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Explore Jordan & Saudi Arabia: Ancient Trade Routes

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Fully Guided Adventure Small Group
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 Trip Length
12 Days
 Trip Starts
Amman
 Trip Finishes
Jeddah
12 Day Explore Jordan & Saudi Arabia: Ancient Trade Routes Itinerary (G Adventures)
Countries Explored: Jordan, Saudi Arabia
Trip Style
Classic
Budget
Affordable
Max. Group Size
16
Pace
Moderate
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
DJSA

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on G Adventures 12 Day Explore Jordan & Saudi Arabia: Ancient Trade Routes. Enter the wildest adventure of your travel career with this twelve-day trip through Jordan and Saudi Arabia, nestled in the cradle of human civilization. In Jordan, you’ll overnight in a Bedouin tent, dine amidst the dramatic desert scenery of Wadi Rum, take in Petra's fascinating history, and relax in the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea.

From there, you’re off to Saudi Arabia, a country largely untouched by the far reaches of tourism. You’ll witness the iconic UNESCO...read more World Heritage site of Hegra, the carved temples of Madain Saleh (known as the second, maybe more impressive Petra), and sip tea around the red sandstone monolith known as Elephant Rock. If you’re after an adventure few have embarked on before, this is it.

Itinerary

There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting followed by an optional group dinner. Amman is a very big city and there is not one central area to stay - hotels are spread out across various neighbourhoods within the city. For this reason, to move around the city in your free time, you will have to take a taxi, please feel free to ask your CEO for recommendations and assistance. Stay: Mena Tyche Hotel Amman

Set off on a half-day trip to Jerash, a fascinating site and one of the largest and most well-preserved Roman ruins outside Italy. Continue on to the Dead Sea. Known for its high salinity, opt to bob like a cork in the healing water or cover yourself in therapeutic mud. There is also the option to visit the site of Jesus' baptism. Stay: Mena Tyche Hotel Amman (B)

Depart early for the first stop, Mt Nebo. Learn the ancient history of this spot and check out the views. Enjoy lunch at Safi Kitchen. The kitchen is a nonprofit organization working in the South Ghour region, south of the Dead Sea, to create opportunities for members of the local community. The mission of the company is to raise awareness about the importance of cultural heritage and natural resources of the area. Their tourism program is key to the expansion of their environmental and social mission. Continue on to Madaba to see the famous Byzantine mosaics, dating back to the sixth century. After, visit Karak Castle, built during the Crusades. Arrive in the early evening to Wadi Musa, the town just outside Petra. Stay: Seven Wonders Hotel (B/L)

The site is large so please be prepared for a lot of walking over sand and rocks for the entire day. Pace yourself, stay hydrated and be sure to have proper walking/hiking shoes. Stay: Seven Wonders Hotel (B)

Drive to Wadi Rum, a vast, silent landscape of ancient riverbeds and the largest and most magnificent of Jordan's desert landscapes. Head deep into the desert by 4x4 stopping at famous landmarks along the way. Arrive to the camp in time for a traditional meal and learn more about this ancient culture. Our dinner is prepared in traditional fashion, with the meat and vegetables cooked in an underground oven. Soft drinks and water are available for purchase. Lanterns light the way but we do suggest you bring a flashlight. Stay: Al Zawaydah Desert Camp (B/D)

We enjoy our picnic lunch as we visit Al Bad’, site of the ancient city of Madyan until the Middle-Ages. The archaeological site dates from the 2nd Century BCE. The city was active during the Nabatean, Roman, and Islamic periods. See The Well of Moses and watch the sunset over the surrounding valley before ending the day in Tabuk. Stay: Swiss Inn Tabuk (B/L)

Jibal Hisma (Jimal Hisma) is the Saudi version of Wadi Rum but left undisturbed for the last millennium. The red sand dunes and giant sandstone mountain protect rock art dating back to the Nabateans. The site is only accessible by 4x4. Small farm families and herdsmen call the region home, with luck we may encounter their herds as we explore. Stay: Swiss Inn Tabuk (B/L)

Explore a very unique area in the desert on the way to Al Ula. We'll leave the main road for the Qaraqir mountains. The area starts off dry and arid but below the rock is a spring that comes out further down the valley where it feeds the green valley known as Wadi Dissa (Sometime spelled Disah). The valley is home to small farms and herds of goats and sheep. Stay: Sahary Resort (B/L/D)

Walk along the Oasis trail. Stop at a stall selling freshly squeezed juice, hang out on a palm swing and enjoy the beautiful setting. Later, visit the iconic UNESCO World Heritage site of Hegra, also known as Madain Saleh. Hegra was a principal Frankincense route town built by the Nabataeans, a spectacular site that can't be missed. After a farm lunch, walk around the farm with the owner and learn about local life and agriculture, gaining insight into the life of a local Saudi Farmer. This evening, head over to elephant rock for sunset. Enjoy the transition from sunset colours to night sky and see the illuminated stone formations. We end the day with dinner featuring local Yemeni specialties. Stay: Sahary Resort (B/L/D)

Set out on an early morning drive from Al Ula to Medina. Upon arrival visit the International Fair and the Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization. This is near the Holy Mosque which you will be able to take photos of from the outside. Then, visit Qiba Street which connects the two oldest mosques, the Holy and the Qiba You will only be seeing these mosques from the outside. Spend the later afternoon and evening at your own leisure. Stay: Gacine Hotel Medina (B)

Hop on a train this morning from Medina to Jeddah. After lunch on the corniche, where you might want to try the Saudi version of KFC known as Al Baik, the group will go on a city tour of Jeddah. Stop at the most famous monuments, like the world’s tallest flag pole, fountain, and open air museum. Then, go towards the beach to see the floating mosque and the waterfront. End the day exploring Jedda’s Historical Old City, Al Balad. Which was founded in the 7th century and historically served as the center of Jeddah, another UNESCO World Heritage site. End the visit of the old town by tasting some local specialties. Then, take advantage of free time in the evening to walk along the waterfront and grab a bite to eat for you final night in Saudi Arabia. Stay: ibis Jeddah Malik Road (B)

Depart at any time. (B)

Trip Inclusions

  • Get your float on in the Dead Sea.
  • Visit the ancient rock-cut city of Petra.
  • See the massive UNESCO site of Hegra and its carved stone temples.
  • Sip tea near the Elephant Rock monolith.

  • Your G for Good Moment: Al Safi Community Lunch, Jordan Valley
  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your Local Living Moment: Bedouin Camp Overnight, Wadi Rum
  • Your Foodie Moment: Yemeni Food Experience, Al ‘Ulayyā’
  • Your Foodie Moment: Jeddah City Tour, Jeddah
  • Jerash guided tour
  • Dead Sea visit
  • Visit Madaba mosaics and Mt Nebo
  • Karak Castle guided tour
  • Petra guided tour
  • Wadi Rum 4x4 excursion
  • Red Sea stay
  • Entrance fees in all included tours
  • Border crossing between Jordan and Saudi Arabia
  • Visit to Al Bad
  • Walk through Jimal Hisma, the Wadi Rum of Saudi Arabia
  • Tour of Wadi Dissa by 4x4
  • Visit to UNESCO World Heritage site of Hegra
  • City tour of Medina and Jeddah
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

  • Hotels (8 Nights), Bedouin desert camp (1 Night), local family farm camp (2 Nights)
  • On this trip you can expect to stay in small local hotels or pensions (with the exception of the start and finish hotels, which are often larger city hotels), which will vary a little in standard and facilities: some may not have elevators, air-conditioning or English-speaking staff, but most importantly all are locally-run and in excellent central locations to give you maximum time for exploring the sights.

  • CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides

  • 11 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners

  • Private van, 4x4 pickup truck & jeep, high-speed train, walking

  • Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included

Brochure

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We’ve been the leaders in small-group adventure travel since 1990. How’d we get here? By listening to our travellers and giving them what they want: flexible itineraries, freedom to explore, smaller groups, safety and peace of mind, and locally based guides who show you your destination in a way you’d miss travelling any other way. Check out how we’re l...moreeading the world when it comes to travel.

Prices & Dates

There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.

Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from G Adventures. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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