Compare Best of Jordan by Encounters Travel vs Jordan Experience with Dead Sea Extension - Small Group, Winter by Insight Vacations
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 1,020 | $ 3,125 |
| Price Per Day | $ 146 | $ 313 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes | N/A |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions | N/A |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
| Activities | N/A |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description | A 7-day tour of Jordan taking in the country's main highlights of Jerash, Petra and the Dead Sea, plus also visiting lesser known sites such as the historic town of As-Salt and the Baptism site at Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan | Delight in all the desert offers during this 9-day guided tour. Journey to Jerash, a short jaunt from Amman, to see the Greco-Roman city up close: Explore the ruins of the Temples of Artemis and Zeus. Ascend to one of the holiest sites in Jordan, the 11,929-foot-tall Mount Nebo, where Moses once stood to see the Promised Land. Walk through the secret passages of the 12th Century fortress of Shobak and survey the desert that surrounds you. Travel to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra, a city carved from red rocks and lost in time: Traverse a gorge to the city’s Treasury, an ornate tomb, and through a canyon to its Roman Amphitheatre, which once seated thousands of spectators. Back in Amman, enjoy a city tour that leads you to the ruins of Citadel Hill, with spectacular views of the city below or take a guided street art tour and see the incredible graffiti. Spend two days relaxing by the Dead Sea. |
Welcome to Jordan, hotel transfers included Upon arrival in the airport, our company will welcome you to Jordan and drive you to your hotel. The accommodation is situated in the centre of the capital city of Amman and is ideal for walking around the area and nearby sights. If you want to relax you can do so in the hotel or venture to the shops and cafés. If you need help settling in or have any questions, our staff will be on hand.
OVERNIGHT:
Amman hotel
MEALS:
None
EXTRAS:
Extra day in Amman - pre tour
Superior hotel upgrade
Single room supplement (required if no room share available)
Day 2 Exploring the Harmony Trail & the Baptism site at Bethany
The Harmony Trail at As-Salt and the Baptism Site at Bethany This tour sets off to the hilltop town of As-Salt in the morning, which is a 40-mintue drive from the city of Amman. As-Salt was a trading link between the Jordan Valley and the Eastern Desert as well as the former capital of Amman. Your guide will show you around the snaking narrow streets and point out the elaborate Islamic architecture made from yellow limestone. Today, this town is an example of the religious and cultural friendship between the local Muslim and Christian population. You will stroll along the self-designed 'Harmony Trail' and learn more about the history of the town and its people. Lunch will be served with a local family and you will get to sample some traditional delicacies. After lunch, you can meander out of the hills to the Baptism Site at Bethany. This site was recently excavated and is believed to be the biblical 'Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan' - the place where John baptised Jesus Christ. You will also see an assortment of churches, caves and pools from the Roman and Byzantine periods. Your guide will describe to you how both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI visited this area. An electric minibus will drive you from the visitors centre to the three sites of Mar Elias, the Baptism Pools and John the Baptist's Church. The tour will conclude back at your hotel in Amman where you can rest in the evening.
OVERNIGHT:
Amman hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast, Lunch
EXTRAS:
None
Day 3 Amman & Jerash
The tour will depart from Amman and first visit Jerash, one of the world's most well preserved Roman architecture sites outside of Italy. For centuries, this site was buried under layers of sand and was only discovered 70 years ago. Jerash is a significant model of Roman urbanism with its public squares, plazas, colonnaded streets, hilltop temples and theatres. The afternoon will then be spent back in Amman seeing more of the city and understanding its history. Your expert guide will describe in detail how many archaeological discoveries have uncovered remains from the Neolithic period as well as the Hellenistic and late Roman to Arab Islamic Ages. The walking tour will begin at the Citadel, home to the ancient Hercules Temple, the Byzantine Church, the Umayyad Palace and a 6000-seater Roman theatre, built during the Roman Period. This theatre is still used as a space to display cultural events.
OVERNIGHT:
Amman hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast
EXTRAS:
Amman evening food tasting tour
Day 4 Travel to Petra
Driving along the King's Highway to Petra In the morning, you will vacate your hotel in Amman and drive along the King's Highway to Petra. This lengthy route will allow you to soak up the enchanting scenery, the deep wadis, farmlands, olive groves and rural villages. Before you arrive in Petra, the tour will stop at Madaba and you can check out the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George - famous for its 6th century-old Byzantine mosaic map of the Holy Land and other biblical sites. Your guide will lead you to Mount Nebo, the known burial place of Moses with some magnificent views of the Holy Land. The tour will then drive south over more gaping wadis and canyons to reach the Kerak Castle - one of many Crusader fortresses sprinkled across Jordan in the 12th century. The Crusaders called the castle 'Crac des Moabites' or 'Karak' in Moab. This castle is a perfect point for viewing the hills and plains. After you have arrived in Petra, you can relax for the rest of the evening. You also have the option to see the city with the Petra by Candlelight tour through the Siq to the Treasury.
OVERNIGHT:
Petra hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast
EXTRAS:
Petra by Candlelight (arranged locally)
Day 5 Exploring Petra
This day is all about adventuring around the famous Nabatean site of Petra. This site was the capital of the ancient Nabatean commercial empire until the Romans seized power in 106AD. Sitting on the edge of Wadi Aruba, the Siq is the best way to get into the site. It is a twisting tunnel that cuts through the canyon walls and hills. In Petra, you will soon see that there are not many freestanding buildings as the Nabateans liked to construct their homes into the pink sandstone cliffs. Your guide will take you into the city and you can also enjoy some free time to wander around by yourself. The Siq is the starting point for the guided tour and continues to Khazneh, one of the most impressive temples in Petra. As you walk, your guide will describe how the houses were carved and the spiritual importance of the site. The tour will also include the ancient ruined Roman amphitheater and the colonnaded street. In your free time you should head up the gorge to the Monastery - the largest of Petra's carved monuments. This uphill walk can take some time, but the vista over the Wadi Aruba and the Jordan Valley is worth it. If you have the energy, keep going until you reach the High Place of Sacrifice and the Lion Fountain.
OVERNIGHT:
Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum
MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner
EXTRAS:
None
Day 6 Wadi Rum Jeep safari & visiting the Dead Sea
The tour will drive into the desert landscape of Wadi Rum. You should keep an eye out for the copper-coloured rocky 'jebels' that inspired the writer TE Lawrence during the Arab Revolt and appeared in the movie Lawrence of Arabia. Traversing by jeep safari, the tour will go past sharp cliffs and striking rock formations. The tour will turn north and go towards the Dead Sea - one of the world's most remarkable destinations. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth at 400 metres below sea level and is a most stunning sight. A variety of rivers including the River Jordan flow into this sea. As these rivers are landlocked, they then evaporate and create a combination of salt and minerals, which make high quality products for industries. There is a range of mountains surrounding the Dead Sea and the hills of Jerusalem lie to the west. This region is now sparsely populated, but was believed to have been home to the five biblical cities of Sodom, Gomorrah, Adman, Zebouin and Zoar (Bela). You will also get a chance to bath in these salubrious and salty waters. As a result of the large amount of salt, normal swimming is not possible so it is better to float or sit in the water. You should avoid getting any salt water in your eyes, as it will sting. The day will conclude back at your hotel in Amman.
OVERNIGHT:
Amman hotel
MEALS:
Breakfast
EXTRAS:
None
Day 7 Free time in Amman, airport transfer included
You are free to do any last minute shopping or visit some more sights on your last day in Amman. A transfer will collect you and drive you to the airport for your departing flight back home. You can also choose to go on an optional day trip with choices like an excursion to Aljoun Castle, the Desert Castles and the Baptism Site at Bethany or a tour into Israel to see Bethlehem or Jerusalem. It is possible to extend your tour and transfer to Tel Aviv by flight or overland to connect with the Biblical Israel tour, starting on Sunday. You can also extend your stay at a resort by the Red Sea or Aqaba.
OVERNIGHT:
N/A
MEALS:
Breakfast
EXTRAS:
Pella and Umm Qais
Extra day in Amman - post-tour
Aqaba extension
Day 1: Arrive Amman
The landscape of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has changed very little in 2,000 years. On arrival at Amman airport, you are transferred to your hotel to relax and settle in.Later, join your Travel Director for drinks and a Welcome Dinner.
Amman Marriott Hotel.
Dinner with Wine
Day 2: Exploring Amman and Jerash
After breakfast depart for Iraq Al-Amir for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Visit a women's cooperative involving women and girls from nearby Wadi Al Seer villages. The association is supported by Insight Vacations through The TreadRight Foundation and provides training and work opportunities for women in the region.Then, the journey to Jerash reveals the most beautifully preserved example of a Greco-Roman city still in existence. Enter through Hadrian's Arch, to explore the grand ruins of the Temples of Artemis and Zeus, where you can listen to the Whispering Column. Overlook the vast Oval Plaza and Cardo Maximus, the key Roman road.Enjoy an al fresco lunch of natural produce and family recipes at Beit Khairat Souf, during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. This women-owned café is combatting female unemployment and aims to build a strong community of women leaders. Return to Amman where the rest of the day is at leisure.
Amman Marriott Hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3: Madaba, Mount Nebo, Shobak and on to Petra
Continue to Mount Nebo, one of the most revered holy sites of Jordan, where Moses is said to have stood and seen before him the Promised Land. At Madaba, visit the famous Greek Orthodox Church of St. George with its amazing 6th century mosaic map depicting the entire Holy Land, stretching from Jordan and Palestine in the north, to Egypt in the south. Follow the King's Highway to visit Shobak, an authentic 12th century crusader fortress, perched on the side of a rocky mountain. Admire the towers and Arabic calligraphy on the external walls before stepping inside to discover the original Crusader chapel, palace complex, and even a set of secret passages! Later, head south for one of the highlights of your journey: the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra, voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Petra Marriott Hotel.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 4: Exploring the Lost City of Petra
This day is devoted to the beautiful ‘rose-red city, half as old as time'. You enter this lost city through a narrow gorge, the Siq, with walls that rise up to 200 metres. Emerge from the path to see the magnificent Treasury, carved out of solid rock and standing over 40 metres high.Wind your way through the canyon to explore the ancient tombs and the Roman Amphitheatre, which once seated 3,000 spectators.Tonight, dine with locals in a stunning backdrop at the Ammarin desert camp.
Petra Marriott Hotel.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Wadi Rum with the Bedouin
Head to Wadi Rum. Enjoy beautiful vistas as you make your way on a jeep safari deep, into the heart of Wadi Rum's majestic desert. Enjoy the spectacular Bedouin hospitality tonight as you dine with locals under the stars. Wadi Rum is known as one of the world's best place for stargazing. After dinner join an astronomer for a private stargazing session, a magical experience. Stay in elegant simplicity in a desert camp for the night.
Sun City Camp, Wadi Rum.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Amman
If you wish, start the day with sunrise yoga at the Bedouin camp, before returning to Amman. Explore Amman with Insight Choice. Choose to join a guided sightseeing experience, highlighting the city’s history, architecture and culture. Alternatively, explore Amman's street art scene on a guided graffiti walking tour. Later, check in at your hotel where the rest of your day is at leisure. Join in a lively dinner to celebrate the end of your Jordanian adventures.
Amman Marriott Hotel.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 7: Onwards to the Dead Sea Relaxed Start
Transfer to the Dead Sea for its warm, soothing and mineral-rich waters. Pamper yourself at your resort which offers a wide range of treatments to soothe the body and mind.
Dead Sea Marriott Resort & Spa.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 8: Dead Sea at Leisure Relaxed Start
Enjoy the entire day at your leisure. Lying more than 400 metres below sea level, this is Earth's lowest point on dry land. Its famous hypersaline water makes floating easy. The surrounding desert offers many oases and historic sites to explore.
Dead Sea Marriott Resort & Spa.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9: Depart Amman
After breakfast, you are transferred to Amman Airport for your onward flight.
Breakfast
