Highlights of Jordan

Arrive at any time. 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.

Included Experiences

• Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Guided visit to the ancient Roman town of Jerash followed by a visit to the Dead Sea. 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.

Included Experiences

• Jerash Guided Visit: Take a step back in time visiting Jerash, one of the most well-preserved Roman sites outside of Italy. Wander amid its paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, handsome theatres, spacious public squares and plazas, baths, fountains, and city walls pierced by towers and gates – all in exceptional condition.
• 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.

Optional Experiences

• Mud Baths: Black mud at the dead sea is rich mineral content, and known to have purifying and healing effects when applied to the skin. Take some time to cleanse your body and mind in this tranquil setting.
• Site of Jesus' Baptism: Visit the site of Jesus' baptism with a local guide. Round-trip transportation included.

Start the day with a guided visit to the intricate Madaba mosaics, enjoying the panoramic views from Mt Nebo and a visit to the crusader castle at Karak. Continue to Wadi Musa for the evening. Depart early for the first stop, Mt Nebo. Learn the ancient history of this spot and check out the views. 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.

Included Experiences

• Mt Nebo Visit: Visit Mount Nebo, a historic site believed by many to be the location of Moses' death and has thus been a centre for pilgrimage since the earliest Christian times. Reach to the summit (817m or 2,680 ft), and be rewarded with views of the stunning surrounding countryside and Israel in the distance.
• Madaba Mosaics Guided Tour: Explore Madaba’s long history on this guided tour, including its role as the centre of early Christianity. See some of the finest Byzantine mosaics in the world, including the famous sixth-century mosaic map of the Middle East. Tour churches, the Archaeological Park, and the local museum that's housed in several old Madaba residences.
• Karak Castle Guided Visit: Take a walk through history on this guided tour of Karak Castle, the largest late-Islamic castle in Jordan. Explore its unique construction – initially built in the Crusader period, it was expanded and refortified during the Ayyubid and Mamluk eras.

Optional Experiences

• Beit Al Jameed Optional Lunch Activity: While in Karak, choose to check out the CEO recommended, G Adventures-supported Beit Al Jameed community lunch. Step into the heart of Jordanian hospitality at Beit Al Jameed for a true cultural immersion. The experience begins with a fascinating introduction to Jameed the key ingredient in Mansaf. Jameed is a traditional hard-dried yogurt made from goat’s milk that gives the dish its distinct tangy flavour. Guests will discover the ancient process of its preparation, a craft passed down through generations of women. The culinary journey culminates in a communal Mansaf lunch, Jordan’s national dish, featuring tender lamb simmered in a creamy Jameed sauce and served over fluffy rice and thin bread. Gather around the traditional platter to share stories and savour the authentic flavours of Jordan, prepared by the very women who safeguard this cherished tradition.

Start early to visit iconic Petra. Enjoy a guided walking tour with your CEO, then opt to hike up to the top of the treasury or explore on your own. This evening, opt to visit a Turkish bath or visit Petra by night. 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.

Included Experiences

• Petra Guided Tour: Journey to Petra to explore this UNESCO World Heritage site. Wind your way through the Siq, a narrow, 1km-long (.6 mi) gorge flanked by soaring 80m-high (262 ft) sandstone walls. Take in the astounding colours and patterns of the rock, and, at the end of this passage, catch your first glimpse of Al-Khazneh, the famed treasury of Petra. Explore in depth with your Expedition Leader 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 Column, the triumphal arch, the amphitheatre, and the monastery.

Optional Experiences

• Petra by Night: Enjoy a magical night at Petra. Sit back in the candle lit Siq and treasury, and enjoy bedouin live music show. This activity is only available to book Sunday-Thursday
• Turkish Bath: You've done some walking this tour, so take this opportunity to give your muscles some much needed attention. Enjoy this true hammam experience.

Explore Experiences

Opt to visit Little Petra in the morning before continuing to Wadi Rum. Head out for a 4x4 excursion during the day before a traditional dinner and overnight at a Bedouin desert camp. 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.

Accommodation in the desert is in individual cabins that are all attached. Each room contains a bathroom and basic linens are provided, but many travellers prefer to bring a sleep sheet for extra comfort.

Included Experiences

• Wadi Rum 4x4 Excursion: Journey into the stunning, colourful desert on this 4x4 excursion. Make stops along the way to get out and explore, learn about the region or scramble up rocks or sand dunes. Reach the Bedouin camp for nightfall to learn about a new culture and eat traditional food beneath the starry skies.
• 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! Your accommodation in the desert is in individual cabins that are all attached. Each room contains a bathroom and basic linens are provided, but many travellers prefer to bring a sleep sheet for extra comfort.

Optional 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.
• Wadi Rum 4x4 Excursion Extension: Extend the 4x4 ride by two extra hours to see more of the fascinating Wadi Rum desert. The listed price is the price per jeep.

Journey to the Red Sea, where you can explore your surroundings or relax on the beach. Drive to the Red Sea resort city of Aqaba. Enjoy free time to enjoy the beach, go snorkelling or check out the city. Make sure to try some fresh seafood for dinner.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Make the most of this Red Sea resort town. Free time is yours to use any way you want!

Optional Experiences

• Aqaba Boat Trip with Snorkelling: Looking for a perfect day trip to make the most of your time in this seaside town? Board a boat and enjoy a relaxing day on the waters of the Red Sea. Enjoy a BBQ lunch and join a snorkelling guide to spot marine life beneath the surface. If snorkelling isn't your thing, sit back and enjoy the views from the water of Aqaba.
• Beit Al Ward - Saayadia Cooking Class: Located in the coastal city of Aqaba, The House of Roses Women's Association (Beit Al Ward) is a G Adventures-supported, non-profit initiative dedicated to empowering local women, youth, and individuals with special needs by preserving and sharing Jordanian cultural heritage through authentic culinary and handicraft experiences. Choose to pre-book the Sayyadieh cooking class at Beit Al Ward and be led by the inspiring women of the project as you explore Aqaba’s culinary traditions and learn how to prepare an iconic dish of seasoned rice and fish. Sayyadieh, is a beloved specialty of Aqaba, combining spiced fish with fragrant rice and caramelized onions, reflecting the city’s deep connection to the Red Sea. More than just a recipe, it is a story of culture, heritage, and community. Share stories with your hosts as your prepare the meal and sit down for a delicious local lunch together creating a lasting connection with the remarkable women here, thus leaving travellers with a deeper appreciation of the strength and resilience shown in this community.

Journey back to Amman. En route stop at a G Adventures- supported community cafe for lunch. Safi Kitchen is part of 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. Upon arrival in Amman, enjoy a final night out in the city.

Included Experiences

• Al Safi Community Lunch: Stop for lunch at Al Safi Kitchen to enjoy a traditional Jordanian meal. Take a tour of the grounds, taste a delicious meal with the freshest ingredients from Safi’s farms, and learn about how this nonprofit is working to create a sustainable future for community members near the Dead Sea. The mission of the company is to raise awareness about the importance of cultural heritage and natural resources of the area. They also offer equal job opportunities for all members of the local community.
• Safi Crafts Visit: A visit to Safi Crafts offers a captivating experience that merges cultural education with conscious shopping. Guests are welcomed into the facility where they can observe the artisans as they meticulously carry out the natural dyeing process, and learn about the local plants and ancient techniques used. This is a unique opportunity to witness traditional craftsmanship firsthand and gain a profound appreciation for the artistry and dedication involved. By purchasing a product, travellers not only take home a beautiful, handmade souvenir but also directly contribute to the economic empowerment of these skilled women, supporting their continued success and the preservation of this invaluable heritage.

Depart at any time.