Lebanon & Jordan Encounters

On arrival at Beirut International Airport, we meet you in the arrivals hall, assist with formalities and transfer you into the city to check in. This short, comfortable drive brings you straight into the vibrant capital to begin your stay. After settling in, you have free time to relax or stroll the surrounding streets at your own pace – lively cafés and shops are close by.

We leave Beirut and follow the coast before turning inland to Jeita, where we explore the remarkable Jeita Grotto – vast limestone caverns adorned with striking stalactites and stalagmites. According to water levels, we visit the upper galleries on foot and glide through the lower caves by boat. We continue up to Harissa above Jounieh Bay to visit the shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon and ride the cable car to the hilltop basilica for sweeping coastal views.We then drive through dramatic mountains to the Baatara Gorge sinkhole to view its cavern, three natural rock bridges and the seasonal 255–metre waterfall. The viewpoints are superb – you can take a short walk to explore further if you wish.A short journey brings us to the traditional village of Douma, known for handsome stone houses and red–tiled roofs. You have time to wander at your own pace before we sit down to a traditional lunch. Later, we continue to the scenic Qadisha Valley and reach our monastery or guesthouse for the night.

We set off on a gentle morning walk in the Qadisha Valley – a UNESCO World Heritage Site of sheer cliffs and secluded monastic caves – following quiet trails past historic hermit dwellings and tranquil scenery. We then climb to the mountain town of Becharre to visit the Gibran Museum, seeing manuscripts, paintings and personal belongings in the village where he was born. We continue to the Cedars of God to wander among these protected ancient trees amid striking mountain backdrops. From Becharre we drive to the coast and Byblos, descending scenic roads to one of the oldest inhabited cities. Here we explore the ruins, tracing Phoenician, Roman and Crusader layers beside the harbour and medieval fortifications.

You have a free morning to roam Byblos’ markets and seafront at your own pace – linger in cafés or browse the old souk. We then travel inland to the Ksara region, where coastal vistas give way to rolling hills and vineyards. At Chateau Ksara we tour the historic caves that serve as natural cellars and sample a selection of the estate’s wines. We continue to nearby Zahlé in the Bekaa Valley, with views of fertile plains and surrounding mountains, and you have free time to stroll the riverside promenade or settle into a relaxed evening.

We travel from Zahlé deeper into the Bekaa to Baalbek, passing fertile fields framed by mountain ranges. In the vast temple complex we wander among monumental remains dedicated to Jupiter, Venus and Mercury, admiring intricate stonework and remarkable preservation. We then cross the valley to the Umayyad city of Anjar – a planned eighth–century settlement founded under Caliph Walid – to discover mosques, palaces, baths and the grid of ancient shops that once formed a thriving commercial hub. We continue through the scenic Bekaa and surrounding mountains back to Beirut for our overnight stay. On arrival, you have free time to relax at the hotel or explore nearby streets at your own pace.

Leaving Beirut, we climb into the Chouf Mountains to the historic village of Deir al Qamar, passing traditional stone houses and terraced hillsides. Here we explore narrow lanes, handsome residences and historic squares that embody the character of the Chouf.We then continue to Beiteddine Palace along winding mountain roads. At the palace built by Emir Bashir in the early nineteenth century, we admire ornate courtyards, arched halls and beautifully preserved interiors that showcase Ottoman–era craftsmanship.From Beiteddine we return to Beirut, descending towards the Mediterranean as rural scenery yields to the capital. Back in the city, we take a leisurely walk past Beirut Souks, the Corniche, downtown landmarks and the famous Raouché Pigeon Rocks.

We drive south along the Mediterranean to Tyre, a UNESCO World Heritage city rich in Phoenician and Roman history. In its archaeological zone we explore extensive ruins with wide sea views.We continue north to Sidon to discover the Crusader Sea Castle and the characterful old town. We visit the Sidon Great Mosque – a medieval Islamic landmark built over a former Crusader structure – and Khan el Franj, the seventeenth–century caravanserai that welcomed merchants and travellers. We wander the atmospheric souks where traditional workshops, spice stalls and local crafts animate the lanes.Afterwards we return along the coast to Beirut. On arrival you have free time to settle in or explore the surrounding streets – lively cafés and shops are within easy reach.

We arrange your transfer from your Beirut hotel to the airport for your flight to Amman – a smooth start to your travel day. We fly to Jordan’s capital and, on arrival at Amman International Airport, we meet and assist before transferring you to your hotel to check in and begin the next stage of your journey.

We leave Amman for the historic hill town of As–Salt, once a key trading hub and former capital. We stroll its narrow streets and follow the Harmony Trail to learn about the blend of Islamic and Christian heritage.Returning to Amman, we take a panoramic drive through modern neighbourhoods and historic quarters before visiting the ancient Citadel – home to the Temple of Hercules, the Umayyad Palace and a Byzantine church – with sweeping views across downtown. We continue to the impressive Roman Theatre, a 6,000–seat amphitheatre dating to the second century AD.We round off the day with authentic flavours on a food–tasting walk through downtown, sampling favourites such as falafel, manakish and mansaf, and finishing with knafeh.

We leave Amman and follow the Desert Highway south to the Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan’s largest nature reserve. Here we join a guided hike through rugged canyons and terraced cliffs, with varied plant and birdlife and sweeping views across the Great Rift Valley. We then continue from the mountain village of Dana through dramatic desert scenery to the Red Sea city of Aqaba, watching Jordan’s landscapes shift from high ridges and rocky gorges to coastal plains beside the Gulf.

We depart the coastal city of Aqaba and drive into the wilderness of Wadi Rum, travelling from the Red Sea shoreline into a landscape of towering sandstone cliffs and wide valleys. On arrival at our desert camp, you have free time to relax and take in the quiet grandeur – a peaceful evening surrounded by majestic rock formations.

We set out on a thrilling jeep safari across the golden sands and beneath the towering cliffs of Wadi Rum. We meet Bedouin hosts for a cultural exchange – walking with shepherds, learning traditional crafts and sharing a freshly prepared meal in camp. After our desert experience, we drive north towards Petra, enjoying the changing views on the way to the famed rose–red city. On arrival, you may choose to join the magical Petra by Night for a first glimpse, or simply relax for the evening – unwind, browse the shops or linger in local cafés.

We begin at Little Petra, a smaller Nabataean enclave of carved façades and narrow passages, before taking a short jeep transfer to the mountain trailhead. We hike the quieter back route into the highlands, enjoying wide desert views and the thrill of reaching the Monastery from above. We climb the famous stone staircase to stand before its immense façade and take in panoramas across Wadi Araba.We then descend into the ancient city to spend the day exploring Petra – walking through the Siq to the Treasury, admiring tombs and temples, and tracing the colonnaded streets that once thrived with traders and pilgrims. You can linger at viewpoints, browse stalls or pause for refreshments as you wish.

We travel north from Petra along the Dead Sea Highway to Wadi Mujib, with views of desert cliffs, deep wadis and the shimmering shoreline unfolding en route. At the visitor centre we prepare for the Siq Trail – renting kit if needed, receiving safety briefings and taking first glimpses of the gorge.We then set off on the adventurous Wadi Mujib Siq Trail, a narrow sandstone chasm threaded with flowing water and natural pools. Between April and October, we wade, scramble and swim beneath waterfalls – one of the country’s most exhilarating outdoor experiences.Afterwards we continue along the shoreline to our Dead Sea resort, descending to the lowest place on Earth. We relax and float effortlessly in the mineral‑rich waters – you can smooth on the therapeutic mud and capture the classic newspaper photo as you drift. You then have free time at the resort to unwind – enjoy the shore, make the most of the facilities or explore the tranquil surroundings at your own pace.

We leave the Dead Sea for Madaba, famed for its exquisite Byzantine mosaics, and step into St George’s Church to see the celebrated Madaba Map – the oldest surviving cartographic depiction of the Holy Land. We then make a brief ascent to Mount Nebo, where tradition holds that Moses looked out over the Promised Land, to enjoy sweeping vistas towards the Jordan Valley and Jericho, along with the site’s beautifully restored mosaics and memorial church. Continuing north to Jerash, we pass agricultural plains before reaching one of the best–preserved Greco–Roman cities outside Europe. We stroll through the Oval Forum, visit the Nymphaeum and admire the grand Temple of Artemis overlooking the ancient streets. We end the day travelling back to Amman through Jordan’s hill country.

You have free time in Amman to relax or explore at your own pace before your scheduled airport transfer. We collect you from your hotel and take you to Queen Alia International Airport in good time for your departure flight.