Roman columns at Jerash, Jordan
Jordan is a beautiful country with a rich mix of stunning scenery in its deserts and Wadis, historic castles and ancient Roman ruins, as well as unique sites such as the city of Petra and the Dead Sea. This tour gives a comprehensive introduction to all of these allowing you to enjoy and learn all about this fascinating country. Options are available to do this tour using both Standard and Superior level hotels.
Camels resting in the desert at Wadi Rum, Jordan
After your arrival in Amman, the tour starts with a day trip out to the 'desert castles' to the East of Amman. Not actually castles as such, these old ruined fortresses, palaces, bath houses and other complexes have been swallowed up by the expanding desert since they were abandoned over 1000 years ago. We also visit the Azraq Wetland Reserve, an area of marshland and lakes in the middle of the desert, and the Shaumari Wildlife Reserve, where endangered species such as oryx, ostriches, onagers and gazelles are being successfully re-introduced.
Next, we tour some of Amman's roman highlights, including its impressive amphitheature, before driving down the Desert Highway to Aqaba, where we have a free day to enjoy some snorkelling, scuba diving, or just to relax on the beach.
Sunrise over the Dead Sea in Jordan
Our next stop is the beautiful desert scenery of Wadi Rum with its towering rust coloured rocky 'jebels'. We include a a jeep safari through the desert here, and spend the night under the starts, in a comfortable Bedouin camp with traditional food and welcoming hosts.
The tour then arrives in the 'lost' city of Petra, which rightly makes it onto so many lists of wonders of the world. We enjoy a full day inside the city here, exploring, and learning about the way the tombs and buildings were carved into the mountains, and admiring the many colours in the rocks. Extra visits are available to do the Petra by Candlelight tour, or re-enter the site early in the morning to see the rising sun shining on the buildings carved into the cliffs.
From Petra, a drive up the beautiful King's Highway, through villages and winding up and down many deep Wadis, brings us to Amman, with stops en-route to visit the old crusader castle of Kerak, Roman mosaics at Madaba, and enjoy spectacular views across to Israel from Mt. Nebo.
The rock-hewn Treasury in Petra, Jordan
Once back in Amman we have a full day tour out of the city to explore the Roman ruins at Jerash, one of the best preserved Roman sites in the Middle East, and swim in the strange waters of the Dead Sea.