Highlights & Tour Itinerary
Highlights
- Visit the Greco-Roman remains of Umm Quais and Jerash.
- Admire the beauty of the red rose rock city Petra.
- Do a day tour to the Holy City of Jerusalem.
- Spend a night at the Dead Sea, at the lowest point on earth.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Amman Airport – Amman Hotel
Welcome to Jordan! Our representative meets you with a signage in front of the immigration Amman Airport. Get to know your friendly, English speaking chauffeur. 45 minutes transfer to your hotel in Amman. Overnight at Toledo Hotel or similar for the 3* category, at Al Qasr Metropole Hotel or similar for the 4* category, at The House Boutique Suites or similar for the 5* category.
Day 2: Amman Hotel – Umm Qais – Ajloun Castle – Jerash – Amman Hotel
Morning time we drive two hours from Amman to Gadara, known as Umm Qais. The town belonged to the famous Decapolis, a union of 10 cities, founded by Alexander the Great. Several poets and philosophers lived here. In Umm Quais you see ruins of theatres and a colonnaded streets and have an overwhelming view over the north Jordan Valley, the Golan Heights and the Sea of Galilee. Then onto Ajloun Castle, known in Arabic as Qal’at Rabad, built around 1184/85 by a general serving the famous Islamic leader Salah al-Din. We continue then to Jerash, the best example of a Roman provincial city in the whole Middle East. The well preserved ruins had been hidden for centuries in sand, before the excavations started in 1925. Wander along the spectacular Forum, paved and colonnaded streets, the Nymphaeum, theatres and the Temple of Artemis. Return transfer to your hotel in Amman.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Amman Hotel – King’s Way – Mount Nebo – Madaba – Shobak Castle – Petra Hotel
Check out from hotel and drive to Mt. Nebo, believed to be the burial site of Prophet Moses. If the weather allows you will have like him a view of the Promised Land. In the remains of the Moses Memorial Church, constructed in the 4th century, you see beautiful mosaics. Short ride to the town of Madaba, known for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaic art. Certainly you see the popular 6th century map of Palestine in the Greek Orthodox St. George’s Church. If open, visit to the St John’s the Baptist Church to climb the bell tower. Afterward we drive along the famous ancient biblical caravan route, the King's Way. We have a short stop in Wadi Al-Mujib, a great wide valley with magnificent geological formation. In Shobak visit ancient crusader castle perched on the side of a rocky mountain. Proceed 45 minutes to your hotel in Petra. Overnight at Petra Palace or similar for the 3* category, at Sella Hotel or similar for the 4* category, at Movenpick Resort or similar for the 5* category.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Petra Visit – Petra Hotel
Today visit the highlight of Jordan, the red rose city Petra! You are able to start as early as 06:00, but early birds, don’t forget to ask the hotel for a breakfast box the day before. Meet your local guide and pass the narrow canyon, the so called Siq, with its colourful sandstone. At the end you will be rewarded with a view of the most beautiful monument: the Treasury. Continue via the Street of Facades to the Royal Tombs and Pharaoh's Castle. After around 2 hours the guide says farewell to you at the restaurant area. You have free time to explore Petra on your own. The young at heart for instance have the chance to climb the 800 stairs to the 45 meters high Monastery El Deir. Return to the main gate. Overnight in Petra.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Petra Hotel – Wadi Rum 3 hours jeep tour – Amman Hotel
In the morning we drive 1.5 hours to Wadi Rum. Embark a 4x4 and with your Bedouin driver uncover more of the vast desert. The rugged scenery, the changing colours of sands and mountains, the serene atmosphere will make you understand why Wadi Rum is one of the most impressing desert landscapes in the world. The setting had been used for Hollywood movies. You see canyons, red sand dunes, Nabatean rock inscriptions and a natural rock bridge formed over centuries. Then start a long 4 hours drive back to your hotel in Amman. Overnight at Toledo Hotel or similar for the 3* category, at Al Qasr Metropole Hotel or similar for the 4* category, at Intercontinental or similar for the 5* category.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Amman Hotel – Allenby Bridge – Jerusalem Tour – Allenby Bridge – Amman Hotel
Leave your hotel at 07:00 in the morning and head to the Allenby Bridge. Be prepared, it takes on average 2 hours to cross the border. Meet your driver outside the Israeli border terminal for a transfer to the Holy City of Jerusalem. We start our tour with a panoramic view from Mount of Olives, a good place for an introduction to the city and its history. Walk down to the Dominus Flevit Church, the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations. Enter the Old City through the Dung Gate; visit the holy sites of the three monotheistic religions represented in Jerusalem. If the situation allows ascend the Temple Mount with the Dome of the Rock. Visit the Western Wall, the last remnant of the Second Temple and the holiest site for Jews. Continue in the footsteps of Jesus along the 14 stations of the Via Dolorosa. The path ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Jesus was crucified and buried. Afternoon return to Jordan through the Allenby Bridge, from where you will be driven back to your hotel in Amman. The tour is not possible on Fridays and Saturdays.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Amman Downtown – Baptism Site – Dead Sea Hotel
We visit the historical places in downtown Amman. You start with the Citadel to enjoy views over the hilly capital. On the Citadel itself you see remains from the Roman to the early Islamic period, like the Hercules Temple and the Umayyad Palace, and the small Archaeological Museum. In the heart of downtown we stroll the markets (Souq), where to find fruit, vegetables, spices, herbs, clothes, household goods and more. We drive to the Jordan Valley to visit the Baptism Site located on the east bank of the Jordan River. The river is nowadays a stream, but the spot is recognized as the place where John preached and baptized Jesus. Drive to the close by Dead Sea hotel at the lowest point on earth. The salty water of the lake lets you float, not swim. The mud on the shores is supposed to have healing properties for the skin. Overnight at Ramada Hotel or similar for the 3* category, at Holiday Inn or similar for the 4* category, at Crowne Plaza or similar for the 5* category.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Dead Sea Hotel – Amman Airport
Depending on your departure time private transfer for around 1 hour to Amman Airport to say farewell.
Meals: Breakfast