Discovery of Arabia (9 days): with Camping

Bedouin camp in the Wadi Rum desert, Jordan. © outcast85 | Bigstock

A 9 -Day Tour of Jordan including Amman, Petra, and camping in Wadi Rum or Dana Nature Reserve.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL – Daily – You choose the Day – Private Tour
Or Join a group tour (Must be Sunday Arrival for the group tour) Group Tour rate is listed below
Arrival at Amman International Airport. You’ll be met and escorted to your hotel. Transfers are always on a private basis, with a private air-conditioned vehicle, and a private chauffeur.

DAY 2: AMMAN (BD)
Enjoy a private tour of Amman. Visit the Roman Theater, the Citadel, the Archaeology and Folklore Museums, old and modern Amman and one of the many art galleries in this enchanting capital city, then King Abdallah Mosque on to Amman Museum:

THE SECRET DEAD SEA SCROLLS – A TALE OF WANDERING
The peoples of the Holy Land have wandered from homeland to dispersion, across the parted waters of the Red Sea, back to their homeland. So too, the Dead Sea Scrolls have followed an epic journey, from hazy origins in the time of the Second Temple, to secret caches, to their repositories today, where they are revered as the heritage of mankind.

It was in 1947 that the first scrolls were rediscovered by Bedouin shepherds in the Qumran Caves overlooking the Dead Sea. Inscribed in Hebrew and Aramaic and Greek on parchment and papyrus, unmolested since before the time of Christ, they were the earliest original holy writings ever brought to light. Only dimly appreciated at first, they embarked on a journey that took them through the hands of dealers and connoisseurs, to Bethlehem, Lebanon and New York, and finally to Jerusalem.

Discoveries continued, as 11 caves were explored, revealing scrolls and fragments of sacred texts and historical records of the construction of the Second Temple. Most found their way to the Rockefeller Museum, and later were incorporated into today’s Shrine of the Book in Jerusalem.

But other treasures made their way to the Jordan Archaeological Museum, where they are displayed in an alcove at one end of the building, in an unpretentious setting that belies their importance. The collection includes a fragment of the Book of Isaiah, and the Dead Sea Bronze Scroll, an inventory of caches of valuables, composed in Aramaic characters, the vernacular language of Palestine at the time of Christ.

As you gaze and at the scrolls in the museum, reflect on the Biblical events of which they speak that took place in what is now Jordan. Lot’s wife was turned into a pillar of salt, and Lot fled to a cave in what is now Safi. Lot’s descendants ruled over Moab in Central Jordan. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by fire. Jesus preached in the Decapolis, the ten Roman cities of northern Jordan and southern Syria. The Israelites crossed this land on the way to exile in Persia; and Moses viewed the Holy Land from Mount Nebo, and expired.

In the evening visit Kan Zaman Village for dinner, a Folklore show and a preview of the many handicraft ateliers. Private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur, private guide.

DAY 3: DEAD SEA – GALILEE (BL)
After breakfast, drive down to the lowest spot on Earth and experience floating in the waters of the Dead Sea. Continue northwards to Pella in the Jordan Valley. Visit Um Qais, Gedara of the Bible (Matthew 8:28-34) for a spectacular view of the Sea of Galilee, the Yarmouk River and the Golan Heights. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. Return in the late afternoon to Amman. Private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur, private guide.

DAY 4: Jerash – Pella – Ajloun (BL)
After breakfast, drive northwards to Pella (“Tabaqat Fahl “in Arabic) in the Jordan Valley, about 78 km north of Amman, Pella is one of the most ancient sites in Jordan, the famous spring in Pella never runs dry. The are seems to have been continuously inhabited since Neolithic times; and some recent finds even date to Paleolithic times, around 100,000 years ago. Then travel southeast to Jerash, among the best-preserved cities of the Romans, and walk among its colonnaded temples and theaters, enjoy lunch at a charming local restaurant, and continue to Ajloun to tour the 12th century Saracen Castle built by one of Saladin’s lieutenants in the campaign against the Crusaders, before heading back to your hotel in Amman. Private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur, private guide.

DAY 5: KERAK – PETRA (BL)
Your Amman guide will escort you throughout Jordan. So aside from your private chauffeur, your private guide will be on hand as well escorting you all the way.

We will drive southwards along the Kings’ Way to Petra, visiting Madaba, the oldest map of the Holy Land, and its Mosaic School, Mt. Nebo and the alleged burial site of Moses overlooking the Dead Sea and the Jordan Valley. Then drive through the magnificent scenery of Wadi Mujib to visit the Crusader Castle of Kerak. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Overnight in Petra. Private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur, private local guide.

DAY 6: PETRA (BLD)
A full day to visit the many sites of Petra, the city that was carved into the rose-red Sharah Mountains by the Nabateans and lost to civilization until it was rediscovered by the Swiss Burkhardt. Walk through the Siq, a narrow and winding fissure between the cliffs, to reach the treasury, the Roman Theater, the Courts, Qasr Bint Pharaoun, Temple of the Winged Lion and other monuments. A break for lunch is included). Private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur, private local guide.

In the evening we will call on you for a unique experience:
Dine as a local: The Petra Kitchen is a delightful way to round out your Jordan travel experiences. Like any home kitchen, The Petra Kitchen is a relaxed, informal atmosphere where you’ll gather to prepare an evening meal, working alongside local women under the supervision of our chef.

Each evening meal includes soup, cold and hot mezza (appetizers) and salads, and a main course—all typical Jordanian dishes. You will have get an inside glimpse of the secrets behind the famous regional cuisine of the Levant.

The Petra Kitchen offers an evening of learning, fun and a very special dining experience, with each dish gaining the special flavor of a reward well-earned. Great care has been taken to make The Petra Kitchen a truly Jordanian experience—right down to the furnishings, all crafted in Jordan, the tableware, all produced by the Iraq al Amir Women’s Co-operative, and the aprons and table linens, all hand-embroidered by the Jordan River Foundation.

Tour experience tonight includes the cuisine course, meal and all non-alcoholic beverages as well as take-home recipes for all dishes prepared that evening.

DAY 7: PETRA – Wadi Rum or Dana Nature Reserve (BLD)
Breakfast is included at the hotel. We board four-wheel-drive vehicles for an expedition to Wadi Rum, the “Valley of the Moon” where T. E. Lawrence (“Lawrence of Arabia”) organized Arab resistance to Ottoman rule during World War I. Lunch box is included. After our visit we head to one of the local camp sites.

You may choose between Camping in Wadi Rum or Dana Nature Reserve. It is essential to take several layers of clothes, including warm layers as this is desert weather, so there is a great drop and / or increase in temperatures with sunrise / sunset.

Sun City Camp, Martian Dome

Sample camp site: the Luxury Camping: Sun City Camp (Wadi Rum) or the RSCN Rummana Campsite at the Dana Nature Reserve. For guests who do not wish to camp, of course we are happy to use one of the guest houses/ hotels in Dana: Dana Guest House or Ecolodge.

The Dana Biosphere Reserve is the largest nature reserve in Jordan, covering over 300 square kilometers and all four different bio-geographical zones of the Kingdom. In the east, elevations reach 1500meters before descending through canyons and gorges to the low elevations of Wadi Araba. Dana is one of the most biologically and historically rich areas in Jordan. The area is one of the oldest continuously inhabited areas in the world and boasts Neolithic villages, ancient copper mines, Roman aqueducts and Byzantine churches. The diverse landscapes, wildlife and cultures offer a micro-paradise for adventurers, history buffs, archaeologists, hikers, and nature lovers.

You may have the choice as well to camp with the bedouins which is even more basic, and has no modern toilet facilities. This is an exotic and memorable experience and will enable you to experience something of the Bedouin’s desert culture. If camping is not your cup of tea, then we will simply head back to the hotel in Petra and overnight. Dinner is included camp style or at your hotel. Your guide will always be available on hand, and will be escorting you at all times.

Bedouin camps:
These are not pre-fixed sites. You will be indeed in the heart of the bedouin desert environment and culture, and you will be in direct contact and interacting with the Bedouins. These Bedouin camps have Bedouin tents that are divided into small rooms for the guests to sleep. Other tents are used for sitting (as your living room per say) and eating. They also may or may not have basic toilets and a small kitchen where food is prepare for the guests by the Bedouins. Guests who enjoy nature and the desert scenery will fall in love with these camps and the authentic Bedouin experience in Wadi Rum.

DAY 8: Amman – The Desert Castles (BL)
We head back north to tour the Desert Castles: Qasr Amra Bath and its Zodiac Dome, the Fortress like Qasr Karana, and the Roman Fort, turned into residence by the Ummayds: Qasr El Hallabat, and the black basalt Roman/Medieval fort at Azraq. After lunch (included), drive back to Amman and your hotel. Private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur.

DAY 9: DEPARTURE (B)
Transfer to Amman International Airport and assistance with departure formalities. Jordanian Departure tax is included. Private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur.

For guests who prefer to spend this night at Feynan Eco-Lodge on the edge of Dana Nature Reserve rather than camping, please click here. At Dana Nature Reserve you will be staying at Feynan EcoLodge. Escape the beaten path. A sensory experience awaits.

INCLUSIONS:

• All transfers in Jordan. Transfers are always on a private basis, with a private air-conditioned vehicle, with a private chauffeur.
• Hotel accommodations with tax & Service charge.
• Private guided sightseeing, as per itinerary, including all entrance fees.
• Buffet breakfast daily, plus pre-set meals as listed: “L” = Lunch, “D” = Dinner.
• Fully escorted throughout Jordan: Your private guide as well as your private chauffeur.
• Visa for Jordan. Limited to specific nationalities such as: Australian, NZ, USA, Canada, EU, Japan and others (please check with us if needed at the time of booking).

The tour does not include:

• International airfare.
• Travel Insurance
• Personal expenditures (beverages, laundry, special meals, etc.)
• Tips