Hidden Treasures of Jordan

Start Amman.

*Comfortable Hotel*

After breakfast we depart for a visit to Iraq El Amir. Set in the desert to

the east of Amman is the much-famed Desert Loop, consisting of numerous

palaces and minor forts dating back to the Omayyad period 661 AD to 750 AD.

Our first stop is Qasr al- Hallabat. Originally Roman, this castle was

rebuilt during the Umayyad period when it was elaborately decorated in

mosaics, carved stucco and fresco paintings, thus transforming the castle

into a palatial residence. There are about 150 inscriptions within the

castle, mostly in Greek. The vast majority of these inscribed stones, which

were reused as building material, belong to an edict issued by the Byzantine

Emperor Anastasius (491-518 AD). A few kilometres away is the Hammam

as-Sarakh, a bathhouse and hunting lodge. The buildings have been almost

completely restored, and here we can see the channels that were used for hot

water and steam. One hundred kms east of Amman, the oasis town of Azraq has a

large castle built from black basalt, which was Lawrence of Arabia's

headquarters during the Arab Revolt. Heading back towards Amman, the Qasr El

Kharraneh and Qusayr 'Amra are the best preserved of the desert castles,

Qusair Amra is noted for its extensive fresco paintings which cover virtually

all the interior walls. The paintings include themes such as hunting,

dancing, musicians, bathing scenes, cupids, and personifications of history,

philosophy and poetry. We drive back to the hotel in Amman.

*Comfortable Hotel*

Today we begin early as we have a long day heading north. We visit Irbid,

which hosts an interesting museum. The most remarkable artefacts are the Ain

Ghazal statues dated to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period; between 7500-5500

BC. In addition the museum contains a number of artefacts from the later

periods. Umm Qais, in the north of the country has fantastic views of The Sea

of Galilee and was once a centre of culture and arts. As one of the cities of

the Decapolis, it was a centre for arts and culture and with its amazing

setting it is an enchanting place. Later we proceed to Pella, once an

important city in Roman times; most of the remains actually date back to the

Byzantine period. Overnight in Jerash.

*Standard Hotel*

After breakfast we visit the ancient 'Gerasa'. In Roman times this was one of

the ten wealthy, self-governing cities of the Decapolis, and was famous

throughout the Roman empire for the luxury of its lifestyle. Buried for

centuries under blown sand, Jerash is the only city of the Decapolis to have

survived to any extent, with an outstanding forum, colonnaded main streets

with the drains still intact, two theatres and a most impressive temple of

Zeus. Our journey continues on to the only Arabic castle in Jordan, Ajloun.

It is perched on a hilltop and has fantastic views of the surrounding

countryside. Originally constructed in 1184 AD, it was destroyed and rebuilt

over the centuries following numerous wars and earthquakes. Drive for

overnight stay at the Dead Sea.

*Comfortable Hotel*

We start the day by visiting Bethany beyond the Jordan, the site where Jesus

Christ was baptised by John the Baptist marking the beginning of the new era

of Christianity. We then head to Madaba, 'The City of Mosaics '. Best known

for its spectacular Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, it is home to the famous

6th century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land.  We see this

historical map in the small Church of St George.   Made up of small pieces

of coloured stone, the map depicts hills and valleys, villages and towns as

far as the Nile Delta during the 6th century.  From here we head to the

biblical Mount Nebo where Moses was shown The Promised Land before his

death.  There is a purpose built church which houses some wonderfully

preserved mosaics. After a good look round we head south back to the Dead Sea

in time for a 'float' in the thick saline waters.

*Comfortable Hotel*

Leaving the Dead Sea behind us we drive through the deep gorge of Wadi al

Mujib. This massive canyon is impressive and is now a huge nature reserve,

covering 212sq km. We arrive at Al Karak and Al Shawbak, two castles that

played an important role in the Crusades. Built in mediaeval times Al Karak

is the larger of the two castles, its well-preserved fortifications towering

over the town offer incredible views. Al Shawbak, though not as well

preserved is equally as notable. Late afternoon we drive on to Petra.

Overnight Petra.

*Standard Hotel*

Two days to explore Petra, the so called rose-red city, 'half as old as

time'. Petra was hidden for centuries until the Swiss explorer Burckhardt

made his great discovery in 1812. It was founded by the Nabateans, an Arab

tribe that arrived here in the 6th century BC. Building at Petra began in the

third century BC and continued through the Roman period, financed by taxes

levied on the desert caravans. Two features of Petra are unique: firstly, it

is a city made defensible by being built down a series of chasms, rather than

on a hilltop. Secondly, it is built directly into the rock - beautiful red

and yellow sandstone carved into the most impressive facades which glow in

the brilliant sunlight. 

To enter Petra we must begin by walking down a narrow chasm, known as the

Siq, surrounded by high cliffs on either side. Unveiled at the end of the Siq

is El Khazneh, the Treasury. This is just the first breathtaking sight of a

remarkable day. Continuing to the centre of the city, we pass the houses and

tombs of the rich citizens and the remarkable scale of the site begins to

unveil itself.  A optional walk can then be done up 750 steps to El Deir,

the monastery, with its superb facade topped by a huge urn. 

On the second day your guide will take you into the site for either a hike up

to the High Place of sacrifice or for free time to explore the city

further.  Only a few people attempt to visit the High Place as it can be

quite arduous and is not recommended for those who are unsure of their

fitness or are uncomfortable with heights. However, those who do make it to

the top are rewarded with wonderful views over parts of the site visited on

the previous day.

*Standard Hotel*

Explore Little Petra with its well preserved ruins which are hidden away in

the mountains, before continuing to the Wadi Rum desert, a stretch of

beautiful sand and rock desert. This is where Lawrence of Arabia and Prince

Faisal assembled the Arab tribes for the attack on Aqaba in the First World

War, and also where sections of the film of 'Lawrence of Arabia' were shot.

We take a four-wheel drive vehicle far into the area for an exciting desert

adventure before arriving to our permanent camp and destination for the

night.

*Full-service Camping*

We wake amidst the dramatic desert scenery and then make our way on to Aqaba,

Jordan's port and holiday resort, famous for beautiful coral reefs. There is

time to relax on a local beach with transport and entrance included. You can

add to the experience with optional snorkelling and lunch packages which your

leader will explain. Please note there is a cost for these extras. There are

several good restaurants in Aqaba for our evening meal together.



*Comfortable Hotel*

After breakfast, drive from Aqaba to Amman to explore the ancient city. Amman

has served as the modern and ancient capital of Jordan. It is one of the

oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a 1994 excavation

uncovering homes and towers believed to have been built during the Stone Age,

circa 7000 BC. The earliest written records refer to the city as Rabbath

Ammon, the capital of the Ammonites in the 12th century BC. Later the city

was named Philadelphia under the reign of Ptolemy Philadelphus 283-246BC. As

one of the cities of the Decapolis under King Herod in 30BC major building

works were conducted. The 6000 seated Roman Theatre on the citadel is

testimony of Roman architecture, although extensively restored it remains a

classic example. Also on Citadel Hill, just northwest of the Temple of

Hercules, is the Jordan Archaeological Museum. This small museum houses an

excellent collection of antiquities ranging from prehistoric times to the

15th century.  From here we head to the Roman Theatre in the old town.

*Comfortable Hotel*

Trip ends after breakfast in Amman.