Crossing of Jordan

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Amman

  

  Flight to Amman. Welcome at the airport by our team, then transfer and check-in at the hotel. Transfer: private vehicle, about 1 hour. Accommodation: *** hotel. Meals included: dinner. Meals not included: breakfast, lunch.

• day 2

  Amman - Jerash - Umm Qais

  

  Departure towards the north of Amman to discover the most important Greco-Roman site in the Middle East: Jerash. This Roman city in the Middle East is often compared to Pompeii; it is admirably well preserved and you will be able to admire the triumphal arches, the hippodrome, the colonnaded forum (public square), the amphitheaters... Impressive! Continue along the banks of the Jordan and arrive at the site of Umm Qais, another Greco-Roman city that overlooks the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan Valley, and the Golan... Umm Qais was called Gadara in Roman times, but also Antioch; it was part of the Decapolis cities. It is built on top of a hill, on a narrow ridge; the only access to this "stronghold" is the gentle slope that descends to the east. In this city are the ruins of two theaters, a basilica, a temple, and many important buildings. The city is also crossed by a superb double colonnaded paved street; it was also equipped with an aqueduct that brought water from Mount Hermon; it was one of the longest in the Roman Empire. The views over the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan Valley, and the Golan are superb. Transfer: private vehicle, about 2 hours, with visits along the way. Walking and visit time: about 4 hours 30 minutes. Accommodation: hostel. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - dinner.

• day 3

  Umm Qais - Jordan Valley - Dead Sea - Madaba

  

  Descent into the Jordan Valley to reach the Dead Sea, 400 m below sea level... An unusual swim not to be missed to test the exceptional buoyancy (showers and changing rooms available). Ascent in the late afternoon to Madaba, the city renowned for its Byzantine mosaics, then a stroll through the shopping streets. Dinner in a traditional Jordanian restaurant. Walking and visiting time: about 2 hours. Accommodation: hotel***. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - dinner.

• day 4

  Madaba - Mount Nebo - King's Highway - Kerak - Dana

  

  Visit of Madaba, notably including Saint George's Church and its famous mosaic of the Holy Land and Jerusalem dating from the 6th century; then ascent to Mount Nebo and visit of its monastery. From this mount, Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land before dying. In clear weather, the views are superb over the Dead Sea, the Judean mountains, and the oasis of Jericho. Continue along the King's Highway and discover the grandiose crusader fortress of Kerak, which dominates the whole region and the Dead Sea... This castle, legendary in the history of the Crusades, witnessed important battles between Saladin's armies and the crusaders. Then head to the Dana Biosphere Reserve, where many animal and plant species have found refuge. Walking and visits time: about 3 hours. Accommodation: hostel. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - dinner.

• day 5

  Dana Reserve - Shobak - Siq al-Barid (Little Petra)

  

  Hiking in the Dana Reserve, discovering the endemic Jordanian fauna and flora, where landscapes made up of canyons with lush vegetation still shelter the mysterious sand cat and the Oryx antelope... Then head to the castle of Krack de Shaubak and visit this ancient fortress overlooking the desert, one of the many castles built by the Crusaders. Dating from the 12th century, during the time of the Crusades, it controlled the trade routes linking Egypt, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Red Sea. Then arrival at Little Petra, the small city that marks the main entrance to legendary Petra... Discover the caravanserai of Siq al Barid with its temples, triclinia, and biclinia. Walking and visiting time: about 4 hours 30 minutes. Accommodation: camp. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - dinner.

• day 6

  Petra: El Deir Monastery - Qasr el-Bint - El Khazneh (the Treasury)

  

  Hiking in the famous city of Petra with the discovery of the Monastery El Deir and its 800 steps! A superb monument carved directly into the rock, with gigantic dimensions! Very beautiful view over the Wadi Araba and Mount Haroun (the tomb where the ashes of Moses' brother, Aaron, are said to be). Then descent towards the Qsar el Bint, practically the only building to have been constructed standing and not carved into the rock. The visit continues by descending the colonnaded street, then the royal tombs, the theater, and the treasury el Khazneh, the famous façade with impressive sculptures and architecture. Walking time: about 6 hours. Accommodation: hotel***. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - dinner.

• day 7

  Wadi Rum Desert

  

  Wadi Rum Desert... Superb hike in these vast expanses of red sand, from which, as if by magic, gigantic ochre stone blocks emerge... Discovery of the 7 Pillars of Wisdom, immense cliffs several hundred meters high, soaring straight up into the sky... Continuing into the valley of Umm Ushrin, then arriving under the famous natural arch of Umm Fruth, a gigantic bridge suspended in the middle of the desert, above the sands... It will be easy, for those who wish, to climb onto this natural monument. The hike continues in the afternoon towards the Burdha arch, another natural stone bridge, also suspended in the middle of the Sahara... The scenery is absolutely magnificent! Traditional meal in the evening, prepared by the team. Transfer: private vehicle, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Walking time: about 6 hours. Accommodation: camp. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - dinner.

• day 8

  Wadi Rum - Aqaba and Red Sea

  

  Last departure on foot in the Wadi Rum desert and the Lawrence of Arabia valley, which was so dear to him. Discovery of the Siq al Barrah, a valley surrounded by canyons and rocks with unusual shapes. Transfer towards Aqaba, on the shores of the Red Sea. Lunch in a traditional cuisine restaurant, then free afternoon to visit the city and enjoy swimming, with coral reefs that are among the most beautiful in the world. Transfer: about 3 hours. Walking time: about 2 hours. Accommodation: hotel***. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - dinner.

• day 9

  Return flight

  

  Return transfer to Amman; free time if flight times allow; flight to France. Possible arrival on day 10 in France. Transfer: about 5 hours. Meals included: breakfast. Flights Paris or province/Amman are often scheduled with night times; therefore, arrival in France may be on day 10.