Classic Jordan
JORDAN HIGHLIGHTS:
Amman : The capital of Jordan, Amman is known in history as Rabbath-Ammon and in Graeco-Roman times as Philadelphia. It is a city of contrasts and a mixture of ancient and modern. Still rapidly growing, Amman is a busy commercial and administrative center with many first-rate hotels, restaurants, galleries and shops.
Petra : More than 2000 years ago nomadic Nabataean Arabs came north of Arabia and created Petra as a fortress city. The Nabataean Kingdom endured for centuries, and Petra became widely admired for its refined culture, massive architecture and ingenious complex of dams and water channels. The Victorian traveler and poet, Dean Burgon, gave Petra a description that holds to this day: "Match me such a marvel save in Eastern clime, a rose-city half as old as time."
Madaba : South of Amman is the small city of Madaba, also known as "the City of Mosaics." In the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George is the earliest surviving original map of the Holy Land, made around the 6th century. Mount Nebo Just west of Madaba, on a cliff overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea, is Mount Nebo, long believed to be the burial place of Moses. Mount Nebo has impressive mosaics and other remains from the 4th and 6th centuries A.D., including churches, monasteries and hermitages.
Mount Nebo : offers a breathtaking view of the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. On a clear day one can see the rooftops of Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
Wadi Rum : Also known as the "Valley of the Moon", Wadi Rum is a truly magical place. Its serene desert terrain, washed with softly-colored sands and wind-sculpted mountains, offers both deep relaxation and high adventure. Enjoy rock-climbing, jeep tours, or for a more traditional view of the desert, a camel ride.Wadi Rum creates a special feeling in every visitor. T.S. Lawrence described Wadi Rum as "Vast, echoing and God-like".
Jerash : One of the best-preserved and most-complete cities of the Decapolis, a confederation of ten Roman cities dating from 1st century B.C., Jerash was an open city of freestanding structures richly embellished with marble and granite. Its engineering was so advanced that large parts of the city survive today. Every summer Jerash comes to life with dance, poetry and drama. From April to October, Jerash presents a dramatic sound-and-light show after dark.
Ajlun : Through hilly villages, orchards and forests, the medieval Islamic fortress of Ajlun commands the heights above the Jordan Valley. "Qalaat-ar-Rabbad" served as a base for Saladin's army to drive the Crusaders out of Jordan in 1189. As one crosses the moat, climbs the stairs, walks the keep, and wanders into dark mazes of sleeping chambers and stables, it is still easy today to imagine soldiers standing watch in the towers above.
Day 1 Arrive at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, where you will be met and assisted with customs and immigration, and transferred to your hotel. (B)
Day 2 Morning visit to the well-preserved Graeco-Roman city of Jerash and the Mameluke Arab fortress of Ajlun. Return to Amman via the Jordan Valley, with a stop for a spectacular sunset and an unforgettable "float" in the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea. (B)
Day 3 Travel east from Amman to discover the Desert Castles, starting at Qasr Al Kharaneh and proceeding to Al-Azrak Castle and Oasis. In the evening enjoy the wonderful Jordanian hospitality at "Kan Zaman" in Yadoudeh village. After a traditional Jordanian meal, visit the craftsmen, spice merchants and antique shops along winding lanes in a unique turn-of-the-century atmosphere. Return to Amman for overnight. (B L)
Day 4 A whole day to explore the King's Highway, one of the oldest North-South roads in the area. Mentioned in the Bible, it was once part of the ancient Silk Route and remained a major thoroughfare throughout history. After visiting the "Mosaic City" of Madaba, you will take a detour to the breathtaking heights of Mount Nebo, then continue south to the Crusader castle-town of Kerak. After traveling through some of the country's most dramatic mountains and valleys, you arrive at Petra. (B)
Day 5 A full day to appreciate the natural and manmade mysteries of Petra. Overnight in Petra hotel. (B)
Day 6 Morning free at Petra, with an afternoon drive to Aqaba, stopping in Wadi Rum for a jeep tour of this magnificent desert, then continue on to Aqaba via the dramatic Ras en-Naqab escarpment. Overnight Aqaba. (B)
Day 7 Enjoy a morning dip in the Gulf of Aqaba and breakfast with a view of palm trees and the purple mountains of the Sinai. Fly out to Amman to catch your connecting flight home, or cross the Aqaba-Eilat border and continue your trip in Israel. (B)
DAY 1 - AMMAN Arrive in Amman, where you will be met by your F.I.T. representative and transferred to your hotel for overnight
DAY 2 - JERASH/AJLOUN/PETRA This morning enjoy a city tour of Amman viewing the amphitheatre and the Citadel of Hercules. Proceed north to the city of Jerash, the best preserved city of the Roman Decapolis. Often called "Pompei of the East', you will walk its colonnaded streets, view its temples, churches, Nymphaeum, and theatre. Afterwards, proceed to Aljoun, the 12th century castle built by Saladin's army in the campaign against the crusaders. Late afternoon departure on the desert highway to Petra. Overnight in Petra. (B)
DAY 3 - PETRA/AMMAN A full day touring Petra, the Rose Red City of the 1st Century Nabateans. A walk or horse-ride through the 1 mile Siq (an immense crack in the sandstone mountains), you arrive at Petra's most impressive site. the Treasury. Carved out of solid rock on the side of the mountain. Surrounded on both sides by hundreds of Petra's carved structures, soaring temples, elaborate royal tombs, roman theatre and burial chambers. For those young at heart, a climb will take them to the Monastery above the mountains, with a wonderful view over Wadi Araba. Late afternoon, return to Amman. Overnight. (B)
Day 1: Mt Sinai Cross the Suez Canal and travel to St Catherine's near the foot of Mt Sinai. (B,D)
Day 2: Mt Sinai - St Catherine - Aqaba Climb Mt Sinai in time for the sunrise (there is the opportunity to ascend to the summit of Mt Sinai. This means a very early start and involves a strenuous uphill walk of about three hours). There should be time for a short tour of St Catherine's monastery before we drive to Nuweiba and cross by hydrofoil to Aqaba. Drive to Petra via the deserts of Wadi Rum to the hidden city of Petra. Overnight in Petra. (B,D) ST CATHERINE'S MONASTERY Although it is not the oldest of Egypt's monasteries, St Catherine's is one of the richest and most visited. It is a beautiful medieval fortified monastery located at the foot of Mt Sinai, allegedly on the site of the 'burning bush'. The Monastery houses possibly the richest private library in the world and the oldest known copy of the bible, but regrettably these are not open to the public.
Day 3: Petra A full day touring Petra, the Rose Red City of the 1st Century Nabateans. A walk or horse-ride through the 1 mile Siq (an immense crack in the sandstone mountains), you arrive at Petra's most impressive site. the Treasury. Carved out of solid rock on the side of the mountain. Surrounded on both sides by hundreds of Petra's carved structures, soaring temples, elaborate royal tombs, roman theatre and burial chambers. For those young at heart, a climb will take them to the Monastery above the mountains, with a wonderful view over Wadi Araba. Overnight in Petra. (B,D)
Day 4: Kerak - Madaba - Mt Nebo - Amman Drive to Amman. En route visit Kerak. Then to Madaba, see the oldest surviving mosaic map of the Holy Land. Continue to Mt Nebo, where Moses viewed the promised land. A busy day ends in Amman. Overnight in Amman. (B,D)
Day 5: Jerash - Aljoun - Amman This morning enjoy a city tour of Amman viewing the amphitheatre and the Citadel of Hercules. Proceed north to the city of Jerash, the best preserved city of the Roman Decapolis. Often called "Pompei of the East', you will walk its colonnaded streets, view its temples, churches, Nymphaeum, and theatre. Afterwards, proceed to Aljoun, the 12th century castle built by Saladin's army in the campaign against the crusaders. Overnight in Amman.
Day 6: Amman/USA Your tour ends after breakfast. Transfer to airport for your flight back home. (B)
