Tour description
We’ll meet up in Amman, an attractive city with many tearooms where men exchange the latest news over games of backgammon (which explains why Omar Sharif is so good!) You’ll be able to see the citadel and the Roman amphitheatre. In the evening, after a restaurant meal, you can attend an elite Arab nightclub and watch its belly dancers.
Overlooking the Promised Land
On day 3 there’s a long trip, broken by a stop at Madaba which is known for its floor mosaics and the 6th century Greek Orthodox church of Saint Gregory (or St. George if you look it up on the Internet). We’ll visit neighbouring Nebo Mountain with its monastic ruins, and from where Moses overlooked the Promised Land for the first time. It offers the most magnificent views over the Jordan Valley. Then we’ll drive along the beautiful old King’s Way through the highlands of Jordan, and past the spectacular panorama of Wadi al-Mujib Gorge, to the stunning ruins at Petra.Greeks and Romans
We may pause at Kerak on the biblical Egypt-Syria caravan route used by the Greeks and Romans. The Crusaders built an enormous fortress there.Petra, the fabled rock city
Towards dark we’ll arrive at Petra, the fabled rock city. You can take an optional excursion to the excavations at old Petra, which was hewn out of flesh-coloured rocks in the 4th century BC by the Nabataeans whose capital it was. The Romans and Byzantines also left traces there. Concealed in the mountains, only the local Bedouins had any knowledge of it until 1812 when a Swiss art historian rediscovered it. It’s only accessible by foot or by horse through an ever-narrowing gorge so you can imagine yourself in an Indiana Jones movie.Wadi Rum
On day 5 we’ll travel on to Wadi Rum, the desert region known for its radiant pastel-coloured rock formations. Several scenes from legendary Oscar-winning films were shot here. In some places ancient inscriptions were found on the rocks. The real Bedouins among us can visit the most beautiful spots of Wadi Rum by camel or Jeep. You’ll spend the night in a primitive desert camp.Plunge into the Red Sea
On day 6 there is a short two-hour drive to Aqaba, Jordan’s only seaside resort and where you can take an invigorating plunge into the Red Sea then sunbathe on the beach. It’s also possible to rent snorkelling or diving gear and to take a skin-diving lesson. Aqaba is on the Red Sea, which is famous for its coral reefs and an enormous variety of tropical fish, many of which turn out to be staples in the local restaurants.Bye bye Jordan
On day 8 we’ll be back in Amman and it’ll be time to say our farewells!