Middle Eastern Discovery - 13 days
FROM USD $4,299
See the best of Jordan, Syria & cosmopolitan Lebanon. Explore the rose city and red desert, float in the Dead Sea, discover ancient and biblical ruins, castles, fortresses and exciting cities - both historic and modern!
Day 1: Welcome to Amman
Welcome to Jordan and the start of your holiday!
Arrive Amman, included transfer to hotel and overnight. Overnight - Amman
Day 2: Madaba & Holy Mt Nebo
Amman - Madaba - Mt Nebo - Shobak - Petra.
This morning we explore the Madaba, the Church of St
George with its fascinating map of the Holy Land made in
the 6th century out of two million stone pieces and Mt Nebo,
where Moses is said to have viewed the Promised Land. The
afternoon offers a visit to Shobak Crusader Castle before
arriving to the Rose city of Petra. Overnight Petra. Overnight - Petra (B)
Days 3 - 4: Nabataean Petra & the Dead Sea
Petra - Wadi Rum - Dead Sea. On day 3,
explore Petra. Taking a walk through the mysterious siq to
reach the breath-taking rose-red facade of the Treasury.
Amazing Nabataean and Roman ruins are on tap here
at Petra, including tombs, a Roman road, temples and
amphitheatre. The intrepid can ascend the many stone
carved steps to the Monastery. On day 4, we enjoy a 4 x 4
jeep safari through the stunning desert of Wadi Rum before
arriving at the Dead Sea to take a dip in the mineral-rich
waters. Overnight (1) - Petra, (1) - Dead Sea. Overnight - Overnight (1) - Petra, (1) - Dead Sea (B:2)
Day 5: Roman Jerash and Bosra
Dead Sea - Jerash - Bosra - Damascus (Syria). Jerash
is recognised as one of the best-preserved member cities of
the Decapolis, a confederation of 10 Graeco-Roman cities.
Exemplifying the finesse of Roman urban life, the town boasts
a Triumphal Arch, hippodrome, the old sports field that once
held 15,000 spectators, a stunning amphitheatre, a colonnaded
street paved with original stones and the rut marks of chariots,
and various temples. Continuing north we cross the border and
arrive to Bosra, another city of the ancient Roman Decapolis.
Bosra's boasts possibly the best preserved Roman theatre in the
Middle East. Overnight - Damascus (B)
Day 6: Charming Damascus
Damascus Thoroughly charming and compact
Damascus is studded with rich examples of Islamic and
Ottoman architecture. In the centre of the city is Martyrs
Square, however the beating heart of Damascus - the Old City.
Surrounded by what was once a Roman wall and rebuilt
several times over the last 2000 years, the Old City boasts
a main thoroughfare, Straight Street which has been here
since Graeco-Roman times. Just beyond the Citadel is
the colourful Souq al-Hamidiyya and Umayyad Mosque.
Built in 705AD, the facades around the central courtyard
are adorned with golden mosaics. South of the mosque is
Azem Palace. This evening, you can opt for a hammam at a
Damascene bath house before enjoying the view and a drink
on Mt Qassioun. Overnight - Damascus (B)
Day 7: Ancient Palmyra
Damascus – Palmyra. Drive to ancient Palmyra
today, for a city tour. Palmyra was an important and wealthy
city from the 2nd century BC as it was located on the caravan
trade routes connecting Persia, India, China and the Roman
Empire. A colonnaded street leads us to the ruined city
where we will see a well preserved theatre, the striking Ba’al
temple and the Valley of tombs. Overnight - Palmyra
Day 8: Krac des Chevaliers Crusader Castle
Palmyra – Krac des Chevaliers - Ma'alula - Damascus. Today we tour the remarkably well preserved
and beautifully formed UNESCO crusaders castle of Krac des
Chevaliers and the pretty Ma'alula village where the people
still speak Aramaic – the language of Jesus. A visit is made
to the Byzantine Monastery and Church of St Sergius.
Built in 325 its one of the oldest churches in the world.
Overnight - Damascus. Overnight - Damascus
Days 9 - 10: Baalbek, Byblos & Beirut
Damascus - Anjar (Lebanon), Ksara, Baalek, Beittedine, Byblos
and Beirut. After crossing the border into Lebanon
we tour 8th century World Heritage Listed site of Anjar.
Then, there is time for wine tasting at Chateau Ksara in the
Bekaa Valley before visiting the temple complex of Baalbek.
Monumentally scaled temple ruins tower over the Bekaa plain.
On day 10 we tour the magnificent Beittedine Palace, built
by Emir Bashir Shihab II viewing the Harem suites, Turkish
baths, intricate mosaics and beautifully groomed gardens.
Near to the palace is the charming stone built and redtiled
roof village of Deir el Qamar where we visit the 15th
Century Fakhreddine Mosque and Palace as well as Moussa
Castle. Dinner - evening of day 9. Overnight - Overnight (1) - Zahle, (1) - Beirut (B:2, D:1)
Day 11: Jeita Grottos, Harissa & Beirut
Beirut - Jeita Grottos – Harissa - Byblos - Beirut. Our sightseeing today offers visits to the
subterranean labyrinth, known as the Jeita Grottos, ’Our
Lady of Lebanon’ - a towering statue of the Virgin Mary, that
overlooks the Jounieh Bay at Harissa and harbourside city of
Byblos with touring of its 12th century crusader castle.
Overnight - Beirut (B)
Day 12: Sidon - Castle of the Sea
Beirut - Sidon - Beirut. Today you can explore cosmopolitan Beirut and its beach front. Taking a short drive to Sidon this afternoon we
discover the ruins of the fortress church known as the Castle
of the Sea and the Shell of the Castle of St. Louis. Overnight - Beirut (B)
Day 13: Beirut
Spend the morning at leisure, hotel check out is at noon and onward departure transfer to the airport. (B)
Tour Details
- Starts in: Welcome to Amman / Ends in: Beirut
- Departs: Any day of the year
- No local payment required
- Breakfast:10, Lunch: 0, Dinner: 1
- Hotel Rating: 4 or 5 star specific to your chosen intinerary, 3 star avail if required
- Tour Guide: Yes for included sightseeing
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