Jordan, From Amman to the Dead Sea

Treasures of Jordan 3^*

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed and assisted by our representative at Amman Airport. He will be waiting for you with a sign displaying the name of the local agency and will assist you before passing through border control and customs for visa issuance. You will then proceed to collect your luggage. Once you have retrieved your luggage, he will escort you to your driver, who will take you to your hotel in Amman for the night. Depending on the arrival time and traffic conditions in Amman, the journey will typically take between 45 minutes and 1 hour. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is free.

Meals not included.
Overnight at the hotel in Amman.

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for a tour of the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom. Located between the eastern desert and the Jordan Valley, Amman is home to over a million inhabitants. Built entirely from beige-white limestone, the city is a cluster of cream-colored cubes, golden under the sun. From the top of the Citadel, don’t miss the incredible view of the old city. Before heading down, you will visit the Archaeological Museum, the Temple of Hercules, and the Umayyad Palace. Then, take a stroll through the old city, which has preserved a beautiful Greco-Roman Theater, capable of accommodating around six thousand spectators.

Next, head towards the desert castles. The first castle to visit is Qasr Al-Kharaneh, located 55 km from Amman. It is probably the only one that initially had a military function, as suggested by its architecture. The second castle, Qasr Amra, is 26 km southwest of Azraq, along the main road. It stands on an island formed in the bed of an almost permanently dry Wadi. This well-preserved small castle features clear lines and rounded contours, with its blonde stone blending harmoniously with the desert heat. The last castle, Qasr Al-Azraq, was severely affected by an earthquake in 1927, yet it remains a magnificent site. Return to the hotel in Amman.

Lunch en route.
Dinner & overnight at the hotel in Amman.

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for the ancient city of Jerash (or Gerasa), located about 45 km from Amman. It is the second-largest site in Jordan after Petra. Today, it is considered one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in the Near East. Hidden under sand for several centuries before being discovered and restored over 70 years, the city was entirely built from rosy-orange limestone. The peak of Gerasa dates back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Jerash is the perfect example of Roman municipal planning in the Middle East.

After lunch, continue on to Ajloun to visit the impressive Qalaat al-Rabad Fortress, perched atop a mountain, built in the 12th century during Saladin's time to defend the region and control the local iron mines. From the top, enjoy a stunning view of the Jordan Valley. Return to the hotel in Amman.

Lunch en route.
Dinner & overnight at the hotel in Amman.

Breakfast at the hotel. The first visit will be to the "City of Mosaics," Madaba. You will visit the St. George Church of Madaba, where you will see the oldest known map of the Holy Land. This 6th-century mosaic, barely altered, outlines the geography of Byzantine Near East. After this first visit, head to Mount Nebo, located 10 km northwest of Madaba, the known burial site of Moses, offering a spectacular view of the Holy Land.

Next, continue your journey south, passing through the fortress of Kerak, famous for being the castle of Renaud de Châtillon, the former lord of Antioch, who received it after his second marriage. In 1187, Jerusalem was conquered by Muslims, and Kerak fell into the hands of Saladin. Lunch in Kerak. Continue towards Petra via the Desert Highway.

Optional (payable locally): You can choose to experience Petra by night.

Lunch en route.
Dinner & overnight at the hotel in Petra.

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for the most anticipated day of the trip.

Today, we explore the renowned Nabataean site of Petra, the capital of the ancient 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 reach it is through the Siq, a narrow winding gorge flanked by the towering canyon walls and surrounding hills. Once in Petra, you will notice that there are very few independent buildings because the Nabataeans preferred to carve their homes into the cliffs of pink sandstone.

The guided tour takes you through the Siq before arriving at the Khazneh, one of the most elaborate temples in Petra. We will learn how the Nabataeans sculpted their lands into the rock walls and discover more about its spiritual significance. We will also visit the ancient Roman amphitheater ruins and the colonnaded street. You will be guided through the city before having free time to explore at your own pace. If you still have energy, you can also visit the High Place of Sacrifice and the Lion Fountain.

Lunch en route.
Dinner & overnight at the hotel in Petra.

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for the Wadi Rum desert. En route, stop at Little Petra to visit the small Siq Al Barid canyon. While Petra is the result of human craftsmanship combined with nature, the cliffs, peaks, and valleys of Wadi Rum owe their "serene beauty" and "overwhelming grandeur" solely to themselves. You will start the day by exploring the stunning desert and mountainous landscapes of Wadi Rum. Keep an eye out for the copper-colored rock "jebels" that fascinated "Lawrence" during his visits to the desert during the Arab revolt, later becoming famous in the film Lawrence of Arabia.

We will take a 2-hour jeep safari through the magnificent desert landscape, discovering more steep cliffs and bizarre rock formations.

Immerse yourself in the authenticity of the Bedouin atmosphere. Highlights include 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 & overnight in Wadi Rum.

After a relaxing wake-up and breakfast at the camp, head towards the lowest point on earth via the beautiful Wadi Araba road. Not only is it the lowest point on the planet, located 400 meters below sea level, but it is also considered one of the most spiritual landscapes in the world, filled with spectacular natural wonders. We will stop along the way to enjoy a swim, although the extremely salty waters make for a unique swimming experience. In fact, swimming normally is not possible, and it is easier (and more photogenic!) to float while sitting or lying in the water. Be careful not to get water in your eyes, as it could sting. After experiencing the Dead Sea, head back to Amman for your last night in Jordan.

Lunch en route.
Dinner & overnight 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.

Arrival Day and Welcome:

You will be greeted and assisted by an English-speaking local representative at Queen Alia Airport. The representative will be holding a sign with the name of the local agency and will assist you before passing through the border police and customs for visa processing. Please note that this process can take a while, typically between 45 minutes and 1 hour, depending on the number of travelers. Afterward, you will proceed to collect your luggage. The local representative may need to wait at customs to assist other travelers, 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 in a shared transfer with other passengers. The drive usually takes between 45 minutes and 1 hour, depending on the arrival time and traffic in Amman. Your tour will begin the following morning when you will meet your group of up to 18 people.

The order of visits may be subject to change for logistical reasons.

For those booking the "hotel only" package (without international flight), please provide your flight details as soon as possible through the contact form in the "Help & Contact" section at the bottom of the page to arrange your transfers.

As stated, the hotels are rated 3* according to local standards. The services provided may not meet the equivalent 3* standards of French classifications.

Tips
Tipping is entirely personal, and the decision to give a tip or not, and the amount, is at your discretion based on your satisfaction with the services received and your personal budget. However, tipping for services rendered is part of the local culture and is often expected and greatly appreciated. We are frequently asked for guidance, so we suggest the following amounts:

Tour Guides: 3-8 USD per person per day
Driver: 3-5 USD per person per day
Restaurants: 10% or leave the change
Horsemen in Petra: 2-5 USD (we recommend not riding the horses for animal welfare and safety reasons, but the boys still expect a tip)

VISA
The visa is obtained on-site (a simple stamp).
Obtaining the visa through our agency can be free if you provide us with a copy of your passport at least 10 days before departure.
After this period, you will need to pay for the visa upon arrival at the airport in Jordan. The cost is 40 JOD (to be paid in Jordanian dinars).
The passport must be valid for 6 months after the date of departure from Jordan.

Currency
The currency used is Jordanian Dinars. Exchange offices and ATMs are available throughout, and your driver or guide can assist you in exchanging money.