Treasures of Jordan

Day 1: UK/Amman
Today you’ll depart on your scheduled flight to Amman, the capital of Jordan. On arrival you will be transferred to your comfortable hotel in the heart of the city, where you will stay for the first three nights of your holiday.

Day 2: Amman
Today we have included a fascinating full-day excursion which starts with a morning visit to the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on earth. Here, why not enjoy the unique experience of floating in its water, weather permitting, which is renowned for it’s buoyancy as well as therapeutic qualities. You will then continue to Mount Nebo from where Moses sighted the Promised Land, before you arrive in Madaba, where you’ll see the centuries-old stone mosaic of the Holyland. Return to your hotel for a relaxing evening and dinner.

Day 3: Amman
This morning we have arranged an included city tour of Amman, which will introduce you to sights including the Roman amphitheatre, the magnificent citadel which towers above downtown Amman and King Abdullah’s mosque. This afternoon you will visit Jerash, one of the largest and best preserved Roman cities in existence, where you’ll see the Temples of Artemis and Zeus, Hadrian’s Triumphal Arch and a street of columns a mile long. Return to your hotel where you might enjoy a dip in the swimming pool or a drink in the bar before dinner this evening.

Day 4: Petra
Today’s journey takes you south along the Desert and King’s Highways, and offers breathtaking views of wilderness, mountains and canyons. En route you will visit the ancient fortress of Shobak, one of the largest and most impregnable of the chain of forts built by the Crusaders. Soaring above the landscape, the castle is an impressive example of architectural military genius – each stronghold was built to be exactly a day’s journey from its neighbour and at night a beacon was lit at each castle to signal to Jerusalem that it was safe. We include a visit to Siq al Barid, or ‘Little Petra’. Located just a 10-minute drive from Petra, a classical temple stands guard outside this miniature siq, which is thought to have been an important suburb of the city. The siq, which is only about 350 metres long, is crammed with tombs, temples and houses, as well as the remains of painted frescoes which date back to the 1st century AD. You’ll arrive at your hotel, which is located just a short distance from the entrance gate to Petra, this evening. Settle in for your two-night stay before enjoying dinner.

Day 5: Petra
Head to the restaurant for a buffet breakfast before joining your Tour Manager and a Local Guide on a full-day walking tour of Petra – a real highlight of your holiday.

Petra was once a fabulously wealthy city which sat on the caravan trade routes to the east. The Nabatean people of Petra carved their dwellings and civic buildings out of the sandstone to create a magnificent city like no other before or since. As time went by and new trade routes bypassed Petra, it fell into decline and was eventually abandoned in the 4th century.

This beautiful city is concealed beyond a long, narrow gorge (the Siq) and you will be guided through this corridor of rock into the ‘Lost City’ – one of the world’s most extraordinary sights. Your first glimpse of the magnificent Treasury Building at the end of the Siq will be one you will remember forever. You will have free time to explore some of the rock tombs, or perhaps climb the path up to the Monastery, for yet another glorious panorama.

Enjoy a relaxing evening before tomorrow’s excursion and drive to Aqaba.

Day 6: Wadi Rum & Aqaba
This morning there will be an included 4×4 excursion into the desert of Wadi Rum, which was immortalised in the 1962 film Lawrence of Arabia. While you are here you will have the opportunity to take tea with the Bedouin people who, for centuries, have roamed the barren deserts of the Middle East. Famed for their hospitality, it is part of the Bedouin tradition to look after guests and make them feel welcome in their humble surroundings. After bidding your hosts farewell, you’ll head to the Red Sea town of Aqaba where you will spend the final two nights of your holiday. This afternoon and evening are free for you to spend at leisure. Aqaba is renowned for its superb beaches and the range of watersports on offer so you may choose to soak up the sunshine or take to the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea, which is home to a spectacular variety of marine life and coral reefs. Or why not wander through the town streets, stopping for a refreshing cup of coffee.

Day 7: Aqaba
Today is free for you to spend at leisure. You may choose to relax by the pool or maybe go snorkelling in the Red Sea.

Day 8: Aqaba/UK
After breakfast this morning you’ll depart Aqaba and fly to Amman where you will take your return flight back home to the UK.

Please note
This holiday includes walking in areas of rough ground, gradients and steps.

Accommodation throughout is in hotels of a comfortable standard, typical of the hotels you will stay in are:

4-star Bristol Amman in Amman
4-star Guest House Hotel in Petra
4-star Hilton Doubletree in Aqaba town
All guest rooms feature en suite facilities, air-conditioning, mini-bar, TV and telephone. Hotel facilities include a restaurant, lounge and swimming pool.

All hotels will be confirmed in your final documentation.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Included excursions and visits

Dead Sea, Mount Nebo and Madaba (full day)
Amman tour including Jerash visit (full day)
Shobak Castle visit
‘Little Petra’ visit
Petra walking tour (full day)
Wadi Rum desert by 4×4 vehicle including tea in a Bedouin tent

Your holiday includes

Scheduled flights and internal flights
Overseas transfers and other transportation
7 nights’ accommodation
Half-board basis from day 2
The services of a Travelsphere Tour Manager and Local Guide
Hotel porterage (one bag per person)
All airport taxes and security charges
UK Airline Passenger Duty
All state and local taxes

With 50 years’ experience in arranging escorted tours to exciting destinations across the globe, Travelsphere have built an excellent reputation founded on quality and value.

By choosing a Travelsphere escorted holiday you can travel with confidence, knowing that every aspect of your holiday has been carefully planned and arranged from start to finish. Further to this they are ATOL bonded and members of ABTA.

Travelsphere’s thorough planning of travel arrangements, itineraries and accommodation combined with the unique insight of their knowledgeable Tour Managers and Local Guides will enable you to experience the culture, traditions and hidden away places less accessible to other travellers.

Our Opinion
“Travelsphere are one of the biggest names in the Escorted Tour market. Finely tuned over the last 50 years their tours have been tried, tested and refined by thousands of customers.”