After breakfast at the hotel, we will enjoy a tour of the dazzling city of Amman, which will introduce us to the diversity of the people in this rich and proud land. Explore the Citadel of Philadelphia (ancient Amman) with its layers of archaeological remains. Stroll through the dynamic city centre, letting the smell of spices be our guide to the ancient Souks of Philadelphia. We will meet with one of the local herbologists who will tell us about the ancient Arab medical practices.

 

We then depart to Amman’s cultural centre in one of the city’s quaint, older neighbourhoods, to immerse ourselves in the art of Jordan and the Arab world. We begin with a visit to the National Gallery of Fine Arts, followed by a trip to Darat Al Funun, ‘home of the arts’. Overlooking the heart of Amman, Darat Al Funun is housed in three traditional 1920s buildings alongside the archaeological remains of a six century Byzantine church built over a Roman Temple, and all have been restored for use. With its arts, architecture and archaeology, Darat Al Funun speaks of an enduring legacy of urbanism, architecture and cultural identity that is now being enriched by a modern flowering of the visual arts. After this unique experience we will go up to the Mt. Nebo Church where Moses last looked upon the Holy Land before passing away.

 

We continue on this path of faith, and head to the Byzantine City of Madaba. We explore this amazing city with its rich cache of mosaics that carpet the floors of its churches. We will see the famous mosaic map of the Holy Land, which is located in the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George. We will enjoy mouth watering lunch at Haret Jdoudnah restaurant  In the afternoon, we depart on the King’s Highway to Makawir to visit the ruins of the castle of Herod the Great where the story of John the Baptist’s beheading took place. We then step out of history and into reality as we meet the Bani Hamida tribe and learn about the Bani Hamida socio-economic project to market items of traditional Bedouin weaving.

 

Next, we transfer to Dana Nature Reserve via Wadi Mujib, one of the most spectacular Wadis (a Wadi is a dry riverbed that contains water only during times of heavy rain) that run parallel to the Jordan Valley. It is now a protected nature reserve and its sandstone cliffs afford wonderful views of the canyon below and the Dead Sea beyond. We depart at the end of the day to the enchanting city of Petra. Check in at Petra Movenpick Hotel over welcome drink and wet towels. Dinner and overnight at Petra Movenpick Hotel. 

 

After breakfast at hotel, step into the past as we enter the ancient Petra. It was built by magic as myths tell it and could not be taken by the Romans until 106 AD because of the rough terrain guarding its borders. Live the miracle of Petra, where each red rose stone has a Nabataean dream to tell. We will be guided through the architectural and spiritual wonders of this majestic place as we walk through it. Buffet lunch will be served at the Basin restaurant among the ruins of Petra.

 

In the afternoon walk to a hidden cave to meet one of the old Shamans of Petra. The cave is set up as it would have been 100 years ago, when the local Bedouins used to live there. Here, the Shaman will talk about traditional Arab medical practices used the past and in the desert, giving a brief history of some the natural medicines used today. Local herbal tea will be served, accompanied by dried fruits and nuts. Each guest will receive a symbolic gift: a wooden box filled with frankincense and various medicinal herbs.

Return back to the hotel for free time at leisure until dinnertime

 

In the evening we transfer to Taybet Zaman for a relaxing Turkish bath and dinner in the resort gardens. Taybet Zaman was created from a 19th century village, and so the architecture of the resort boasts grand arches, vaults and houses (guest rooms) of local stones, which keep cool in summer and warm in winter. The facilities at the village are built around themes, and this allows the guest to experience the old village way of life.

Following this stop we return back to the centre of Wadi Musa to Petra Kitchen. Tonight we will become the chefs of cuisine and will prepare our dinner. Local chefs will help in giving us orientation of the recipe we are going to cook. Bon appetite! Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at our hotel, we depart to the sensational desert of Wadi Rum Nature Reserve. Wadi Rum boasts one of the most spectacular desert landscapes in the world with rolling sand dunes and mountains of sandstone. Its mystery and charm are sure to captivate us, as it has so many visitors before, including the famous T.E. Lawrence. 

 

The local Bedouins will take us for a drive in their 4x4 jeeps to the great mountain of Al Khazali. Discover clues from antiquity carved on the mountains and the fallen boulder, vestiges of human activity over several thousand years. Everywhere there are traces left by ancient civilizations - pictographs of Thamudic, Nabataean, Greek and Arabic texts, formal inscriptions and rock art depicting hunting scenes. For lunch a private buffet lunch will be served at an Eco-camp in the desert.

 

In the afternoon, feel the unworldly sensation as we are descending to the lowest point on earth to the Dead Sea Basin. We are free to spend a free time at leisure in a place renowned today and throughout history for its healing properties. Enjoy the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea, where we can choose from an array of relaxing and rejuvenating experiences such as massage and aromatherapy and Dead Sea salt or mud baths.

 

Dinner and overnight at the Kempinski Hotel at the Dead Sea 

After breakfast at our resort, enjoy free day of relaxation on the shores of the Dead Sea while experiencing weightlessness by floating on the surface. Buffet lunch will be served at resort’s main restaurant. We have a free afternoon at resort until dinnertime. Dinner and overnight at the resort at the Dead Sea

After breakfast at our hotel we will be transferred to Queen Alia International Airport for our departure back home or for a post trip to Egypt or Israel.