12 Day Jordan, Tradition & Inspiration

DAY 1, Sunday - Depart for Jordan
Depart for Jordan

DAY 2, Monday - Arrive in Amman
Arrive in Amman, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure to rest, relax and adjust to your exotic surroundings
Overnight: Amman

DAY 3, Tuesday - Discover the Capital Amman
After breakfast, begin your day with a city tour of Amman, often referred to as the "White City" because of the white stone used to build the houses. Tour the Citadel, located on the highest hill in Amman. Occupied since the Bronze Age, this impressive archaeological site includes the Temple of Hercules and Umayyad Palace. Here, you can also visit the Archaeological Museum, housing artifacts that date back from prehistoric times to the 15th century. Continue exploring the Roman Amphitheater, the souks, and the city's modern district. Tonight, attend an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager, followed by a light dinner
Overnight: Amman
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4, Wednesday - Explore Jerash, Ajlun Castle & Nature Reserve
Travel north of Amman to the city of Jerash, which was part of the Decapolis, the ten large Roman cities of the East. The city features theaters, churches, temples of Zeus and Artemis, a Nymphaeum and a colonnaded street. Continue the drive to Ajlun. View Ajlun Castle and proceed to the nearby is the Ajlun Nature Reserve, where you have lunch made out of locally grown organic ingredients. After, visit the Soap House, the Biscuit House and the House of Calligraphy before returning to Amman. On the way back, stop at the King Hussein park. Visit the King Hussein Royal Automobile Museum, displaying more than 70 classic cars and motorbikes from the late King's private collection. In the evening, enjoy a light dinner with tasting of a variety of local wines
Overnight: Amman
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5, Thursday - Mount Nebo, Madaba
Today, drive south along the King's Way towards Petra. En route, visit Mount Nebo, the reputed burial site of Moses, overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. Tour a mosaic school and workshop where you will have the opportunity to learn about this craft. Continue to the mosaic city of Madaba, where an ancient map of the Holy Land is set into the floor of Saint George's Church
Overnight: Petra
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6, Friday - Petra City Tour
Visit Little Petra, a smaller archaeological site located north of Petra. The site features temples, tombs and cisterns carved out of the rock as well as impressive frescoes from the Nabatean period. Enter the "rose red" city of Petra, hand-sculpted from a mountain range by the Nabateans in the 3rd century BC. Begin your walk through the "Siq", a winding canyon road. At the end, you'll gaze at the towering Treasury building rising over 140 feet. Beyond, discover soaring temples, elaborate royal tombs, a theater, burial chambers and water channels. Stop by the souvenir shop of Marguerite van Geldermalsen, wife of a Bedouin and hear her story about being accepted by the Bedouin culture
Overnight: Petra
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7, Saturday - Aqaba City Tour, Sunset Yacht Cruise
Morning departure to Jordan's only port city of Aqaba. Begin the city tour with a visit to the Sharif Hussein House and a view of Aqaba Castle. Adjacent to the castle lies the Aqaba Museum housing Bronze Age artifacts dating back to 4000 BC. View the Great Arab Revolt Plaza, site of the early medieval port of Aqaba, and the ruins of medieval Ayla city. Conclude the tour with a walk in the local souk. The balance of the day is at leisure. Spend a delightful evening cruising in a private yacht. Afterward, savor dinner on board. Cap off the day with an evening walk around the city
Overnight: Aqaba
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 8, Sunday - Aqaba Market
Today, visit the souk in Aqaba where you will have the opportunity to bargain with local vendors for lunch products. Then, head to Bernice beach, where you will enjoy the fish grill while Sayadieh is being prepared for you. The Sayadieh master chef will demonstrate how to cook this Jordanian meal. He will also explain the history of its creation. In the afternoon, participate in a community based activity with the locals- colored sand bottling, sea glass jewelry making, or a Henna & Kohol session
Overnight: Aqaba
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 9, Monday - Wadi Rum Desert
Depart for Wadi Rum, a desert terrain of ancient river beds, wind-sculpted mountains, and vast desert vistas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ride in a 4x4 vehicle to explore the valley, with its looming rock faces. Cross the huge red sand dunes and the eroded pillars of sandstone rock known as "The Seven Pillars". Then, eat lunch in an authentic Bedouin tent in the desert, where you'll be introduced to "Zarb" - a selection of foods cooked in an oven with hot coals beneath the desert floor. After a camel ride, enjoy a glass of wine and marvel at the sunset over Wadi Rum. Tonight, experience a traditional Bedouin dinner under the stars, accompanied by Arabic music
Overnight: Wadi Rum
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10, Tuesday - Visit Kerak Castle, Home-Hosted Lunch, Dead Sea
After breakfast, travel to the city of Kerak, situated on the King's Way. The city is known for its Crusader Kerak Castle, dating back to the 12th century. Tour the imposing fort that consists of stone-vaulted halls and endless passageways. For lunch, you are invited to a local farmer's home. Sample a delicious feast of traditional food cooked by local women especially for you. Experience a unique opportunity to learn about their daily life and get an insight into the Jordanian culture & traditions. Then, travel to your hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth
Overnight: Dead Sea
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11, Wednesday - Bethany Tour
This morning, travel to the religious site of Bethany, located on the east bank of the Jordan River. The site of Bethany, where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, has long been known from the Bible and from Byzantine and medieval texts. The Bethany area formed part of the early Christian pilgrimage route between Jerusalem, the Jordan River, and Mount Nebo. After the tour, return back to the hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure to relax and enjoy the benefits of the mineral-rich therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea. This evening, did farewell to your Tour Manager at dinner
Overnight: Dead Sea
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 12, Thursday - Depart Jordan
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast