ROAD TO PETRA

After breakfast, you will be driven north to our first spectacular site, The Greco-Roman City of Jerash, also known as the city of the thousand columns and the ‘Pompeii of the East’. It Was built over 2,000 years ago and it is considered one of the largest and most well-preserved sites of Roman architecture in the World outside Italy. 

Top Sights in Jerash:

Temple of Artemis: An impressive place of worship, complete with sandstone pillars and vaulted ceilings, named for the patron goddess of the city. 

Hadrian's Arch: Originally constructed to honor its namesake emperor, this impressive arch was meant to eventually be the city's southern gate.

Hippodrome: An ancient sports field, large enough for 15,000 people, which still hosts mock gladiator fights and chariot races multiple times per week. 

Jerash Archeology Museum: Small Museum providing a detailed look at small artifacts and antiquities found in the area. 

Forum: This enormous, oval-shaped plaza in the city center is stunning. Surrounded by 56 imposing Ionic columns, it was once used as a marketplace.

Nymphaeum: One of the most beloved ruins of Jerash, this Roman-style ornamental fountain was carved to resemble seven lion heads.

Once you’ve finished exploring Jerash, you get ready to reach your next destination: Ajloun, a hilly town in the north of Jordan. The most famous landmark here is Ajloun Castle, a fortress built to ward off the Crusader armies at the vital trade and pilgrimage intersection between Jerusalem, Cairo, Damascus, and Mecca. Roam the ramparts and enjoy the sweeping views over the Levant (a sizeable geographical area in the Eastern Mediterranean).

You’ll make your way back to Amman. The drive to the capital takes about 90 minutes. Back in Amman, you’ll visit the ruins of the Amman Roman theatre and The Citadel.

After Breakfast, you will have a whole day to explore the King's highway, which was once, part of the ancient Silk Road. Depart for a journey south of Amman to visit Mt Nebo, where Mosses is believed to be buried. It is the most reserved holy site in Jordan and a place of pilgrimage for Christians. 

Next, head to the Biblical city of Madaba “The City of Mosaics”. You will be visiting the St. George Greek Orthodox Church, where you will see the masterpiece of Madaba (a Byzantine mosaic map of the Holy Land that goes back to the 6th century, showing Jerusalem and other cities), you will also visit the Archaeological Park, which houses the remains of several Byzantine churches, including the amazing mosaics of the Church of the Virgin.

Afterwards, you will be going around the deep valley of Wadi Mujib, that offers one of the best views this part of the country has to offer.

Proceed to visit Karak Castle, an ancient Crusader stronghold, which is the largest late Islamic castle in Jordan. You will visit one of the largest Crusader fortresses that are found in the Levant region. Karak was once a powerful kingdom that was situated on a hilltop, 1000 meters above sea level. Karak is surrounded on three sides by a deep valley, and a town was built on a triangular plateau around the castle; the city’s layout dates back to the 19th century, specifically the Ottoman Empire Period. The narrow streets and crumbling buildings give you a feeling of walking through history.

The view from the top of the fortress is stunning. Far below you see farmland, blocked off by different colors; looking out into the distance, the Dead Sea can be seen.

After breakfast, start a full day tour exploring the magnificent, mysterious, rock-carved red rose city of Petra or sometimes known as The Lost City.

Spend the day experiencing this ancient Nabataean city. Walk through the Siq, the three-quarter-mile narrow gorge (1.2 km) that opens up to the magnificent Treasury, the entrance guarding the old city. Then explore the Street of Facades, a row of monumental Nabataean tombs, as you work your way to the steps that lead you to the High Place of Sacrifice. Take in the view of Wadi Musa below and if you have the energy, why not climb up the additional 800 steps to Petra's largest monument, the Monastery.

Another full day visit to the red rose city to cover as much uncountable monuments as you can.

After breakfast, proceed to Wadi Rum; a protected area covering 720 square kilometers of dramatic desert wilderness in the south of Jordan. Huge mountains of sandstone and granite emerge.

You will be taken for a two-hour Jeep tour of the area as you follow in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia. You'll climb over red dunes, through rock bridges, and over rock canyons to discover millennia-old rock inscriptions, petroglyphs, and fantastic photo opportunities. You'll even visit the ruins of a building erected on an old Nabataean cistern believed to be where Lawrence hid out during the Arab Revolt (1917-1918). Meanwhile, enjoy sweeping views of the mountains and gorges in the background.

After breakfast, head south to the city of Aqaba.  Here you can experience some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world or you can just relax under the sun on the resort's sandy beaches. 

Inhabited since 4,000 BCE, Aqaba is Jordan's only coastal city and is home to colorful market stalls, delicious food, and, of course, access to the water. Here you will have Free relaxation day at leisure and enjoying Red Sea Water which is rich of beautiful corals.

After Breakfast, depart to visit the city of Shobak ,  another ancient crusader castle perched on the side of a rocky, conical mountain.

Proceed north to Um ar Rassas, A rectangular walled city, heavily fortified by the Romans and then beautifully embellished by the Christians in Byzantine mosaics. The site is an ongoing restoration project, several buildings including court yards and churches have been discovered, the most impressive by far is the Church of St Stephen with its perfectly preserved mosaic floor depicting 27 cities of the Holy Land both East and west of the River Jordan. It is the largest of its kind in Jordan, second only to the famous Mosaic Map in Madaba.

Breakfast and drive to The Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, with its 423 meters below sea level. Free day at leisure to enjoy the unique salty water, which is four times saltier than normal seawater. This unusually salty, buoyant and mineral - rich water has attracted visitors since ancient times, all of whom have floated effortlessly on their backs while soaking up the water's healthy minerals along with the gently defused rays of the Jordanian sun.

After breakfast, you will be driven to the most popular Christianity site (Bethany beyond Jordan).

The Baptism Site is a Christian pilgrimage site commemorating the location where Jesus of Nazareth was baptized by John the Baptist. It also represents the Christian tradition of Baptism. The site is located on the eastern banks of the Jordan river, and comprises two locations: Tell el-Kharrar (Elijah’s Hill) and the Zor area of the Churches of St. John the Baptist. 

The site was first documented in the 1890’s, but it was excavated only a century later, in the 1990s. These excavations exposed several buildings and pools that were used for Baptismal ceremonies in the Byzantine period. Monks' cells were also recorded around the site. Next to the river, ruins of a Byzantine period monastery were uncovered. By local tradition, here Jesus left his clothes when baptized by John. Following the excavations, the site was developed both for visits and for Christian baptismal ceremonies. In addition, several churches were built around the archaeological site, although some have not yet been completed.

After The Day Tour Ends, we will take you to your hotel in Amman for Overnight.

After breakfast, transfer to visit the Desert Castles. They are beautiful examples of both early Islamic art and architecture, stand testament to a fascinating era in the country's rich history. These castles were built in the 6th and 7th century. Most of the castles are on the ancient trading routes and scientists are still not sure for which purpose the castles are built exactly. See the stunning artwork in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Qasr Amra, Al Azraq and Al Kharaneh.

Aftethehe Day Tour Ends, we will take you to your hotel in Amman for Overnight.

After breakfast, When the time comes, your driver will be waiting to transfer you to the Queen Alia International Airport for your departure flight. Safe travel!

Please take into consideration that the official check out from all hotels at 11:00 am.