Jordan Treasures

Upon arrival at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, you'll be greeted by our representative who will assist with immigration formalities and transfer you to your hotel in Jordan's capital city. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to rest or begin exploring the surroundings. In the evening, gather for a welcome dinner at a traditional Jordanian restaurant where you'll sample mezze (small dishes) and local specialties while receiving a briefing about your upcoming adventure. Overnight in Amman.

After breakfast, embark on a full-day excursion beginning with a panoramic city tour of Amman, including the Citadel with its Temple of Hercules, the 8th-century Umayyad Palace, and the Roman Theater, a 6,000-seat structure dating from the 2nd century. Continue to Jerash (approximately 1-hour drive), one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in the world. Explore this spectacular site with its colonnaded streets, temples, theaters, and public squares. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Ajloun Castle, an impressive 12th-century Muslim fortress built by one of Saladin's generals. From its hilltop position, enjoy panoramic views of the Jordan Valley. Return to Amman in the late afternoon. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant or at your hotel. Overnight in Amman.

After breakfast, check out and begin your journey southward. First, visit Madaba, known as the "City of Mosaics," where you'll see the famous 6th-century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land at St. George's Church. Continue to Mount Nebo, the place where Moses viewed the Promised Land before his death. Visit the Memorial Church of Moses and enjoy panoramic views of the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. After lunch, proceed along the ancient King's Highway through a scenic landscape of villages and mountains. Make a photo stop at the impressive Crusader Castle of Kerak (exterior view). Arrive in Petra in the late afternoon and check into your hotel. This evening, experience "Petra by Night" (subject to operating schedule), a magical way to see part of the ancient city by candlelight. Overnight in Petra.

Dedicate a full day to exploring Petra, the famed rose-red city half as old as time. Begin early to make the most of your visit to this UNESCO World Heritage site. Enter through the Siq, a narrow gorge flanked by towering cliffs, which dramatically opens up to reveal the magnificent Treasury (Al-Khazneh). This elaborate temple carved from the rock face is just the first of Petra's remarkable structures. Continue through the ancient city to see the Street of Facades, the impressive 3,000-seat Theater, Royal Tombs, and the Colonnaded Street. For those with energy to spare, climb the 800 steps to the imposing Monastery (Ad-Deir) for spectacular views. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant within the archaeological site. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon to rest. In the evening, participate in a Jordanian cooking class followed by dinner, learning to prepare traditional dishes like mansaf (lamb with rice and yogurt sauce) or maqluba (an "upside-down" dish of meat, rice, and vegetables). Overnight in Petra.

After breakfast, check out and visit Little Petra (Siq al-Barid), a smaller but fascinating archaeological site that was a suburb of Petra. Continue to the protected desert wilderness of Wadi Rum (approximately 1.5-hour drive), also known as the Valley of the Moon. This dramatic landscape of ancient riverbeds, wind-sculpted mountains, vast sand dunes, and natural rock arches was the filming location for "Lawrence of Arabia" and more recently, "The Martian." Enjoy a 2-hour jeep tour through the desert, marveling at the spectacular scenery and stopping at ancient rock inscriptions. Enjoy lunch at a Bedouin camp, where you'll learn about traditional Bedouin lifestyle and hospitality. In the afternoon, drive to the Dead Sea (approximately 4-hour drive), the lowest point on Earth at 422 meters below sea level. Upon arrival, check into your resort hotel. Take advantage of the hotel's private beach access to experience the famous buoyancy of the mineral-rich waters and apply the therapeutic mud. Enjoy dinner at your hotel. Overnight at the Dead Sea.

After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely morning at the Dead Sea. Depending on your departure time, you might have a chance for a final float in the mineral-rich waters or indulge in an optional spa treatment (at additional cost). Check out from your hotel and transfer to Queen Alia International Airport for your departure flight. End of services.