Jordan Active Adventure

Arrival day. In the morning depart Amman for the well-preserved Roman archaeological site of Jerash. Have a brief welcome meeting here before your 3-hour guided visit of the impressive architectural marvel. Then, sit down for a traditional Jordanian meal for lunch at a G Adventures-supported café run and managed by women seeking financial independence. After lunch stretch those legs on a hike from Aljoun Castle to the ruins of one of Jordan’s oldest churches. Arrive in the quaint town of Umm Qais where you will enjoy a special stay at a charming village property that works to bring travellers and locals together in an authentic blend of daily life. Sit down together for dinner and get to know each other over a home-cooked meal of regional specialties.

Included Experiences

• Arrival Day and Morning Welcome Meeting: Today, the adventure begins. Be sure to arrive in time to meet your group. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your trip.
• Jerash Guided Visit: Take a step back in time visiting Jerash, one of the most well-preserved Roman sites outside of Italy. Traverse its meticulously paved and colonnaded streets, observe the grand hilltop temples, elegant theatres, expansive public squares and plazas, and well-maintained baths and fountains and city walls pierced by towers and gates – all in exceptional condition.
• Ajloun Castle Visit: Take a tour of historic Ajloun Castle, one of many Crusader fortresses in the area. Learn about its interesting past, and opt to see artifacts in the castle's museum.
• Hike From Ajloun Castle to Mar Elias Church: Set off on a lovely hike from Ajloun Castle to Mar Elias Church as a group. Walk the winding trail through fig and pear orchards, forests of oak and strawberry trees. You'll see stone walls criss-crossing the valley to guard the farmers' crops inside from winter rains and wild boar. Fnish the climb to the hilltop ruins of one of Jordan's oldest churches. Terrain: Easy to moderate / rocky Length: 7km (4.4 miles) Time: 3-4 hours total hiking
• Beit Khayrat Souf Cooking Class & Lunch: Part of the G Adventures for Good program, Beit Khayrat Souf is a women-run cafe with the purpose of training and employing women to gain their own financial independence. Women manage the cafe and lead cooking classes on site. Enjoy one such cooking class during today's visit and learn how to make a traditional Jordanian meal before gathering together to eat a lunch of your efforts; an ideal way to connect with the local community .
• Local Village Stay in Umm Qais: Stay in a charming property located in the heart of Umm Qais village and experience life in this often overlooked beauty near the Yarmouk Nature Reserve. Sit down for an intimate dinner together in the cozy kitchen area and share stories over a delicious typical meal.

Begin the day with a visit to the archaeological site and ruins that this northern town near Jordan’s borders with Israel and Syria, is famous for. After learning about the history of this area the group will set off on today’s afternoon hike to the Arab Dam which is a great trail for hikers interested in the diverse aspects of Jordan’s landscape and heritage. Return to your quaint village stay in Umm Qais for free time to try out the experiences offered to guests. Dinner will be on your own this evening in town.

Included Experiences

• Umm Qais Archaeological Site: Visit the Umm Qais Archaeological Site where the ruins of the ancient city of Gadara are found. Perched on a hilltop overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Sea of Galilee, the site boasts an impressive colonnaded street, a vaulted terrace, and the ruins of two theatres.
• Arab Dam Hike - Umm Qais: Hike past the Ruins of Gadara and stop for a rest about 2km in to enjoy the surrounding views. Continue onwards to the cave of Issa and learn about its historical and spiritual influences. The remainder of the hike offers striking view points and plenty of opportunities for amazing photographs. The last part down to the dam is the best section to spot wildlife. There will be a picnic lunch along the route and it's a great way to experience a blend of Jordan's landscapes and learn more about the deep cultural heritage of this country on hikes through the very lands you will hear about. Distance: 12-13 km Duration: 4 hours and 45 minutes Elevation: Between 350 and 400m
• Free Time: Spend a free evening at your homestay accommodations in Umm Qais. There are unique experiences offered by the property and you can choose to partake in them when you return from today's hike and freshen up.
• Local Village Stay in Umm Qais: Stay another night in the quaint property located in the heart of Umm Qais village. Dinner will be on your own in the evening and you can choose to have it at your guesthouse or in town. It should be noted that the property is renowned for its delicious breakfast that is prepared by local women from the village coming every morning at sunrise to make dishes such as ‘galayet bandora’ and ‘manaqish za’atar’ with a spread of cheese, labaneh, homemade jams, and many other delicious food items.

Travel to the Dana Biosphere Reserve this morning and upon arrival set off on a walk through the quaint Dana Village, perched on the edge of the epic canyon. This walk is a great way to become a little more acquainted with rural Jordanian life. The views alone make the 2km meander through the village well worth it. Arrive at your Eco-camp in the evening for free time and dinner with the group.

Included Experiences

• Dana Village Hike: Enjoy a walk through Dana Village offering amazing views of the Dana Biosphere Reserve. When you enter the village you will follow the main pathway through the terraced gardens, which serve as a testament to the village's agricultural practices. Then, head towards the local workshops where you can observe traditional crafts being made like weaving and pottery. You will have time to interact with the artisans and ask questions about their processes. Finish by walking through the Ottoman Houses and arriving at the top of the village for the best views. Distance: 2km Duration: 1.5hrs

Spend a full day hiking in the breathtaking scenery of the Dana Biosphere Reserve with a rare opportunity to step into the shoes of a local shepherd and witness the serene beauty of the country’s largest nature reserve. Walk alongside a shepherd and his herd on this guided trek and then have a hands-on moment while partaking in the daily tasks of tending to the animals. A picnic lunch will be served along the way. Return to camp in the evening to relax and have dinner as a group.

Included Experiences

• Guided Trek with a Local Shepherd: Discover the timeless traditions of Jordan with a unique "Day in the life of a Shepherd" experience in the beautiful Dana Biosphere Reserve. Witness the serene atmosphere of one of Jordan's largest nature reserves and walk along with a shepherd and one of his seasoned herds. Learn the daily rhythms and ancient practices of shepherding in a truly picturesque setting. By the end of the day you will understand the art of herding a bit more and will have tried your hand at various farming tasks. A picnic lunch will be included during the experience. Distance: 10-12km Duration: 10 hrs

Drive to Little Petra this morning and embark on a hike along the backdoor route to the iconic Petra. Follow an ancient trail that leads the way to this UNESCO World Heritage site through long, narrow gorges and canyons finishing at the gorgeous Monastery. A picnic lunch will be had near this deeply humbling place. In the afternoon wind your way through the famed treasury of the rose-rock city of Petra on a guided tour before continuing on to the hotel for a free evening to relax on your own.

Included Experiences

• Siq al-Barid (Little Petra) Visit: Explore the narrow alleyway with tall cliff walls and carved rock of Little Petra, which is similar to its larger namesake. Just 9km (5.6 mi) from Wadi Musa, it's worth the visit.
• Little Petra Hike & Guided Visit to Petra: Start today's hike along the back door trail to Petra. You'll visit the often overlooked, but unique and charming Little Petra and then embark along the ancient trail that leads to the back entry into Petra via the Monastery. Sit down for a picnic lunch overlooking the splendor before exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wind through the Siq, a narrow, 1km-long gorge flanked by these soaring sandstone walls standing 80m-high and catch a glimpse of this magnificent creation, the famed treasury of Petra. Explore in depth with your CEO and get a brief history of the city, one of the greatest attractions in the Middle East. The Nabateans carved this capital from the living rock of the surrounding mountains in Petra. Visit monuments that include the Pharaoh's Castle, the triumphal arch, the amphitheatre, and the monastery.
• Free Time: Enjoy free time at your hotel in Wadi Musa this evening.

Travel to the red dunes of Wadi Rum, a vast, silent landscape of ancient riverbeds and the largest and most magnificent of Jordan's desert landscapes. Arrive to your private camp in the afternoon and get settled before an included 4x4 ride through the unique landscapes and natural beauty of the area. Drive up the dunes, view amazing rock formations, and visit ancient sites where rock art is visible. Back at camp, sit down for a traditional meal and learn more about ancient Bedouin culture before a night walk to witness the unpolluted skies of Wadi Rum for yourself.

Included Experiences

• 4x4 Desert Trip: Head deep into the desert by 4x4 and enjoy the amazing natural beauty and unique landscape on this unforgettable drive. Along the way drive up red sand dunes, view stunning rock formations, and visit ancient sites to view rock art and inscriptions.
• Night Walk - Wadi Rum: Walk out into the desert from Wadi Rum and search for stars as the sun goes down and full darkness reveals just how many were there all along.
• Bedouin Camp Overnight: Stay overnight in the desert, enjoying a traditional meal and learning more about the ancient Bedouin culture. Spend the evening sitting under the stars, around a fire, listening to stories from the Bedouin hosts. If really lucky, they may bring the drums out for some music!

Leave Wadi Rum in the morning and enjoy an exciting hike through the stunning, untouched landscape of Wadi Araba in the Jordan Rift Valley. This seldom visited area is a hiker enthusiast's dream and the perfect spot to enjoy the rugged landscape without the presence of other tourists. From here, continue to the Dead Sea for a float in the legendary healing waters and perhaps a mud bath with a unique mineral makeup and lots of salinity. In the evening, attend an optional farewell dinner with the group.

Included Experiences

• Wadi Araba Hike: Hike through the stunning and untouched landscape of Wadi Araba in the Jordan Rift Valley. Think vast desert scenery, rolling dunes, and rugged mountains, making it truly the perfect adventurous hiking spot on the border between Jordan and Israel.
• Dead Sea Visit: Discover the legendary healing qualities of the Dead Sea, famous for its unique mineral makeup and salinity. Spot salt chunks drifting by like icebergs on the water’s surface. Take a dip yourself and float like a buoy or cover yourself in the mud along the shore, believed to have medicinal and therapeutic benefits. There are showers nearby to wash off after.

Depart at any time.