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Nature and History

Jordan Holidays - Dana Nature Reserve

Click on the name of the hotel or lodge for details

12 days from £1990

excluding international flights

JORDAN HOLIDAYS FACTFILE

DAY 1 – Arrival in Amman.

DAY 2 – Amman, Jerash.

Your World Discovery Jordan holiday begins with a private guided tour to the breathtaking ruins of Jerash.  Return to Amman for an afternoon at leisure.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 3 - Desert Castles, Shaumari Wildlife Reserve.

In the morning travel into the desert east of Amman to visit the Desert Castles. After lunch in the oasis of Azraq, visit the Shaumari Wildlife Reserve, where Arabian Oryx, ostriches and onagers (Persian Wild Ass) are being bred in order to be released back into captivity. Return to Amman in the late afternoon.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 4 - Down the King's Highway to Dana Nature Reserve.

Today's journey takes you along the scenic King's Highway, the mainnorth-south trade route through Transjordan since prehistoric times. First stop is at Mount Nebo. A short journey to the town of Madaba next takes you to 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 continuing south, traversing the spectacular Wadi Mujib, often referred to as "Jordan's Grand Canyon", to reach 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 Amman via Dana and Feynan to Petra you will be visiting Mount Nebo, Madaba 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, 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 4 to 10 inclusive), the supplement is £525 per person.    

DAY 5 - Dana Nature Reserve

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

DAY 6 - 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 7 - Continue to Petra.

A further morning is spent in Wadi Feynan. In the afternoon drive to Petra, the highlight of your Jordan holiday.
Included meals: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 8 - Petra.

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

Pictured: El Deir (the Monastery) at Petra.

DAY 9 – Petra.

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. An optional visit could be taken in the late afternoon to Wadi Rum, one of Jordan's most scenic areas, to see the glorious mountain and desert colours change as the sun goes down.  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.
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 – Shobak, the Dead Sea.

Leave Petra after breakfast and head north to Shobak, another Crusader castle which is smaller than Kerak but still of great interest. Descend from the mountains into the Jordan Valley, continuing through a barren yet dramatic landscape to the banks of 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.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 11 - The Dead Sea.

At leisure. A variety of spa treatments are available at the hotel.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 12 - Depart for home.

Your Jordan holiday ends with a private transfer to Queen Alia Airport for your flight home.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

STAY IN AQABA

If you want to relax for a few days after your Jordan holiday, we would recommend a stay on the Gulf of Aqaba.  This could be taken between Petra and the Dead Sea, or you may wish to do this instead of staying at the Dead Sea if you do not have the time to extend the duration of your Jordan holiday.

THE INTERCONTINENTAL, AQABA

Our recommended hotel is the InterContinental Aqaba.  The hotel has its own 300m private beach, and all rooms have balconies overlooking the Red Sea.  Please ask for a quote.

THE RADISSON BLU TALA BAY

A less expensive option is the resort-style Radisson Blu at Tala Bay, 10 miles from Aqaba city centre.  With 5 pools, a private beach area and a wide choice of restaurants, it's an ideal choice for a few days of relaxation.  Quote on request.

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 departure on a Sunday, returning on a Thursday (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: Nature and History (Tour Reference: WDJD002)
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 3 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.
• 11 full breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3 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, 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 4.
• 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.
• Optional sightseeing. The World Discovery representatives in Jordan will be pleased to organise any additional sightseeing you may wish to include during your stay.
• International airport taxes.
• 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.