Splendors of Jordan

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  1st day: FRANCE - AMMAN

  

  Arrival in Amman. Reception and assistance at the airport by one of our agents. Transfer to your hotel in Amman. Meals: - Accommodation: Intercontinental Hotel 5* or similar.

• day 2

  2nd day: AMMAN - THE DESERT CASTLES - AMMAN

  

  After breakfast, departure towards the desert East for the visit of the Desert Castles: Qasr Amra, Qasr Al Kharaneh, Qasr Al Hallabet, hunting pavilions with varied architectural styles, which were built by the Umayyad caliphs of Damascus in the 7th century. Return to Amman; visit of the Jabal al-Qala Citadel at the top of an L-shaped hill; it is one of the seven Jabal (a mount) that formed the ancient city. The citadel is the first place to visit, if only for the panorama over the city, its hills, and its countless mosques. Visit of the Old Town with its Roman theater dating from the 2nd century and able to accommodate up to 6,000 people. Visit of the Jordan Museum*, the largest museum in Jordan. It contains the country's major archaeological discoveries. Dinner at Tawaheen Alhoa, a restored former caravanserai that has become a meeting place for Jordanian families. Overnight in Amman. Meals: breakfast, dinner Accommodation: Sulaf Hotel 4* or similar *Jordan Museum closed on Tuesday

• day 3

  3rd day: AMMAN - JERASH - AJLOUN - UMM QAIS - AMMAN

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Departure with your guide to the north to visit Jerash, formerly called Gerasa. This Greco-Roman city is incredibly well preserved and is among the most beautiful in the world. Drive to the Ajloun fortress, known as Qal'at Ar-Rabad, built in 1184 by 'Izz ad-Din Usama bin Munqidh, a general of Saladin defeated by the Crusaders. This fortress is a superb example of Islamic architecture. You will continue your day to Umm Qais. Like Jerash, it is an ancient Greco-Roman city, known as Gadara. It was renowned for its cultural activities. Overlooking the magnificent Jordan Valley, it will offer you a unique panorama and will be the ideal place to take photos. At the end of the day, return to Amman. Dinner and overnight in Amman. Meals: breakfast, dinner Accommodation: Sulaf Hotel 4* or similar French-speaking guide at the Jerash site

• day 4

  4th day: Amman - Al Salt - Bethany - Dead Sea

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, visit to the Royal Automobile Museum (collection of antique royal cars) in Amman. After the visit, drive to the Jordan Valley. Stop to visit Al Salt, the former capital of Jordan. Its small houses and authentic architecture will make this visit a very pleasant and enriching moment. Departure for the visit of Bethany, the baptism site of Christ, a unique site in the world on the banks of the Jordan. Departure to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth (-432 meters). Its water is unique thanks to a high concentration of salt and minerals. Free time to swim and relax. Dinner and overnight at the Dead Sea. Meals: breakfast, dinner Accommodation: Holiday Inn & Resort 4* or similar

• day 5

  5th day: DEAD SEA - MOUNT NEBO - MADABA - MA'IN

  

  Departure in the morning, after breakfast, for the King's Highway: visit of Mount Nebo, which offers a spectacular view of the Holy Land. Here, you will find the memorial of Moses and the place from where he is said to have discovered the Holy Land. Then, visit of Madaba, "the city of mosaics", known for its spectacular Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics. This city 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 represents the hills, valleys, cities, and villages of the region up to the Nile Delta. Other mosaic masterpieces have been found in the Church of the Virgin and the Apostles, as well as in the Archaeological Park and Museum, representing a whole profusion of flowers and plants, birds, fish, and animals, as well as scenes inspired by mythology or daily activities related to hunting, fishing, and agriculture. There are hundreds of other mosaics, dated between the 5th and 7th centuries, scattered in the churches and homes of Madaba. To better understand this art, visit the Madaba Mosaic School, a unique school of its kind in the Middle East. It trains artisans in the art of making, repairing, and restoring mosaics. Route to the Ma’in hot springs, the most famous hyperthermal waterfalls in Jordan (Hammamet Ma'in), and admire the beauty of this oasis in the desert. Dinner and overnight in Ma’in. Meals: breakfast, dinner Accommodation: Hot Spring Hotel 5* or similar

• day 6

  6th day: Ma'in - Mujib Canyon - Kerak - Dana

  

  Breakfast and departure for Mujib Canyon*: come and discover the aquatic hike (duration: about 3 hours). You will start in the refreshing waters of the Wadi Mujib canyon: emerald pools flow between immense red cliffs. Then, drive to visit the Kerak Castle, built by the Crusaders in the 12th century. At the end of the afternoon, head to the Dana Nature Reserve. Dinner and overnight in Dana. Meals: breakfast, dinner Accommodation: Dana Guest House Eco Lodge 3* or similar French-speaking guide in Dana * Entrance fees: 18 JOD / person to be paid on site (about 22€) * Mujib Canyon closes just after the first rain of the year (around November 10-15 until April 15) * If the canyon is closed, you can enjoy your morning at the Ma’in hot springs.

• day 7

  7th day: Dana - Shobak Castle - Little Petra - Petra

  

  Breakfast and departure with your English-speaking Bedouin guide for Shaq al Reesh (about 3h30 to 4h of hiking), a very beautiful walk in the heart of the Wadi Dana gorges. Then, departure by car to the Crusader castle of Shobak. After visiting this castle dating from the time of the Crusades, drive to Little Petra (a miniature replica of the "Rose City of Petra"). Dinner and overnight in Petra. Meals: breakfast, dinner Accommodation: Petra Old Village Hotel 4* or similar

• day 8

  8th and 9th days: VISIT OF PETRA

  

  Breakfast. Two full days devoted to visiting the "Rose City" of Petra, one of the great wonders built by man and nature. The city is one of the treasures of the Near East; it was carved out of stone by the Nabataeans 2,600 years ago. Visit of the site: the Treasury (the Khazneh), the theater, the royal tombs, the High Place, the lower city, the Deir... Dinners and nights in Petra. Meals: breakfast, dinner Accommodation: Petra Old Village Hotel 4* or similar J8 morning: French-speaking guide on the Petra site.

• day 9

  10th day: PETRA - WADI RUM

  

  Breakfast at the hotel and departure for the Wadi Rum desert, 1h30 away by road. Upon your arrival in Wadi Rum, you will be welcomed by your Bedouin (English-speaking) guide. After getting acquainted, set off on foot with your guide. It was in these fantastic landscapes that Lawrence of Arabia and his Bedouin allies drove back the Turkish occupier. One of the most beautiful deserts in the world offers a stunning and ever-changing spectacle. We will pass through Siq Albarrah and its canyon to quietly enjoy the scenery of this sand and rock desert. At the end of the day, admire the magnificent colors of the dunes at sunset! Dinner and overnight in a Bedouin bivouac. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner Accommodation: bivouac English-speaking Bedouin guide in Wadi Rum 4x4 support and assistance

• day 10

  11th day: Wadi Rum (Siq al-Barrah - Burdah)

  

  Breakfast. For the second day in the desert, we head due south towards the mountain of Jebel Burdah and its monumental arch: this rock bridge is considered one of the highest natural arches in the world. Ascent of the jebel (about 3h30 round trip) up to the arch. On the way down, well-deserved tea and biscuits will be waiting for you. In the afternoon, 2 to 3 hours of walking to reach the bivouac. Setting up the bivouac away from the tourist hustle and bustle. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner Accommodation: bivouac Supervision and assistance: 4x4 English-speaking Bedouin guide in Wadi Rum.

• day 11

  12th day: Wadi Rum (Burdah - Wadi Um Ishreen - Anfashieh - Aldisi)

  

  Breakfast. Early in the morning, set out for a walk in the dunes of Um Sabatah. This 3rd day in the Wadi Rum desert continues via Wadi Um Ishreen and the inscriptions of Anfashieh mountain. This mountain is famous for its ancient inscriptions, remarkably well preserved. Anfashieh has many Thamudic and Nabataean inscriptions depicting animals, most likely left by merchant caravans on their way to Petra. Dinner and overnight at the camp. Supervision and assistance. 4x4 Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner Accommodation: Sun City Camp or similar English-speaking Bedouin guide in Wadi Rum

• day 12

  13th day: WADI RUM - AQABA

  

  Breakfast in the desert. In the morning, drive to Aqaba (Red Sea). Free day to enjoy the city, the sun, and the waters of the Red Sea. Overnight at the hotel in Aqaba. Meals: breakfast Accommodation: Mövenpick Resort & Residences 5* or similar

• day 13

  14th day: AQABA

  

  Breakfast. Free day to enjoy the sun of Aqaba and the waters of the Red Sea. Overnight at the hotel in Aqaba. Meals: breakfast Accommodation: Mövenpick Resort & Residences 5* or similar

• day 14

  15th day: AQABA - France

  

  Breakfast. Transfer to Aqaba airport and flight to France via Amman Meals: breakfast