Day 1     Arrival

Pick up and assistance at the airport and transfer to your hotel in Amman for the first night.

Day 2     Amman - Desert Castles – Amman

After breakfast we will visit Jordan's desert castles : Qasr al Amra, one of the best preserved monuments, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its interior walls and ceilings are covered with lively frescoes, and two of the rooms are paved with colorful mosaics.
The black basalt fort Al Azraq, in continuous use since Late Roman times, was the headquarters of Lawrence of Arabia during the Arab Revolt.
The afternoon we spend in Amman, a sprawling city spread over 19 hills, or "jebels" . Amman is the modern - as well as the ancient - capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Known as Rabbath-Ammon during the Iron Age and later as Philadelphia, the ancient city was once part of the Decapolis. Visit the Citadel with the Temple of Hercules, the Umayyad Palace, Byzantine Church and the museum as well as the 6,000 seat Roman Theatre. Enjoy oriental life with a stroll through the Suk in Downtown and enjoy dinner in a typical Jordanian restaurant.

Day 3     Amman - Jarash – Ajlun - Umm Qais – Amman

Today we explore Jarash, the ancient Gerasa. Jarash reveals a fine example of the grand, formal provincial Roman urbanism that is found throughout the Middle East, comprising paved and colonnaded streets, temples, theatres, baths, towers and gates. We continue to Ajlun Castle (Qal'at Ar-Rabad) which was built by one of Saladin's generals in 1184 AD to control the iron mines of Ajlun, and to deter the Franks from invading Ajlun.
From Umm Qais, the ancient Gadara, we will have a marvelous view to the Sea of Galilee and Golan hights. The Site was place of the famous miracle of the Gadarene swine. It was the home of several classical poets and philosophers, including Theodorus, founder of a rhetorical school in Rome, and was once called “a new Athens” by a poet. On our way back through the fruitful Jordan valley we pass Pella, one of the oldest cultural sites of Jordan.

Day 4     Excursion Israel : Massada – Jerusalem

After finishing the passport formalities and crossing the border we will visit the fortress of Massada (UNESCO World Heritage), situated at top of an isolated rock cliff at the western end of the Judean Desert, overlooking the Dead Sea. King Herod the Great built the fortress between 37 and 31 BCE. We will enter the castle by cable car. Then our way takes us to the holy city of Jerusalem.

Day 5     Jerusalem

This day belongs to this wonderful city and its religious, ancient and traditional sites.
Be inspired from our tour through the old city with its different quarters and the most important places of interest like the Temple Mount with the famous Mosques, the juish wall (Kotel), the Via Dolorosa with the stations of the cross and the church of the Holy Sepulcher - just to give a short overview. Feel the special atmosphere of this city.

Day 6     Jerusalem – Bethlehem – Dead Sea (Jordan)

From the Mount of Olives, where we will visit the Dome of the Ascension, the Dominus Flevit Church and the Garden of Gethsemane, we will have a last view to the Golden City skyline before we continue our trip to Bethlehem. The Church of the Nativity, which marks the traditional place of Christ's birth, will speak for itself. It is one of the oldest surviving Christian churches. Back to the border and to Jordan. We will arrive at Dead Sea late afternoon.

Day 7     Dead Sea – (optional : Bethany)

Here you will be at the lowest place on earth with more than 400 m below sea level. Spend a relaxing day and enjoy floating effortlessly in the warm, soothing, super salty water while soaking up the water's healthy minerals along with the gently diffused rays of the Jordanian sun and give your skin a treatment with the healthy black mud.
An excursion to the site of John the Baptist's settlement at Bethany, where Jesus was baptized, is an option.

Day 8     Dead Sea - Mt. Nebo – Madaba – Karak – Dana

From Dead Sea the road winds up to Mt. Nebo, one of the most revered holy sites of Jordan and the place where Moses was buried. Madaba is best known for its spectacular Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics and home to the famous 6th century Mosaic Map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. The Mosaic Map covers the floor of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, which was built in 1896 AD, over the remains of a much earlier 6th century Byzantine church. The mosaic panel enclosing the Map was originally around 15.6 X 6m, 94 sq.m., only about a quarter of which is preserved.
On our way to Karak we will follow the Kings Road, passing Wadi Mujib and the so called ‘Grand Canyon’ of Jordan with its spectacular views. Karak, the ancient crusader fortress, lies 900 m above sea level. Explore its endless labyrinth from arches and corridors. The castle we see today essentially dates back to the 12th century.
The night we will spend in Dana, the largest nature reserve in Jordan.

Day 9     Dana – Shaubak - Petra

In the morning we will have a 3-h-walk in one of the most biologically and historically rich areas in Jordan. Enjoy the diverse landscapes and wildlife while the park ranger gives you an impression of the sensitive ecosystem. Dana village, built in 15. century, is still inhabited by some Bedouins. On our way to Petra we visit Shaubak, an early 12th-century Crusader castle, perched on the side of a rocky, conical mountain at 1,300m above sea level. Its isolation from the nearest town makes it very atmospheric. It has two churches, one with a Crusader cross carved in the east wall. Beneath the church are catacombs, which contain Islamic tablets, Christian carvings, big round rocks used in catapults, and what is claimed to be Saladin's throne.

Day 10   Petra

The next two days belong to Jordans most famous attraction: the rose-red Nabatean city of Petra. Petra is a UNESCO world heritage site and one of The New 7 Wonders of the World. Much has been written about Petra, nothing really prepares you for this amazing place. It has to be seen to be believed. The vast and unique city, carved into the sheer rock face by the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab people who settled here more than 2000 years ago, was an important junction for the silk, spice and other trade routes that linked China, India and southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria, Greece and Rome.
After an early breakfast we will enter the city via the Siq, a long narrow gorge, which after 1 km opens for Petra's most famous monument, the Treasury (El-Khazneh). We will climb up the stairs to the High Place of Sacrifice and continue to Wadi Farasa with its Garden temple, Soldiers tomb and beautiful coloured rocks. On our way back you will have a good view to the Kings Wall before we pass the theatre on our way back. End this day with a tasteful Jordanian dinner.

Day 11   Petra

Today we will enter to the impressive Ed-Deir Monastery from behind, off the beaten track. Enjoy the walk on this amazing scenic trail where you will have fantastic views to Wadi Araba.
Having a refreshing cup of tea you can enjoy the Monastery in front of you. Now you will have free time to visit Petra on your own, have a look at the Museum or stroll through the shops outside the site. Just take the (round 800) steps down and find your way back to the visitor center. On your own cost you can take a camel or donkey - just for fun or if you like to shorten the way back. Review the day during the dinner at the hotel.

Day 12   Wadi Rum: Jeep Safari

After breakfast we will drive to Wadi Rum, one of the most fascinating desert landscapes with attractions like rock-bridge and Nabatean inscriptions. Weather and wind have carved the imposing, towering skyscrapers. Climb the rocks and enjoy the breathtaking view over the endless landscape or feel the soft sand of the beautiful sand dunes. Enjoy a cup ot tea with the Bedouins. We will bring you to this best places by 4x4-jeep. If you wish, experience a fantastic camel ride.
After a breathtaking sunset you can learn about the Bedouin way to cook in nature. Sleep under a starry sky or spend the night in a Bedouin tent.

Day 13   Wadi Rum - Aqaba

Have Breakfast in the Bedouin tent like Lawrence of Arabia. Then we will bring you to Aqaba, Jordan’s only outlet to the sea. Enjoy a free day with swimming, relaxing, shopping or take a trip with the glass-bottom boat at the Read Sea.

Day 14   Aqaba – Um ar Rassas – Amman

After breakfast we leave to Amman via desert highway. On our way we will have a visit at
Umm al-Rassas, an important archaeological site that was declared a World Heritage Site in 2004. Its structures date from the 3rd to 9th centuries and most have not yet been excavated. The site is especially known for its magnificent Byzantine mosaics, which have been uncovered in two churches dating from the 6th and 8th centuries. The biggest mosaic shows 15 major cities as they appeared in the 8th century, each labeled in Greek. Those on the north side are in Palestine; those on the left are in Jordan.
You will reach Amman in the evening for your last night in Jordan.

Day 15   Departure

Transfer to the Airport