Deserts Ruins Reefs - 11 Days

Combining incredible ruins, castles, deserts & stunning coastline. Visit Jerash, test your buoyancy in the Dead Sea, make like Indiana Jones at the Rose City of Petra, enjoy a thrilling 4x4 trip at Wadi Rum & soak up the sun by the Red Sea in Aqaba/Tala Bay.

Day 1: Amman
Saturday. Welcome to Jordan and the start of your holiday! Arrive Amman and included onward transfer to our hotel. Overnight - Amman
Day 2: Roman Cities & Ruins
Amman - Jerash - Umm Qais - Amman. Driving north, we visit the awesome Roman ruins of Jerash. The 2,000 year-old Graeco-Roman ruins of Jerash are recognised as one of the best-preserved member cities of the Decapolis, a confederation of 10 Graeco-Roman cities. When Emperor Hadrian paid a visit in 129 AD, the place was buzzing. The citizens threw up a Triumphal Arch for him which still stands today. Exemplifying the finesse of Roman urban life, the town boasts a hippodrome the old sports field that once held 15,000 spectators, a stunning amphitheatre and colonnaded street paved with original stones and the rut marks of chariots. From here, we travel to the modern town of Umm Qais, which is the site of the ancient Graeco-Roman town of Gadara, one of the cities of the Decapolis with panoramic views over the Sea of Galilee. Overnight - Amman (B)
Deserts Ruins Reefs - 11 Days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
A byzantine basilica's in Amman, Jordan
Day 3: Mt Nebo & the Promised Lands
Amman - Mt Nebo - Umm ar Rasas - Petra. This morning, we tour the citadel of Amman, Archaeological Museum and enjoy free time shopping in the local souq, before visiting Mt Nebo - the single most important biblical site in Jordan. Having led the Israelites for 40 years through the wilderness, Moses finally saw, from this awesome vantage point, the Promised Land, that God forbid him to set foot in. We too can enjoy the wonderful panoramic views of the Jordan River Valley, the northern shore of the Dead Sea, Jericho on the opposite bank and (on clear days) the towers on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

Later we explore the roman ruins and beautiful mosaics of Umm ar-Rasas. The mosaic floor of the Church of St Stephen dates to 785, over 150 years after Muslim rule was established in Jordan, and depicts the cities of the day including Jerusalem, with Palestinian cities below such as Nablus and Gaza and seven Trans-Jordanian cities including Philadelphia (modern-day Amman), Madaba and Karak. Overnight - Petra (B)
The facade on the monastery in Petra is similar to that of the Treasury
Day 4: The Rose City
Petra. Chief among Jordan’s many archaeological riches is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Rose City of Petra. Rediscovered in 1812 by the young Swiss explorer Jean Louis Burckhardt, it remains on the list of many travellers. We access the hidden archaeological treasures of the Rose City on a walk through a narrow, deep siq, where the rocks finally give way to reveal the Treasury of Petra. It’s natural to have an Indiana Jones moment here as it was this building that served as the Holy Grail’s resting place and the prize Indy so coveted. Petra is an erosion–hewn masterpiece. Sandstone shot with minerals burst into colour giving off blue, red, orange and green hues. The intrepid can ascend the hundreds of rock-cut steps to Ad-Deir. Better known as the Monastery, Ad-Deir has a similar facade to that of the Treasury, but is far bigger and the views from the nearby cliff-tops are awesome.

Want to learn how to cook Middle Eastern food? Consider opting for our Petra Kitchen bolt-on tonight! Overnight - Petra (B)
On a camel safari through the Wadi Rum Desert
Day 5: Wadi Rum
Petra - Wadi Rum. This morning return to Petra for further exploration before we depart for Wadi Rum. A vast, silent landscape of ancient riverbeds, pastel coloured stretches of sandy desert and amazing rock formations known as jebels that rise from the desert floor, the desert landscape of Wadi Rum is an unspoiled natural beauty, forged by millions of years of geological formation, erosion and evolution. Boarding 4x4 jeeps, we take a safari through the sand dunes, getting up close and personal to the surrounding scenery. Tonight, we enjoy a Jordanian dinner with the opportunity to camp out under the stars (it you wish) or in permanent tents. Overnight - Wadi Rum (B, D)
Opt ofr a dip in the mineral rich waters of the Dead Sea an hours drive from Amman
Day 6: Dead Sea
Wadi Rum - Karak - Dead Sea - Madaba. This morning, we explore the vast well preserved 12th century crusader castle of Al Karak. It took the Crusaders some twenty years to erect their fortified stronghold, which through the proceeding centuries withstood countless attack and siege. Once finished in 1161, it became the residence of the lord of Transjordan, by then the most important fief of the Crusader kingdom, rich in produce and tax revenues. Note: Shobak crusader castle maybe visited as an alternative to Karak.

Straddling the border between Israel and Jordan, the Dead Sea is the lowest spot on the Earth’s surface. The mineral content of 33%. We spend the afternoon swimming, lathering up with a detoxifying mud bath and bobbing about in the ever warm mineral-rich body of water. After we drive onward to the bustling Muslim-Christian market town of Madaba. Overnight - Madaba (B, D)
Day 7: Madaba & the Red Sea
Madaba - Aqaba/Tala Bay. Famed for it’s Byzantine mosaics, including the fascinating map of the Holy Land made in the 6th century out of two million stone pieces and now housed in the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, Madaba - it's mosaics, quaint village shops and local market are all here to explore.

Leaving Madaba we drive south to the Red Sea resort town of Aqaba, and 15km further south to the idyllic beaches of Tala Bay. Upon arrival we enjoy an included hotel buffet dinner this evening. Overnight - Aqaba (B, D)
The sea framed by palm trees in Aqaba
Days 8 - 9: Red Sea R&R
Wake up to some Red Sea relaxation with the following days offering free for you to independently explore, swim, snorkel, dive or simply relax. Azure blue waters brimming with kaleidoscopic marine life are a real attraction here on Jordan's Red Sea coast line. Why not undertake some scuba diving or snokelling?

Travellers will be accommodated in a 4 star hotel with sea or pool view room. The resort complex of Tala Bay features a number of hotels, restaurants, 3 swimming pools, private marina, Gym and fitness centre, private beach (300m away) water sports, diving, and snorkelling. There is also a free shuttle service running three times daily allowing you to choose to spend the day by the beach/ pool or shopping, dining and or enjoying the nightlife of nearby Aqaba. Overnight - Aqaba/Tala Bay (B:2)
Explore the Red Sea coral reefs off the coast of Aqaba
Day 10: Beachside & onward to Amman
Tala Bay - Amman. Spend the day at the beach or pool. Alternatively head out for a last minute shopping and or souvenir hunting. Both Aqaba and Tala Bay are located within Jordan's a Duty Free Zone making this the ideal place to purchase alcohol, perfume, cosmetics and many other duty free items. Afternoon transfer to Amman and evening at leisure. Overnight - Amman (B)
Day 11: Amman
Tuesday. Amman - Amman airport. Our tour concludes after breakfast, bid farewell to Jordan and onward departure transfer to Amman's Queen Alia airport. (B)

Learn to create tasty Jordanian dishes
Turn out an enviable repertoire of Middle Eastern dishes & wow friends and family with your new-found cooking prowess with our fabulous Petra Kitchen bolt on.


Tour Details
  • Starts in: Amman / Ends in: Amman
  • Departs: Saturdays - year round
  • No local payment required
  • Breakfast:10, Lunch: 0, Dinner: 3
  • Hotel Rating: 3 star, 4 star - Aqaba (+wadi rum desert camp)
  • Tour Guide: Yes
The on the go Theatre
Highlight of our tours to amazing Jordan including Petra
The Inside Track
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