Exploration in Jordan

Jordan, discover this 11-day trip

Trip Description

This trip will be an opportunity to better understand Bedouin culture through human encounters. For eleven days, you will wander through an open-air museum, amazed by natural and historical sites that are several millennia old. For this exploration, nothing is more immersive than an ecolodge in a nature reserve or a camp in Petra and in the Wadi Rum desert. And this trip would not be complete without a stop at the Dead Sea, where you can experience floating and the benefits of its water, which is very rich in salt and minerals. A journey that will awaken your five senses.

Accomodation

No accomodation information available

Stay program

day 1
Arrival in Amman
Welcome at the airport by our team, assistance with formalities and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Amman. Distance: 30 km
day 2
Excursion to Jerash and Umm Qais
Today, we head north of Jordan to discover its Greco-Roman cities. We begin our day with the site of Jerash. The city experienced 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 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 crest of the hills, charming theaters, spacious public squares, baths, fountains, and walls pierced by towers and gates. Lunch in Jerash. Site of the famous "miracle of the swine," Gadara was renowned at the time as a cultural center. Several poets and philosophers lived there, notably Theodorus, founder of the school of rhetoric in Rome. A poet even called this city "the new Athens." Perched on the crest of a splendid hill overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Sea of Galilee, Gadara is known today as Umm Qais. It is renowned for its immense vaulted terrace and its colonnaded streets, as well as for the ruins of two theaters. Dinner and overnight in Amman. Distance: 200 km
day 3
Excursion to the desert castles
In the morning, discovery of the Citadel, located on one of the highest hills of the capital, and its archaeology museum. You will go down into the Roman theatre before heading to the King Abdallah mosque. After lunch, departure towards the eastern desert and its desert castles: Qasr Al Kharaneh, Qasr Amra, and Qasr Al-Azraq, built by the Umayyad caliphs of Damascus. Dinner and overnight in Amman. Distance: 150 km
day 4
Amman, Kerak, Dana Nature Reserve
Today, head south to reach Umm er Rasas. This site, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments. In Roman times, this place was a military camp. The Byzantines built 17 churches there, of which the mosaic floors remain. The most important mosaic is that of the Church of Saint Stephen, where the names of the most important Christian cities of the ancient Holy Land are inscribed. In addition to these religious buildings, there is a 14-meter tower. During the Byzantine period, stylite monks lived on top of this tower, which was accessible by a removable ladder. Next, we will head to Kerak Castle, a stronghold of the Crusaders. Lunch in Kerak then visit of the castle. In the afternoon, we will partly take the King's Highway. Dinner and overnight in Dana. Distance: 200 km
day 5
Dana, little Petra
Breakfast based on local products. Then, departure for a meditation and discovery walk within the reserve. This natural area is home to more than 500 different plants, thanks to the layering of four topoclimates that coexist there. The walk will last 3 hours, during which you can admire the landscape and smell the scents of desert plants. Moments of silence of 15 minutes will be proposed by the guide to allow you to admire the place and soak it in. Next, we head towards Little Petra. 2000 years ago, the Nabataeans chose this site to make it a natural caravanserai and to host the wealthy caravanners coming from the four corners of the world. Night in a camp in Petra. Distance: 40 km - Walking time: 3 hours
day 6
First day dedicated to Petra.
Today, we begin a hike along a little-used path, heading towards beautiful mountains offering views over the Wadi Araba and Mount Aaron. Then, we arrive near the spectacular monastery (Al-Deir). We head towards the Lower City by taking the 790 steps to reach the Qasr al-Bint, the Great Temple, the Byzantine church, and the Royal Tombs. At the end of the day, we leave the site via the Wadi Al-Moudlm, a very little-used parallel canyon. Lunch, dinner, and overnight stay in a camp in Petra. Walking time: 5 to 6 hours
day 7
Second visit to Petra, the Wadi Rum desert.
Early in the morning, a short transfer to the main entrance of the Rose City, then we cross the famous Siq which leads to the front of Petra's Treasury: El Khazneh, a breathtaking majestic façade. We continue our hike along the Street of Facades, dominated by the imposing Djebel Al-Khubtha, where tombs and dwellings are nestled. Next, we arrive in front of the Greco-Roman amphitheater. We follow our path towards the High Place of Sacrifice, a summit flattened by the Nabataeans. On this summit stand two obelisks carved directly into the rock. Lunch at the restaurant. Then drive to the Wadi Rum desert (2h). Dinner and overnight in a camp in the Wadi Rum desert. Walking time: 5 to 6 hours - Distance: 150 km
day 8
The Wadi Rum desert
In-depth discovery of the lunar landscapes of the desert. On the way, stop at Um Fruth, the small arch that rises about fifteen meters above the ground, accessible and passable. Far from the tourist crowds, we continue our journey south through two valleys with superb white sands and incredible rocks, streaked with blue, pink, and white (Umm Muqur, then Wadi Nuqra). Picnic lunch during the walk. At the end of the day, we get into 4x4s to reach a spot from which we can admire the sunset, in a quiet corner unknown to tourists. Return to the camp. Dinner and overnight in a camp in the Wadi Rum desert.
day 9
The Wadi Rum desert, Ma'In, the Dead Sea
Today, we leave the desert to reach the lowest point on earth: the Dead Sea. On the way, we will stop at Ma Inn, where we will enjoy a rest with the possibility of swimming in the thermal waters. Lunch. Dinner and overnight at the Dead Sea. Distance: 250 km
day 10
The Dead Sea, Bethany, Mount Nebo, Madaba
Free time at the Dead Sea to try the experience of floating in the salty waters or to relax by the pool. Possibility to enjoy "spa" treatments. Then, departure to Bethany. The Bible states that John the Baptist preached and baptized in a place called Bethany beyond the Jordan, a site that several Byzantine and medieval texts, as well as modern archaeology, identify as Tell al-Kharrar and Mount Saint Elijah. After lunch, stop at Mount Nebo to appreciate the panorama over the Jordan Valley and the Memorial of Moses, with its Byzantine frescoes. Our last stop will be Madaba, a biblical site with 14 Byzantine churches. Visit to the Church of Saint George, famous for its 6th-century mosaic representing the oldest map of Palestine and Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight in Madaba. Distance: 45 km
day 11
Departure
Transfer to the airport with assistance for departure formalities.