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Jordan Grand Tour

Jordan Holidays - Spectacular Wadi Rum

Click on the name of the hotel, lodge or campsite for details

15 days from £2059

excluding international flights

This is our most comprehensive Jordan itinerary and includes several destinations that are not usually included on standard holidays.  Like all our sample itineraries it can be amended to suit your own individual requirements.

JORDAN HOLIDAYS FACTFILE

DAY 1 – Arrival in Amman.

DAY 2 – Jerash.  Ajloun Castle.  Umm Qais (ancient Gadara).

Your World Discovery Jordan holiday begins with a private guided tour to the breathtaking ruins of Jerash.  After your visit drive to the 12th century Arab castle of Ajloun which dominates the surrounding countryside, and then on to Umm Qais, the Roman Gadara referred to in the Gospels; this evocative site overlooks the Sea of Galilee to the west.  Return to Amman in the late afternoon.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 3 - Amman.  Desert Castles.  Shaumari Wildlife Reserve.

Enjoy a tour of Amman this morning including the impressive Roman Theatre, built in the reign of Marcus Aurelius, and the ancient Citadel high above the city.  Afterwards, travel into the desert east of Amman to visit the historic Desert Castles, the oasis of Azraq (pictured left: Azraq Castle, headquarters of T.E. Lawrence during the Arab Revolt), and the Shaumari Wildlife Reserve. Return to Amman in the late afternoon.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 4 - Mount Nebo.  Bethany.  The Dead Sea.

After breakfast leave Amman and drive to Mount Nebo, one of Jordan's holiest sites, with its panoramic view over the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea below.  Descend to the biblical baptism site of Bethany on the banks of the River Jordan, before continuing to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth (408m/1,305 ft below sea level). Your hotel is located on the northeast shores of this unique inland sea.  Afternoon at leisure.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 5 - Down the King's Highway to Dana Nature Reserve.

Today's journey takes you along the scenic King's Highway, the main north-south trade route through Transjordan since prehistoric times. First stop is the town of Madaba where you will visit the most important attractions, including the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George with its superb mosaic map of Palestine. Enjoy lunch at the excellent Haret Jdoudna Restaurant in Madaba before heading east to visit the fascinating Roman mosaics (pictured left) at Umm er-Rasas.  Return to the King's Highway and traverse the spectacular Wadi Mujib, often referred to as "Jordan's Grand Canyon", en route to the majestic Crusader castle of Kerak.  Arrive in the late afternoon at the Dana Nature Reserve and check in at the Guesthouse
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT YOUR GUIDE: On the journey from the Dead Sea to Dana you will be visiting Madaba, Umm er-Rasas and Kerak.  Your English-speaking driver will pay your entrance fees and can give you helpful information about the places you are visiting but he is NOT a guide.  There is the possibility of having your own private guide accompany you on this journey and also continue as your guide in Petra and Wadi Rum, but this is an expensive option as, in accordance with Jordanian Tourism regulations, you must not only pay for the guide's services but also for his or her accommodation and meals during this period.  Most passengers are happy to make the visits without a guide.  Local guides may be available for hire on the spot but they cannot be pre-booked and are sometimes of poor quality.  If you do wish to have a private guide travelling with you (days 5 to 10 inclusive), the supplement is £592 per person.    

DAY 6 - Dana Nature Reserve

A full day to explore Dana Nature Reserve.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 7 - Walk to Wadi Feynan.

The easy 14 kilometre walk from Dana down to Wadi Feynan (approximately 5 to 6 hours) takes you through some of Jordan's most spectacular scenery, from the lush greenery of Dana village to the rugged wilderness of Feynan.
Included meals: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 8 - Continue to Petra.

A further morning is spent in Wadi Feynan. In the afternoon drive to Petra, the highlight of your Jordan holiday.  In the evening why not try your hand at cooking your very own Jordanian dinner at the Petra Kitchen?  World Discovery can arrange this for you, including private transfers, for a price of £30 per person.
Included meals: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 9 - Petra.

A day to explore Petra, undoubtedly one of the world's great destinations.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

PETRA BY NIGHT

A magical experience not to be missed is an evening visit to Petra, when the rose-coloured rocks seem to glow from within, bathed in the light of more than 2,000 candles.  World Discovery can pre-book Petra by Night for you and include the cost on your invoice.

DAY 10 - Petra.  Wadi Rum.

World Discovery will provide you with a special 2 day Petra entrance ticket so that you can return to the city (without a guide) for further exploration this morning if you wish at no extra cost. Pictured left: The monastery - 'El Deir - at Petra,  reached by a 40 minute uphill walk from the rest house.  In the late afternoon you will be driven to spectacular Wadi Rum in time for sunset and for an overnight stay in a tented camp.
Meals included: Full breakfast, dinner.

DAY 11– Wadi Rum.  Drive to Aqaba.

Awake to the surreal landscape of Wadi Rum.  After breakfast enjoy a 90-minute jeep ride in the Wadi amidst the stark granite, basalt and sandstone hills that rise up to 800m sheer from the desert floor.  After the visit you will head south to Aqaba on the Red Sea coast.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAYS 12 TO 14 - Aqaba.

At leisure beside the warm waters of the Gulf of Aqaba.  For underwater enthusiasts, the unspoilt coral reefs to the south of the town offer fabulous diving and snorkelling opportunities.  Or you can view the reefs from a glass-bottom boat.  There is a small Mamluke fort you can visit, and some pleasant shops, but Aqaba is primarily a place to relax and unwind after your busy schedule of travelling.
Meals included: Full breakfast each day

DAY 15 - Depart for home.

Your Jordan holiday ends with a private transfer on the Desert Highway to Amman's Queen Alia Airport for your flight home.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

International Flights

We recommend the direct services of Royal Jordanian Airlines from London Heathrow. Flights are daily throughout the year. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Amman. Depart at 17.05; arrive Amman at 23.59
Amman/Heathrow. Depart at 12.10; arrive Heathrow at 15.45
EASYJET FROM LONDON GATWICK
EasyJet have a thrice-weekly service from London Gatwick to Amman (and v.v.).  With this itinerary this would mean departures on Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday, returning a week later (although the return flight does not reach Gatwick until after midnight). Prices on this 'no frills' airline are significantly lower than those on bmi or Royal Jordanian. Timings are:
Gatwick/Amman.  Depart at 12.50; arrive Amman at 20.00
Amman/Gatwick.  Depart at 20.45; arrive Gatwick at 00.20 (next day)

Jordan Holidays: Jordan Grand Tour (Tour Reference: WDJD013)
2012 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

* During the months of July and August the Feinan Lodge is closed; the stay at Dana Nature Reserve is therefore of 2 nights' duration during this period.  We do not recommend this itinerary in the winter months from November to January.

Single Room Supplements on request.

The price includes:

• Hotel accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded or double rooms (please let us know which you prefer) with private facilities.
• 14 full breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners as shown in the itinerary.
• Private transportation throughout with an English-speaking driver.
• Your own private English-speaking guide for included sightseeing at Jerash, Ajloun and Umm Qais, at Mount Nebo and Bethany, on the excursion to the Desert Castles and Shaumari Wildlife Reserve, and at Petra (first visit). Please see note about the guide at the end of DAY 5.
• All sightseeing as shown (unless indicated as ‘optional’), including entrance fees.

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance.
• International airport taxes.
  
• Optional sightseeing. The World Discovery representatives in Jordan will be pleased to organise any additional sightseeing you may wish to include during your stay.
• Tipping. We will be pleased to give guidance in this often sensitive matter
• A Jordanian Visa. This can be obtained before departure from the Jordanian Embassy in London, or alternatively you can purchase the visa (current price JD20 or approximately £18) on arrival at Amman Airport (recommended).

A deposit of £250 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your Jordan holiday must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.