ESSENTIAL JORDAN

Day 1: Arava border - Aqaba - Wadi Rum

Our representative will meet you upon arrival at Arava Border on the Jordanian side and assist with your Jordan visa.  After, meet our driver and continue to Aqaba for a 1-2 hour city tour of Aqaba.  Explore the many coffee shops, eateries, and souks as well as the beachside 16th-century castle. Then leave city life behind and venture into the "Valley of the Moon" – Wadi Rum. Famous for its rugged mountains, colored sand dunes, and stunning sunsets, this is, without doubt, a place where heaven and earth come closer together. Explore its vastness during one of the best rides of your life - during a 3-hour 4x4 safari. We then continue to the camp for a traditional Bedouin dinner around the campfire, dinner, and overnight camping in Wadi Rum.

Day 2: Wadi Rum - Petra, private guided tour & O/N

Breakfast at the camp, then we continue to the legendary Rose Red city of Petra for a day of exploration. Upon arrival at the Petra Visitor's Center, we will arrange a 2-3 hour guided tour with an English-speaking site guide to explore the main attractions of the lower part of the city starting from the main gate all the way through the kilometer-long Siq to visit the Treasury, Street of Facades, the Theatre, all the way down to the Nympheom and Qaser El- Bent. Continue on a self-guided hike to the Monastery or the High Place of Sacrifice.  The Monastery can be reached after a steep climb of 800 steps.  This impressive structure is the largest of the rock-cut facades and so large that the door itself is bigger than a house.   The High Place of Sacrifice is thought to be the holiest site of the Nabataeans and is one of the most thrilling walks in Petra. Climb up the steep steps of the ancient route with its wide views over the monuments of the Petra basin.  Pass beautifully carved tombs and monuments and marvel at the work involved in creating this ancient site.  Dinner and overnight in Petra at 3* Hotel.

Day 3: Petra - Kerak - Mt. Nebo - Madaba - Dead Sea

Breakfast at the hotel then continues to Kerak to visit the 12-century Crusader castle built over the remains of earlier citadels, some of which date back to Nabataeans times. The castle in itself is more imposing than beautiful, although it is an impressive example of the Crusaders' architectural military genius.  Wander through underground corridors with huge kitchens, stables, and sleeping quarters with several floors. The top of the castle offers magnificent views in all directions. After, we head toward Mt. Nebo to retrace the steps of Moses and admire the spectacular view of the Promised Land just as he did over 2,000 years before. It is very easy to feel that you have arrived someplace special.  On a clear day Jerusalem, Jericho, and the Dead Sea can be seen.  A memorial in Moses’ honor can be found at the entrance to the early Byzantine Christian church where Moses is believed to have died. After a short drive, arrive in Madaba to discover the oldest preserved ancient mosaic map of the Holy Land dating back to the 6th century BC located within the Church of St. George   End the day at the Dead Sea with dinner and overnight at 3* hotel.

Day 4: Dead Sea - Amman City Tour - Ajloun - Jerash - Amman

Breakfast at the hotel, then we will start the city tour of Amman. Visit the ruins of Amman’s Roman Theatre, the Citadel, the Umayyad Palace, and the Archeological and Folklore Museums. Continue on to the forested area of Ajloun to explore Al Rabad Castle better known as Ajloun Castle.  Though looking like a Crusader fortress, it was actually built by the Muslims in 1184 as a military fort to protect the region from invading Crusader forces. After a short drive through the countryside, arrive at the remarkable Roman ruins of Jerash, so well preserved that you can almost hear the banter of the merchants and the creaking of chariot wheels along the cobblestoned streets.  With a 2-hour guided tour, explore the breathtaking arches, temples, and baths in an amazing state of preservation and completeness. At the end of the day, return to Amman for dinner and overnight at 3* hotel. 

Day 5: Amman – Amman Airport***

Breakfast at the hotel, then we will transfer you to Amman Airport for departure.

*Individuals 1 - 5 people will be having a site tour guide in Petra

**Private groups of 6 people and more will be escorted by a border-to-border guide.

***This itinerary starts in the Arava border in the south and ends in Amman Airport, though it is feasible to customize it to depart Jordan from the Arava border too.