Jordan: Women's Expedition

Ahlan Wa Sahlan! Welcome to Jordan. Your adventure begins in Amman – a cosmopolitan and contemporary city steeped in biblical history. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm, followed by a cooking class with a local chef who started her own business to teach people about Jordanian culture through food. On the menu is maqluba – a dish that literally translates to ‘upside down’ (a hearty casserole with rice, vegetables and chicken that's cooked, flipped and served with either yoghurt or an Arab salad with tahini). Listen to the chef’s story as you cook, learn about the local culture and enjoy a group dinner of authentic family recipes. (D)

After breakfast, head to Jerash – a city famed for its Greco-Roman ruins. Once a favourite place fo the emperor, the ruins include a collection of archways, theatres, baths, public buildings and colonnaded streets to explore. From the ruins, you’ll head to Beit Khairat Souf. Originally constructed in 1881 and recently renovated, this heritage home once belonged to the Batarseh family. Now managed by an ambitious group of women, this space provides a sanctuary for women to learn new skills, market their products and create a positive economic impact for their families. The social enterprise sells handmade products such as oil, jam and herbs made in the village. Wander the house and gardens before sitting down to lunch made by the local women. After, return to Amman for a walking tour of the citadel, Roman Odeon, Roman Theatre and Rainbow Street – the heart of Amman’s arts and shopping scene and home of the city’s best falafel. Then you’ll welcomed into the home of a local matchmaker for a cup of tea while learning about the tradition of arranged marriage in Jordan and how she helps couples in the community. (B/L)

Rise early and drive to the rugged sandstone mountains of Wadi Rum. Stop in the small village of Rum, where you can pick up some lunch. Then, it's off to see some of the world’s most amazing desert scenery. Hop aboard jeeps operated by the Bedouin community and ride through swathes of desert, looking out for Bedouin camps (a group of dark tents low-pitched to the ground). In traditional Bedouin culture, a huge onus is placed on taking in and feeding any visitor, so a very warm welcome is assured. Later, you might be joined by some local Bedouin women (note that it will be necessary for one man to be present in the camp, as per local culture). Learn the ancient art of henna (and how to apply it), then fall asleep under a huge expanse of stars in camp. (B/D)

After waking up in the unique surroundings of the Bedouin camp this morning, take a walk around the area before scaling one of the large dunes in search of panoramic views of the desert. After, you’ll head to the 'Rose City' of Petra. The site remained unknown to the wider world until 1812 when Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt visited. In 1985, Petra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and was also voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. Spend the afternoon exploring Petra on a guided tour. Squeeze through a mile-long narrow path known as the Siq and get your first glimpse of the iconic Treasury, which was hand-carved out of rock! If your dates align, you may also like to take the opportunity to see Petra by night. (B)

Enjoy a free day of self-discovery as you explore Petra on your own. The site is surprisingly big, and you can explore the old Roman road, temples and several old tombs, as well as the rock-hewn amphitheatre. For those with the energy, there's the challenging but highly rewarding walk up the steps to the monastery (approximately 1 hour). Speak to your leader for their recommendations for where to dine this evening, you may like to ask them where to find the best mansaf, the national dish of Jordan, made with lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yogurt. (B)

Travel to the Dead Sea today, stopping along the way at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Al-Maghtas Bethany Baptism, where it’s believed Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist. Continue to the shores of this famously salty sea that marks the lowest point on Earth (420 m below sea level). This isn’t actually a sea, but a super-salty lake! The title of 'dead' comes from the lack of life due to the high salt content. The density of the water makes it super easy to float in (so you'll be going for more of a float than a swim). Spend some time in the natural spa – the mud here is said to have healing properties, so make the most of it by covering yourself from head to toe in a nutrient-rich natural mineral mud bath. Tonight, you’ll be spending the night in Madaba. (B)

Start your morning with a visit to St George’s Church – home to the 6th-century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. A short drive from here is Mt Nebo, the spot where the prophet Moses is said to have seen the ‘promised land’ and is believed to have been buried. Explore this sanctuary and view the remarkable mosaics of the 4th-century church. Later, pay a visit to the Bani Hamida Women’s weaving project. Founded by Save The Children in 1985, this social enterprise provides employment for women while teaching them valuable skills and preserving traditional weaving techniques. Since its inception, the project has benefitted more than 1600 Jordanian women. Find a common thread with the ladies who work here as you swap stories over lunch, then return to Madaba, where you’ll spend the evening and enjoy a picnic dinner of local Arabic mezze. (B/L/D)

This trip comes to an end today. There are no activities planned, and you can depart the accommodation at any time after checkout. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time. (B)