Loading The Romance of Arabia
Entrance to the Jordan Archaeological Museum.
By Jean Housen (Own work) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL – Daily – You choose the Day
Or Join a group tour (Must be Sunday Arrival to join 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, with 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 the King Abdallah Mosque and on to the 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.
The tour will also include a stop at the Wild Jordan Café. Wild Jordan is the vision of the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), a non-governmental organization devoted to the care and protection of Jordan’s natural heritage. The Society was created in 1966 under the patronage of His Majesty, the late King Hussein. Its work is focused on the establishment of protected areas (nature reserves), enforcement of wildlife protection laws. Construction of the Wild Jordan Center was financed by USAID Jordan. It’s located in the heart of old Amman overlooking the Temple of Hercules… the Café served all nature and organic foods and drinks… Two whole floors are devoted to the unique crafts and gifts made by the people living around Jordan’s nature reserves, like Dana and Mujib. All the crafts are inspired by nature and use natural materials. Here is their web site for more info. 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 charming local restaurant. Return in the late afternoon to Amman. Private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur, private guide.
DAY 4 – JERASH – AJLOUN (BL)
Today we head to Jerash (Gerasa of antiquity), the best preserved city of Roman times. Visit its theaters, temples, churches and colonnaded streets. Then continue to Ajloun to tour the 12th century Saracen Castle built by one of Saladin’s lieutenants in the campaign against the Crusaders. Lunch is included enroute. Overnight in Amman. Private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur, private guide.
DAY 5 – KERAK – PETRA (BLD)
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. Finally we reach Petra and your hotel to get ready for a Moonlight dinner served at a Bedouin camp. This evening we have a fantastic traditional dinner under the stars in a Bedouin camp, at a site that dates back more than 2,000 years. Private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur, private local guide.
DAY 6 – PETRA (BD)
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 optional lunch, or you may wish to climb up to the Monastery. Overnight in Petra.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 – WADI RUM DESERT Safari – Amman (BL)
Breakfast is included daily at your hotel, this morning we head out to Wadi Rum Desert for a short ride in a 4 Wheel Drive vehicle to enjoy Wadi Rum’s awesome moonlike landscape, where the film “Lawrence of Arabia” was shot. Click here if you wish to add Camping in Wadi Rum.
Return north to Amman. Lunch is included enroute. Private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur.
DAY 8 – DEPARTURE (B)
Transfer to Amman International Airport and assistance with departure formalities. Jordanian Departure tax is included.
| RATES (per person in US $)- Private Touring – Daily Arrival | ||
| Deluxe Hotels | First Class | |
|
In Triple occupancy
|
$ 2235. | $ 1925. |
| Double | $ 2395. | $ 2095. |
|
Single
|
$ 3005. | $ 2735. |
| RATES (per person in US $)- Group Touring – Sunday Arrival – Weekly – Year Round | ||
| Deluxe Hotels | First Class | |
| In Triple occupancy | $ 1860. | $ 1395. |
| Double | $ 1985. | $ 1405. |
| Single | $ 2515. | $ 2035. |
| Petra | Petra Movenpick Hotel or similar | Petra Palace Hotel or similar |
| Amman | Kempinski Hotel or similar | Liwan Hotel or similar |
For Easter, Christmas/New Year season (Dec 15-Jan 5) as well as for the month of April – PLEASE add 10% to the listed rates.
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 and Service charge.
- 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.
- 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
- Passports must be valid for at least 6 month upon arrival.
