Jordan, From Amman to the Dead Sea

Pearls of Jordan 4^*

Upon arrival at Amman Airport, our representative will be available to provide a warm welcome and assistance. They will be waiting for you with a sign bearing the name of the agency and will assist you before you proceed through the border police and customs to obtain your visa. You will then proceed to the luggage collection area on the ground floor. Once your luggage has been collected, our representative will accompany you to your driver, who will take you to your hotel in Amman for the night. The journey time will typically be between 45 minutes and one hour, depending on the time of arrival and traffic conditions in Amman. On arrival, check in at the hotel. The remainder of the day is to be spent at your leisure.

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

After breakfast at the hotel, departure for a tour of the capital of the Hashemite kingdom. Between the eastern desert and the Jordan Valley, Amman is home to a good million inhabitants. Built entirely of beige-white limestone, the town is an aggregate of cream-coloured cubes, gilded by the sun. Don't miss the incredible view of the old town from the top of the citadel. However, before making your way back down, you will visit the archaeological museum, the Temple of Hercules, and the Umayyad Palace. You will then go on a short tour of the old town, where there's a beautifully preserved Greco-Roman Theatre with a capacity of about six thousand spectators.

Then, it's off to 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 Quseir Amra, 26 km south-west of Azraq, on the main road. Quseir Amra is located on an island that has 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 en route.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Amman.

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for the ancient city of Jerash (or Gerasa), located approximately 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 beneath the sand for several centuries before being discovered and restored over a period of 70 years. The city was entirely built in pinkish-orange limestone. The peak of Jerash dates back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Jerash is the prime example of Roman urban planning in the Middle East.

After lunch, continue to Ajloun to visit a very impressive fortress (Qalaat al Rabad), perched atop a mountain. Built in the 12th century during the time of Saladin, it was designed to defend the region and control the local iron mines. From the top, enjoy a superb view of the Jordan Valley. Return to the hotel in Amman.

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

After breakfast at the hotel, the first visit will be to the mosaic city of Madaba. You will visit Saint George's Church in Madaba, where you can see the oldest known map of the Holy Land. This 6th-century mosaic, barely altered, depicts 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, which offers a spectacular view of the Holy Land.

You will travel along the legendary Kings' Highway, an ancient road once used by princes and pilgrims, and enjoy the panoramic view of Jordan's rolling landscape.

Next, continue south, passing by the Kerak fortress, famous for being the castle of Renaud de Châtillon, 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 to Petra via the Desert Road.

Optional (to be paid on-site): 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 trade empire until the Romans took control in 106 AD. Petra is located on the edge of Wadi Araba, and one of the best ways to reach it is by passing through the Siq, a narrow and winding gorge that cuts through the towering canyon walls and surrounding hills. Once in Petra, you will notice that there are very few free-standing buildings, as the Nabataeans preferred to carve their homes into the rose-colored sandstone cliffs.

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

Lunch en route.
Dinner & overnight 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 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-colored "jebels" that fascinated "Lawrence" during his visits to the desert during the Arab Revolt, before becoming famous in the film Lawrence of Arabia.

We'll take a safari by jeep about 2h through the magnificent desert landscape, discovering more sheer cliffs and bizarre rock formations.

This evening, soak up the authentic Bedouin atmosphere. The program 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 & overnight in a camp in Wadi Rum **

After a relaxed wake-up and breakfast in 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, full of spectacular natural wonders. We will stop along the way to enjoy a swim, although the extremely salty water leads to a unique swimming experience. In fact, swimming normally is not possible, and it’s 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, we will head to Amman for the 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.

Day of Arrival and Welcome:

You will be welcomed and assisted by an English-speaking local representative at Queen Alia Airport. They will be holding a sign with the name of the local agency and will assist you before passing through border control and customs for visa processing. Please note that this procedure can be lengthy and may take between 45 minutes and 1 hour, depending on the number of travelers. You will then proceed to collect your luggage. The local representative may need to wait at customs to welcome other travelers, but once you have retrieved 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. Depending on your arrival time and traffic in Amman, the journey will normally take between 45 minutes to 1 hour. Your tour will begin the following morning when you will meet your group of up to 18 people.

The order of visits may be modified for logistical reasons.

For guests booking the "hotel only" option (without international flights), please send us your flight details as soon as possible via the contact form located under "Help and Contact" at the bottom of the page so we can arrange your transfers.

As indicated, the hotels are rated 4* according to local standards. The services provided may not be equivalent to 4* standards in France.

Tips:

Tipping is entirely personal; the decision to give a tip and the amount is at your discretion based on your satisfaction with the services received and your personal budget. That said, tips for services provided are part of the local culture and are often expected and greatly appreciated. We are often asked for help and 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

Petra Horse Riders: 2-5 USD (we recommend not riding the horses for animal welfare and safety reasons, but the riders may still expect a tip)

VISA

The visa is obtained on-site (a simple stamp).

Obtaining the visa through us can be free, provided you send us a copy of your passport at least 10 days before departure.

After this deadline, you will need to pay for the visa upon arrival at the airport in Jordan. The fee is 40 JOD (to be paid in Jordanian dinars).

Your passport must be valid for 6 months after the departure date from Jordan.

Currency:

The currency used is the Jordanian dinar: currency exchange offices and ATMs are available in many locations, and your driver and/or guide can assist you with exchanging money.