In the heart of Jordan

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Amman

  

  

  Arrival at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman. Meet and greet after customs by our local English-speaking assistant for the issuance of the Jordanian visa upon arrival. Completion of police formalities and baggage claim. Transfer to your hotel and check-in to your room for the overnight stay. OPTIONAL: Depending on your arrival time, it is possible to book a dinner at the hotel or a cold snack served in the room if arriving late (such as a club sandwich or a cold plate with 1 small 50 cl bottle of mineral water per person). Overnight at the hotel - BB.

• day 2

  Visit of Amman - Desert Castles - Night in Amman

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your French-speaking guide-escort. Departure for an excursion to the desert castles. You will visit Qasr Al-Kharaneh, located 55 km from the capital. It is probably the only castle with a military function, as suggested by its architecture. However, for some researchers, the importance of the stables rather suggests a caravanserai. Visit of Qasr Amra, a small blonde stone castle listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built at the beginning of the 8th century, this particularly well-preserved desert castle was both a fortress housing a garrison and a residence of the Umayyad caliphs. Equipped in particular with an audience hall and a hammam with rich figurative wall paintings, this small pleasure castle reflects the secular art of the time. Visit of the magnificent Qasr Al Azraq, a small black basalt fortress. Built by the Romans, the castle was later occupied by the Umayyad caliphs, around the 8th century, before becoming the HQ of Lawrence of Arabia at the end of the First World War. Return to Amman and visit the capital of the Hashemite kingdom. Between the eastern desert and the Jordan Valley, Amman is home to about one million inhabitants. Entirely built in beige-white limestone, the city is an aggregate of cream-colored cubes, gilded by the sun. You will first explore the heart of ancient Philadelphia, protected within its ramparts. On the hill where the citadel is located, visit the Archaeological Museum which reveals a collection of ancient objects from all over the country, the majestic ruins of the Temple of Hercules erected in the 2nd century under Marcus Aurelius, and the remains of the Umayyad Palace, the most impressive monument of the upper city. The palatial complex served as a residence and command center for the emirs of the Umayyad dynasty. You will then descend into the lower city, which has preserved a beautiful Roman theater, the main ancient monument in downtown Amman. Leaning against the northern flank of Jebel al-Taj, it was completed at the end of the 2nd century and could accommodate 6,000 spectators. Return to your hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel - HB.

• day 3

  Amman - Jerash - Ajloun - Amman

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to discover the ancient city of Jerash, a true "Rome outside Rome," listed on UNESCO's tentative list. It was one of the ten main cities of the empire, within the Decapolis Confederation. The city reached its golden age under Roman rule, a period during which it was known as Gerasa. Today, this site is considered one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in the world. Hidden under the sand for several centuries before being discovered and restored over 70 years, Jerash is adorned with paved streets, colonnades, immense temples on the hilltops, charming theaters, spacious public squares, baths, fountains, and walls pierced by towers and gates. Beneath its Greco-Roman appearance, Jerash retains a delightful blend of West and East. Its architecture, religion, and languages are the result of the mixture and coexistence of two powerful cultures: that of the Greco-Romans in the Mediterranean basin on one hand, and that of the Arabs of the East on the other. Continue through pine forests and olive groves to Ajlun for a visit to its impressive Ayyubid fortress. Ajlun Castle (Qal'at Ar-Rabad) was built by one of Saladin's generals in the year 1184 to control the local iron mines and prevent the Franks from invading the city. It dominated the three main routes to the Jordan Valley, which allowed for monitoring the trade routes between Jordan and Syria. It became an important link in the chain of defense against the Crusaders who, for decades, tried in vain to seize the castle and the nearby village. Return to your hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel - HB.

• day 4

  Amman - Madaba - Mount Nebo - Kerak - Petra

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Departure along the historic King's Highway, 5,000 years old, through the highlands of the Center, in the heart of ancient and biblical Jordan. The region is rich in fascinating testimonies of the past: megaliths dotting rolling pastures, magnificent Roman mosaics, well-preserved Crusader castles... However, it is not reserved only for history enthusiasts and pilgrims. Stronghold of various communities, including the Jordanian Christian minority, and endowed with landscapes as sumptuous as they are varied, it is somewhat the quintessence of the country. Stop at Madaba, one of the most illustrious places in the Holy Land, also called the "City of Mosaics," and visit the Church of Saint George, which houses the extraordinary map of Palestine. Known for its spectacular Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, Madaba is home to the famous mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land dating from the 6th century. With its two million pieces cut from very colorful local stones, this map depicts the hills, valleys, cities, and villages of the region up to the Nile Delta. It covers the floor of the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George, built in 1896 on the ruins of a much older Byzantine church dating from the 6th century. The mosaic panel containing the map originally measured about 15.6 x 6 m, covering an area of 94 m², of which only a quarter remains today. You will then go to the Sanctuary of Moses on Mount Nebo. From the top of Mount Nebo, very close to Madaba, you can take in at a glance the heights of Jerusalem, Amman, the Dead Sea, Jericho, and the banks of the Jordan. It is on this mountain of the "ancient land of Moab," mentioned in the Bible, that Moses was able to contemplate the Promised Land before dying without entering it. Continuing his tradition, monks settled there from the 4th to the 9th century. The remains of their monastery and a Byzantine basilica housing magnificent mosaics now constitute the Memorial of Moses. Visit to the imposing Crusader fortress of Kerak. An ancient Crusader fortress still surrounded by the fortifications of the old city, the majestic Krak of Kerak has dominated the valley since the mid-12th century and rises 900 meters above sea level. Renowned as impregnable, it is built on two levels, including a large number of rooms and vaulted passages that form a real labyrinth. When its construction was completed in 1161, it became the residence of the Lord of Transjordan, the most important stronghold of the Crusader kingdom; then that of Reynald of Châtillon, a lord famous for his madness and barbarity. It then fell into the hands of Saladin and later became the capital of the entire Mamluk kingdom. Under the rule of the Ayyubids and the first Mamluk sultans, the castle was completely renovated: it is very easy to distinguish the dark and rough masonry of the Crusaders from the lighter and more refined limestone blocks later used by the Arabs. Note: Remember to bring a flashlight when you visit the castle, as it contains many deep tunnels and passages, most of which are not lit. Continue to Petra via the Desert Highway. You will reach the land of the Bedouins, whose courage was praised by Lawrence of Arabia in the autobiographical account of his adventures, The Seven Pillars of Wisdom. Their domain is the merciless southern desert, a territory of sand dunes, oases, and escarpments sculpted by the elements, of great beauty at sunset and of impressive harshness in summer. Arrival in Petra at the end of the day and check-in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel – HB.

• day 5

  Petra - Wadi Rum

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Day dedicated to visiting the wonderful Petra, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The gigantic red cliffs and vast sanctuaries of the lost city have nothing in common with modern civilization as we know it. Petra is a true gem, one of the greatest wonders ever created by Man and Nature. Often described as the eighth wonder of the world, it is undoubtedly the most precious jewel of Jordan. Located between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, and inhabited since prehistoric times, the capital of the Nabataeans carved into the rock became, during the Hellenistic and Roman periods, a major caravan center for the trade of Arabian incense, Chinese silks, and Indian spices, a crossroads between Arabia, Egypt, Syria-Phoenicia, Greece, and Rome. Petra is half built, half carved into the rock face, surrounded by mountains riddled with passes and gorges. It is one of the richest and largest archaeological sites in the world, in a landscape dominated by red sandstone. The fusion of Hellenistic architectural facades with traditional Nabataean temples/tombs carved into the rock represents a unique artistic achievement and a remarkable architectural ensemble from the first centuries BC to our era. The diversity of archaeological remains and architectural monuments, from prehistory to the medieval period, provides exceptional testimony to civilizations that have now disappeared, which succeeded one another on the site. You will walk through the Siq, a narrow gorge over a kilometer long, at the end of which suddenly appears Petra's most majestic monument: Al-Khazneh, or literally "the Treasury," entirely carved into the rock. Tomb of a Nabataean king, it was carved at the beginning of the 1st century and testifies to the genius of this ancient people for construction. Beyond, you will discover hundreds of carved buildings and temples, high religious places, royal tombs and ornate funerary chambers, all empty today, houses, baths, banquet halls, monumental staircases, arched gates, obelisks, sacrificial altars, colonnaded streets, paved streets... as well as the Nabataean theater in Roman style with 3,000 seats. You will walk along the main street, the Cardo Maximus, and visit the sanctuary of Qasr Al-Bint, one of the main temples of the city of Petra and one of the few still relatively intact built structures. In the afternoon, free time for your personal discovery of the site or for an (optional) climb to the majestic El-Deir Monastery, which is reached by a staircase of 822 steps carved into the cliff. The panoramas of the surroundings from this incredible building are breathtaking. Drive to the Wadi Rum desert (about 2 hours by road). This site was one of the main locations of the Great Arab Revolt against the Ottomans during the First World War, magnified by director David Lean in one of the most impressive scenes of his film Lawrence of Arabia. At the end of the day, settle into the camp, in the heart of the desert. You will be accommodated in Bedouin-style tents and enjoy an unobstructed view of the Wadi Rum desert landscape. The camp offers an authentic desert experience, with traditional meals, reflecting true Bedouin generosity and local hospitality. A dinner of typical specialties will be served buffet-style, under the stars, around a campfire (weather permitting). Night in a Bedouin tent with private bathroom in HB.

• day 6

  Wadi Rum - Amman

  

  Breakfast at the camp. In the company of local Bedouins, you will take an open 4x4 pickup tour in the desert (about 1h30). There you will discover breathtaking landscapes, shaped by rain and wind over the centuries. Listed as a mixed natural and cultural site on the UNESCO World Heritage list, the protected area of Wadi Rum covers 74,000 hectares, in the far south of Jordan, near the border with Saudi Arabia. It is a very spectacular desert landscape, with canyons, natural arches, cliffs, ramps, and caves. The presence of petroglyphs, engraved inscriptions, and archaeological remains testifies to 12,000 years of human occupation. The combination of 25,000 petroglyphs and 20,000 inscriptions traces the evolution of human thought and the beginnings of alphabetic writing, and illustrates the development of pastoral, agricultural, and urban activities in the region. In the afternoon, return by the desert road to Amman, along the Wadi Araba. Free time in the city. Return to your hotel in Amman for dinner and overnight stay - HB.

• day 7

  Amman - Iraq Al Amir - Dead Sea - Amman

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Departure towards the west of Amman to reach the Jordan Valley. Built on hills, the city of Al-Amir is known for its olive trees and forests, as well as its numerous springs. To the south of the city is the historic site of Iraq Al-Amir, built by a Persian prince in the 2nd century BC. This impressive fortress stands in a breathtaking landscape, in the heart of a natural amphitheater, in the middle of an artificial lake that has since disappeared. Road to the Dead Sea, a true miracle of nature. The Jordan Rift, undoubtedly the most spectacular place on earth, offers a landscape of great beauty, with some points, notably the Dead Sea, lying more than 400 meters below sea level. Several rivers, including the Jordan, flow into this vast stretch of water located at the lowest point on the globe. When these waters reach the Dead Sea, they become trapped and evaporate, leaving behind a rich cocktail of salts and minerals used by industry, agriculture, and medicine to create high-quality products. The Dead Sea is overlooked by mountains to the east and the rolling hills of Jerusalem to the west, giving it an almost unreal beauty. It is believed that this region, so sparsely populated and peaceful today, once housed five biblical cities: Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Zoar. Entrance and free time at a 4-star Ramada hotel or similar. Free time for swimming (towel and locker rental not included, to be paid on site in addition). The main attraction of the Dead Sea is its very salty water, both warm and relaxing. It is ten times saltier than seawater and is particularly rich in magnesium chloride, sodium, potassium, and bromide. Since ancient times, its warm, mineral-laden waters, on which one floats effortlessly, have attracted visitors from all over the world. It has had illustrious admirers such as King Herod and the beautiful Egyptian queen Cleopatra. All have succumbed to the delights of bathing in the rich, stimulating black mud of the Dead Sea. All have enjoyed the pleasure of floating on their backs, while benefiting from the minerals and the gentle warmth of the Jordanian sun. Return to your hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Amman - HB.

• day 8

  Amman airport - Departure

  

  Breakfast, transfer to Amman International Airport and final departure.

• day 8

  Conditions:

  N.B.: New Year's Eve is available on request. This price includes: - Entry visa to Jordan issued on arrival via our agency - Meet and assist at the airport by our English-speaking representative - Transportation according to the program, with an English-speaking or French-speaking driver (subject to availability) - Accommodation for 7 nights on half-board basis in the mentioned hotels or similar - 2 nights in Amman with breakfast only (the first night due to late arrival; farewell dinner planned outside the hotel) - Full board program (except for nights in Amman as specified above) - Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the program - Entry to Petra including an optional 800 m horseback ride (included in the ticket) - 6 lunches in local restaurants + 1 farewell dinner in Amman - Private French-speaking tour guide for 6 days (from 7 participants) - Shared local French-speaking guides in Jerash and Petra (2 to 6 participants, 2 hours per site) - Bedouin 4x4 excursion in Wadi Rum for about 2 hours - From 20 people, one free half-double is offered This price does not include: - Petra by Night: 40 USD per person (on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays) - Optional excursions or extensions - Carriage ride in Petra - Drinks, except where mentioned - Medical insurance - Personal expenses