Canyons, Castles, Wadis and Wonders...

Day 1

Travel to London Heathrow by complimentary private car (within 50 miles) in time for the departure of your scheduled flight to Amman, the Jordanian capital. A private minibus and driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel for the first of three nights.

Luxury : Grand Hyatt

First Class : Century Park Hotel

Day 2

Amman is a bustling, ever-growing modern capital of superb hotels, shops and cafés but, at its heart, is the ancient Roman city of Philadelphia. The most conspicuous remnant of its former glory is the Roman Theatre, demonstrating beautifully the art of architectural acoustics, and classical history comes to life at Amman’s Archaeological Museum. In the Citadel one can also see the ancient ruins of the Temple of Hercules that date back to A.D.161, the Byzantine Church, and the Omayyad Palace.

You will continue to Jebel Amman which was once the preserve of the elite royalty, wealthy families and British commanders of the army when Amman was just a small town occupying the Downtown valley-floors. Explore by foot the streets around the first circle (roundabout) which are lined with many fine old villas dating from 1920 and some fascinating craft shops.

Continue westwards to the bizarre and wonderful Dead Sea. At the world’s lowest point, you will have the opportunity to relax, as you float in its buoyant waters, or indulge with a number of spa treatments derived from its therapeutic mud. (B)

Luxury: Kempinski Hotel Ishtar

First Class: Dead Sea Spa Hotel

Day 3

The morning is free for more floating in the Dead Sea. An afternoon excursion takes you to the Siq Trail (open 01April – 31st October) in the Mujib Nature Reserve, a deep and majestic canyon which cuts through rugged highland and drains into the Dead Sea. The exciting and adventurous hike involves river walking, swimming and clambering over boulders for 2-3 hours. At 400 metres below sea level, it is the lowest nature reserve in the world. The permanent flowing water in the wadis creates a magnificent bio-diversity, providing an ideal habitat for many endemic species of plants and animals, the most beautiful of which is the mountain goat – the Ibex. Return to your hotel for the night. (B)

Luxury: Kempinski Hotel Ishtar

First Class: Dead Sea Spa Hotel

Day 4

Scattered across historic Jordan are many ancient castles and one of the best preserved is the imposing Crusader castle at Kerak (A.D.1142) visited on your journey south today. Visitors can explore the network of dimly lit vaulted rooms and corridors, interconnected through heavy arches and doorways.

A late afternoon arrival in Petra allows some time to unwind at your hotel before an optional evening excursion to see Petra by night – a magical introduction to the ‘rose-red’ city by the light of a thousand candles accompanied by the gaze of the moon and stars, Bedouin stories and oriental music. (B)

Luxury: Movenpick Resort Petra

First Class: Crowne Plaza Resort

Day 5

Today is devoted to Petra, recently voted one of the ‘New Wonders of the World’, though it is hardly ‘new’ – in fact, it was once memorably described as a ‘rose red city, half as old as time’. This is the stand-out highlight even in a land packed with natural and historical wonders, a necropolis cut into the very mountains thousands of years ago by the Nabateans, a people who venerated rock as the dwelling place of the gods. The first sight of this extraordinary place is unforgettable as visitors round the last turn of the Siq, a narrow, kilometre-long canyon, to emerge at the breathtaking Treasury, one of the greatest architectural and artistic achievements of the ancient world. Its majestic façade changes in colour with the passing of the sun across the sky, from pastel pink to warm gold.

Elsewhere, the multi-hued Royal Tombs, temples, streets and theatres make for enthralling hours of wandering, and a tiring climb (optional) up the mountain-side to the north is richly rewarded with awesome views of the Monastery, another rock-cut masterpiece, and the boundless horizon of Wadi Musa. (B)

Luxury: Movenpick Resort Petra

First Class: Crowne Plaza Resort

Day 6

After breakfast an excursion takes you to see the Crusader castle at Shobak. Visitors today can see the remains of the enclosing wall, the Crusader chapel, and the ancient well.

You will then continue on to the Dana Nature Reserve. This reserve forms a dramatic system of mountains and valleys, extending from the top of the Jordan Rift Valley to the desert lowlands of Wadi Araba. The visitor to this area will be awed by the beauty of the Rummana mountain, the mystery of the ancient archaeological ruins of Feynan, the timeless serenity of Dana village and the grandeur of the red and white sandstone cliffs of Wadi Dana. The Reserve contains a remarkable diversity of landscapes, which range from wooded highlands to rocky slopes and from gravel plains to dunes of sand some of which can be experienced dependent on the hike selected. It is also home to about 600 species of plants, 37 species of mammals and 190 species of birds. (B)

Do either one of these hikes – depending on the time in the year & the trail desired:

Rummana Mountain Trail ( Moderate Trail / Available between 1st of March and 31st of October )

2.5 Km circular walk, taking around 2 hrs. Starts from the Rummana campsite and ascends to the top of Rummana Mountain, where there are excellent views over Wadi Araba. Highlights include magnificent rock structures of sandstone and limestone, birds of prey, and beautiful views of the nature reserve.

Village Tour ( Easy Trail / Available all year through )

2-hours walk around Dana Guesthouse visiting some spectacular viewpoints above Dana Village, exploring the terraced gardens and local community craft workshops.

Feathers Canyon Trail ( Moderate to Hard Trail / No fear of heights / Available all year through )

A circular 3-4 hours hike to a breath taking siq from al- Barra to Shaq al Reesh for 3 km passing rock arena containing Nabatean tombs.

Luxury: Movenpick Resort Petra

First Class: Crowne Plaza Resort

Day 7

South of Petra is another majestic sight – Wadi Rum, one of the world’s most colourful and unique landscapes of desert and mountain scenery . This is Lawrence of Arabia country…much of the epic movie was filmed here, and Lawrence himself was entranced by its beauty and scale, describing this magnificent desert landscape as ‘vast, echoing and godlike’. Embark on a 2 hour four-wheel drive excursion through the desert to enjoy the different rock formations, inscriptions, canyons, sand dunes and sunsets. Savour a traditional dinner in a black ‘bait sha’ar’ Bedouin tent with accompanying local music and a bonfire, before proceeding to the Red Sea resort city of Aqaba. (B,D)

Luxury: Movenpick Resort

First Class: Radisson SAS Tala Bay Resort

Day 8-9

Our journey from north to south concludes in sleepy Aqaba, Jordan’s gateway to the Red Sea.

The sun shines here most days of the year, and you may be tempted to settle back for a day of doing nothing. But, for those who can muster the energy, some of the world’s best snorkelling and scuba diving may be experienced amongst the vibrant coral reefs, just metres offshore, teeming with kaleidoscopically coloured, charmingly inquisitive tropical fish. (B)

Luxury: Movenpick Resort

First Class: Radisson SAS Tala Bay Resort

Day 10

Privately transfer to Aqaba Airport for your return flight to London Heathrow via Amman (and a private car transfer home), or why not extend your stay in Aqaba for more sunbathing or diving? (B)