloured rocky "jebels" that fascinated Lawrence of Arabia during his visits to the desert during the Arab Revolt.

You will take an approx. 2-hour jeep safari through the beautiful desert landscape, discovering more steep cliffs and unusual rock formations.

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

Dinner and overnight stay in a camp in Wadi Rum.

After a gentle wake-up call and breakfast in the camp, we will head for the lowest point on earth via the magnificent Wadi Araba road. Not only is it the lowest point on earth, 400 metres below sea level, but it's also considered one of the most spiritual landscapes in the world, teeming with spectacular natural wonders. We stop along the way for a dip in the extremely salty waters, which make for a unique swimming experience. It's actually quite difficult to swim there and it's easier (and more photogenic!) to float sitting or lying flat on the surface. Be careful not to get water in your eyes, as this can be quite uncomfortable. After experiencing the Dead Sea, we will head to Amman for our last night in Jordan.

Lunch along the way.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Amman.

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. These formalities can take 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 5-star rating, based on local standards. The services provided may not be equivalent to European 5-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 Horse Riding: US$2-5 (we recommend that you do not ride horses for animal welfare and safety reasons, but the handlers may still expect a tip)

The currency used is the Jordanian Dinar: exchange offices and cash machines are available almost everywhere; your driver and/or guide can assist you with the transaction.

Optional tours: some additional options are available during the visits 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.

For UK nationals, a passport valid for 6 months after arrival in the country and a visa are required.

Free visa (issued on site by a stamp at Amman airport): The visa cannot be obtained in advance, all visa procedures will be completed on arrival at Amman airport. In order for us to provide you with this free visa through our local agency in Jordan, please send us the following information upon confirmation of your booking: flight details and a copy of your passport (to be sent to us no later than 10 days before your arrival).

After this notice period, you will have to pay for a visa upon arrival at the airport in Jordan. This will cost 40 JOD (pay in Jordanian dinars).

To do so, use the form on the "Help & Contact" page of our website, under "Contact Us". For more information, see "Useful information" below.