Jordan In-Depth Exploration

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival, Amman

  Welcome to Jordan, a charming country hidden deep in the desert!

  Upon arrival at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, you will meet a representative to help you with facilitating all the formalities. Then, take a private vehicle to your downtown hotel for check-in.

  • Amman

• Day 2: Amman, Desert Castles & Amman City Tour

  Start your Jordan vacation with the excursion to the Desert Castles. The first stop is Qasr al-Azraq, which is popular due to the connection to "Lawrence of Arabia". Heading back toward Amman on Highway 40, it is easy to find Qasr Amra, the best-preserved and probably the most charming among the castles. The remaining frescoes on the inside walls will give you an insight into the social life in the Umayyad dynasty. The last one you will visit is a defensive castle called Qasr al-Kharanah.

  After return to the downtown area, continue with a city tour from the Citadel of Amman including the Umayyad Palace and the ruins of the Hercules Temple. Have a bird view of the old city and then descend to explore the Jabal Amman neighborhood and the souks nearby.

  Go back to the hotel for a short break and be prepared to join the JR The Wine Experience in the evening (about 7:00 pm) at Abdali - Boulevard Main Street.

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  • Amman

• Day 3: Amman, Excursion to Umm Qais, Ajloun, and Jerash

  This morning about 2.5 hours' drive will bring you to Umm Qais, the location of the archaeological site of the ancient Gadara. Stroll around the colonnaded street, the vaulted terrace, and the ruins of theaters to imagine what a center of Greek culture seems like during the Roman periods. Enjoying lunch at the Umm Qais Rest House with a great view of the Golan Heights might be a nice idea.

  In the afternoon, proceed to Ajloun to visit the impressive ruins of the 12^th-century Ajloun Castle, one of the most typical Islamic castles in Jordan. End the tour today at Jerash, one of the most complete examples of a provincial Roman City out of the Roman Empire. The paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, handsome theaters, and ancient city walls... All can take you back into the time of Romans.

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  • Amman

• Day 4: Amman - Dead Sea, Wadi Mujib Hiking & Dead Sea

  After breakfast, you will go to Wadi Mujib for an exciting hiking tour along the Wadi Mujib Siq Trail. The trail starts at the Visitor Center near the Mujib Bridge, where you will take the cantilevered walkway over the dam and follow the course of the river between towering sandstone cliffs to the base of a large waterfall. Depending on seasonal rainfall levels, the gorge may contain pools deep enough for swimming.

  In the afternoon, continue to visit Madaba, which is nicknamed "the City of Mosaics" due to numerous impressive Greek Orthodox ruins and churches and Dozens of beautiful Mosaics. After enjoying the Mosaic of the Map in St. George Church, head toward Mt. Nebo for the overlook view of the Holy Land and then make a stopover at one of the Jordanian handicraft shops. The last stop will be your hotel near the Dead Sea and the rest of the day is left for you to experience floating over the water or try the bath in the mineral-rich Dead Sea mud.

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  • Dead Sea

• Day 5: Dead Sea - Petra, Visit Kerak Castle

  This morning, your English-speaking driver will take you along the ancient Kings Highway to Kerak Castle, a notable example of Crusader architecture with a mix of west European, Byzantine, and Arab designs. You can stroll around the ruinous castle, enjoy the stunning view of the surrounding area from the top, and get a detailed history of Crusaders and Muslims of this region at the Kerak Archaeological Museum at the lower court of the castle.

  Afterward, proceed to your hotel in Petra and enjoy the remaining time at leisure. If you prefer, an optional light show "Petra by Night" can be arranged for you in the evening.

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  • Petra

• Day 6: Explore Petra at Your Own Pace

  Today is a full day to explore the enchanting rock city of Petra. For the first two hours, your English-speaking tour guide will introduce you to the major buildings in the city such as the Treasury. Later on, you can explore further at your own pace. The lost city in the middle of nowhere with its huge facades carved into the rocks will take your breath away around each corner. It is recommended to climb up the mountain along the trail to the Ad Deir Monastery, one of the most fascinating landmarks of Petra, to enjoy the stunning views.

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  • Petra

• Day 7: Petra - Wadi Rum

  Before going on to Wadi Rum, you will pay a visit to the Neolithic village of Beidha. It is a unique archaeological site that enables you to imagine how people lived 10,000 years ago, during the final phase of the Stone Age when farming and animal domestication began.

  The highlight today is Wadi Rum, also called the Valley of the Moon, where you see very huge sandstone mountains scattered on the horizon. Embark on a jeep ride in the desert to enjoy the breathtaking view. You will reach your camp in Wadi Rum about 3 hours later. Sleeping under the starry sky might be a wonderful experience of your lifetime.

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  • Wadi Rum

• Day 8: Wadi Rum - Aqaba, Snorkeling in Aqaba

  Don't miss the spectacular sunrise view over the desert if the weather is nice. After breakfast in the camp, you will be transferred to Aqaba, the southernmost city in Jordan. Sitting on the northeastern tip of the Red Sea, it will treat you to a seaside vacation on the breathtaking coastline of the Red Sea. When you get there, you can go snorkeling to see colorful marine life and corals.

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  • Aqaba

• Day 9: Aqaba - Amman

  Have the morning at leisure. Your private driver will escort you back to Amman in the afternoon. Hotel check-in and spend the rest of the day exploring Amman on your own.

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  • Amman

• Day 10: Amman, Departure

  Time to say goodbye. Free on your own until being transferred to Queen Alia International Airport for your departure flight.

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