Exploring Jordan

Reception at the airport by our team, help with formalities and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in Amman.

Distance: 30 km

Today we are heading to the north of Jordan to discover its Greco-Roman cities. We start our day with the site of Jerash. The city experienced its golden age under Roman rule, when it was known as Gerasa. Today, this site is considered one of the best-preserved Roman provincial towns in the world. Hidden under the sand for several centuries before being discovered and restored for 70 years, Jerash exemplifies extensive and formal Roman municipal planning throughout the Middle East. It is adorned with cobbled streets, colonnades, immense temples on the crest of hills, charming theaters, spacious public squares, thermal baths, fountains and walls pierced by towers and gates.

Lunch in Jerash.

Site of the famous "pig miracle", Gadara was famous at the time as a cultural center. Several poets and philosophers have lived there, notably Theodore, 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 huge vaulted terrace and colonnaded streets as well as for the ruins of two theaters.

Dinner and overnight in Amman.

Distance : 200 km

In the morning, discover the Citadel, located on one of the highest hills in the capital, and its archeology museum. You will descend into the roman theater before reaching the King Abdullah mosque.

After lunch, departure to the desert east 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

Today we travel to the south of Jordan to reach Umm er Rasas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is mentioned in 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 towns 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 the top of this tower which was accessible by a removable ladder. Then we will drive to the castle of Kerak, stronghold of the Crusaders.

Lunch in Kerak then visit of the castle.

In the afternoon, we will take part of the King's road to join Dana nature reserve.

Dinner and overnight in Dana.

Distance: 200 km

Breakfast based on local products.

Then departure for a walk of meditation and discovery 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 will be able to admire the landscape and smell the scents of desert plants. 15-minute moments of silence will be offered by the guide so that you can admire and immerse yourself in the place.

Then, we take the road to little Petra. 2000 years ago, the Nabataeans had chosen this site to make it a natural caravanserai and accommodate the wealthy caravanners from all over the world.

Dinner and overnight in a camp in Petra.

Distance: 40 km - Walking time : 3 hours

Today, we start a hike along a path with little traffic, towards magnificent mountains offering views of Wadi Araba and Mount Aaron. Then, we arrive near the spectacular monastery (Al-Deir). We take the direction of 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 Wadi Al-Moudlm, a parallel canyon not very frequented.

Lunch, dinner and overnight in a camp in Petra.

Walking time: 5 to 6 hours

Early in the morning, small transfer to the main entrance of the rose City, then we cross the famous Siq which leads in front of the Petra Treasury: El Khazneh, a majestic breathtaking facade. We continue our hike through the alley of facades dominated by the imposing Jebel Al-Khubtha where tombs and dwellings are nestled. Then we arrive in front of the Greco-Roman amphitheater. We follow our way to the High Place of Sacrifice, a summit leveled by the Nabataeans. On this summit stand two obelisks carved out of 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

Discover in depth the lunar landscapes of the desert. On the way, discover Um Fruth, the small arch which rises about fifteen meters from the ground and which is accessible and passable. Far from the tourist crowd, we continue our advance to the south, passing through two valleys with splendid white sands and incredible rocks, streaked with blue, pink and white (Umm Muqur, then Wadi Nuqra). Picnic lunch during the ride. At the end of the day we go in 4x4 to reach a place from which we can admire the sunset, in a quiet corner unknown to tourists. Return to the camp. Last evening in this lunar landscape.

Dinner and overnight at the camp.

Today we leave the desert to reach the lowest point in the world "the dead sea". On the way, we will stop at Ma Inn where we will enjoy a rest period with the possibility of swimming in the thermal waters.

Lunch.

Dinner and overnight at the Dead Sea.

Distance: 250 km

Free time at the Dead Sea to try out the experience of floating in the salt water or relaxing by the pool. Possibility of benefiting from "spa" treatments. Then, set off towards Bethany. It is stated in the Bible 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 archeology, identify as Tell al-Kharrar and Mount St. 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 bringing together 14 Byzantine churches. Visit of St. George's Church, famous for its 6th century mosaic depicting the oldest map of Palestine and Jerusalem.

Dinner and overnight in Madaba.

Distance: 45 km

Transfer to the airport with assistance with departure formalities.