Jordan Express Tour
Jordan Express Tour
Jordan Express Tour
6 Days Starting and ending in Amman, Jordan
Visiting: Amman, Wadi Musa, Wadi Rum Village
Tour operator:
Tour code:
146
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 18
Age range:
Over 90s
Special diets catered:
Please advise requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
This fascinating tour of Jordan ticks off all its most noteworthy sights including Jerash, Petra, the Dead Sea and Amman. You will also experience a thrilling jeep safari and a night at Bedouin camp in the Wadi Rum desert. Beginning and ending in Amman, we'll start off by exploring the capital city, visiting the Citadel and the 6,000 seat Roman theatre. The well-preserved Roman ruins at Jerash are next on the list before the tour heads south, driving along the picturesque King's Highway to Petra, passing Madaba, Mount Nebo and the impressive Crusader Castle at Kerak. One full day will be spent venturing around the charming 'Rose Red City' of Petra. Starting with a walk, you will be led through the snaking Siq to view the 2,000-year-old Treasury. Here, you can enjoy a morning guided tour of this eye-catching location and you'll have some time to explore the area by yourself. The Jordan tour will continue south and spend the night in the Wadi Rum desert. You will enjoy a 4x4 jeep safari before the tour heads north to the Dead Sea, giving you a chance to swim in its famously salty waters before we head back to Amman to conclude the tour. Upgrades are available to 4 or 5-star hotels on request.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Amman. Hotel Transfers Included
Location: Amman
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Amman Hotel
Meals Included: No Meals
Once you've landed at the airport, we'll be there to meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Jordan's bustling capital city of Amman. After helping you check in and pointing you to any local shops, cafes or restaurants, you're free to explore Amman independently before our sightseeing starts tomorrow.
Day 2 : Exploring Jerash And Amman
Location: Amman
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Amman hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We start the day by heading north out of Amman to nearby Jerash, one of the largest and most well-preserved sites of Roman architecture in the world outside Italy. Fondly referred to as the 'Jewel of the North', Jerash boasts an unbroken chain of human occupation dating back more than 6,500 years.
Jerash was hidden for centuries in sand, evacuations and restorations over the past 70 years have revealed a fine example of the grand, formal provincial Roman urbanism that is found throughout the Middle East.
After returning from Jerash we spend the afternoon exploring Amman, commonly known as the 'white city' due to its sheer number of white limestone buildings. Amman's rich history dates back many millennia, with numerous excavations and renovations uncovering remains from the Neolithic period as well as the Hellenistic and late Roman to Arab Islamic Ages.
Our tour will include the Citadel - the former home of the ancient Temple of Hercules, The Umayyad Palace and the Byzantine Church. We'll also visit the 6000-seat Roman Theatre - which dates to the Roman period, when the city was known as Philadelphia.
Day 3 : King's Highway To Petra With Stops At Madaba & Kerak Castle
Location: Wadi Musa
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Petra Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We leave Amman behind us today as we drive along the scenic King's Highway to Petra. The drive is a beautiful one as we cross deep wadis, pass through olive groves and remote rural villages, giving you a unique insight into the daily lives of the locals.
Our first stop will be at Madaba, as we visit the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George - famed for its 6th century Byzantine Mosaic map of the Holy Land and other biblical sites. Next, we'll venture up Mount Nebo, which offers breath-taking views of the Holy Land.
We'll hit the road once more, this time crossing the beautiful Wadi al-Mujib, which winds through olive groves before it traverses up over a deep canyon until we reach Kerak Castle, which forms part of several Crusader castles built during the 12th century on the Egypt-Syrian caravan route.
Upon arrival in Petra, we'll check into the hotel and the evening is free for you to relax and explore. An option is available to get a first taste of Petra itself with the atmospheric Petra by Candlelight tour through the Siq to the Treasury.
Day 4 : Full Day Exploration Of Petra, Camping Underneath The Stars In Wadi Rum
Location: Wadi Rum Village
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Wadi Rum Bedouin camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today is all about exploring the Nabatean site of Petra. It was once the ancient capital of the Nabataean commercial empire until the Romans finally took over in 106AD. For a long period of time, Petra was forgotten - except by the local Bedouins - before it was rediscovered in 1812 by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. Petra can be found at the edge of the Wadi Aruba desert, where canyon walls and towering hills make it virtually impossible to reach, except via a narrow cleft in the rock, known as the Siq. There are very few free-standing buildings in Petra, as the Nabateans chose to carve their dwellings into the multi coloured sandstone cliffs. Petra has become one of Jordan's main tourist attractions and the Jordanian Government is well aware of this. The tourism infrastructure in the adjoining village of Wadi Musa is booming, though, thankfully, once you enter through the Siq, the site is protected, there aren't that many touts or souvenir sellers, and all the building feels miles away.
We have most of the day available today to explore this ancient city (2-3 hour guided tour, then free time to explore independently). We start by making our way through the Siq, which rises to 200 metres above us and narrows to just 2 metres wide in certain sections. Keep an eye out for the ancient Nabatean water channel which is still visible on one wall and there are remnants of the terracotta pipes that brought water into the city as well. We'll turn a corner and suddenly - one of the most familiar sights of Petra will be in front of you - The Khazneh (Treasury) comes into view. Our guide will explain how this, and the other buildings here, are mainly elaborate facades carved into the rock from the top down, and also discuss the spiritual significance of the building style.
From the Treasury, the valley opens out, and you'll see tombs carved into the rock on both sides. You'll get a glimpse of the ruined Roman amphitheatre and colonnaded streets and during your free time, you can walk up a steep and narrow winding gorge to the towering 'Monastery' - which is 50 metres high and 45 metres wide, giving you breath-taking views of the Wadi Aruba desert and the Jordan Valley. Another climb takes you to the High Place of Sacrifice, and Lion Fountain. All in all, this is a full and tiring exercise, but hugely rewarding day touring one of the world's most famous ancient sites.
Walking distances today are an absolute minimum of 3km through the Siq to the Treasury and back and to see a few tombs, 8km to take the trail on as far as the main basin, plus an additional few km to the Monastery and back (over 800 steps up and down). For those with less mobility or who are worried about the distance, horse carriages are available for around 20JD (USD 28) to take you on the 1.2km journey through the Siq to the Treasury and back again at an agreed time. They will also take you further in through the site for an extra fee. We do not recommend riding the horses that are available. Donkeys are available for the steps up to the Monastery - if you want to use them, we'd reommend doing this on the way up, not on the way down.
Later in the afternoon, we leave Petra and drive into the spectacular desert scenery of Wadi Rum where friendly Bedouin hosts are ready to greet us at a comfortable camp beneath the towering rocks and cliffs. We spend the evening and night relaxing at the camp, watching the stars and enjoying a delicious traditional Jordanian
Day 5 : A Jeep Safari In Wadi Rum & Dead Sea Swim
Location: Amman
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Amman Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We start the day early, exploring the beautiful desert and mountain scenery of Wadi Rum. Keep an eye out for the copper-coloured rocky 'jebels', which mesmerised TE Lawrence during his visits to the desert during the Arab Revolt and was later famed in the movie Lawrence of Arabia. We'll take a jeep safari through the beautiful desert scenery, seeing more of the sheer cliffs and bizarre rock formations.
We say goodbye to Wadi Rum later in the morning and head north towards the Dead Sea, one of the planet's most spectacular destinations. Not only is it the lowest point on earth, coming in at 400 metres below sea level, it's also considered to be one of the world's most spiritual landscapes, filled with dramatic, natural wonders.
The Dead Sea is fed by numerous rivers, including the River Jordan. Once the waters reach the Dead Sea they are land-locked and have nowhere to go, so they evaporate, leaving behind a dense, rich, cocktail of salts and minerals that supply industry, agriculture and medicine with some of its finest products.
The Dead Sea is flanked by mountains to the east and the rolling hills of Jerusalem to the west, giving it an almost otherworldly beauty. Although sparsely populated and serenely quiet now, the area is believed to have been home to five Biblical cities: Sodom, Gomorrah, Adman, Zebouin and Zoar (Bela).
We'll stop along the way to enjoy a 'swim', though the intensely salty waters lead to a very strange swimming experience. In fact, normal swimming is not possible, and it is easier (and more photogenic!) just to float, sitting or lying in the water. Be careful not to get any water in your eyes, as it will sting.Showers will be available where we swim to clean off the salt water afterwards.
We finish the day back at our hotel in Amman.
Day 6 : Free Time In Amman. Airport Transfer Included
Location: Amman
Meals Included: Breakfast
You have the day free to catch up on some last-minute sightseeing or shopping in Amman before your departure flight. Alternatively, you may wish to take one of several optional day trips. These include a full day tour to the Baptism site at Bethany and Ajloun Castle, a trip to Pella and Umm Qai or a tour of the 'Desert Castles'.
We can also arrange a transfer to Tel Aviv either by flight or overland for people wanting to connect this tour with one of our Israel tours. Finally, we can also fly you to Cairo to join one of our Egypt tours. Please ask us for full details and we'll be delighted to help plan an extension to your tour.
What's Included
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Accommodation
As detailed in the itinerary.
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Fully Guided
Yes.
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Meals
As detailed in the itinerary.
What's Not Included
Not Included.
Check out our Q&As
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What is the maximum group size?
Max. 18 people.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes.
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Low.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes.
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes.
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary.
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Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.
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When is my balance payment due?
60 days prior to departure
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s
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Can I transfer my booking to someone else?
Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.