Jordan Family Holiday

Ahlan Wa Sahlan! Welcome to Jordan. If you have booked a transfer,

you’ll be met at Queen Alia International Airport and transferred to

your hotel. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 5 pm

in Amman – the ancient capital of Jordan known for its 1994

excavation uncovering homes and towers believed to have been

built during the Stone Age. If you arrive early, maybe visit the

Roman Theatre, learn about the Dead Sea Scrolls at The Jordan

Museum or explore the excavated ruins of the Umayyad Palace.

After your meeting, you'll be able to get to know your fellow

travellers better over a group dinner. (D)

This morning, set off on a short walk along the Soap House Trail. As

you hike through the Ajloun Forest Reserve, take in the surrounding

landscape of woodlands, filled with oak, pistachio and oriental

strawberry trees. When you arrive at the soap house, meet some of

the local women who are keeping the traditional process of making

pure Orjan olive soap alive. After your hike, travel to Jerash to

explore the ruins, which were re-discovered in 1806. Wander along

the Colonnaded Street and see the grooves in the paving stones

where chariot wheels once rolled. Later, return to Amman. In your

free time tonight, maybe visit the Citadel or find a local restaurant

for dinner - your leader will have the best recommendations! (B)

Take the Desert Highway to Petra this morning. Along the way, stop

at Madaba – a historical town known for its Ottoman-style houses

and beautiful Byzantine-era mosaics. Slightly out of town, you might

see the black beit ash shar tents of the hardy Bedouin who still

wander throughout the Middle East as they have for centuries. After,

travel to Dana Village, built on a nature reserve, and join your local

leader on a walk. Meet some locals and learn about their culture as

you make your way through the terraced gardens. After checking into your hotel in Petra the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy. (B)

This morning, squeeze through the long stretch of stonewalls to

Petra – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. When you arrive,

explore the old Roman road, temples, old tombs and the rock-hewn

amphitheatre. After, maybe walk up the clifftop path to the

Monastery for panoramic views overlooking the Treasury. Later

today, join a Jordanian cooking class at a local Al Qantara kitchen.

Prepare appetisers like baba ghanoush and hummus, typical

Jordanian mains like kabsah (mixed rice) or mjadra (lentils and rice)

and learn the secrets behind these delicious Arabic flavours. (B/D)

After breakfast, travel to Wadi Rum – a valley known for its desert

scenery, which has been the backedrop to many films. Along the

way, stop for a tea with a local Bedouin family in Little Petra. When

you arrive in Wadi Rum, jump in one of the jeeps and drive through

the Mars-like landscapes, passing by Lawrence Spring – a rocky

landscape contrasted by a freshwater spring with panoramic views

over the valley. You’ll also stop at Lawrence House – supposedly the

house where Lawrence of Arabia lived and stored his equipment.

Continue to one of the largest sand dunes in Wadi Rum and check

out some of the famous rock bridges. After, set up camp in Bedouinstyle tents. If you choose, you can even sleep in the open air,

surrounded by the Mars-like mountains in the background. Fall

asleep under a desert blanket of an undisturbed night sky, rich with

stars. (B/L/D)

Today you’ll drive from the desert to the coast for some sun and

relaxation. Aqaba is landlocked Jordan’s only town on the sea, and

this Red Sea beach resort is yours to explore for the rest of the day.

Just south of town, the warm and shallow waters of the Red Sea is

home to a series of untouched coral reefs. Maybe grab a mask and

some flippers and explore the underwater world, take a walk along

the shoreline or simply kick back by the pool. Later, maybe visit the

14th century Ottoman Fort. This is where the T. E Lawrence (of ‘of

Arabia’ fame) rode to Cairo with big news about a revolt. (B/D)

This morning, travel along the King's Highway – a winding road that

follows the contours of the rocky hills, occasionally passing nomadic

shepherds as they tend their flocks in the few areas where there’s

water. Descend lower and lower until you eventually arrive on the

shores of the Dead Sea. When you arrive, put your swimwear on and

take a dip in the salty lake. While you’re here, maybe grab a handful

of the shoreline’s mud and slop it over your body – it’s full of

nutrient-rich natural minerals that are meant to have healing

properties and will leave your skin feeling great. This evening,

maybe find a nearby restaurant and head out for dinner with your

fellow travellers. (B/D)

After breakfast, this amazing adventure through Jordan comes to an end at your resort in the Dead Sea. You might like to stay longer otherwise Amman's Queen Alia International Airport is approximately one hour's drive from the Dead Sea. Airport transfers and additional nights accommodation can be arranged through your booking agent. (B)