Hidden Treasures of Jordan

Welcome to Amman, the capital of Jordan, where our adventure begins. There are free transfers to the hotel from Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) for all customers today. Please note, transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts. Stay: Hotel Khan Khediwe (or similar).

After breakfast, we depart for a visit to Iraq El Amir. Set in the desert to the east of Amman is the Desert Castle Loop, consisting of numerous palaces and minor forts dating back to the Omayyad period (661-750 CE). Our first stop is Qasr al- Hallabat. Originally Roman, this castle was rebuilt during the Umayyad period when it was elaborately decorated in mosaics, carved stucco and fresco paintings, which transformed the castle into a palatial residence.

There are about 150 inscriptions within the castle, mostly in Greek. The vast majority of these inscribed stones, which were reused as building material, belong to an edict issued by the Byzantine emperor Anastasius (491-518 CE). A few kilometres away is the Hammam as-Sarakh, a bathhouse and hunting lodge. The buildings have been almost completely restored, and here we can see the channels used for hot water and steam.

Around 62mi (100km) east of Amman, the oasis town of Azraq has a large, black-basalt castle, which served as Lawrence of Arabia's headquarters during the Arab Revolt. Heading back towards Amman, the Qasr El Kharraneh and Qusayr 'Amra are the best preserved of the desert castles, Qusair Amra is noted for its extensive fresco paintings, which cover virtually all the interior walls. The paintings include themes such as hunting, dancing, musicians, bathing, cupids, and personifications of history, philosophy and poetry. We drive back to the hotel in Amman. Stay: Hotel Khan Khediwe (or similar) (B).

We begin early as we have a long day heading north. We visit Irbid, which hosts an interesting museum. The most remarkable artefacts are the Ain Ghazal statues dated to the pre-pottery Neolithic period; between 7500 BCE and 5500 BCE. The museum also contains artefacts from the later periods. Umm Qais, in the north, has fantastic views of the Sea of Galilee and was once a hub for arts and culture.

Later we proceed to Pella, an important city in Roman times, though most of the remains date to the Byzantine period. Overnight in Jerash. Stay: Olive Branch (or similar) (B).

After breakfast we visit Jerash, known to the ancient Romans as Gerasa. During that period, this was one of the 10 wealthy, self-governing cities of the Decapolis, and was famous throughout the Roman empire for the luxury of its lifestyle. Buried for centuries under blown sand, Jerash is the only city of the Decapolis to have survived to any extent, with an outstanding forum, colonnaded main streets with the drains still intact, two theatres and an impressive temple to Zeus.

Our journey continues to the only Arabic castle in Jordan, Ajloun. It is perched on a hilltop and has fantastic views of the surrounding countryside. Originally constructed in 1184 CE, it was destroyed and rebuilt over the centuries following numerous wars and earthquakes. Drive for overnight stay at the Dead Sea. Stay: Holiday Inn Dead Sea (or similar) (B/D).

We start the day by visiting Bethany Beyond the Jordan, the site where Jesus Christ was said to have been baptised by John the Baptist, marking the beginning of the new era of Christianity. We then head to Madaba, the City of Mosaics. Best known for its spectacular Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, it is home to a sixth-century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land.

We see this historic map in the small Church of St George. Made up of small pieces of coloured stone, the map depicts hills and valleys, villages and towns as far as the Nile Delta. From here, we head to Mount Nebo, where Moses was shown the Promised Land before his death. There is a purpose-built church, which houses wonderfully preserved mosaics.

After a good look around, we head back to the Dead Sea to float in the thick saline waters. Stay: Holiday Inn Dead Sea (or similar) (B/D).

Leaving the Dead Sea behind, we drive through the deep gorge of Wadi al Mujib. This massive canyon is now a huge nature reserve. We arrive at Al Karak and Al Shawbak, two castles that played an important role in the Crusades. Built in medieval times, Al Karak is the larger of the two castles, its well-preserved fortifications towering over the town offer incredible views. Al Shawbak, though not as well preserved, is equally as notable. Late afternoon, we drive on to Petra. Overnight Petra. Stay: Standard hotel – see accommodation section for more detail (B).

Enjoy two days exploring Petra. The so-called Red Rose City was hidden for centuries until the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt rediscovered it in 1812. It was founded by the Nabateans, an Arab tribe that arrived here in the sixth century BCE. Building at Petra began in the third century BCE and continued through the Roman period, financed by taxes levied on the desert caravans. Two features of Petra are unique: firstly, it is a city made defensible by being built down a series of chasms, rather than on a hilltop.

Secondly, it is built directly into the rock – beautiful red-and-yellow sandstone carved into the most impressive facades, which glow in the sunlight. To enter Petra we must begin by walking down a narrow chasm, known as the Siq. Unveiled at the end is El Khazneh, the Treasury. This is just the first breathtaking sight of a remarkable day. Continuing to the city centre, we pass the houses and tombs of the rich citizens and the remarkable scale of the site begins to unveil itself.

An optional walk can then be done up 750 steps to El Deir, the Monastery, with its superb facade topped by a huge urn. On the second day, your guide will take you into the site for either a hike up to the High Place of Sacrifice or for free time to explore the city further. Only a few people attempt to visit the High Place as it can be quite arduous and is not recommended for those who are unsure of their fitness or are uncomfortable with heights. However, those who do make it to the top are rewarded with wonderful views over parts of the site visited on the previous day. Stay: Standard hotel – see accommodation section for more detail (B).

This morning we visit Little Petra before joining the modern Desert Highway to make our way south to Wadi Rum. The purpose of Little Petra is not clear; however, archaeologists believe it was probably a suburb of Petra where visiting traders on the Silk Road may have stayed. Today we enter the Unesco World Heritage site of Wadi Rum, where dramatic sandstone mountains rise from the sandy desert floor. It was here that Lawrence of Arabia and Prince Faisal assembled the Arab tribes for the attack on Aqaba in the First World War and also where sections of the 1962 epic film were shot.

After checking into our private Exodus camp. Our Bedouin hosts take us for an approximately two-hour 4x4 ride to explore some of the highlights of the protected area. We visit the highlights, have time to sample Bedouin tea, and then watch the sunset from the vantage point of a rock formation. From here we return to our camp where we enjoy Bedouin hospitality with a traditional dinner called zarb, which is cooked underground. After dinner, we learn about Bedouin culture and music through interacting with the family who run the camp. Stay: Exodus Private Camp (permanent Bedouin camp) (B/D).

We wake in the dramatic desert scenery and then make our way on to Aqaba, Jordan's port and holiday resort, best known for having beautiful coral reefs. There is time to relax on a beach with transport and entrance included. You can add to the experience with optional snorkelling and lunch packages, which your leader will explain. Please note there is a cost for these extras. There are several good restaurants in Aqaba for our evening meal together. Stay: La Costa Hotel (or similar) (B).

After breakfast, drive from Aqaba to Amman to explore the ancient city. Amman has served as the modern and ancient capital of Jordan. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a 1994 excavation uncovering homes and towers believed to have been built during the Stone Age, around 7000 BCE. The earliest written records refer to the city as Rabbath Ammon, the capital of the Ammonites in the 12th century BCE.

Later, the city was named Philadelphia under the reign of Ptolemy Philadelphus (283-246 BCE). As one of the cities of the Decapolis under King Herod in 30 BCE major building works were conducted. The 6,000-seat Roman theatre on the citadel is a testimony to Roman architecture, although extensively restored it remains a classic example.

Also on Citadel Hill, just northwest of the Temple of Hercules, is the Jordan Archaeological Museum. This small museum houses an excellent collection of antiquities ranging from prehistoric times to the 15th century. From here, we head to the Roman theatre in the old town.

This evening your leader will arrange a group dinner for those who would like to join. Stay: Hotel Khan Khediwe (or similar) (B).

Breakfast marks our final meal, an excellent chance to reminisce about an adventure packed with excitement. To make your return journey home easier, there's a free shared transfer back to the airport (B).