Discovering the history and culture of the Kingdom of Time

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Amman

  

  Welcome and assistance during formalities at Queen Alia International Airport, obtaining the visa on site. Transfer to your hotel. Overnight at your hotel in Amman.

• day 2

  Amman – Um Qais – visit of Jerash – Ajloun – Amman

  

  After breakfast, head to the Roman city of Um Qais. Superbly perched atop a hill overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Sea of Galilee, Umm Qais is the site of the miracle of the Gadarene swine performed by Jesus. In the past, the city was a renowned cultural center. Several classical poets and philosophers lived there, including Theodorus, the founder of the school of rhetoric in Rome. A poet even described the city as a "new Athens." Then, depart for Jerash, formerly called Gerasa, one of the most extraordinary cities of the Roman Decapolis, as well as one of the best-preserved in the Near East. It is the second major site in Jordan after Petra. Founded more than 6500 years ago, the Romans took control of it in 63 BC. With its many remains testifying to a glorious past, it is surpassed only by Petra as Jordan's major attraction. You will explore the city accompanied by a local French-speaking guide (private tour of about 2 hours). Today, it is considered one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in the Near East. Hidden under the sand for several centuries, it was discovered and restored over 70 years. The city was entirely built in pinkish-orange limestone, which is enhanced at dawn and dusk by the sun's rays. The heyday of Gerasa dates from the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Jerash is the very example of Roman municipal planning, vast and formal, throughout the Middle East. It is adorned with colonnaded paved streets, immense temples on the hilltops, charming theaters, spacious public squares, baths, fountains, and walls pierced by towers and gates. Next, you will stop at a local family's home to have lunch in the heart of nature. End of the tour, take the road to Ajlun, between superb natural landscapes and olive trees. Perched atop a hill offering spectacular views of Tiberias and Judea, the main attraction of the city of Ajloun is its fortress, also called **Qala'at ar-Rabad Castle**. Due to its strategic location, it allowed the protection of trade routes linking Jordan and Syria. Thus, it became an important link in the defense chain during the Crusader period. Optional: possibility to take the Ajloun cable car to fly over the city's peaks while capturing fascinating panoramic views. End of the day, return to Amman and overnight.

• day 3

  Amman – As-Salt - Amman

  

  After a short day, departure to spend a very beautiful day in the city of Salt, the former capital of Jordan during the Ottoman era. Day with locals. Discover the harmony and interreligious coherence that reign in the neighborhoods of As-Salt on the Harmony Trail. Reflected by mosques and churches that have coexisted peacefully for a long time, As-Salt is known for its sense of unity and community. On the trail, keep an eye out for Islamic and Christian symbols and inscriptions that are integrated into the architecture of old houses and places of worship. Historical Museum of Old Salt, Abu Jaber House The journey begins with a visit to one of the most beautiful historic houses in As-Salt. The Abu Jaber House is a magnificent mansion, representing the city's era of prosperity at the end of the 19th century. It has been transformed into the Historical Museum of Old Salt, which presents the history of the city's golden age. Between 1896 and 1905, the Nabulsi architect Abdel Rahman al Aqrouq built the finest and most refined house in As-Salt for the Abu Jaber family. The house was built in 1887, and construction of the ground floor began. The first floor was added in 1896 and the ground floor was therefore used for storage and for guests. The second floor was added in 1905, so the first floor was used for guests and the ground floor was used as a khan and stable for horses. The building is crowned by a complex sloped roof with imported red tiles, which were specially brought from Marseille in France. The house boasts more windows than any other house in the city, with colored glass and wrought iron set into finely carved stone lintels, framed by columns, plaster moldings, and painted ceilings. It was also one of the first houses in the city to have indoor plumbing. The Abu Jaber House was transformed into a museum in 2010. The Historical Museum of Old Salt traces the history of the city during its golden age, between the end of the 19th century and the 1930s. Then, the English Complex This complex was created in 1849 and served as a center for various activities. The complex combined a school for children, the first hospital in Jordan, the Church of the Good Shepherd, and a school for religious courses. It treated patients during both world wars, the Palestinian revolutions, and the great earthquake that struck the city in 1927. - The house of Fatmeh Al-Zoubi Spend a few hours with Fatmeh in her charming house located in a building built nearly a century ago and discover the warmth of Salt families. Fatmeh is a treasure trove of stories that you can enjoy while gathering around her delicious homemade feast for lunch. Learn all about the special coffee ritual in As-Salt and savor a customary cup after your meal. Don't forget to try the khalaga, the traditional dress of As-Salt. Finished with a walk on Al Hammam Street Al Hammam Street is famous for its shops and beautiful architectural style. The name Al Hammam means "the bath," as the street owes its name to a popular Turkish bath that was located there in the 19th century. Heading back to Amman. The main gateway to the country, the capital of Jordan is an essential stop. You will take a tour of Amman, formerly known as Philadelphia. You will enrich your trip by discovering the capital of Jordan. A millennia-old city that has hosted many civilizations, Amman is today a young and modern city. Between Roman ruins, traditional markets, elegant mosques, trendy cafes, and a cosmopolitan population, Amman is the embodiment of contemporary Jordan. Visit the Citadel (Jabal Al-Qala’a) and let yourself be tempted by a breathtaking view over the city center. Jabal Al-Qala’a is located on the highest hill in Amman, overlooking the ancient capital Rabbath-Ammon. You will then visit the magnificent Roman theater, and depending on the time, you can optionally take a walk in the city center. At the end of this beautiful day, return to Amman for the night.

• day 4

  Amman – Madaba – Nebo – Dead Sea

  

  After breakfast, depart to discover Madaba. Located southwest of the capital Amman, it is a village mentioned in the Bible and well known for its Byzantine mosaics. Visit the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George, where the enormous mosaic map of Madaba is located, the famous mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land dating back to the 6th century. Mosaic is an integral part of Jordanian culture. You will have the chance to participate in a new experience and artistic activity with professionals in a mosaic art workshop in Madaba. Continue to Mount Nebo, the ideal place to admire the panoramic view of the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. North of Madaba rises Mount Nebo. According to tradition, it is from this natural promontory that Moses gazed upon the Promised Land before drawing his last breath. Located at an altitude of 800 meters, it is one of the most visited and respected archaeological and biblical sites in Jordan, being a place of pilgrimage for the early Christians. Then, depart for a relaxing getaway to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth, at 400 meters below sea level. Free time for activities on a well-equipped private beach at the Dead Sea (pools, cabins, showers, and restaurant/cafés). Today, its coast, partially inhabited, is very peaceful. Its landscapes, having hardly changed since antiquity, represent a privileged place for car rides. You can also sunbathe, swim, and dine; or relax in the water, lulled by the gentle waves, and marvel at the fact that you do not sink! Enjoy the strange but delightful experience of "floating" on the surface of waters with buoyancy nine times saltier than ordinary seawater, take a mud bath, or enjoy a therapeutic experience. Dinner and overnight at the Dead Sea.

• day 5

  Dead Sea – Karak – Dana

  

  After breakfast, drive to the Karak fortress, one of the most famous buildings in Jordan. A visit to the castle is a must, which dominates the city of Kerak and is said to be impregnable. This fortress, located 124 km south of Amman, was built in 1142 by Payen le Bouteiller, lord of Montréal and the province of Oultre-Jourdain, on the remains of earlier citadels dating from the Nabataean period. Payen made Kerak the new capital of the province, as it was superbly located on the King's Highway, where it could control all north and south traffic. A former stronghold of the Crusaders in Transjordan, the castle of Kerak in Jordan was the scene of many sieges and battles. You will stop at a restaurant where you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the tradition of making Jameed, the key ingredient of Jordan's national dish, Mansaf. You will visit Beit Al Jameed in Al-Karak, which preserves the traditional methods of jameed production, offering you an authentic and complete experience in this welcoming city. At the end of the day, arrival at the hotel in Dana for an overnight stay.

• day 6

  Dana Hike – Shobak – Petra

  

  The Dana Nature Reserve is a true paradise for nature lovers and wide open spaces. Its arid appearance hides a great biodiversity. From the Rift Valley to the desert expanses of Wadi Araba, steep mountains and valleys follow one another, home to exceptional fauna and flora. Millennia-old rock paintings bear witness to the very ancient settlement of the region. After breakfast, you will take a guided hike of 2-3 hours to explore the reserve, with a light meal. Next, you will stop at Shobak to discover the remains of the glorious Crusades and the Shawbak fortress, less than an hour north of Petra. This fortress was established 228 km south of Amman to control the roads of eastern Jordan, the Arab trade routes linking Egypt, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Red Sea to the Levant, as well as the exploitation of agricultural lands by the Franks, who had plenty of water and fertile soil there. In addition to the strategic aspect of its position, the castle stands on a mountain that has two springs, at the heart of a large and very fertile oasis. Finally, arrival in Petra for dinner and overnight.

• day 7

  Petra (day dedicated to the discovery of the Treasury)

  

  Located three hours' drive south of Amman, Petra was left to us by the Nabataeans, a hardworking Arab nation that settled in the southern tip of Jordan more than 2000 years ago. Renowned for its refined culture, massive architecture, and ingenious system of water retention and supply channels, Petra is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and recognized as a place that enchants visitors from all over the world. Overnight and dinner at the Petra hotel. Optional: you can take a night walk (Petra by night). The adventure begins with a walk through the Siq, the narrow canyon leading to the Treasury, guided by the soft glow of candles.

• day 8

  Petra – Wadi Rum

  

  After breakfast, you head towards Wadi Rum. The Wadi Rum desert, if Petra is the result of the work of man combined with that of nature, the cliffs, peaks, and valleys of Wadi Rum owe their "serene beauty" and their "overwhelming grandeur" only to themselves, according to the words of T. E. Lawrence. Wadi Rum, "vast, echoing, and marked by the presence of the divine," is such that "[only] landscapes in children's dreams have this grandeur and this silence." This site was indeed one of the main locations of the Great Arab Revolt, magnified by director David Lean in one of the most impressive scenes of his film Lawrence of Arabia. Your Bedouin guide will be at your disposal to take you between the pink sand dunes and the stratified sandstone mountains. From there, you will take a 3-hour 4x4 jeep excursion, during which you will discover different desert sites: Um-Ishrin, Wadi Um Ishrin, Mushroom Rock, Petit Siq (Siq Um Al-Tawaqi, Umm-Fruth rock bridge).

• day 9

  Rum – Wadi Mujib - Amman

  

  After breakfast, depending on the weather conditions, you will have the chance, as an **optional activity**, to discover Wadi Rum from the skies in a hot air balloon; an exceptional experience not to be missed. The flight takes place very early in the morning, at sunrise, and lasts for one hour. Departure to Amman for the last night. Depending on the time, possibility to do "Amman by night".

• day 10

  Departure – Amman – Q.A.I.A

  

  Breakfast, transfer to the airport for departure.