Highlights of Jordan

The multicultural city of Amman has been inhabited by many civilisations through its long history and is ideal for exploring traditions of the Middle East. To dig deeper into the history of the region, we recommend visiting some of the many galleries and museums, as well as the Neolithic settlements and Bronze Age tombs.

For those looking to buy local produce and traditional handicrafts, head to the souks, dazzling with an array of handmade jewellery, whilst the modern-day boutiques juxtapose them.

Heading north you will visit the Roman city of Jerash, one of the most important and best preserved Roman sites in the area. The nearby Roman- Hellenistic ruins of Umm Qais sits atop a hill, you can take a stroll through this smaller site with its theatres. You will continue on to Ajloun, home to the 12th century ruins of the Islamic Ajloun Castle, built to protect the area from crusader attacks before returning to Amman.

The city of Amman has been inhabited by many civilisations through its long history, you're first example of this will be at the Roman Theatre, cut in to the hillside in downtown Amman. The theatre was built to take an audience of almost 6000 and is still used today for shows, here you can also visit the Folklore museum and Museum of Popular Traditions. Moving on you will visit the hill top citadel, dating back to Roman and Byzantine times, the citadel is home to large plazas and colonnaded streets along with a palace complex. Your tour will also take in the King Abdullah Mosque, the only mosque in Amman to allow non Islamic visitors, it is an example of
modern Islamic architecture.

The Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George at Madaba, which you will visit next, is home to the 6th century map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land, made entirely from mosaic – 2 million pieces of local stone, displaying towns, villages, hills and valleys. Only rediscovered in 1894, it has since been brilliantly restored.

The church at Mount Nebo has a typical basilica design and features a beautiful mosaic-covered floor. The rock underneath, it has been discovered, is hollowed into six tombs. Mount Nebo also features a Cross Serpentine sculpture, symbolising a serpent and Christ’s crucifixion, as well as offering views of Jordan’s surrounding landscape.

It's an early start today for your transfer to Allenby bridge (30 mins) and onwards to Jerusalem in Israel, assisted at the border posts. We go to the Mount of Olives and visit Pater Noster Church and continue to an observation point that overlooks the Old City of Jerusalem. Next stop is the Dominus Flevit and you can walk the Palm Sunday route and descend to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus spent the last night before he was arrested. Visit the famous Church of All Nations and enter the walled city of Jerusalem to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Continue on to Bethlehem and visit Church of the Nativity, marking the birthplace of Christ. Visit Saint Catherine’s Church and Saint Jerome’s Cave where the bible was translated and continue to visit the Shepherd’s Field. At the end of the day, transfer back to Allenby bridge for your transfer back to Dead Sea.

Kerak Castle, sitting 900 metres above sea level, showcases Crusader masonry and Arab work in limestone. Tunnels and passageways await the brave to wander through them. At night, the castle features a sound and light event where the castle and towers are lit by 50 lights, and a documentary is shown that tells of Karak’s past since 800BC.

Given the popularity among foreign visitors today, it is hard to believe Petra remained forgotten by the outside world until 1812, when it was re-discovered by the Swiss explorer, Johann Burckhardt. Imagine his emotions when, after being led down the twisting, narrow defile deep in the desert, he first set eyes on the finely sculpted tombs and temples of the Nabataean kings who ruled here in the 3rd century BC.

Hollowed by hand from the sandstone cliffs, the structures were severely damaged by an earthquake in Roman times, and later squatted by local Bedouins, whose descendants nowadays ferry visitors to the site by camel.

Your tour takes you next to the natural landscapes of Wadi Rum, home to monolithic rocks, some of which reach 1,750 metres high, water holes, and canyons. The vast expanse of land is tranquil, unspoilt by modern development, and is inhabited by the Bedouins who maintain a nomadic lifestyle.

The resort of Aqaba is often overlooked by tourists and is, therefore, a quieter destination to enjoy. The friendly and welcoming locals create a positive atmosphere; relax in the cafes or sandy beaches and watch their world go by. The Red Sea provides visitors with snorkelling and diving opportunities – it is home to a fascinating array of coral and marine life, including sea turtles and dolphins. Boat trips are also available to view the sea life for those wishing to explore above sea level.