Upon arrival to QAI, you will be met by our English-speaking representative who will assist you with getting your visa, retrieving your bags and going through customs. (Visas are $57 USD for all nationalities, paid in cash upon arrival). You will then be transferred to your hotel in Amman for check in, rest and refresh. For travelers with an early arrival, our Jordan tours can begin with a city tour of Amman for only USD 55.00 per person. We will see the ancient Citadel known in the Old Testament as Rabbath Ammon and in Greco-Roman times as Philadelphia. We will visit the Amphitheater and the Jordan Folklore Museum. At night, free at leisure in Amman, the capital, safe, clean and modern city. Finally you’ll get back to your hotel for overnight. [No Meals]

In the morning we leave Amman and drive north to Jerash, the best example of a Roman provincial city in the Middle East. You will visit Hadrian’s Arch, the Hippodrome, the Colonnade, the Cathedral, the Jerash Archaeological Museum, the North Theater, and the South Theater. After Jerash we proceed to Ajlun Castle (Qal’at Ar-Rabad), built by Saladin’s general in 1184 AD. The strategic placement of the Castle helped control the iron mines of Ajlun and helped to counter the progress of the Crusaders in two ways: by dominating the three main routes leading to the Jordan valley and by protecting the communications routes between Jordan and Syria. The castle is a fine example of Islamic architecture and dominates a wide stretch of the northern Jordan Valley. In the afternoon we travel back to your hotel in Amman. At night, free at leisure in Amman, the capital, safe, clean and modern city. Finally you’ll get back to your hotel for overnight. [B]

After breakfast we start our journey south. On the way to Petra, your first visit is to Madaba. You will visit St George’s Greek Orthodox Church with its famous floor mosaic of the Eastern Mediterranean. It was constructed in the 6th century AD and shows the routes of pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Your next visit follows in the steps of Moses. It was from Mount Nebo that Moses looked out and saw the Promised Land. He did not live to set foot in it but is thought to have been buried on or near Mount Nebo. There is a memorial for Musa (Moses) and a 4th century church which Italian Franciscan priests excavated and restored in 1933. The panoramic view overlooks the Jordan River Valley, the Dead Sea, Jericho and Jerusalem. We then continue toward Kerak along the famous ancient biblical caravan route known as The King’s Way. We make a short stop at Wadi Al-Mujib, a great, wide valley with magnificent geological formations that will take your breath away. After some photos we continue to Kerak (krakmoba; kier Moab) the ancient, biblical capital of the Moabites, which the bible mentions several times; Kerak has become well known for its famous Crusaders’ castle built in 1132/34 AD by King Baldwin I of Jerusalem. We explore the castle and see the amazing underground halls and museum. From Kerak we drive to Petra, and assists with checking you in to your hotel. [B]

Today, you have the entire day to explore the Rose Red City of Petra. The city is thought to have been first established in the 6th century BC by Nabataean Arabs, a nomadic tribe who settled in the area and laid the foundations of a commercial empire that extended into Syria. Despite successive attempts by the Seleucid king Antigonus, the Roman emperor Pompey and Herod the Great to bring Petra under the control of their respective empires, Petra remained largely in Nabataean hands until around 100 AD, when the Romans diverted to the north the caravan routes that had brought Petra its wealth. The approach to Petra is unforgettable, made either on foot or horseback through the Outer Siq and then on foot through the Siq itself. The Siq ends in an open space which is dominated by the Treasury, Petra’s most famous building. A local guide will give a brief history of the city. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel for overnight. [B]
Today, you have the entire day to explore the Rose Red City of Petra. The city is thought to have been first established in the 6th century BC by Nabataean Arabs, a nomadic tribe who settled in the area and laid the foundations of a commercial empire that extended into Syria. Despite successive attempts by the Seleucid king Antigonus, the Roman emperor Pompey and Herod the Great to bring Petra under the control of their respective empires, Petra remained largely in Nabataean hands until around 100 AD, when the Romans diverted to the north the caravan routes that had brought Petra its wealth. The approach to Petra is unforgettable, made either on foot or horseback through the Outer Siq and then on foot through the Siq itself. The Siq ends in an open space which is dominated by the Treasury, Petra’s most famous building. A local guide will give a brief history of the city. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel for overnight. [B]

Check out after breakfast. Later on, you will be met with our English-speaking representative who will transfer you by private A-C van to QAI Airport for departure. [B]