Wonders of Jordan

Welcome to Jordan! Or rather, Ahlan wa Sahlan! Welcome to the capital of Jordan, Amman, cosmopolitan and contemporary yet rich with biblical history! We will meet directly at the hotel at 18:00 for a meeting with the other travelers and in the remaining free time we can explore the city and its points of interest such as the Jordan Museum, the Roman Theater and the numerous panoramic views over the entire city!

This morning we leave Amman and head towards Aqaba, the only coastal city offering a beachfront in this otherwise landlocked country. Upon arrival, we will have the chance to explore the vibrant market and stroll along the beach on a guided walking tour with our group leader. We have two hours to explore the city on our own. We depart for the Wadi Rum desert and arrive just in time for dinner where we will have the opportunity to sit down with the sheikh of the local Bedouin tribe and get a glimpse of what life is like in this desert environment. After dinner, we stay overnight in a Bedouin camp in the desert, with the option to sleep under a camel hair tent or under the stars.

Our journey in Jordan continues with an excursion that gives us the chance to climb one of the great sand dunes to enjoy a sensational view of the valley and to take incredible photos with a tea break and lunch pause. This afternoon, let's get ready for a half-day jeep safari through some of the most evocative desert landscapes on the planet. The Wadi Rum is filled with strange and wonderful lunar rock formations, and traces of ancient civilizations can be seen in the numerous carved inscriptions found throughout the area - from pictograms to Thamudic, Nabatean, and Arabic texts. After an action-packed afternoon, tonight we can enjoy the traditional Bedouin hospitality and the clear night skies of the desert.

This morning, we'll be leaving our desert camp, embarking on an off-road journey to the main entrance of Petra. The visitor center here is also a fantastic spot to purchase some jewelry and handicrafts, mostly made by a women's cooperative aimed at supporting local industries. From there, we continue our adventure to the legendary city of Petra in a private vehicle. This site remained unknown to the rest of the world until 1812 when it was visited by Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, a Swiss explorer. In 1985, Petra was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. We'll spend the afternoon on a guided tour of Petra, traversing a narrow one-mile path known as the Siq!

Our journey discovering Jordan continues with a free day dedicated to exploring Petra! The site is impressively large, offering us the choice to explore the ancient Roman road, smaller temples, and various ancient tombs, as well as the rock-carved amphitheater. For those feeling a bit more active, there's the challenging but highly rewarding 1-hour walk up the stairs to the secluded yet stunning monastery.

Today we cross the King's Highway to the historic crusader castle of Kerak, which stands on a cliff overlooking Wadi Karak and the Dead Sea in the distance. We will have time to explore the ruins and discover the legends of ancient battles. We head towards the Dead Sea, the perfect place to spend some time relaxing! We continue to Mount Nebo, the point where it is said that the prophet Moses saw the "promised land" and where he is supposed to be buried. We proceed to Madaba, known for its Ottoman-style houses and the stunning Byzantine-era mosaics, including the acclaimed 6th-century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land in the Church of St. George.

Today we leave Madaba for a short car trip to Jerash, one of the grandest Roman cities in the world. The ancient walled city that survives today is an extraordinary evocation of life 2000 years ago. It boasts an impressive collection of archways and theaters, baths, public buildings, and colonnaded streets, and it's a great place to spend a day exploring. After a full day of exploration, we return to Madaba.

Our organized trip to Jordan ends here. Depending on your departure time, you can still enjoy the attractions of this magical land called Jordan!