09Days – 08Nights Classical Tour

Your tour of Jordan begins upon your arrival at Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) in Amman. Our English-speaking representative will meet you and assist you with obtaining your visa, collecting your luggage, and completing customs procedures. (Visas cost USD 30 per person and must be paid in cash upon arrival for all nationalities.) You will then be transferred by private vehicle to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may have free time to relax at the hotel or explore the city at your leisure.

Your Jordan tour package begins with a visit to the highlights of Amman, a safe, friendly, and modern city with a history dating back thousands of years. Overlooking the city is the ancient Citadel, which reveals the rich heritage of Jordan's capital. Known in the Old Testament as Rabbath Ammon and during the Greco-Roman period as Philadelphia, Amman offers a fascinating blend of history and culture. You will visit the Roman Amphitheater, the Jordan Folklore Museum, and the Citadel, including the Byzantine Church, the Temple of Hercules, and the Umayyad Palace complex.

Later in the day, we leave Amman to explore the famous Desert Castles. Our stops include Amra Castle, renowned for its zodiac dome and some of the earliest examples of Umayyad fresco paintings, the mysterious fortress-like Qasr Kharanah, and the black basalt Roman and Medieval Islamic fort at Azraq. In the afternoon, we return to your hotel in Amman.

In the morning, we leave Amman and drive north to Jerash, the finest example of a Roman provincial city in the Middle East. You will visit Hadrian's Arch, the Hippodrome, the Colonnaded Street, the Cathedral, the Jerash Archaeological Museum, the North Theatre, and the South Theatre.

After exploring Jerash, we continue to Ajloun Castle (Qal'at Ar-Rabad), built in 1184 AD by one of Saladin's generals. Strategically positioned to control the iron mines of Ajloun, the castle also played a vital role in defending the region against the Crusaders by overseeing the three main routes leading to the Jordan Valley and protecting the communication routes between Jordan and Syria. A remarkable example of Islamic military architecture, the castle offers spectacular views over the northern Jordan Valley.

In the afternoon, we return to your hotel in Amman.

After breakfast, we leave Amman and begin our journey toward Petra. Our first stop is Madaba, where St. George's Greek Orthodox Church is home to a famous 6th-century AD floor mosaic. This remarkable mosaic depicts the pilgrimage routes to the Holy Land from the surrounding regions, and you will even be able to locate Egypt on the map.

We then continue to Mount Nebo, where you will visit the memorial dedicated to Musa (Moses) and a 4th-century church that was excavated and restored by Italian Franciscan priests in 1933. The panoramic viewpoint overlooks the Jordan River Valley, the Dead Sea, Jericho, and Jerusalem. According to the Bible, Moses was able to see the Promised Land from Mount Nebo before his death, although he never entered it. This tradition has led many scholars to believe that Mount Nebo is his burial place.

In the afternoon, we arrive in Petra, where you will be escorted to your hotel.

Today, you have the entire day to explore the Rose-Red City of Petra. The city is believed to have been established in the 6th century BC by the Nabataean Arabs, a nomadic tribe who settled in the area and built a thriving commercial empire that extended into Syria. Despite repeated attempts by the Seleucid king Antigonus, the Roman general Pompey, and Herod the Great to bring Petra under their control, the city remained largely in Nabataean hands until around 100 AD, when the Romans redirected the caravan routes that had brought Petra its prosperity.

Petra continued to be inhabited during the Byzantine period, when the former Roman Empire shifted its focus east to Constantinople, but gradually declined in importance. The Crusaders built a fortress there in the 12th century before eventually abandoning it. Petra remained largely unknown to the outside world until the early 19th century, when it was rediscovered by the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt.

The approach to Petra is unforgettable, whether on horseback or on foot through the Outer Siq, followed by a walk through the narrow Siq itself. The Siq opens dramatically onto the Treasury, Petra's most iconic monument. A local guide will provide an introduction to the city's remarkable history. During your visit, you will also see Pharaoh's Castle, the Triumphal Arch, the Amphitheater, and the Monastery before returning to your hotel.

Today is a free day to enjoy at your own pace. You may choose to continue exploring the lost city of Petra independently, revisiting its remarkable monuments and hidden trails, or enhance your experience by joining one of our optional tours.

In the early morning, we set out for the desert of Wadi Rum, the spectacular landscape that captivated the British officer Lawrence of Arabia, who famously described it as "vast, echoing and god-like." We believe he could not have described it better. Enjoy a two-hour 4-wheel drive Jeep tour through the desert, visiting Lawrence's Spring, passing majestic mountains, and exploring a gorge adorned with ancient rock carvings.

After the desert excursion, we continue by road to Aqaba. Blessed with exceptional weather for more than eight months of the year, Aqaba is the perfect destination for sailing, water skiing, swimming, diving, and snorkeling. Its vibrant coral reefs and the colorful marine life of the Red Sea make it one of Jordan's top coastal attractions. We will be happy to arrange activities to match your interests.

First, you will have a free morning in Aqaba to enjoy at your leisure. We then drive to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth and the world's largest natural spa. One of the world's true natural wonders, the Dead Sea is renowned for its mineral-rich waters and therapeutic mud, both celebrated for their health and beauty benefits.

Located 417 meters (1,373 ft.) below sea level, the Dead Sea has a unique microclimate and is the saltiest, most mineral-rich body of water in the world. Its exceptional buoyancy allows visitors to float effortlessly, while its warm, thermo-mineral waters and famous black mud have attracted travelers seeking relaxation and wellness for thousands of years. Take time to unwind and enjoy everything this extraordinary destination has to offer.

Your 9-day private Jordan tour concludes with a transfer to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman for your departure. Our English-speaking representative will assist you with the departure formalities to ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey.