Petra and Wadi Rum
For centuries the deserts of Arabia have held a special fascination for Western travellers. From the ancient Roman city of Jerash, which has survived an incredible 2, 300 years, you descend to well below sea level to reach the Dead Sea. After exploring Kerak - a key staging post for the Crusaders - you make a detour to one of Jordan's great natural treasures, Dana Nature Reserve.
This little-known reserve aims to protect endangered wildlife such as ibex, gazelle and red fox among its incredible system of wadis and mountains. You continue to Petra, the superb 'pink city' of the Nabataeans, which was hewn by hand from solid rock; your two-night stay gives you plenty of time to explore the site. Then, using 4WD vehicles to explore the towering sandstone landscapes of Wadi Rum, you'll camp, Bedouin-style, under vast, star-filled skies. You end your journey at Aqaba, Jordan's only port.
This little-known reserve aims to protect endangered wildlife such as ibex, gazelle and red fox among its incredible system of wadis and mountains. You continue to Petra, the superb 'pink city' of the Nabataeans, which was hewn by hand from solid rock; your two-night stay gives you plenty of time to explore the site. Then, using 4WD vehicles to explore the towering sandstone landscapes of Wadi Rum, you'll camp, Bedouin-style, under vast, star-filled skies. You end your journey at Aqaba, Jordan's only port.
Price
From: GBP1049 per person (9 Days)
Price Includes
- Flights
- Accomodation
- 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 4 dinners
- Local Payment 75 USD, Optional Excursions, 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 4 dinners are included. You must pay for all other meals yourself (you can eat quite well for £20 per day).
DAY 1 - DEPART LONDON: Following your flight, you transfer to your first night's accommodation and check in. Amman is a modern city with an ancient history - the Philadelphia of Roman times, the city spreads over seven hills and is the starting point for your exploration of this desert kingdom. Hotel 2 nights
DAY 2 JERASH / DEAD SEA / AMMAN: This morning you head 50km north to Jerash. With a history stretching back at least 2,300 years, Jerash is one of the finest examples of a provincial Roman town anywhere in the world. Although it was inhabited in pre-Roman times, it was with the coming of Alexander the Great that things really took off! As one of the league of ten cities known as the Decapolis, Jerash (otherwise known as Gerasa) grew in importance until, in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, it was home to more than 25,000 people. The extraordinarily complete remains, which include a forum, a nymphaeum, hippodrome, two theatres (complete with numbered seats!) and several temples, date mainly from this period. Along the famous Colonnaded Street, grooves in the paving stones show where chariot wheels once rolled. Elsewhere, remnants of exquisite mosaics still cover some floors. You have ample time to wander the site and imagine life as it was in those distant times, before heading south to the mineral-laden waters of the Dead Sea. At 400 metres below sea level, this barren depression is the lowest point on earth. The water is saturated with salt and minerals, said to be good for the skin. If you decide to go for a dip, you'll discover that the buoyancy afforded by the high salinity makes it almost impossible to sink - the feeling is quite extraordinary! After your invigorating dip, you head back to Amman. (B)
DAY 3 - KERAK / DANA NATIONAL PARK: This morning you drive to Madaba, famous for its 6th century mosaics, set in the ground like giant jigsaws. Just beyond is another biblical site, Mount Nebo, which overlooks the Jordan Valley. The Bible tells us this is the final resting-place of Moses; from here he looked out onto the Promised Land and, thousands of years on, you can do the same. You then set off southward, where just ahead is a huge crack in the earth, 1,000 metres deep, and with spectacular views wherever one looks - the Wadi Mujib. Driving down one side and up the other you arrive at the small town of Kerak, whose formidable Crusader castle overlooks a long, winding road down to the Dead Sea. The Crusaders had a huge impact on the region in the 11th - 13th centuries, and fought the forces of Islam in a long campaign, which saw many atrocities committed. Their temporary successes can be attributed - at least in part - to an outstanding ability to construct impregnable defensive fortifications, of which Kerak Castle is a prime example. Amazingly - given that it is over 850 years old - a great deal of the structure remains intact, and you can explore the dungeons, passages, refectory and kitchens of the castle, which also houses a small museum. After visiting Kerak you continue along the King's Highway, a winding road which follows the contours of the rocky hills, occasionally passing nomadic shepherds as they tend their flocks in the few areas where there is water. Your journey takes you across the deep gorge of Wadi al-Hesa, of similar proportions to Mujib. After a long drive of some 240km you turn off the King's Highway, and make your way down to the recently developed nature reserve around Dana village. The reserve aims to protect some of Jordan's endangered species, including ibex, mountain gazelle, wolf and red fox. As well as conserving wildlife, Dana has also managed to preserve the timeless traditions still practised in the village. At sunset you should enjoy breathtaking views from the terrace of your guesthouse. Resthouse (multi-share accommodation) - 1 night (BD)
DAY 4 - PETRA: After breakfast, you spend time exploring this fascinating reserve, taking a guided walk along old paths through the mountains. Wadi Dana drops from 1,500m above sea level to 100m below sea level as it plunges from the eastern plateau of the Great Rift Valley down to the Dead Sea. It is possible to gauge the remarkable variety of habitats ranging from semi-arid forests to sub-tropical wadis as you walk. You then make your way by bus through spectacular mountain scenery to the town of Wadi Musa, on the edge of the Araba Valley, the biblical land of Edom. Wadi Musa gives its name to the modern town that stands close to the well-concealed city of Petra - perhaps the world's most famous 'lost city'. Its exact location was unknown in the West until 1812, when the Swiss explorer J.L. Burckhardt, a convert to Islam, made a short detour to sacrifice a goat at the nearby meli (tomb) of the prophet Harun. As he picked his way towards the foot of the mountain, he stumbled across the siq, the narrow defile that leads to Petra - and the rest is history. Since that day many others have made their way along the same path and, as Burckhardt must have done, gazed in awe at the splendid monuments that adorn this remote valley. You spend the evening in Wadi Musa, before setting off the following day to explore the site in full. Hotel - 2 nights (BD)
DAY 5 - PETRA: Today you will make your way to the fabled site, following the same path as Burckhardt, which funnels you through the banded rock walls that tower above. At the end of the kilometre-long path, you are rewarded by a glimpse of the most beautiful building of all - the Khazneh or Treasury - so-called because the Bedouin believed that the urn crowning the edifice held a cache of gold and jewels. The first sight of this perfectly proportioned tomb, carved from the towering rock, is truly unforgettable, but there's much more to come! Some 2,400 years ago the Nabataeans taxed the trade caravans that plied between southern Arabia and the shores of the eastern Mediterranean and, using the proceeds, built the first houses and temples here. Later, these taxes proved even more rewarding, and today the Nabatean legacy includes houses, tombs, temples, a (Roman-built) amphitheatre and much more. Although it is a tiring walk, it is well worth making the hour or so ascent up the rocky path, which leads to the Monastery, a vast structure rivalling even the Treasury. Time should also allow you to climb to one of the High Places, the mountain-top alters where ritual sacrifices were made; from here there are spectacular views of the mountains, valleys and canyons below. (BD)
DAY 6 - WADI RUM: This morning is left free for you to relax or maybe take another trip to Petra to explore further (optional). This afternoon you head south to Wadi Rum, taking the Desert Highway through some incredible scenery. During your trip today you may see the black "beit ash shar" tents of the hardy Bedouin who still wander throughout the Middle East as they have for centuries. Moving between the few grazing spots which dot the parched landscape, they survive by breeding goats, sheep and camels. Although the traditional nomadic way of life is starting to disappear as some Bedouin succumb to the lure of fixed accommodation, many adhere stolidly to the old way - albeit with the occasional addition of a 4WD vehicle for transport! Living in such a hostile environment has taught them long ago the importance of a friendly welcome and the ancient code of hospitality to travellers still survives. You camp close to the entrance of the wadi, and in true desert fashion you can usually sleep in a traditional Bedouin tent or under the stars. As the sun sets on the rocky outcrops, an astonishing transformation takes place - the sandstone changes hue, passing through a spectrum of yellow, gold, orange, red and finally purple, as the shadows lengthen and the stars come out - the skies are clear and stars stand out brightly. The Milky Way, satellites and shooting stars can be clearly seen - the perfect opportunity for star-gazing. Bedouin-style camp (communal sleeping arrangement) - 1 night (BD)
DAY 7 - AQABA
You have plenty of time to explore the wadi, which offers some of the most extraordinary desert scenery. From a distance, Wadi Rum's sheer sandstone cliffs appear to hover like a shimmering mirage on the horizon. It's only from close quarters that you can fully appreciate just how large some are, rising to a height of 1,800 metres. It's hard to describe the majesty of this setting without sounding too effusive; suffice to say that the beauty that captivated Lawrence of Arabia is just as evident today. To the Howeitat Bedouin, who have taken it as their own, the area is known as the Valley of the Moon. These people are reputedly the remainder of Lawrence's Arab army who marched with him from Azraq in the north, then stayed behind once battle was done. You'll stop to climb hills and enter narrow siqs where many inscriptions can be seen. Passing Thamud nomads from Saudi Arabia and the Nabeatean people have both left their mark on the surrounding rocks. Nature provides a number of rock bridges that offer some stunning views. This afternoon you leave Rum behind and, as Lawrence did, travel across the desert to Aqaba and the Red Sea. Hotel - 2 nights (BL)
DAY 8 - AQABA
Aqaba, Jordan's only port, marks the end of an ancient trade route that brought ships around the Arabian Peninsula carrying merchandise from as far away as India and China. Shimmering in almost perpetual sunshine, it is a great place to relax and take a dip in the beautiful clear, warm waters of the Gulf. This evening you can meet up with the rest of the group for a final meal together, and reflect on your adventures in this fascinating country! (B)
DAY 9 - FLY TO LONDON
Transfer to Amman by road; fly to London. (B)
(BLD = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
DAY 2 JERASH / DEAD SEA / AMMAN: This morning you head 50km north to Jerash. With a history stretching back at least 2,300 years, Jerash is one of the finest examples of a provincial Roman town anywhere in the world. Although it was inhabited in pre-Roman times, it was with the coming of Alexander the Great that things really took off! As one of the league of ten cities known as the Decapolis, Jerash (otherwise known as Gerasa) grew in importance until, in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, it was home to more than 25,000 people. The extraordinarily complete remains, which include a forum, a nymphaeum, hippodrome, two theatres (complete with numbered seats!) and several temples, date mainly from this period. Along the famous Colonnaded Street, grooves in the paving stones show where chariot wheels once rolled. Elsewhere, remnants of exquisite mosaics still cover some floors. You have ample time to wander the site and imagine life as it was in those distant times, before heading south to the mineral-laden waters of the Dead Sea. At 400 metres below sea level, this barren depression is the lowest point on earth. The water is saturated with salt and minerals, said to be good for the skin. If you decide to go for a dip, you'll discover that the buoyancy afforded by the high salinity makes it almost impossible to sink - the feeling is quite extraordinary! After your invigorating dip, you head back to Amman. (B)
DAY 3 - KERAK / DANA NATIONAL PARK: This morning you drive to Madaba, famous for its 6th century mosaics, set in the ground like giant jigsaws. Just beyond is another biblical site, Mount Nebo, which overlooks the Jordan Valley. The Bible tells us this is the final resting-place of Moses; from here he looked out onto the Promised Land and, thousands of years on, you can do the same. You then set off southward, where just ahead is a huge crack in the earth, 1,000 metres deep, and with spectacular views wherever one looks - the Wadi Mujib. Driving down one side and up the other you arrive at the small town of Kerak, whose formidable Crusader castle overlooks a long, winding road down to the Dead Sea. The Crusaders had a huge impact on the region in the 11th - 13th centuries, and fought the forces of Islam in a long campaign, which saw many atrocities committed. Their temporary successes can be attributed - at least in part - to an outstanding ability to construct impregnable defensive fortifications, of which Kerak Castle is a prime example. Amazingly - given that it is over 850 years old - a great deal of the structure remains intact, and you can explore the dungeons, passages, refectory and kitchens of the castle, which also houses a small museum. After visiting Kerak you continue along the King's Highway, a winding road which follows the contours of the rocky hills, occasionally passing nomadic shepherds as they tend their flocks in the few areas where there is water. Your journey takes you across the deep gorge of Wadi al-Hesa, of similar proportions to Mujib. After a long drive of some 240km you turn off the King's Highway, and make your way down to the recently developed nature reserve around Dana village. The reserve aims to protect some of Jordan's endangered species, including ibex, mountain gazelle, wolf and red fox. As well as conserving wildlife, Dana has also managed to preserve the timeless traditions still practised in the village. At sunset you should enjoy breathtaking views from the terrace of your guesthouse. Resthouse (multi-share accommodation) - 1 night (BD)
DAY 4 - PETRA: After breakfast, you spend time exploring this fascinating reserve, taking a guided walk along old paths through the mountains. Wadi Dana drops from 1,500m above sea level to 100m below sea level as it plunges from the eastern plateau of the Great Rift Valley down to the Dead Sea. It is possible to gauge the remarkable variety of habitats ranging from semi-arid forests to sub-tropical wadis as you walk. You then make your way by bus through spectacular mountain scenery to the town of Wadi Musa, on the edge of the Araba Valley, the biblical land of Edom. Wadi Musa gives its name to the modern town that stands close to the well-concealed city of Petra - perhaps the world's most famous 'lost city'. Its exact location was unknown in the West until 1812, when the Swiss explorer J.L. Burckhardt, a convert to Islam, made a short detour to sacrifice a goat at the nearby meli (tomb) of the prophet Harun. As he picked his way towards the foot of the mountain, he stumbled across the siq, the narrow defile that leads to Petra - and the rest is history. Since that day many others have made their way along the same path and, as Burckhardt must have done, gazed in awe at the splendid monuments that adorn this remote valley. You spend the evening in Wadi Musa, before setting off the following day to explore the site in full. Hotel - 2 nights (BD)
DAY 5 - PETRA: Today you will make your way to the fabled site, following the same path as Burckhardt, which funnels you through the banded rock walls that tower above. At the end of the kilometre-long path, you are rewarded by a glimpse of the most beautiful building of all - the Khazneh or Treasury - so-called because the Bedouin believed that the urn crowning the edifice held a cache of gold and jewels. The first sight of this perfectly proportioned tomb, carved from the towering rock, is truly unforgettable, but there's much more to come! Some 2,400 years ago the Nabataeans taxed the trade caravans that plied between southern Arabia and the shores of the eastern Mediterranean and, using the proceeds, built the first houses and temples here. Later, these taxes proved even more rewarding, and today the Nabatean legacy includes houses, tombs, temples, a (Roman-built) amphitheatre and much more. Although it is a tiring walk, it is well worth making the hour or so ascent up the rocky path, which leads to the Monastery, a vast structure rivalling even the Treasury. Time should also allow you to climb to one of the High Places, the mountain-top alters where ritual sacrifices were made; from here there are spectacular views of the mountains, valleys and canyons below. (BD)
DAY 6 - WADI RUM: This morning is left free for you to relax or maybe take another trip to Petra to explore further (optional). This afternoon you head south to Wadi Rum, taking the Desert Highway through some incredible scenery. During your trip today you may see the black "beit ash shar" tents of the hardy Bedouin who still wander throughout the Middle East as they have for centuries. Moving between the few grazing spots which dot the parched landscape, they survive by breeding goats, sheep and camels. Although the traditional nomadic way of life is starting to disappear as some Bedouin succumb to the lure of fixed accommodation, many adhere stolidly to the old way - albeit with the occasional addition of a 4WD vehicle for transport! Living in such a hostile environment has taught them long ago the importance of a friendly welcome and the ancient code of hospitality to travellers still survives. You camp close to the entrance of the wadi, and in true desert fashion you can usually sleep in a traditional Bedouin tent or under the stars. As the sun sets on the rocky outcrops, an astonishing transformation takes place - the sandstone changes hue, passing through a spectrum of yellow, gold, orange, red and finally purple, as the shadows lengthen and the stars come out - the skies are clear and stars stand out brightly. The Milky Way, satellites and shooting stars can be clearly seen - the perfect opportunity for star-gazing. Bedouin-style camp (communal sleeping arrangement) - 1 night (BD)
DAY 7 - AQABA
You have plenty of time to explore the wadi, which offers some of the most extraordinary desert scenery. From a distance, Wadi Rum's sheer sandstone cliffs appear to hover like a shimmering mirage on the horizon. It's only from close quarters that you can fully appreciate just how large some are, rising to a height of 1,800 metres. It's hard to describe the majesty of this setting without sounding too effusive; suffice to say that the beauty that captivated Lawrence of Arabia is just as evident today. To the Howeitat Bedouin, who have taken it as their own, the area is known as the Valley of the Moon. These people are reputedly the remainder of Lawrence's Arab army who marched with him from Azraq in the north, then stayed behind once battle was done. You'll stop to climb hills and enter narrow siqs where many inscriptions can be seen. Passing Thamud nomads from Saudi Arabia and the Nabeatean people have both left their mark on the surrounding rocks. Nature provides a number of rock bridges that offer some stunning views. This afternoon you leave Rum behind and, as Lawrence did, travel across the desert to Aqaba and the Red Sea. Hotel - 2 nights (BL)
DAY 8 - AQABA
Aqaba, Jordan's only port, marks the end of an ancient trade route that brought ships around the Arabian Peninsula carrying merchandise from as far away as India and China. Shimmering in almost perpetual sunshine, it is a great place to relax and take a dip in the beautiful clear, warm waters of the Gulf. This evening you can meet up with the rest of the group for a final meal together, and reflect on your adventures in this fascinating country! (B)
DAY 9 - FLY TO LONDON
Transfer to Amman by road; fly to London. (B)
(BLD = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
Accommodation Details
Transport & Accommodation
Charter bus, 4WD vehicle and on foot. Hotels (6nts), resthouse (1nt), camp multi-share (1nt). 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 4 dinners included. Flights (Schedules & airlines can change.) Direct flights with Royal Jordanian from London Heathrow. Depart UK 17.05, Return UK 15.15. UK domestic add-on available.
The Lowdown
Main Activity: WalkingSuitability: Easy
Company: The Adventure Company
Location: Amman
Region: Jordan, Middle East
Months Available: February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - December -
Price: From
GBP
£
1049 (9 Days , Flights Included)
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