A Taste of Jordan - Petra & Wadi Rum

Our tour of Jordan starts in Amman, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Home to almost half of Jordan's entire population, Amman is a fascinating city of contrasts, where the ancient and the modern collide. Get lost in the bustling souks of downtown, where you'll be tempted by falafel and baklawa stalls, or visit Shawarma Reem on Jabal Amman Second Circle for the best street snack in town (arguably the best in Jordan) - there might be a queue out the door, but it's worth the wait! There are no activities planned for today, so you're free to arrive in Amman at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive at Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), a 30-minute drive from our hotel. Due to most flights arriving late in the evening, our Explore Leader will meet you for a welcome meeting the next morning. You'll find the meeting information on the notice board in the hotel reception. Stay: Centro Mada by Rotana (Premium)

This morning, we'll travel north to Ajloun where we'll take a walk in the olive groves of the local villages. We'll make a stop at a Soap House and learn how olive oil soap is made by hand using herbs. Next, we'll visit the Biscuit House to see how local sweet treats are made - this might be Knafeh, Halva or Baklava. Sweet foods play an important part in Jordanian culture, particularly in celebrations such as Eid. We'll have the opportunity to taste test some alongside a glass of mint tea. For lunch, we'll visit a rest house where local women cook up traditional dishes like Makmoura - meat roasted in a pot and served with bread and olive oil. If it's harvest season (usually between mid-October and mid-November), we'll help out with harvesting olives before sitting down to eat.

After lunch in the local rest house, we'll meet with the local Christian community who prepare wine to learn how local wine is produced. Wine production dates back to the Nabateans and recent excavations of Petra have unearthed 82 wine presses. It's also said that the wine Jesus was served at the Last Supper came from this region. Afterwards, we'll have the chance to sample the end product. Finally, we'll head back to Amman, arriving in time for a tour of the souk, where our Explore Leader will introduce us to the different herbs, spices and preserves for sale. Stay: Centro Mada by Rotana (Premium) (B/L)

This morning, we'll leave Amman behind and head south along the King's Highway to the Dana Nature Reserve, around two and a half hours away. Here, we'll be met by a ranger who'll lead us on a two-hour walk along the reserve, showing us the local fauna and native herbs found along the way. Afterwards, we'll stop for lunch at an association set up to train locals in hospitality and encourage sustainable tourism. This afternoon, we'll visit Shobak castle, the first in a series of Crusader castles built in Jordan. Then, we'll continue along the King's Highway - the route once used by the treasure-laden caravans of Solomon - to the ancient city of Petra. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the seven wonders of the world, the ancient 'rose city' is Jordan's most valuable treasure. We should arrive in plenty of time to experience Petra by Night. Follow the candlelit Siq trail and watch how the light plays against the high canyon rocks, blanketed by stars, before coming upon the Treasury, lit up by night. Settle into the sands in front of the ancient temple and listen to a welcome speech from the Bedouin community that still calls the city home. Stay: Petra Moon Hotel (Premium) (B/L/D)

Today we'll begin exploring Petra. This ancient city, carved into pink sandstone cliffs, has to be seen to be believed, but poet John Burgon beautifully described it as 'A rose-red city half as old as time'. Our Explore Leader will guide us on a tour through Petra's highlights before a free afternoon to wander at our own pace. As you enter the site, you're led down a kilometre-long chasm (known as the Siq) where the towering canyon walls reach up to 200 metres high. At the end of the Siq sits the beating heart of the city, the Treasury - miraculously well-preserved, the façade stands at 43-metres-high. Beyond the Treasury, the ancient city becomes a sprawl of tombs and temples waiting to be explored. The Bedouin community who still live within Petra sell their wares and offer refreshments along the colonnaded streets. As the day goes on, you'll notice the façades change colour with the light as the early morning and late afternoon sun brings out red, pink, and orange highlights in the rocks. After an action-packed day, we'll refuel with a traditional Bedouin dinner. We'll visit a nearby restaurant and learn how to make Makloubah, an upside-down dish of meat, rice, and vegetables, followed by Um Ali, a creamy Arabic dessert. Stay: Petra Moon Hotel (Premium) (B/D)

Leaving Petra behind, today we'll embrace the nomadic lifestyle of the Bedouin and head into the dunes of Wadi Rum. We'll leave our bus behind for an exhilarating drive along the sands in 4WD vehicles, leading us through untouched parts of Wadi Rum to our camp. Described by T.E. Lawrence as 'vast, echoing and God-like…', Wadi Rum occupies 74,000 acres with its monolithic outcrops of granite rock and sandstone rising out of the blankets of sand. The Bedouins learned to live within this hostile environment 3000 years ago, adapting to the elements to perfect their nomadic way of life. Once we've watched the sun go down, setting the dunes aglow with fiery red and orange light, we'll head back to camp to experience Bedouin hospitality. We'll be served a traditional Zarb, a BBQ of chicken or goat meat (vegetarian options will be available) cooked under the desert sand served alongside a selection of mezze. Our spacious camp features private, ensuite tents - each one is fully furnished with beds and bedding and is set up with solar-powered electricity. There's also a central fire pit shared by all visitors that's perfect to gather around for a spot of stargazing. Stay: Galaxies and Planet Camp (Premium) (B/L/D)

We'll start our morning with a Bedouin coffee demonstration to set us up for our journey Aqaba. Our local guide will show us how this sweet, treacle-textured coffee is made. Once we arrive in Aqaba, we'll have free time to relax by the Red Sea. Our tour leader will also be on hand to arrange an optional snorkelling trip if you wish. If you don't have your sea legs, there are a number of beaches to choose from, or you can spend your afternoon in one of the local cafes. This evening, we'll enjoy a seafood dinner in the Old Town of Aqaba, sampling freshly caught fish, either grilled or fried, served with a selection of hot and cold Jordanian mezze (vegetarian options are available). Stay: Double Tree by Hilton Aqaba (Premium) (B/D)

This morning, we'll depart Aqaba and travel for around four and a half hours to the Dead Sea. This unique body of water is the lowest point on the earth's surface. With a salt content of 33%, it's almost impossible to sink and we'll take a dip to experience the mysterious floating sensation. While we're there, you can cover yourself in the water's rejuvenating mud, famous for its healing properties. After your dip, feel free to unwind by the pool or at the bar - there are shower facilities to freshen up in, too. Finally, we'll drive on to Amman to spend our last night in the bustling capital. To mark the end of our trip, we'll visit a heritage restaurant for a traditional dinner of Mansaf. Typically served at celebrations, this dish is made of lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented yogurt and served with rice and Bedouin bread. We'll toast to our trip with the local, aniseed-based liqueur, Arak. Stay: Centro Mada by Rotana (Premium) (B)

Our tour of Jordan ends at our hotel in Amman. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer, you need to depart from Queen Alia International Airport (AMM). (B)