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INTRODUCTION
The holiday combines some excellent walking with visits to places of cultural, biblical, archaeological and historic
interest. The walking programme includes two full days exploring Petra, often described as "The Rose Red City, half
as old as time". The entrance to Petra was so well hidden amongst Jordan's magnificent rocks and gorges that the
City was lost for 500 years until rediscovered by accident by a Swiss explorer in 1812. Other unmissable highlights include
the spectacular Wadi Rum and the opportunity to swim in the Dead Sea. We also spend time in the Roman city of Jerash
and visit Umm Qeis, which is overlooked by the Golan Heights, Madaba, Mount Nebo, Bethany, the River Jordan and Amman.
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This fascinating, high quality and well tested holiday starts with two nights in Amman, followed by three nights in Petra, one night under canvas in Wadi Rum and the last night back in Amman.We travel in a private air-conditioned coach, accompanied throughout by a tour leader, local English-speaking guide and driver.
This is our third visit to Jordan and is again operated in conjunction with our agents based in Amman. We have selected this time of the year for its pleasant temperature, ideally suited for both the walking and sightseeing programmes with temperatures likely to be between 70-80°F.
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| Dates: |
6-13 October 2011 |
| Price excl. flights: |
£1150 |
| Price incl. flights: |
£1550 |
| Single supplement: |
£250 |
| Grade: |
Easy to Moderate [M] More info |
| Availability: |
Places available |
| Book this holiday now |
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Holiday Highlights
- Explore Amman, Jordan's capital including Citadel and Roman Theatre
- Roman City of Jerash
- Visit Madaba, Mount Nebo, Bethany and Crusader castles
- Crusader Castle at Shawback
- Two days walking and exploring in Petra
- Guided walk, jeep safari into the desert and overnight in Wadi Rum
- Dead Sea - including optional swim/float
- 5-star hotels
Jordan
Although 80% of Jordan is desert, it has some of the most spectacular scenery in the Middle East. The people are known for their hospitality and we can expect to be warmly welcomed and assured of a safe and relaxing experience in this truly amazing and unspoilt country. Jordan is also a magnet for those who enjoy exploring historical sights, and the country is often described as an open-air museum overflowing with monuments stretching back to early human settlements.
The romantic and isolated desert castles recall a rich past of kings, princes and the Crusaders, while Jerash is one of the world's best preserved Roman provincial towns. Other highlights include the awe-inspiring city of Petra - dating back to 400BC where over 800 monuments are literally carved out of the colourful mountain rock. Petra is also known as the "lost city" because it actually disappeared from the history books for 500 years until 1812 when it was rediscovered by a Swiss Explorer.
Walking Programme
The sightseeing element of the holiday inevitably involves a fair amount of walking, but not of a challenging nature. The walking programme itself includes excellent guided walks - all graded Moderate or Easy.
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Day 1 - Thursday 6th October 2011 - Travel to Amman
Depart Manchester or Heathrow for the flight to Amman via Paris. Met on arrival by our local agents who will provide assistance through immigration and customs, including entry visas to Jordan, followed by transfer to the
Land Mark Hotel by private coach. Welcome reception and dinner in Land Mark Hotel. D
Day 2 - Friday 7th October 2011 - Guided Tour of Amman and Roman City of Jerash
Leave by private coach for a full-day tour to Amman visiting some of the City's important historical sites.
The city was originally built on seven hills and from the top of the Citadel, one of the highest hills,
there is a magnificent view of the old city. Visit the Citadel, the museum containing some of the Dead Sea Scrolls,
and the Roman Theatre. Continue to the northern part of Jordan. After an optional lunch in a restaurant overlooking
the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights in neighbouring Israel and Syria, we continue on to Jerash - one of the most
complete Roman cities. Walking 3 hours- Grade Easy. Dinner at the Tawaheen al-Hawa Restaurant in typical Arabian style.
Overnight at the Land Mark Hotel. BD
Day 3 - Saturday 8th October 2011 - Drive to Petra via Madaba, Mount Nebo and Crusader Castle
Check out of the hotel and our coach takes us south on the King's Highway - the ancient silk route, with visits to
Madaba (home of the most famous Byzantine mosaics) and Mount Nebo with its spectacular view of the Holy Land.
Shortly before arriving at Petra we make a detour to visit the 12th Century Crusader Castle at Shawback to learn
something of its history. Walking approximately 2 hours - Grade Easy. Then proceed to Petra and check in for
three nights at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Petra. Free time for swimming in the hotel pool. Dinner in the hotel. BD
Day 4 - Sunday 9th October 2011 - Explore Petra
A full day guided walk to discover the mysteries of the Nabatean rose-red city of Petra, which is Jordan's most
famous historical site. We take a short horse ride (you may walk if you prefer) then walk through a narrow siq (gorge),
which suddenly opens out to reveal the breathtaking facade of the Treasury - the most famous and widely-photographed
carving in Petra. This was the only way in to Petra, and when the whereabouts of the siq was forgotten the City was lost for
500 years until rediscovered in 1812.From there we continue on foot to explore the theatre and wall tombs then, after an optional lunch,
we take the high trail up hundreds of carved steps along an ancient route to the stunning cliff-top Monastery,
from where we witness dramatic desert views and amazing mountain scenery. Although the walk is graded Moderate
6 - 7 hours, you have the option of a shorter walk, graded Easy. Dinner in the hotel. Overnight at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Petra. BD
Day 5 - Monday 10th October 2011 - Explore Petra
Return to Petra for another exciting day of exploration, including, in the morning, a walk to the High Place of
Sacrifice and, in the afternoon, a siq (gorge) walk. We follow steep steps up to Wadi Farash to the sacrificial
stone for wonderful panoramic views over Petra, desert and mountains. Steep descent to Qasar Al-Bint via Lion
Fountain and Garden Tomb. After an optional lunch break we follow a track through the valley to a narrow siq
(slot canyon) with some scrambling over boulders to Wadi Almundlm at the entrance of Petra. Total walking time
5/6 hours - Grade Moderate, Grade Easy if you take the morning walk only with the option of returning to the hotel
for an afternoon swim. Dinner in the hotel. Overnight at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. BD
Day 6 - Tuesday 11th October 2011 - Little Petra and Wadi Rum
Check out of the hotel and our coach takes us firstly to Little Petra for a one hour's walk, and then to the remote
desert landscape of Wadi Rum, described by T H Lawrence as "vast, echoing and God-like". Sometimes called
"The Valley of the Moon", the spectacular desert and moonscape scenery will remain in your memory for ever.
After an optional lunch we embark in 4x4 open vehicles for an expedition into the desert, including the area of
Al-Ain and Al-Khazali, to witness breathtaking views of canyons, colourful rock-faces, wadis, and possibly visit
one of the Bedouin homes. Our coach then takes us to our desert camp. In the evening we take a two hour walk - Grade
Easy - to enjoy the desert sunset, followed by a typical Bedouin dinner. Overnight at Rose Sands Desert Camp. BD
Day 7 - Wednesday 12th October 2011 - Dead Sea, Bethany and Amman
We leave Wadi Rum and head for the Dead Sea - the lowest spot on earth. Time has been allowed to experience floating
in its salty waters before continuing on to Bethany where we are given a conducted tour of Jesus' Baptism site,
located on the banks of the River Jordan close to the border with Israel. We will learn about other archaeological
and biblical discoveries before checking into the Radisson SAS to rest, relax and enjoy the leisure facilities of the Hotel.
Dinner at the Reem Al-Bawadi Restaurant. After dinner we transfer to the airport for the return flight to the UK.BD
Day 8 - Thursday 13th October 2011 - Return flight to the UK
We fly back to the UK via Paris.
B = breakfast L = lunch D = dinner
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Hotels
We spend six nights in hotels all graded 5-star by the Jordan Department of Tourism, and one night
under canvas at Rose Sands Tented Camp in Wadi Rum. Hotel facilities include all the quality features
that you would expect from a 5-star hotel.
Desert Camp
Rose Sands Camp in Wadi Rum is very attractively located in a remote desert setting in an area known as
Diseh. There is a spectacular red rock cliff backdrop which, after dark, is discretely illuminated with
dramatic effect. Tents are equipped with twin beds, sheets, blankets and pillows. Facilities include toilets,
showers and meals are provided in a large Beduin-style tent.
| Date |
Nights |
Hotel |
Place |
| 6/7th October |
2 |
Land Mark Hotel |
Amman |
| 8/9/10th October |
3 |
Crowne Plaza Hotel |
Petra |
| 11th October |
1 |
Rose Sands Camp |
Wadi Rum |
| 12th October |
1 |
Radisson SAS Hotel |
Amman |
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Please note that the following flight times and flight numbers are the latest known and are
subject to change and confirmation by the airline. All times are local.
| Outbound - Thursday 6th October 2011 |
HEATHROW PASSENGERS
Depart Heathrow (T2)
Arrive Paris
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1015
1230 |
AF1681 |
MANCHESTER PASSENGERS
Depart Manchester
Arrive Paris
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0950
1220 |
AF1669 |
ALL PASSENGERS
Depart Paris CDG (T2C)
Arrive Amman
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1340
1915 |
AF3886 |
| Inbound - Thursday 13th October 2011 |
ALL PASSENGERS
Depart Amman
Arrive Paris CDG (T2C)
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0145
0545 |
AF3887 |
HEATHROW PASSENGERS
Depart Paris CDG (T2F)
Arrive Heathrow
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0730
0750 |
AF1680 |
MANCHESTER PASSENGERS
Depart Paris CDG (T2F)
Arrive Manchester
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0750
0820 |
AF1668 |
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| Price per person sharing a twin or double room excluding flights |
£1150 |
| Price per person sharing a twin/double room including flights departing from London Heathrow or Manchester |
£1550 |
| Supplement for a single person occupying a double room |
£250 |
WHAT THE FULL PRICE INCLUDES
- Return scheduled economy class flights UK to Amman
- Visa on arrival in Amman
- Return transfer between airport and hotel by private coach
- Accompanying tour leader and local Jordanian guide throughout
- Six nights dinner, bed & breakfast, as shown on the itinerary, in 5-star hotels
- One night half-board in tented camp at Wadi Rum
- Evening dinner parties in hotels or Arabian restaurants
- Full walking programme with English-speaking guides
- Transportation and excursions in modern, air-conditioned coaches with English-speaking guides
- 4x4 open vehicle Jeep expedition in Wadi Rum
- All entrance fees to historic sites and places of interest
- Assistance of our agents at the airport in Amman
- Welcome Reception
- UK airport and departure taxes
- Air Passenger Duty
- Jordanian airport taxes
- Government taxes in Jordan
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
- Holiday/Travel Insurance
- Beverages
- Gratuities to guides & drivers, which are entirely optional
- Any Government taxes or compulsory charges that may be introduced after the publication of this web page
E&OE
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