Country(ies): Jordan
Tour type: Private
Group size: Min: 1 | Max: Any
Accommodation: No Accommodation
Meals: Breakfasts - 5, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 0
Transport: A/C car/minivan & Bedouin jeeps
Highlights: Bustling city of Amman, Roman remains at Jerash, float in the Dead Sea, scenery along the Kings Highway, Madaba & Mt Nebo, imposing crusader castle of Kerak, magnificent rose-city of Petra, dramatic Wadi Rum desert scenery.
Is a visit to Jordan on your travel wishlist? Then this compact Jordan tour is perfect for you, covering all its top highlights such as Amman, Jerash, Petra, the Dead Sea and even includes a jeep safari & camping underneath the stars in a Bedouin Camp in Wadi Rum.
This Jordan tour starts and ends in the busy capital city of Amman, as we head out on a city tour which includes visits to the Citadel and its impressive Roman Theatre. We'll also visit the Roman ruins at Jerash - one of the most well-preserved roman architecture sites on the planet.
We'll venture down the scenic King's Highway, crossing deep wadis with stops at Madaba, Mount Nebo and Kerak Castle before we reach the Rose Red City of Petra - undoubtedly the jewel in Jordan's crown.
We'll spend a full day exploring the beauty of Petra, walking through its narrow and winding Siq before we marvel at the towering Treasury, which was built more than 2000 years ago. From Petra, we'll make our way into the Wadi Rum desert, famous for its links with the British Army officer Lawrence of Arabia. This is where we'll spend the night in a Bedouin Camp, with clear, starry skies above us.
After a 4x4 jeep safari through the spectacular desert scenery, we'll enjoy a scenic drive, this time heading north along the banks of the Dead Sea. We'll stop for a swim, or float in its incredibly salty waters - an experience you'll never forget - before returning to Amman.
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Once you arrive, our staff will collect you from the airport and drop you off at your hotel in Amman. We'll help you check in, show you where the local shops, cafes or restaurants are and you'll have the rest of the day free to explore Amman independently before our sightseeing starts tomorrow.
OVERNIGHT:
Amman hotel
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 0, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 0
EXTRAS:
Single room supplement (JOTMTJ)
4-star hotel upgrade (Jordan)
Amman city tour
Extra day in Amman - pre-tour - Standard level
The Jordan tour departs from Amman today, as we drive along the majestic King's Highway to Petra. This route takes slightly longer but offers beautiful views as we cross cavernous wadis, olive groves and quaint rural villages.
We stop in Madaba, giving you the chance to stretch your legs and walk to the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George. It is here where you can view the famous 6th century Byzantine mosaic map of the Holy Land along with other biblical sites. We'll also venture up Mount Nebo, which provides spectacular views of the Holy Land.
We continue our journey across more deep wadis, including the magnificent Wadi al-Mujib, until we reach Kerak Castle - which is one in a chain of Crusader fortresses strung across Jordan in the 12th century on the ancient Egypt-Syrian caravan route. Constructed in 1132 AD by the Crusader King Baldwin, the castle fell to Saladin in 1188AD. It remains a remarkable structure overlooking the rolling hills and plains.
We're arrive in Petra later today. Your evening is free to do some independent exploring or as an option, you can enjoy a Petra by Candlelight tour.
OVERNIGHT:
Petra hotel
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 0
EXTRAS:
None
Today, we spend time inside the renowned Nabatean site of Petra. This historic city was the ancient capital of the Nabatean commercial empire until the Romans took over in 106AD. Petra was then forgotten, except by the local Bedouins until it was rediscovered in 1812 by the Swiss explorer, Johann Ludwig Burckhardt.
This ancient city is set on the edge of Wadi Aruba with enclosed canyon walls and hills making it difficult to reach apart from a tight cleft in the rock, called the Siq. There are few freestanding buildings as the Nabateans chose to carve their homes and other structures into the sandstone cliffs.
You will have the entire day to get acquainted with this unique city (a 2-3 hour guided tour and then free time to wander). Your guide will lead you through the Siq, rising 200 metres above and just 2 metres wide. The ancient Nabatean water channel can still be spotted on one wall along with terracotta pipes that brought water into the city. As you turn the corner, you will be welcomed with a mesmerising view of one of Petra's most remarkable monuments - the Khazneh - also known as the Treasury.
You will also see the ruined Roman amphitheater and colonnaded streets and in your free time, we suggest walking along the narrow gorge past the multi-colored sandstone cliffs to the Monastery. This is Petra's biggest carved monument at 50 metres high and 45 metres wide. From this point, the views of the Wadi Aruba and the Jordan Valley are outstanding.
Later that afternoon, the tour will leave Petra and drive back into the desert where you will be greeted by welcoming Bedouin hosts. You will spend a memorable night at a comfortable camp positioned beneath rising rocks and cliffs. In this serene setting, you can spend the evening relaxing at the camp, watching the stars and feasting on a traditional Jordanian meal.
OVERNIGHT:
Wadi Rum Bedouin camp
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 0
EXTRAS:
Petra by night
After a tasty breakfast, the tour will venture back through the desert and mountains of Wadi Rum. It was in this desert, that TE Lawrence was impressed by the soaring copper coloured rocky 'jebels' during the Arab Revolt of 1917- 1918. This led to the inspiration for the film Lawrence of Arabia. The tour will travel via safari jeep through the desert, passing steep cliffs and eye-catching rock formations.
We then drive up north to the banks of the Dead Sea - the lowest point on earth. The Dead Sea region receives numerous incoming rivers including the Jordan River. As the waters reach the Dead Sea, they are land-locked with nowhere to go and evaporates, leaving behind a mix of salts and minerals, supplying the local industries with excellent products.
On the west of the Dead Sea you can see the hills of Jerusalem. This area is now sparsely populated and was believed to have been home to 5 biblical cities: Sodom, Gomorrah, Adman, Zebouin and Zoar (Bela). The Jordan tour will stop so that you can paddle in the salty waters. As a result of its highly saline waters, normal swimming is not possible so rather float. Be careful not to get any water in your eyes, as it will sting.
Later today, we make our way back to Amman.
OVERNIGHT:
Amman hotel
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 0
EXTRAS:
Aqaba extension
Post-tour Wadi Rum camp extension
Today we include a city tour of Amman, also known as the 'white city' given its numerous white limestone buildings. Your guide will enlighten you on the city's history while showing you excavations and renovations from the Neolithic period, the Hellenistic period and the late Roman to Arab Islamic ages.
Next, we visit the Citadel, exploring the ancient temple of Hercules, the 8th century Umayyad Palace, the Byzantine church and the 6,000 seat Roman theatre, built into a hill.
We leave Amman later in the day, venturing to the city of Jerash, also known as the 'Jewel of the North'. Hidden by sand for many centuries, this vast and well-preserved site is a prime example of Roman architecture. We'll explore its ruined hilltop temples, theatres, baths, fountains, colonnaded streets and large public squares.
OVERNIGHT:
Amman hotel
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 0
EXTRAS:
None
You are free to do some last-minute exploring or shopping until it is time to be transferred to Amman Airport. You can alternatively take one of the optional day trips. These options include a full-day tour to the Baptism site at Bethany and Ajloun Castle, a trip to Pella and Umm Qais, a tour of the 'Desert Castles', or a tour into Israel to visit Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
OVERNIGHT:
N/A
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 0
EXTRAS:
Amman city tour
Bethany & Ajloun Castle
Extra day in Amman - post-tour
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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.
This tour is designed as a sample tailor-made tour itinerary. As such we do not offer set group departure dates that you can join. Rather, the tour is available for you to do privately starting on any date of the year. Guideline seasonal prices are given below, based on 2 people travelling. If you would like to adjust the tour itinerary, or there will be more or less people travelling, please contact us and we will customise a price for you.
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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