Ancient Kingdom of Jordan

Day 1 Depart London Heathrow
In the executive lounge at Heathrow, you’ll meet your Tour Manager before your flight to Amman, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. On arrival you’ll check into the Amman Marriott for a 2 night stay.

Day 2 Amman
Your morning tour begins at the ancient Citadel, perched above the city. You’ll visit the ruins of the Temple of Hercules, dating to 161AD, a Byzantine Church and the Persian-influenced Umayyad Palace. A fascinating collection of exhibits at the Archaeological Museum includes the famous Dead Sea Scrolls. Heading north to Jerash, you’ll get an impression of the sheer scale of a Roman city at its peak. You’ll enter through the monumental South Gate, view the lovely Oval Plaza and the Temple of Zeus then explore the Market Place, the Omayyad quarter, the Nymphaeum – an ornate public fountain decorated with lion heads – and the impressive Hadrian’s Arch, dedicated to the 129AD visit of Emperor Hadrian. In the evening, you’re invited to a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Day 3 Amman to Petra
An exhilarating drive along the 5,000 year old Kings Highway takes you to Petra, passing Mount Nebo, the burial place of Moses and one of Jordan’s most revered holy sites. You’ll visit Madaba, a small town famous for its mosaic map of the known world. Later you’ll arrive at Petra’s Mövenpick Resort for 3 nights. The ancient desert ‘Rose Red City’ of Petra is regarded as an archaeological treasure. A cultural treat awaits you this evening, with a Bedouin dinner cooked in a traditional zarb and eaten around a camp fire.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Day 4 Petra
Nothing quite prepares you for your experience today. Petra is simply astounding. Carved into the giant red mountains by Nabatean Arabs 2,000 years ago, the city was lost for centuries until its dramatic rediscovery in 1812. Your tour takes in Petra’s magnificent sights; the huge Treasury, the hilltop monastery and the 8,000 seat theatre. Many of our travellers feel that wandering the colonnaded streets, gazing up at these ancient marvels, is one of their most moving and meaningful experiences.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 5 Petra
Today you’re free to explore the many hidden corners of Petra and absorb the unique atmosphere. You might also like to visit Little Petra, a suburb of the main city, which is generally quieter and has lovely views. In the evening, you can experience Petra by candlelight.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 6 Petra to Wadi Rum and Aqaba
After a leisurely morning at the hotel, you’ll drive out to Wadi Rum, made famous by the film Lawrence of Arabia, then take an exhilarating jeep ride through the dramatic desert scenery, with huge sandstone granite mountains towering over narrow canyons and wide sandy valleys. This is where some of the most magnificent sunsets can be seen, with subtle changes in daylight caressing the extraordinary terrain and rugged rocks. Relax and enjoy the ambience under a lamp-lit Arabian Tent for a traditional Bedouin dinner, before continuing to the coast for 2 nights at the Mövenpick Aqaba

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Day 7 Aqaba
You have a full free day to get to know Aqaba; a delightful Red Sea resort with a mild climate and gentle waters which are home to a plethora of marine life. Your Tour Manager can suggest excursions to make the most of your time.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 8 Aqaba to the Dead Sea
No journey to Jordan is complete without a visit to the Dead Sea; the world’s richest source of natural salts now associated with health and wellbeing. Ancient visitors include Cleopatra and King Herod the Great, and like them you’ll find a main attraction of your visit is floating in the incredibly buoyant, mineral-rich water. You’ll stay at the Jordan Valley Marriott Dead Sea Resort & Spa.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 9 Return to London Heathrow
After breakfast, you’ll transfer to Amman Airport for your flight home.

Meals: Breakfast.

Tour includes:

Local expert guides in resort
All flights specified
London airport executive lounge
Inspirational sightseeing programme
Hotel luggage porterage service
8 breakfasts and 3 dinners

On a Journey of Distinction, you are not merely a bystander. They believe that the wonders, customs and cultures you experience will live on in the core of your being. They even go so far as to say that one of their holidays will change your life forever.

Their combination of Tour Managers and Local Guides is what makes Journey of Distinction so distinctive. When you’re embarking on a voyage of discovery, it’s reassuring to know that a seasoned traveller is with you every step of the way; planning, organising, checking details and offering their advice and support. Their groups all depart from the UK, and no one joins us along the way, so you have the reassuring constancy of always knowing your travelling companions.

Our Opinion
“Limited to just 25 travellers per departure, every Journeys of Distinction escorted tour has an intimate, personal feel that makes for a more enjoyable experience.”