Country(ies): Jordan
Tour type: Private
Group size: Min: 1 | Max: Any
Accommodation: No Accommodation
Meals: Breakfasts - 7, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 1
Transport: A/C car/minivan & Bedouin jeeps
Highlights: Amman, Bethany Baptism Site, As-Salt Harmony Trail, Jerash Roman ruins, Madaba mosaics, Mount Nebo views, Scenic King's Highway, Kerak Crusader Castle, Full day in Petra, Wadi Rum jeep safari & Bedouin camp, Desert Castles.
If you want to experience Jordan's iconic attractions, but are pressed for time, this 8-day Jordan tour is ideal for you.
Beginning in the capital city of Amman, we kick things off with a visit to the Baptism Site at Bethany on the Jordan River and travel along the 'Harmony Trail' through the hillside town of As-Salt where you'll have the opportunity to learn about the different religions practiced by the locals.
This Jordan tour also gives you an in-depth tour of the bustling city of Amman before we make our way to the impressive Roman ruins at Jerash. Next, we head south towards Petra, travelling along the breathtaking King's Highway, crossing over gaping wadis and passing by pastoral villages, olive groves and farmlands.
You will have the opportunity to witness the well-preserved mosaics in Madaba, enjoy the spectacular views from Mount Nebo and walk through a former Crusader Caste in Kerak.
Petra is a must-see attraction in Jordan and this UNESCO World Heritage Site is nothing short of magnificent. You will have a full day to wander around the site with a guided tour and some free time to walk up to the Monastery and the High Place of Sacrifice.
The Jordan tour then heads further into the desert of Wadi Rum where you will sleep in a Bedouin camp under the rocky cliffs and a sky of stars. From here, we'll make our way to the banks of the Dead Sea where you'll have the chance to float on the surface of its salty waters.
The final day will be spent outside of Amman, visiting a few of Jordan's Umayyad 'Desert Castles'. Be prepared though as these structures resemble forts and merchant houses on ancient trade routes rather than castles. The tour will stopover at the Azraq Wetland Reserve and the Shaumari Wildlife Reserve - two nature reserves located in the desert landscape with a variety of wildlife, migratory birds and herds of endangered Arabian oryx.
This Jordan tour is based on using 4-5 star hotels in Amman and Petra and a comfortable Bedouin Camp in Wadi Rum. The hotel level can be upgraded or lowered if required. Extra extensions are also available for more relaxation time or snorkeling and scuba diving at the Red Sea in Aqaba.
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At arrivals in the airport, we'll meet and greet you before transferring you to your hotel set in the centre of the capital city of Amman, which is located perfectly for exploring the surrounding sights.
Those who wish to rest can do so in their rooms or the hotel's restaurant. You can also walk around the area and check out the nearby shops and cafés before the city tour tomorrow. If you have any questions or need help settling in, our staff will be on hand.
OVERNIGHT:
Amman hotel
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 0, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 0
EXTRAS:
Extra day in Amman - pre tour
Pella and Umm Qais
4-star hotel upgrade (Jordan)
5-star hotel upgrade (JOSGJX)
Half board supplement (adds 7 dinners)
Single Room Supplement (JOTMJU)
The tour travels to the hilltop town of As-Salt in the morning, which is a 40-minute drive from the city of Amman. As-Salt was a former trading link between the Jordan Valley and the Eastern Desert as well as the capital of Amman.
Your guide will point out the striking Islamic architecture made out of yellow limestone and you will walk the winding narrow streets, crammed with shops and stalls. This town still provides an example of the religious and cultural friendship between the local Muslim and Christian population. You will then meander along the self-designed 'Harmony Trail' to understand more about the history of the town and life of its residents today. Lunch will be enjoyed with a local family, allowing you to taste some traditional delicacies.
Lunch will be followed by a stroll out of the hills to the Baptism Site at Bethany. This site was recently excavated and is believed to be the biblical 'Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan' - where John baptised Jesus Christ. You will see a collection of churches, caves and pools from the Roman and Byzantine periods. Your guide will tell you how both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI visited this area. An electric minibus will transport you from the visitors centre to the three sites of Mar Elias, the Baptism Pools and John the Baptist's Church.
The day will conclude back at your hotel in Amman where you can take it easy for the evening.
OVERNIGHT:
Hotel in Amman
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 0
EXTRAS:
None
Today you will get to see more of Amman and learn about its interesting history. Your guide will go into detail about how many archeological discoveries have uncovered remains from the Neolithic period as well as the Hellenistic and late Roman to Arab Islamic Ages.
The walking tour will head off to the Citadel, which was the home of the ancient Hercules Temple, the Byzantine Church, The Umayyad Palace and a 6000-seater Roman theatre, built during the Roman Period. This theatre is still used as a space to showcase cultural events.
Leaving Amman behind, the tour will venture on to Jerash - one of the world's most well preserved Roman architecture sites outside of Italy. This site was hidden under layers of sand for centuries and was only discovered 70 years ago. Jerash is an important example of Roman urbanism with its towering temples, public squares and plazas, colonnaded streets and imposing theaters.
OVERNIGHT:
Amman hotel
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 0
EXTRAS:
None
You will vacate your hotel in Amman and take to the King's Highway for a picturesque drive to Petra. This leisurely drive will allow you to view the beautiful scenery, the deep wadis, olive groves, farmlands and rural villages.
Before arriving in Petra, the tour will get off at Madaba where you can visit the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, famous for its 6th century-old Byzantine mosaic map of the Holy Land and other biblical sites. Your guide will escort you to Mount Nebo - the known burial place of Moses with some spectacular views of the Holy Land.
The tour will then continue south over more deep wadis and canyons and reach the Kerak Castle - one of many Crusader fortresses scattered across Jordan in the 12th century. The Crusaders called the castle 'Crac des Moabites' or 'Karak' in Moab. This castle is perfect for taking in the enchanting vista of the hills and plains.
After arriving in Petra, you will have some time to unwind in the evening. There is also an option to see the city with the Petra by Candlelight tour through the Siq to the Treasury.
OVERNIGHT:
Petra Hotel
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 0
EXTRAS:
Petra by night
This day will be spent adventuring around the renowned Nabatean site of Petra. This site was the capital of the ancient Nabatean commercial empire until the Romans took over in 106AD.
Resting on the edge of Wadi Aruba, the best way to get into the site is through the Siq - a constricted curving gorge that cuts through canyon walls and hills. In Petra you will soon see that there are not many freestanding buildings as the Nabateans preferred to construct their homes into the pink sandstone cliffs.
Your guide will show you through the city and you can enjoy some free time to walk around by yourself. The guided tour begins in the Siq and continues to Khazneh - one of the most elaborate temples in Petra. Your guide will describe to you how the houses were carved into the cliffs and the spiritual importance of the site.
The tour will also walk to the ancient ruined Roman Amphitheatre and the colonnaded street and in your free time you can make your way up the gorge to the Monastery - the largest of Petra's carved monuments. This route can take some time and be quite tiring, but the views over the Wadi Aruba and Jordan Valley are worth it. If you keep on going, you can reach the High Place of Sacrifice and the Lion Fountain.
OVERNIGHT:
Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 1
EXTRAS:
None
The tour will drive straight into the desert landscape of Wadi Rum. You should look out for the copper-coloured rocky 'jebels' that inspired the writer TE Lawrence during the Arab Revolt and appeared in the movie Lawrence of Arabia. Travelling by jeep safari, the tour will pass by sharp cliffs and notable rock formations.
Continuing north, the tour will go towards the Dead Sea - one of the world's most remarkable destinations. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth at 400 metres below sea level and is also a dramatic sight. A number of rivers including the River Jordan flow into this sea. As these rivers are landlocked, they then evaporate and create a dense mixture of salt and minerals - supplying high quality products to a variety of industries.
Mountains surround the Dead Sea with the hills of Jerusalem to the west. This region is now quiet and sparsely population, but was believed to have been home to the five biblical cities of Sodom, Gomorrah, Adman, Zebouin and Zoar (Bela).
You will get an opportunity to paddle in these salty and salubrious waters. As a result of the salt, normal swimming is not possible so it is better to float or sit in the water. Avoid getting any water in your eyes, as it will sting.
The day will finish back at your hotel in Amman.
OVERNIGHT:
Amman Hotel
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 0
EXTRAS:
Petra camel ride
When breakfast is over, the tour will leave Amman again to seek out the assortment of Jordan's Desert Castles - remnants of early Islamic art and architecture. These 'castles' were built on the old trade routes during the Umayyad era and resemble forts, bathhouses and palaces rather than castles.
Your guide will show you the remaining mosaics, frescos, carvings and illustrations that were molded by Persian and Graeco-Roman traditions - offering insight into life during the 8th century. The tour will venture around the castles of Qasr al-Kharrana, Qal'at al-Azraq and Qseirr Amra.
The next stops include the nature reserves run by the Jordanian Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN). The first reserve, the Aqraq Wetland Reserve is an idyllic sanctuary in the eastern desert, set between a limestone desert in the west and a basalt desert in the east. This oasis is filled with verdant marshland and sparkling pools and streams that attract a wealth of migratory birds on the Africa-Eurasian flyway.
The second reserve is the Shaumari Wildlife Reserve, which was originally created as a breeding and reintroduction centre for globally threatened and locally extinct wildlife, particularly the Arabia oryx. Over the years, a range of rare animals now reside in the reserve, including ostriches struthio, goitered gazelles and Persian onagers. Red foxes, wild cats, striped hyenas, caracals and wolves also roam the area. Bird lovers should also look out for imperial eagles, pallid harriers and Egyptian vultures.
The visitor's centre on site is a good starting point and guided safaris also take place in the reserves. You can arrange a safari with your tour if there is time and availability before the tour returns to Amman.
You can enjoy your last evening in Downtown Amman, feasting on Jordanian dishes. We recommend tasting the national dish of Jordan, Mansaf (lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented yogurt) or tucking into falafel and hummus along with a sweet dessert.
OVERNIGHT:
Amman hotel
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 0
EXTRAS:
Petra camel ride
Your last day in Amman is free for doing any last minute shopping or visiting some more sights. A transfer will then collect you and drive you to the airport for your departing flight back home.
Alternatively, you can go on an optional day trip with choices like an excursion to Aljoun Castle, the Desert Castles and the Baptism Site at Bethany or a tour into Israel to see Bethlehem or Jerusalem.
It is also possible to extend your tour and get a transfer to Tel Aviv by flight or overland to connect with the Biblical Israel tour, starting on Sunday. You can also extend your stay at a resort by the Red Sea or Aqaba.
Note: Options and extensions are subject to flight departure times and may require extra days adding to your tour.
OVERNIGHT:
N/A
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 0
EXTRAS:
Aqaba extension
Camel Ride in Wadi Rum
Extra day in Amman - post-tour
Pella and Umm Qais
Post-tour Wadi Rum camp extension
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If you are looking for a tour and not finding what you are looking for, have a look at our best other related tours to check out for your travel plans. At Egypt Uncovered, we offer a variety of tours to suit your needs. So sit back, relax, and let us help you plan the perfect getaway.
The hotels and accommodations listed below are the ones we most often use on this tour. From time to time we may exchange these for similar properties at the same level. In general, specific hotels cannot be guaranteed on our group tours, but you may select your preferred options if you are booking a tailor-made trip.
Our tours are designed to include all that you need to enjoy a really special time in the destination you're visiting. However, we do also offer some extra options to complement the tour and add some additional sightseeing or activities, or some extra time at either end of the tour.
The detailed Tour Notes below have been written to give you some more detailed information about how the tour runs, what to expect, and how to prepare for your holiday. We recommend downloading an up to date copy of these shortly before you travel in case of any changes.
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