Discover Jordan - 12 Nights

ARRIVAL AT AMMAN AIRPORT – AMMAN

On arrival at Amman Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Amman .

JERASH – AJLOUN CASTLE – AMMAN

After breakfast, a 45 minute drive towards north of Amman you will arrive at the best preserved example of Roman civilization, the city of Jerash. Jerash, part of the Decapolis (the ten big Roman cities of the East) has been called the Pompeii of the East for its unique state of preservation. The city features theaters, churches, temples (Zeus and Artemis), a Nymphaeum and colonnaded streets. After the visit, you will proceed to the Saracen castle at Ajlun. This 12th Century castle was built by Saladin in his successful campaign to drive the Crusaders from Jordan in 1189 and is an outstanding example of Arab/Islamic military architecture. In the afternoon transfer back to Amman.

FULL DAY DESERT CASTLES – AMMAN

This morning, you will depart on a full day tour of the Desert Castles in the eastern desert of the Kingdom, which offer the fresco art and zodiac dome of Qasr Amra baths; fortress-like enigmatic Qasr Karana; the Roman fort turned Umayyad residential palace at Qasr el Hallabat; and the black basalt Roman/Medieval Islamic fort at Azraq. In the afternoon return to the hotel in Amman.

CITY TOUR OF AMMAN – FLOATING AT DEAD SEA – DEAD SEA

Today, you will begin a city tour of Amman, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom. Often referred to as the “White City” because of the white stone used to build houses, Amman offers a contrast between oriental and cosmopolitan. The tour will take you to the museums, the Citadel, the amphitheater, the souks and the modern part of town. In the afternoon you will be transferred to Dead Sea for relaxation and Swim in the salty waters of this lowest spot on earth. Experience the ultimate sensation of trying to swim, while you can actually only float. Overnight at the hotel at Dead Sea.

MADABA – MT. NEBO – SHOBACK CASTLE – PETRA

This morning you will depart Dead Sea to Petra via the Kings’ Road. En route, visit the mosaic city of Madaba, where the oldest map of the Holy Land exists on the floor of Saint George’s Church. Madaba, or Medeba in antiquity, features many famous mosaics that exist in public and private buildings. After Madaba, a short drive will bring you to Mt. Nebo, the alleged burial site of Moses overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. Here Franciscans have built a structure that protects a 4th and 6th Century Byzantine church. After visiting this site, you will continue to visit Shoback Castle. Shobak was originally called Krak de Montreal or Mons Regalis. Built in 1115, it was the first of many fortifications built beyond the Jordan by King Baldwin I of Jerusalem to guard the road from Egypt to Damascus. It successfully resisted a number of sieges until it fell to Saladin's troops in 1189. After finishing the tour, you will proceed to Petra. Overnight at the hotel in Petra.

PETRA

Today you will start with a full day to visit the many sites of Petra, this city that was carved into the rose-red Sharah Mountains by the Nabateans and lost to Civilization until re-discovered by the Swiss Burkhardt. Walk through the Siq, a narrow and winding fissure between the cliffs, to reach the Treasury, the Roman Theater, the Courts, Qasr Bint Pharaoun, Temple of the Winged Lion and other monuments. A break for optional lunch, or you may wish to climb up to the Monastery.

overnight at hotel in Petra.

PETRA – WADI RUM – AMMAN

This morning you will leave Petra to visit Wadi Rum. On arrival, you will take one of the jeeps owned by the local Bedouins, for a trip into the many sites in the moon-like landscaped desert. You will start from the visitor center and drive around 10 min to get to Wadi Rum village, then visit Lawrence spring this spring was named for T.E. Lawrence, of Lawrence of Arabia fame, who fought in the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire. Continue to Khazali Canyon an iconic feature in Wadi Rum, Khazali Canyon is an easy 20 minute walk that allows you to see many Nabatean inscriptions and drawings. After finishing the tour, transfer to Airport with many memories to share.