Saturday. Welcome to Jordan and the start of an amazing adventure. Arrive Amman, included transfer to our hotel and overnight. Overnight - Amman

Amman - Jerash - Umm Qais - Amman. This morning we visit Jerash, 45 km north of Amman. Second only to Petra in tourist appeal, the 2,000 year-old Graeco-Roman ruins of Jerash which are set in the bowl of a well-watered valley, are recognised as the world’s best-preserved Roman provincial city. Exemplifying the finesse of Roman urban life, Jerash possesses a large number of striking monuments including Hadrian’s Arch, an impressive Hippodrome which as a sports field once held up to 15,000 spectators and two immense temples dedicated to Zeus and Artemis. There is also a unique oval Forum which gracefully links the main north-south axis of Jerash, a colonnaded street paved with original stones and the rut marks of chariots, a nymphaeum replete with ancient fountains trimmed with dolphins, two theatres, one of which offers amazing acoustic abilities even today and an almost complete circuit of city walls. After touring the site we head to the Jerash Hippodrome to attend the RACE (Roman Army and Chariot Experience) re-enactment show, with Roman Army demonstrations, gladiatorial contests and an exciting 7-lap chariot race.

This afternoon we drive on to Umm Qais, in Jordan’s far north west corner. Umm Qais is the modern name for the site of the ancient Graeco-Roman town of Gadara, one of the cities of the Decapolis, which provides wonderful panoramic views over the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights. Today, a considerable portion of the original Roman amphitheatre has survived and next to the theatre is a colonnaded street that was once the town’s commercial heart. Also near the black basalt theatre are the columns of the great Basilica of Gadara. We tour the site of Biblical Gadara before returning to Amman. Overnight - Amman Overnight - Amman (B)

Amman - Mt Nebo - Madaba - Shobak - Petra. Today we visit Amman’s National Archaeological Museum, The Forum and Citadel Hill, which represent the few remaining Roman ruins in Amman. The hill affords a sweeping view of the city.We drive on to Mt. Nebo, the site from which it is believed that Moses saw the Promised Land, to enjoy the panoramic view and the restored Byzantine mosaics.

In nearby Madaba, we enjoy a traditional Jordanian feast at Haret Jdoudna, one of Jordan’s best restaurants, and then walk through the bustling market town to visit the Archaeological Park, St. George Church and Museum. Mentioned in the Old Testament, the prime attractions of the venerable town of Madaba are its many 6th-century Byzantine mosaics. Perhaps the most impressive of these is an enormous 6th-century map of Palestine and Egypt that we will see in St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church.

We make a brief stop at the Shobak Crusader Castle before continuing to Petra. After hotel check-in, we gather at the Petra Visitors’ Center to attend the incredible Petra by Night candlelight walk. We take an atmospheric walk through the narrow Siq to reach the famous facade of the Treasury, lit up by over 1500 candles. Here we sit and listen to haunting Bedouin music, soak up the wonderful surroundings and starlit sky above us. Lunch and overnight - Petra. Overnight - Petra (B, L)

Petra. Chief among Jordan’s many archaeological riches is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Rose City of Petra. The city was first settled around the 6th century BC by the Nabataean tribe from Western Arabia. Rediscovered in 1812, 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 famous facade of Al-Khazneh (the Treasury). It's also possible to ride a horse through the Siq. Continuing our walk, we’ll then go on to explore chunks of this fantastic once-lost city which is full of tombs, temples, an impressive amphitheatre and a Roman colonnaded street. 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. Overnight - Petra (B)

Explore more of Petra’s wonders today. Taking an alternate route to Petra, through the breathtaking “secret road” of al-Madras, and visiting the High Place of Sacrifice, Wadi Farasa, Great Temple and Royal Tombs. In the evening we enjoy a cooking session and tasty meal at the Petra Kitchen. Overnight - Petra (B, D)

Petra - Dead Sea. This morning we drive to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the earth’s surface. The Dead Sea is a natural phenomena, straddling the border between Israel and Jordan, the mineral content of this 75-km-long and 10-km-wide saltwater lake tops out at 33%, or about six times as salty as a normal ocean, creating unusual buoyancy. Spend the day at leisure, enjoying the beach, pool and wellness spa facilities at the resort. Overnight - Dead Sea (B)

Friday. Dead Sea - Amman airport. Departure transfer from the Dead Sea to Amman's Queen Alia airport for your flight back home. (B)