Tour Overview
Near Amman you'll savour the magical atmosphere of Roman Jerash and marvel at the diverse landscapes of Jordan from the summit of Mt. Nebo. Continuing south, you head into Dana Nature Reserve. Here a system of wadis and mountains extends from high plateau to desert lowland - one of the best natural treasures in Jordan
Natural & Ancient Wonders
You approach the ancient Nabatean city of Petra via a narrow siq (gorge), at the end of which the impressive buildings hewn out of solid pink rock are revealed. You have a full day to explore Petra before taking to 4WD vehicles and heading deep into the wild desert and towering cliffs of Wadi Rum. You spend the night under the stars in a Bedouin-style tent before travelling to the Dead Sea - the lowest point on earth - to float in its saline waters.
Dana Nature Reserve
Our overnight stay here is the hidden gem of your Jordan adventure. The reserve contains a remarkable diversity of landscapes from wooded highlands to rocky slopes and sandy dunes. Dana supports a staggering diversity of flora and fauna - 600 species of plants, 37 species of mammals and 190 different birds.
Responsible Travel
Money from your stay in Dana goes directly to the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature and we have arranged for a talk on their work during your visit.
Day by Day Itinerary
Clients travelling Land Only (i.e. not on our group flights from London) should make their own way to the joining point in Amman (day one of the itinerary). You will receive full details of exactly where to meet your Group Leader on the Joining Instructions which will be sent to you 2-3 weeks before your trip starts. For information on when the trip ends please refer to the itinerary as described below.Day 1: Depart London
Following your flight, you transfer to your first night's accommodation and check in. Amman is a modern city with an ancient history; the Philadelphia of Roman times, the city spreads over seven hills and is the starting point for your exploration of this desert kingdom. Hotel - 2 nights
Day 2: Jerash & Amman
This morning you head 50km north to Jerash. With a history stretching back at least 2,300 years, Jerash is one of the finest examples of a provincial Roman town anywhere in the world. Although it was inhabited in pre-Roman times, it was with the coming of Alexander the Great that things really took off! As one of the league of ten cities known as the Decapolis, Jerash (otherwise known as Gerasa) grew in importance until, in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, it was home to more than 25,000 people. The extraordinarily complete remains, which include a forum, a nymphaeum, hippodrome, two theatres (complete with numbered seats!) and several temples, date mainly from this period. Along the famous Colonnaded Street, grooves in the paving stones show where chariot wheels once rolled. Elsewhere, remnants of exquisite mosaics still cover some floors.
You have ample time to wander the site and imagine life in ancient times, before returning to Amman with time to relax, or the opportunity to visit some of the city sights, including the Citadel. (B)
Day 3: Madaba / Dana National Park
This morning you drive to Madaba, famous for its 6th century mosaics, set in the ground like giant jigsaws. Just beyond is another biblical site, Mount Nebo, which overlooks the Jordan Valley. The Bible tells us this is the final resting-place of Moses; from here he looked out onto the Promised Land and, thousands of years on, you can do the same. You then set off southward, where just ahead is a huge crack in the earth, 1000m deep, and with spectacular views wherever one looks - the Wadi Mujib.
Continuing along the King's Highway, a winding road which follows the contours of the rocky hills, you'll occasionally pass nomadic shepherds as they tend their flocks in the few areas where there is water. Your journey takes you across the deep gorge of Wadi al-Hesa, of similar proportions to Mujib.
After a long drive of some 240km you turn off the King's Highway and make your way down to the recently developed nature reserve around Dana village. The reserve aims to protect some of Jordan's endangered species, including ibex, mountain gazelle, wolf and red fox. As well as conserving wildlife, Dana has also managed to preserve the timeless traditions still practised in the village. At sunset you should enjoy breathtaking views from the terrace of your guesthouse.
Resthouse (multi-share accommodation) - 1 night (BD)
Day 4: Petra
After breakfast, you spend time exploring this fascinating reserve, taking a guided walk along old paths through the mountains. Wadi Dana drops from 1,500m above sea level to 100m below sea level as it plunges from the eastern plateau of the Great Rift Valley down to the Dead Sea. It is possible to gauge the remarkable variety of habitats ranging from semi-arid forests to sub-tropical wadis as you walk You then make your way by bus through spectacular mountain scenery to the town of Wadi Musa, on the edge of the Araba Valley, the biblical land of Edom. Wadi Musa gives its name to the modern town that stands close to the well-concealed city of Petra - perhaps the world's most famous 'lost city'. Its exact location was unknown in the West until 1812, when the Swiss explorer J.L. Burckhardt, a convert to Islam, made a short detour to sacrifice a goat at the nearby meli (tomb) of the prophet Harun. As he picked his way towards the foot of the mountain, he stumbled across the siq, the narrow defile that leads to Petra - and the rest is history. Since that day many others have made their way along the same path and, as Burckhardt must have done, gazed in awe at the splendid monuments that adorn this remote valley. You spend the evening in Wadi Musa, before setting off the following day to explore the site in full.
Hotel - 2 nights (B)
Day 5: Petra
Today you will make your way to the fabled site, following the same path as Burckhardt, which funnels you through the banded rock walls that tower above. At the end of the kilometre-long path, you are rewarded by a glimpse of the most beautiful building of all - the Khazneh or Treasury - so-called because the Bedouin believed that the urn crowning the edifice held a cache of gold and jewels. The first sight of this perfectly proportioned tomb, carved from the towering rock, is truly unforgettable and there's much more to come!
Some 2,400 years ago the Nabataeans taxed the trade caravans that plied between southern Arabia and the shores of the eastern Mediterranean and, using the proceeds, built the first houses and temples here. Later, these taxes proved even more rewarding, and today the Nabatean legacy includes houses, tombs, temples, a (Roman-built) amphitheatre and much more.
Although it is a tiring walk, it is well worth making the hour or so ascent up the rocky path, which leads to the Monastery, a vast structure rivalling even the Treasury. Time should also allow you to climb to one of the High Places, the mountain-top alters where ritual sacrifices were made; from here there are spectacular views of the mountains, valleys and canyons below. (B)
Day 6: Wadi Rum
This morning is left free for you to relax or maybe take another trip to Petra to explore further (optional). This afternoon you head south to Wadi Rum, taking the Desert Highway through some incredible scenery. During your trip today you may see the black 'beit ash shar' tents of the hardy Bedouin who still wander throughout the Middle East as they have for centuries. Moving between the few grazing spots which dot the parched landscape, they survive by breeding goats, sheep and camels. Although the traditional nomadic way of life is starting to disappear as some Bedouin succumb to the lure of fixed accommodation, many adhere solidly to the old way - albeit with the occasional addition of a 4WD vehicle for transport! Living in such a hostile environment has taught them the importance of a friendly welcome and the ancient code of hospitality to travellers still survives.
You camp close to the entrance of the wadi, and in true desert fashion you sleep in a traditional Bedouin tent or under the stars. As the sun sets on the rocky outcrops, an astonishing transformation takes place - the sandstone changes hue, passing through a spectrum of yellow, gold, orange, red and finally purple, as the shadows lengthen and the stars come out - the skies are clear and stars stand out brightly. The Milky Way, satellites and shooting stars can be clearly seen - the perfect opportunity for star-gazing. Bedouin-style camp (communal sleeping arrangement) - 1 night (BD)
NB: Two and three person ridge tents are also usually available for those that prefer.
Day 7: Kerak & Dead Sea
You have plenty of time to explore the wadi, which offers some of the most extraordinary desert scenery. From a distance, Wadi Rum's sheer sandstone cliffs appear to hover like a shimmering mirage on the horizon. It's only from close quarters that you can fully appreciate just how large some are, rising to a height of 1,800m. It's hard to describe the majesty of this setting without sounding too effusive; suffice to say that the beauty that captivated Lawrence of Arabia is just as evident today. To the Howeitat Bedouin, who have taken it as their own, the area is known as the Valley of the Moon. These people are reputedly the remainder of Lawrence's Arab army who marched with him from Azraq in the north, then stayed behind once battle was done.
You'll stop to climb hills and enter narrow siqs where many inscriptions can be seen. Passing Thamud nomads from Saudi Arabia and the Nabeatean people have both left their mark on the surrounding rocks. Nature provides a number of rock bridges that offer some stunning views.
Leaving Wadi Rum you wend your way along the King's Highway for about three hours, to the small town of Kerak. Here a formidable Crusader castle overlooks a long, winding road down to the Dead Sea. The Crusaders had a huge impact on the region in the 11th - 13th centuries, and fought the forces of Islam in a long campaign, which saw many atrocities committed. Their temporary successes can be attributed - at least in part - to an outstanding ability to construct impregnable defensive fortifications, of which Kerak Castle is a prime example. Amazingly - given that it is over 850 years old - a great deal of the structure remains intact, and you can explore the dungeons, passages, refectory and kitchens of the castle, which also houses a small museum.
After visiting Kerak you turn west and descend lower and lower until eventually you arrive on the shores of the Dead Sea - at 400 metres below sea level it's the lowest place on earth. Here the mineral content of the water is so dense that anybody attempting to swim finds that they float, rather than sink! It's a remarkable feeling and one you'll be able to experience for yourself this afternoon. Hotel - 2 nights (BL)
Day 8: Relax At Dead Sea
Today is free to relax and enjoy the surroundings of your hotel. This evening you can meet up with the rest of the group for a final meal together, and reflect on your adventures in this fascinating country! (B)
Day 9: Fly to London
The trip ends for Land Only clients. Those on group flights to the UK transfer to Amman by road and fly to London. (B)
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