8 days of dream in Jordan

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival - Amman

  

  Upon your arrival, welcome and assistance at the airport by our representative. Then, transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. 5-star hotel: Rotana or equivalent.

• day 2

  Madaba - Mount Nebo - Kerak - Petra

  

  After breakfast at the hotel, departure for the visit of Madaba. It is one of the most memorable sites of the Holy Land. Called "the city of mosaics," Madaba offers many sites to explore. The most remarkable discovery is a map of Jerusalem and other holy cities of Palestine, in Byzantine mosaic dating from the 6th century, inside the Orthodox Church of Saint George. The Church of the Apostles also offers superb mosaics. You will continue with a visit to the city's archaeological park, which contains interesting remains. The excavations have allowed, and still allow today, the discovery of Madaba's archaeological treasures, long covered by modern constructions. At the entrance of the park, you can see an exhibition of mosaics from several sites in the region. The oldest in the country, dating from the 1st century BC, comes from Herod's fortress at Machaerus. Next, transfer to Mount Nebo, from which Moses saw the Holy Land of Canaan, and the presumed burial place of Moses. You can admire the spectacular panorama that encompasses the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and, on very clear days, Jerusalem. You can visit the remains of the church dating from the 4th century, built by the first Byzantine Christians in memory of Moses. Last stop with the visit of Saladin's fortress at Kerak, an old Crusader fortress still surrounded by the fortifications of the old city. Kerak rises 900 meters above sea level. Today, this city with a population of about 170,000 people still features various restored Ottoman buildings from the 19th century. The fortress was built by King Baldwin in 1142, controlled by Reynald of Châtillon in 1176, and conquered by Saladin in 1189. The castle is a labyrinth of vaulted rooms, endless corridors, and underground passages in perfect condition. You will finally arrive in Petra to spend the night at Petra Bubble. Meals included: Breakfast - Dinner

• day 3

  Petra

  

  After breakfast, set off for the first day of exploring Petra (with a French-speaking guide for 2-3 h). Petra means "rock" in Greek. You will devote an entire day to the "Rose City," to explore this fabulous site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon, you can then stroll freely through the ancient city. Petra is a legacy of the Nabataeans, a hardworking Arab nation that settled in the southern tip of Jordan more than 2000 years ago. Renowned for its refined culture, majestic troglodyte architecture, and ingenious irrigation system, this lost city enchants visitors from all over the world. On your visit: the Obelisk Tomb, the Siq, the Khazneh, the Amphitheater. Forgotten by the West, Petra has come back to life since 1812 after its discovery by a Swiss traveler, Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, who managed to enter this jealously guarded site by pretending to be an Arab from India, to perform a sacrifice on the tomb of the prophet Aaron. A discovery that will leave you speechless. Night at Petra Bubble Meals included: Breakfast - Dinner

• day 4

  Wadi Rum

  

  After breakfast, head towards Wadi Rum This is the largest and most majestic desert in Jordan, also called the "Valley of the Moon". Lawrence of Arabia crossed it to conquer Aqaba. It was immortalized in the film of the same name, directed by David Lean, and much later served as the setting for many films (Indiana Jones, Star Wars, The Martian). The beauty of Wadi Rum is breathtaking: red sandstone hills, sandy plains, strange ochre-hued rock formations. A labyrinth of monolithic rocks rises from the ground up to more than 1,750 m at its highest peak. In addition to its natural beauty, you can discover near the Resthouse the ruins of a Nabataean temple, of which only the foundations remain. 800 m from the temple is the "Lawrence's Spring". But an even more beautiful spring is found at the end of Jebel Rum, about 500 m away. You will also see a pre-Islamic cemetery (3rd and 4th centuries BC) and prehistoric drawings on rocks dating back 4,000 years. Wadi Rum is also home to rare plants and wildlife including the grey wolf, Blandford's fox, sand cat, oryx, ibex, and about 120 species of birds. A night in the desert will offer you the sunset and sunrise, as well as the contemplation of the Milky Way. You will discover this magnificent desert through a 2-hour jeep tour. Night at the UFO Luxehotel 5 stars. Meals included: Breakfast, dinner.

• day 5

  Free day in Aqaba.

  

  Aqaba is Jordan's window to the sea. Its fine sandy beaches and coral reefs are among the most beautiful in the Red Sea. The city is mentioned in the Old Testament under the name Ezion-Geber. It was a trading port during the time of King Solomon. It was successively occupied by the Edomites, the Nabataeans, and then the Romans. In the 8th century, it became a crossroads for pilgrims heading to Mecca, was taken by the Crusaders, then by the Mamluks. Finally came the Ottomans, who were driven out by King Faisal during the First World War. You can, according to your wishes, enjoy the beach, go diving or snorkeling, visit the city, its archaeological museum, its aquarium and its Mamluk fort, take a boat trip or go shopping, as Aqaba is a free zone. The nightlife is very pleasant there. Overnight in a 5-star hotel: Kempinski or equivalent Meals included: Breakfast

• day 6

  Dead Sea

  

  After breakfast, transfer to the Dead Sea The Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, about 420 meters below sea level. It is said to be the site of the biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, among others. With a landscape partially unchanged since ancient times, it is the perfect place for an excursion. You can choose to sunbathe or swim in waters so salty that you can only float. You can also enjoy the benefits of a relaxing massage or try the mud full of mineral salts, taken from the bottom of the sea and renowned for its therapeutic properties. Overnight in a 5-star hotel: Kempinski or equivalent Meals included: Breakfast - Dinner

• day 7

  Ajloun Jerash

  

  A short journey through olive groves and a pine forest will take you to the town of Ajloun. There, on a hill, stands the castle of Qualat ar Rabad, at an altitude of 1250 m. This castle is considered the finest example of Arab architecture in the region. It was built by a nephew of Saladin in 1184 to fight against the Crusaders. The fortress dominated a vast area north of the Jordan Valley as well as the passage routes. Due to its strategic position, the castle controlled and protected the roads between southern Jordan and Syria. It was part of a chain of forts, whose fires were lit at night to transmit signals from the Euphrates to Cairo. In 1260, it was conquered and partially destroyed by the Mongols. In the 18th century, it became the seat of an Ottoman garrison. Well preserved, the castle offers a labyrinth of towers, rooms, galleries, and staircases to explore. Next, head to Jerash, nicknamed the "Pompeii of the Near East" due to its exceptional preservation. In the heart of the Gilead mountains, Jerash, ancient Gerasa, has been inhabited since the Neolithic era, but it only reached its peak during Roman times. It was part of the Decapolis, a commercial and artistic league of 10 Greco-Roman cities. You can stroll through the city and discover its theaters, temples, nymphaeum, churches, markets, colonnades, oval plaza, hippodrome, magnificent gates, and its 600 m Roman road where the ruts left by chariot wheels are still visible. Every summer, the Jerash theater hosts an art and culture festival that welcomes local and international artists presenting various performances (theater, ballet, singing, music, poetry, opera, etc.). Then return to Amman for the night. Accompaniment by a French-speaking guide for the visit of Jerash (2h). Night in a 5-star hotel: W or equivalent. Meals included: Breakfast.

• day 8

  Departure

  

  According to your flight schedule, transfer to the airport.