Empires of the Desert

DAY 1 – AMMAN

Arrival in Amman. Meet and assist at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight.

DAY 2 – AMMAN – PANORAMIC CITY TOUR – BETHANY – MADABA – MT. NEBO – PETRA

Meet at the hotel and depart for a panoramic tour of the city of Amman. At the scheduled time, depart toward the border with Israel and Palestine, heading toward the Jordan River. This day will be dedicated to visiting one of the most mystical and spiritual places in Jordan. We visit Bethany, the place where Jesus was baptized by Saint John the Evangelist. The Jordanian site of Bethany opened to visitors in the year 2000, and Pope John Paul II attended its inauguration as a sign of its recognition by the Vatican. The Baptism Site of Jesus, “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” (Al-Maghtas), is an archaeological complex located on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, about 9 km north of the Dead Sea. It is of immense importance for Christianity, as it is recognized as the place where Jesus of Nazareth was baptized by John the Baptist. Continue to Madaba to visit the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, home to the first mosaic map of Palestine. Then continue to Mount Nebo to admire the panoramic view of the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. This place is significant because it was the last site visited by Moses, from where the prophet saw the Promised Land, which he would never reach. Transfer to Petra. overnight at the hotel.

DAY 3 – LITTLE PETRA – PETRA – AMMAN

Breakfast and departure to the nearby village of Al Beida, also known as Little Petra. Visit this ancient caravanserai area. Then, a full day dedicated to exploring the Rose City, the capital of the Nabataeans. During the visit, we will discover the most important and representative monuments carved into the rock by the Nabataeans. We begin with the Treasury, the world-famous monument featured in an Indiana Jones film, the Coloured Tombs, the Royal Tombs, the Monastery, and more. Petra is one of those places in the world that must be visited at least once in a lifetime. At the end of the visit, return to Amman. overnight at the hotel.

DAY 4 – AMMAN – AJLUN – JERASH – DEAD SEA – AMMAN

Breakfast and departure to visit Ajlun Castle, a fortress built in 1185 and rebuilt in the 13th century by the Mamluks after its destruction by the Mongols. It is a castle from the Crusader era, located on top of a mountain with beautiful views. Continue to visit Jerash, one of the cities of the Decapolis. Jerash is located north of Amman, approximately 45 km and one hour away by road. During the excursion, we will visit the Arch of Triumph, the Oval Plaza, the Cardo, the colonnade, the Temple of Aphrodite, and finally the Roman Theatre, known for its wonderful acoustics. The preservation of the ruins of Jerash continues to amaze visitors, offering a very accurate impression of what ancient cities looked like. Return to Amman for free time for lunch, then continue to the Dead Sea. Free time for swimming and applying mineral-rich mud. After the visit, return to Amman. overnight.

DAY 5 – AMMAN

Breakfast. Transfer to Amman Airport.